Accessibility links
The Complete Jonathan Coulton Recordings, Season Two On the tenth day of Christmas, Ask Me Another gave to me: every song house musician Jonathan Coulton played on the show in season two. Completists, rejoice.
Special Series

Bonus Round: Ask Me Another

Browse this collection of Ask Me Another web extras, including games, music, bios and more.

The Complete Jonathan Coulton Recordings, Season Two

Jonathan Coulton, Ask Me Another's versatile house musician, has a song to play for any occasion.
Enlarge this image
Lam Thuy Vo/NPR
Jonathan Coulton, Ask Me Another's versatile house musician, has a song to play for any occasion.
Lam Thuy Vo/NPR

This is the tenth day of Ask Me Another's 12 Days of Xmas series.

Completists, rejoice. Below you'll find 40+ recordings of Ask Me Another house musician Jonathan Coulton's performances — originals, covers, mashups and more — from the show's second season. These short, interstitial tunes act as palette cleansers between trivia rounds, but Coulton takes great care to choose songs that are thematically relevant, or just plain fun. Among beloved originals such as the Portal theme "Still Alive" and the ode to parenthood "You Ruined Everything," Coulton covers artists from Queen to The Pixies to Destiny's Child.

The Complete Jonathan Coulton Recordings, Season Two

  • Faith (George Michael cover)

    Jonathan Coulton.
    Enlarge this image
    Eamon Coyne/NPR
    Jonathan Coulton.
    Eamon Coyne/NPR

    Sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer requested a love song, and Coulton obliged.

    From episode 201: Fifty Shades of Dr. Ruth

    01Faith (George Michael cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259131758" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Pressure (Billy Joel cover)

    From episode 201: Fifty Shades of Dr. Ruth

    02Pressure (Billy Joel cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259131904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Mammal (They Might Be Giants cover)

    From episode 202: Once A Jersey Girl...

    03Mammal (They Might Be Giants cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259131953" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • All I Wanna Do (Sheryl Crow cover)

    From episode 202: Once A Jersey Girl...

    04All I Wanna Do (Sheryl Crow cover)

    Listen
    • Download
    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259132324" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi cover)

    From episode 202: Once A Jersey Girl...

    05Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259132968" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • The Princess Who Saved Herself

    From episode 204: So A Girl Walks Into A Bar...

    06The Princess Who Saved Herself

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259140939" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • We Are The Champions (Queen cover)

    From episode 204: So A Girl Walks Into A Bar...

    07We Are The Champions (Queen cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259140969" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Drinking With You

    From episode 204: So A Girl Walks Into A Bar...

    08Drinking With You

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259140979" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Should I Stay Or Should I Go? (The Clash cover)

    All day, Coulton had been threatening to play "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Everyone said no, but he still managed to throw a little bit of it in this song. Also, this show was taped in January.

    From episode 207: Special Pundits Unit

    09Should I Stay Or Should I Go (The Clash cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141050" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Call Me (Blondie cover)

    From episode 207: Special Pundits Unit

    11Call Me (Blondie cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141296" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Still Alive

    Jonathan Coulton
    Steve McFarland/NPR

    Written by Coulton for the video game Portal.

    From episode 210: Meme Me Up, Scotty

    12Still Alive

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141380" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • I'm Your Moon

    From episode 210: Meme Me Up, Scotty

    13I'm Your Moon

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141566" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Helter Skelter vs. AMA Theme

    The first live mashup performed on our show. What you get is a really jaunty version of one of The Beatles' heaviest songs.

    From episode 210: Meme Me Up, Scotty

    01AMA Theme vs. Helter Skelter (Beatles cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141602" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Bills, Bills, Bills (Destiny's Child cover)

    From episode 211: Always Bet On Black

    15Bills Bills Bills (Destiny's Child cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141760" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • The Gambler (Kenny Rogers cover)

    From episode 211: Always Bet On Black

    16The Gambler (Kenny Rogers cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141817" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • You Ruined Everything

    Inspired by V.I.P. Michael Ian Black's description of children's books as "stupid," Coulton performed his own ode to parenthood.

    From episode 211: Always Bet On Black

    17You Ruined Everything

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259141917" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (B.J. Thomas cover)

    From Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

    From episode 212: The Human Guinea Pig

    18Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (B.J. Thomas cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142144" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Skymall

    From episode 212: The Human Guinea Pig

    19Skymall

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142355" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ Top cover)

    Find out what the "Zs" in ZZ Top stand for.

    From episode 212: The Human Guinea Pig

    20Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ Top cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142399" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond cover)

    Boston audience sing-along!

    From episode 213: Frankly, We Heart Boston

    01Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142459" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Brookline

    From episode 213: Frankly, We Heart Boston

    21Brookline

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142472" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Here Comes Your Man (Pixies cover)

    Jonathan Coulton in Boston.
    Enlarge this image
    Mettie Ostrowski/NPR
    Jonathan Coulton in Boston.
    Mettie Ostrowski/NPR

    From episode 213: Frankly, We Heart Boston

    22Here Comes Your Man (Pixies cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142503" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (Beatles cover)

    From episode 214: Hook, Line and Thinker

    23Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (Beatles cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142725" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • I Crush Everything

    From episode 214: Hook, Line and Thinker

    24I Crush Everything

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142735" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Poisoning Pigeons In the Park (Tom Lehrer cover)

    An "aptronym" is a word that refers to a person's name that happens to suit her job or characteristics. Coulton points out that "Lehrer" means "teacher" in German.

    From episode 215: Lizz Free Or Die

    25Poisoning Pigeons in the Park (Tom Lehrer cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142805" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Kiss (Prince cover)

    A song by one native Minnesotan in honor of another: V.I.P. Lizz Winstead grew up in Minneapolis.

    From episode 215: Lizz Free Or Die

    26Kiss (Prince cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259142910" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Queen of Hearts (Dave Edmunds cover)

    A song about royalty (sort of), for V.I.P. Owen King.

    From episode 216: All Hail The King

    27Queen of Hearts (Dave Edmunds cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259143045" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Good Morning (cover)

    Made famous by Singin' In The Rain.

    From episode 216: All Hail The King

    28Good Morning (from 'Singin' In The Rain')

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259143185" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Creep (Radiohead cover)

    From episode 217: Seventh-Inning (Mind) Stretch

    29Creep (Radiohead cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259143292" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • The 59th Street Bridge Song (Simon & Garfunkel cover)

    Enlarge this image

    Singer-songwriter Nellie McKay, known for her offbeat lyrics and quirky humor, joined Ask Me Another in Central Park. Steve McFarland/NPR hide caption

    toggle caption
    Steve McFarland/NPR

    Singer-songwriter Nellie McKay, known for her offbeat lyrics and quirky humor, joined Ask Me Another in Central Park.

    Steve McFarland/NPR

    With Nellie McKay.

    From episode 218: LIVE from Central Park, It's Ask Me Another

    01The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259143904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Bodega

    Written by, and performed as a duet alongside Nellie McKay.

    From episode 218: LIVE from Central Park, It's Ask Me Another

    01Bodega

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259144040" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • (I've Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo (Glenn Miller cover)

    From episode 219: Trivia Freaks and Puzzle Geeks

    30(I've Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo (Glenn Miller cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259144167" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Bad Reputation (Joan Jett cover)

    Also known as the Freaks and Geeks theme song.

    From episode 219: Trivia Freaks and Puzzle Geeks

    31Bad Reputation (Joan Jett cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259144277" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Particle Man (They Might Be Giants cover)

    From episode 220: Solving For X: Live From The 2013 World Science Festival

    32Particle Man (They Might Be Giants cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259144599" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Pi (Hard 'n Phirm cover)

    The mathematically-minded and keen of hearing may catch Coulton's mistake in this song.

    From episode 220: Solving For X: Live From The 2013 World Science Festival

    33Pi (Hard 'n Phirm cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259144625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Venus (Bananarama cover)

    From episode 220: Solving For X: Live From The 2013 World Science Festival

    34Venus (Bananarama cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259144935" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Deep Dark Truthful Mirror (Elvis Costello cover)

    From episode 221: Monkee-ing Around

    35Deep Dark Truthful Mirror (Elvis Costello cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259145016" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • De-Evolving

    From episode 221: Monkee-ing Around

    36De-Evolving

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259145306" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Help! (Guttural Version) (Beatles cover)

    Jonathan Coulton. Lam Thuy Vo/NPR hide caption

    toggle caption
    Lam Thuy Vo/NPR

    Performed in conjunction with a game about guttural words.

    From episode 222: Don't Tell Me...Wait, Wait, Ask Me Another

    37Help! (Guttural Version) (Beatles cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259145699" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett cover)

    From episode 223: Foodie: The Other 'F' Word

    39Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259146472" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Money, Money, Money (ABBA cover)

    From episode 224: Planet Money Makes the World Go 'Round

    40Money, Money, Money (ABBA cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259146658" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Money (Pink Floyd cover)

    From episode 224: Planet Money Makes the World Go 'Round

    41Money (Pink Floyd cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259146762" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel cover)

    From episode 225: Fake History Until You Make It

    42Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259147119" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Birdhouse In Your Soul (They Might Be Giants cover)

    From episode 225: Fake History Until You Make It

    43Birdhouse In Your Soul (They Might Be Giants cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259147179" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Happy Together (Turtles cover)

    From episode 226: Trivia Is The New Black

    44Happy Together (The Turtles cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259147198" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

  • Care of Cell 44 (Zombies cover)

    From episode 226: Trivia Is The New Black

    45Care of Cell 44 (The Zombies cover)

    • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/250284733/259147453" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Special Series

Bonus Round: Ask Me Another

Browse this collection of Ask Me Another web extras, including games, music, bios and more.