Covers (The Smithereens)

Covers features songs that are collected from different sessions throughout the band's career.[3] Guitarist Jim Babjak: “Whenever we had extra time in the studio we’d knock off covers for fun."[4]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Illinois Entertainer	[5]

Jeff Elbel of the Illinois Entertainer rated the album 7 stars out of 10, stating: "If these songs represent the Smithereens' schoolbooks, Covers is the thesis supporting the band's tenured status as professors and proclaimers of perfect power pop."[5]

Notes

• "The Game of Love", "Yer Blues", "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" and "The Stroll" were recorded in 1993-1994 during sessions for A Date with The Smithereens. They were previously released on The Mega-Box Set, an unofficial 21-CD box set released in 2005 through Pat DiNizio's website in a limited edition of 500 copies.[6] "The Stroll" was originally featured in Reform School Girl, an episode in the 1994 Showtime television series Rebel Highway.[7]

• "Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life" were recorded in December 1987 during sessions for Green Thoughts.[8]

• "Let's Talk About Us" was recorded in 1993 for Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell.[9]

• "Time Won't Let Me" was recorded in June 1994 for the film Timecop but not included on the soundtrack album.[10][11]

• "I Want to Tell You" was recorded in 2002 for Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison.[12]

• "It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round" and "Shakin' All Over" were recorded spring 1991 during sessions for Blow Up.[13]

• "Downbound Train" was recorded 24 January 1997 for One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen.[14]

• "The Seeker" was recorded spring 1987.[15]

Adapted from the liner notes of Covers[16] and Attack of The Smithereens,[17] except where noted.

The Smithereens

• Pat DiNizio – lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica
• Jim Babjak – guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home"[3] and "The World Keeps Going 'Round", co-lead vocal on "One After 909"
• Dennis Diken – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Mike Mesaros – bass, backing vocals
• Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion – bass on "Well...Alright"

Additional musicians

• Don Dixon – piano on "Ruler of My Heart"
• Michael Hamilton – keyboards on "Wooly Bully"[18]
• Kenny Margolis – piano, backing vocals, hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us",[19] piano on "One After 909" and "It Don't Come Easy"
• Ira Sebastian Elliott – hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us"
• Tony Visconti – backing vocals on "Let's Talk About Us"
• Jimmy Wood – harmonica on "Time Won't Let Me"[10]
• Ron Fair – organ on "Time Won't Let Me"
• Dave Amels – piano on "I Want to Tell You"
• Bill Maryniak – organ on "Downbound Train"[14]
• Marti Jones – co-lead vocal on "Somethin' Stupid"

Technical

• The Smithereens – production on "Wooly Bully", "Girl Don't Tell Me", "Time Won't Let Me", "It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round", "The Seeker" and "Shakin' All Over", compilation producer
• Don Dixon – production on "Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life"
• Ralph Sall – production on "Wooly Bully"
• Peter McCabe – production assistance on "Wooly Bully"
• Jon Tiven – production on "Let's Talk About Us"
• Tony Visconti – production on "Let's Talk About Us"
• Ron Fair – production on "Time Won't Let Me"
• Bennett Kaufman – production on "Time Won't Let Me"
• Don Fleming – production on "Gloomy Sunday"
• Michael Hamilton]] – production on "It Don't Come Easy" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round"
• Pat DiNizio – production on "Well...Alright"
• Jim Babjak – production on "Well...Alright"
• Dennis Diken – production on "Well...Alright"
• Kurt Reil – production on "Well...Alright"
• Mike Mesaros – production on "Downbound Train"
• Ed Stasium – production on "Shakin' All Over"
• Todd Sinclair – compilation supervisor
• Rebecca Baltutis – album design
• Bob Gramegna – photo restoration