Read It On The Radio – Vol 2 is the eighth EP by Canadian singer-songwriter Melanie Peterson, with Toronto producer Mitch Girio. Their second collection of cover songs, following 2014’s Read It On The Radio, released worldwide on Nov 21st, 2025.
Read It On The Radio – Vol 2
- Have You Ever Seen The Rain
- Brand New Key
- Save It For Later
- Elliot's Song
- (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
The EP was recorded in Girio’s home studio with appearances on backing vocals by Peter Collins from her live band and Jennifer Wakefield and Paul Terrian from Melanie’s folk trio. Peterson was not planning on recording a covers EP, and was originally intent on recording original compositions. She explains: The songs just weren’t there yet. There was more life to be experienced, and I wanted to go deeper with my songwriting, so I put a pin in the new album until 2026 and turned to recording and releasing this cover album in the interim.
The rhythm to the lead track, a cover of John Fogerty’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is mid-tempo with an understated acoustic guitar. Peterson said she “started feeling more and more happy inside” while performing the song live. “It didn’t matter if I was upset or frustrated or whatever. I kept getting happier every time I sang it. Especially as most audience members knew the song and would start singing along. So, I made the decision to include it on the cover EP and choosing it for the lead track just felt right about it. The second track Melanie Safka’s “Brand New Key” Peterson started singing years ago - partly because of the connection with her first name (her parents were folkies and named her after the artist) - and it’s remained a favourite to perform live. This arrangement features Paul Therrien, Jennifer Wakefield, and Peter Collins hamming it up on backing vocals. The cover of The English Beat’s “Save It for Later” was not the most obvious choice for Melanie to sing, but it has quickly become one of her favourites from this EP. “Elliot’s Song” is a poignant, introspective acoustic driven ballad from HBO's Euphoria. Peterson first heard this song during the COVID lockdown while watching the show on HBO. Written by Labrinth, Muzhda “Muz” Zemar-McKenzie, and Zendaya for the show’s soundtrack, it’s an introspective ballad of regret and hope. “We had a great time giving it a gentle lift in this version.” The melodic, guitar driven cover of the power pop song written by Nick Lowe and originally covered by Elvis Costello: “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding” was a no brainer. There’s never a time when this message feels out of place, but singing it now feels more relevant than ever. With a nod to Lowe’s signature jangly 12-string guitar sound and a subtle wink toward a distant Motown groove, “this version just felt like the right note to end the EP with (pun intended).”