We've Got You Covered - Roundup of the Best Cover Songs Across the Internet.

Betsy
Jul 6, 2016
5 min read

1. Panda - Karmin (Desiigner Cover)

If you've never heard of Karmin, brace yourself for some next level vocals and over-all badassery. Amy, the female half of this duo, absolutely demolishes this song with her outstanding vocal abilities and rap skills. If you, like me, don't enojy rap songs that lack a strong melody, this cover is for you. Amy brings her A game to the verses and takes the chorus to an entirely new level with her beautiful voice and flawless runs. In other words, I want to be her. Check out Karmin recording this live here and let yourself bask in the talent that pours out of Amy and Nick Noonan.

2. Trap Queen - Collin McLoughlin (Fetty Wap Cover)

There are quite a lot of Trap Queen covers out in the interwebs, but this one takes the cake. Any cover that takes a rap song and adds an acoustic guitar is O.K. in my book (Kellan Malloy singing Ludacris, for example). But while this cover by Collin McLoughlin definitely brings acoustic sensibilities, it also includes a really smooth R&B beat to boot. (Close second for a VERY unusual yet wonderful Trap Queen cover goes to Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi. Click here and fast forward to 1:25).

3. Mine - Third Eye Blind (Beyonce ft. Drake Cover)

This is the first version of this song I had ever heard. If I hadn't looked up the lyrics I never would have known it was a cover. This acoustic rendition fits right in with the catchy hooks heard in both Third Eye Blind's classics and lesser-known jams (Non Dairy Creamer, anyone?...No? Just me?)

4. Royals - Pentatonix (Lorde Cover)

Pentatonix is unarguably the greatest acapella group in mainstream music right now. One of the greatest pitfalls of acapella has to be, as the genre's definition indicates, the inability to use physical instruments. This, of course, is what makes the style of music so captivating. However, without the singing chops to support a song that originally includes many instruments, acapella covers can often fall flat. However, the vocal ranges of these five leaves nothings to be desired. If this track leaves you craving more Pentatonix, check out more of their wicked covers, originals, and medleys.

5. I Miss You - Boyce Avenue ft. Cobus Potgieter (Blink 182 Cover)

When most people think 'cover artist,' I'm certain Boyce Avenue is one of the first bands to cross their mind. Alejandro Manzano, the lead singer, has a very recognizable voice that is well suited for the hundreds of covers that Boyce Avenue has tackled. This acoustic take on a Blink 182 classic is one of my personal favorites!

6. Take On Me - Reel Big Fish (a-ha Cover)

Classic 80s song meets classic 90s Ska band. What's not to love? On a related note, can someone bring Ska back? Gwen Stefani, I'm looking at you. If anyone can do it, you can. I have no doubt (see what I did there?)

7. What Do You Mean? - Karmin (Justin Bieber Cover)

Karmin again? YES. Listen to this J Biebs cover and you will forgive me for the redundancy. Also, check out the music video...It's pretty rad. And I'll further the redundancy by once again complementing Amy's runs in this song. Girl. has. PIPES.

8. We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off - Ella Eyre (Jermaine Stewart Cover)

I love it when a song has been covered so frequently that we forget who the original was by. Songs that do this prove that they can stand the test of time (The Way You Look Tonight, most frequently known to be sung by a crooning Frank Sinatra, for example, was originally performed by Fred Astaire. People continue to cover it today, such as Maroon 5 frontrunner, Adam Levine...swoon).

We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off was made popular to today's generation by its hook, which was borrowed by Gym Class Heroes in Clothes Off! More recently, a cover of this cover (yes, you read that right) was performed on NBC's The Voice, by Ellie Lawrence. Watch her bring the house down here. Then enjoy the beautiful modern take on the 80s tune by Ella Eyre.

9. Oops!... I Did It Again - Julia Zahra (Britney Spears Cover)

Covers are best when they bring something entirely new to the table. This groovy cover of a Britney Spears standard is no exception.

10. Runaround Sue - Houndmouth (Dion DiMucci Cover)

Another fun thing that cover songs can do is take a song from a much older decade, 1960s in this case, and give it a modern twist. This Houndmouth cover of the 1961 doo-wop track is very fun! They keep the classic swinging feel while giving it a modern alt-rock twist with their singing style and their insertion of an f-bomb in the opening lines. Also, I'm a sucker for live tracks.

11. Bills, Bills, Bills - Darren Criss (Destiny's Child Cover)

I'd be remiss if I didn't include one cover by the talented Glee cast. Those of you who have never seen an episode of the television show and would rather hate on it, consider this article and many others like it. Glee was HUGE. So, at least humor me and give this song a listen. A Destiny's Child song sung by Darren Criss is all it takes to turn me into a giant heart-eyes emoji. Need more Darren? Check out this Rolling Stones interview where he sings all his responses. The man has talent.

12. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay - Sara Bareilles (Otis Redding Cover)

I don't even know what to say about this one other than Sara Bareilles is a powerhouse. The quality of her voice and her vocal range are literally off the charts. She also does a hauntingly beautiful cover of Elton John's, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

13. Blank Space/Stand By Me - Imagine Dragons (Taylor Swift/Ben E. King Cover)

Ending it on a double cover! One of my favorite things in the music world, after cover songs, 90s pop, and Judy Garland of course, is a good Mashup. I wouldn't have imagined T Swift blending seamlessly with a song from the 1960s, but alas, here we have Imagine Dragons doing just that.

BONUS MATERIAL:

Gabe Bondoc - Down On Me (Jeremih ft. 50 Cent Cover)

While this is a favorite Gabe cover of mine, he has hundreds of others. Search for a favorite song of yours and there is a good chance he has covered it. Also, his talent on the guitar is unreal.

Ingrid Michaelson - Nightswimming (R.E.M. Cover)

Anyone who knows me knows I have an obsession with this lady. She is such an amazing talent, not to mention hilarious. Case and point. Here, she is singing a 90s R.E.M. chart-topper while using a loop pedal. For those who don't know how that works, she is operating a pedal with her foot to record loops of herself singing. Every sound/loop in this video is being created on the spot. It's incredibly difficult. Ed Sheeran does this exceptionally well.