I have been trawling Youtube for years looking for music that I personally resonate with. One of the things that I really enjoy discovering is a cover song that radically transforms the original song into something else - the cover artist can showcase their creative expression and potentially make the song appeal to a new audience. I found it difficult to narrow down just a handful of tracks, but here are 10 of my favourite cover songs on Youtube that are really different from the original versions.
1: The Suitcase Dwellers - Blue Monday (New Order Cover) - Ont Sofa Live at Northern Monk Brew Co.
This folksy duo transform a famous synth-pop dance tune from the 80s into a calm acoustic song that suddenly erupts with life halfway through. If you liked this, their official website is: http://thesuitcasedwellers.co.uk/
2: Karma police - Kendra Morris (Radiohead cover)
Kendra Morris replaces Thom Yorke's tortured voice in the original 90s alternative rock song with something much more soulful and less depressing. Her Mockingbird album is an entire album of covers in a similar vein. If you liked this, her official website is: https://www.kendramorrismusic.com/
3: We Are The Champions - Queen - FUNK cover ft. Sarah Dugas
I would say this is more of a soul cover rather than funk but I love it regardless - I wonder what Freddie Mercury would have made of it? Scary Pockets are a band with continually revolving members, run by Jack Conte who happens to be a co-founder of Patreon. No surprises then, that they have a fanpage there! https://www.patreon.com/scarypockets
4: Domino - Jessie J (Billie Holiday Style Cover) ft. Emmaline
Postmodern Jukebox created by Scott Bradlee have made a name for themselves by "jazzifying" modern pop songs, although they do branch out into other genres occasionally. This is one of their finest mellow examples. Their official website is: https://postmodernjukebox.com/
5: Allen Stone - Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye Cover - Live at Bear Creek Studio)
Allen Stone transforms the quirky art-pop song into a smooth RnB song in this live performance. Official website: http://www.allenstone.com/
6: Ordinary World by Duran Duran (Morgan James Cover)
With her husband Doug Wamble on acoustic guitar, Morgan James delivers an reflective, emotional performance of the 90s soft rock song. Official website: https://www.morganjamesonline.com/
7: Nirvana | Lithium ft. BELLSAINT | acoustic cover
From the people behind Scary Pockets, the Stories Youtube channel is a spinoff that focuses on acoustic covers.
https://www.youtube.com/c/storiesacoustic
The cello is used to really good effect in this cover of Nirvana's punk rock song.
8: Eva Cassidy - Woodstock (Joni Mitchell cover)
In my opinion, this trumps Joni Mitchell's original by being more melodic and pleasant to listen to. This is an incredibly calming track thanks to Eva Cassidy's soft vocals.
9: CREEP - Karen Souza (Radiohead cover)
Another Radiohead cover, radically reimagined by Argentinian jazz singer Karen Souza. You can almost imagine being at a bar, drowning your sorrows in alcohol while this is playing in the background!
Official website: http://www.karensouza.com/
10: Quantic & Alice Russell with the Combo Bárbaro - I'll Keep My Light In My Window (Temptations cover)
Last but definitely not least, this is a live acoustic cover of a Motown tune that feels a lot more modern without the synths in the original.
Official website: https://tru-thoughts.co.uk/