It’s no great secret that some cover versions end up more popular than the original tracks. Many Nirvana fans, for instance, still firmly believe that the song “The Man Who Sold The World” was penned by the band’s frontman, Kurt Cobain. In reality, he simply covered—undeniably brilliantly—David Bowie’s title track from the album of the same name. Meanwhile, the anti-war anthem “In the Army Now,” which gained global fame after being performed by the British rock band Status Quo in 1986, had been written several years earlier by the obscure duo Boland & Boland.
The YouTube era has paved the way for hundreds and thousands of talented musicians, some of whom have presented the public with their own signature takes on beloved songs. Some artists, adapting global rock, rap, and other hits into their local languages, resonated so deeply with audiences that, due to popular demand, they were added to the karaoke catalog right alongside the original tracks. The most successful performers have transitioned from the streaming platform to club stages, recording albums and successfully forging star careers.
We have compiled ten of the most intriguing cover projects on YouTube that have earned worldwide fame and the admiration of millions of fans. They all stand out for their originality, excellent arrangements, and professional approach to their craft. We are confident you will enjoy their work just as much as the original tracks.
Frog Leap Studios
Classic hits infused with a heavy metal sound.
Boyce Avenue
Soulful acoustic pop-rock and incredibly beautiful vocals.
PostmodernJukebox
Who says swing isn’t relevant in the 21st century?
Scary Pockets
A little funk for a good mood.
Steve ‘n’ Seagulls
Bluegrass courtesy of hot-blooded Finnish rednecks.
Robyn Adele Anderson
Another project giving classic pop hits a retro sound.
Broken Peach
An alternative perspective and mashups of iconic hits.
Brothers Moving
You are more likely to run into these guys on the street than on the internet.
Los Colorados
Global hits infused with an accordion from Lviv and a soul from Poltava.
Too Many Zooz
You’ve never heard a saxophone played quite like this.
TheSnakeCharmer
Think nothing else can surprise you? How about bagpipe covers in a Celtic-Punjabi style?
Sing, experiment, and amaze with Studio Evolution karaoke systems. Have a great karaoke session!
