photo from justjared.com

By Justin Cole
Staff Writer

Unless you’re living under a rock or a in an underground nuclear fallout shelter, you’ve probably heard the new Adele single “Hello.” The song is really great, and it is completely tearing up every music and media outlet from iTunes to YouTube. So, naturally, where there is one pop hit, there are thousands of people, both amateur and professional, attempting to take it into their own hands. We scoured YouTube and came up with some you should hear.

The following clips are the crème de la crème of the covers:

7. The Gardiner Sisters

This cover is impressive because it isn’t too excessive and the harmonies are spot on. They give it a Dixie Chicks-esque treatment, which is really pleasing to the ears.

6. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has reached new heights since stripping the title of Disney star from her name. Lovato has been showcasing her adult sound with songs that push her range.  This cover she performed during KISS FM Seattle’s Fall Ball is no exception.  Oh… And she nails it by the way.

5. Castro The Band

So this one was shocking for two reasons. First, and most obviously, this is a really great cover simply because it harmonizes at the right points and knows when to hold back to let the sound ring out.  However, I had a sort of a “holy shit” moment when I realized that the guy with the short hair is Jason Castro from American Idol.  He has been off the radar since…well, since he was on the show. Just as a reference, here is the Jason Castro I’m referring to.

4. Taps Mugadza

This one doesn’t need a ton of justification. Just listen and try to not shed a tear. He maintains the emotion of the original version while still adding a silky smoothness and soul to his rendition.  I mean, listen to the guys falsetto and harmonies. It’s like someone is pouring unfiltered, concentrated smoothness into your ear canals.

3. Phedora

So let’s just get our giggles and groans out now at the fact that the band is named Phedora. Now that that’s out of our system, we can continue. This is one of the many rock/punk/metal covers of the song, but it stands out because it isn’t thrown together. Also, it doesn’t play too much into the genre. When the latter is done, the sound of the original version is lost in the instrumentation stacked on top of the song.

2. This Girl From Seoul Music High School

I wish I could read Korean because I want to hear more from whoever she is. This is possibly the only cover that can go against the original and still hold its own. She looks so emotionally invested in the cover, and her voice is flawless. Not to mention, SHE IS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT!

1.  Stephen

(Skip to :25 for the beginning of the cover)

Stephen’s version of “Hello” completely flips the original and turns it into something different, which is why this cover tops the list. It is completely original and reinvigorates the ballad. He injects energy into the song and makes something reminiscent of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. There is also a reference to another one of Adele’s songs in the cover, so listen closely!