Days are tough. Music makes days less tough. Dope alterations of songs you know can make days…almost good. 

1. Bastille – What Would You Do? (City High)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDPCuUcT170&w=584&h=390]

With his recent hit Pompeii, Bastille is well on his way to becoming a semi-household name. A few years back, he made a huge splash on the music blog scene with this imaginative cover.

2. J*Davey – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGe_sCXx4tA&w=584&h=390]

Nirvana tweaked to fit the new wave/pop rock stylings of late-aughts. Underrated pump up music.

3. Runaground – Wake Me Up (Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuBRp7Adjes&w=584&h=390]

One of those covers littered with “better than the original?” comments all over the ‘tube. Definitely deserving.

4. Charlie Puth – Someone Like You (Adele)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAHyGbOXoF4&w=584&h=390]

This has over 17 million views, likely because their voices penetrate the sound barrier in the most powerfully pleasant way possible.

5. Jon Bellion – The Motto (Drake)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BR2wdVjifg&w=584&h=390]

You’ll want to know this name. As demonstrated by this song and others, this inventive talent has a very bright future.

6. Timeflies – Wild Ones (Flo Rida ft. Sia)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On5Er-BgwkE&w=584&h=390]

Timeflies has been deep in the cover/remix game for quite some time now. Here’s one of their finest.

7. Lissie – Pursuit Of Happiness (Kid Cudi ft. MGMT & Ratatat)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQMJCOT2wlQ&w=584&h=390]

Girl can sing. Girl makes this cover her own.

8. Patent Pending – Break Stuff (Limp Bizkit)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRQEknqwyJU&w=584&h=390]

A complete departure from Limp Bizkit’s hard-hitting banger, this is oddly beautiful.

9. One Direction – Teenage Dirtbag (Wheatus)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCifLlZXHlU&w=584&h=390]

Say what you want about One Direction, but can knock their taste.

10. Christina Grimmie – Titanium (David Guetta Ft. Sia)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA4fdiOqNMw&w=584&h=390]

You sort of root for her to nail the “I Am Titaaaanium” part. And she does. Everytime.

11. Jimmy Eat World – We Are Never Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFISsaafUdw&w=584&h=390]

Probably not for everyone, but Jimmy Eat World fans will very much enjoy this Jersey Rock take on Taylor Swift’s ubiquitous hit.

12. So They Say – Forever Young (Rod Stewart)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yAKY5qhBh8&w=584&h=390]

I listened to this a lot during the summer I graduated high school, particularly those weeks before going off to school. Super high school.

13. Glen Hansard & Colm Maclomaire – Everytime (Britney Spears)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2nSSWGWBis&w=584&h=390]

This song crept back into my personal rolodex after it was unexpectedly featured in a movie this year. Here’s a good cover. Spring Break Foreva.

14. Awesome Guy On YouTube – Feeling This (Blink-182)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDCBtT07aMQ&w=584&h=390]

While I’ve been putting this together, this is the song I’ve chosen to keep playing on repeat. Youtuber keezykabeezy deserves huge props for this.

15. Johnny Cash And Fiona Apple – Father And Son (Cat Stevens)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KY5vqfSKUY&w=584&h=390]

Will totes give you chills.