Kicking it off with one of the highest viewed videos and one of the best Like a Version covers is Donald Glover, better known by his rap pseudonym Childish Gambino. Back in 2015, he came by Triple J studio to cover Tamia’s 1998 R&B classic ‘So Into You’. During an interview before the song, Glover revealed it was a favourite from his youth.

Stopping by the studio to cover Tame Impala’s “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards”, Arctic Monkey’s frontman Alex Turner lends a dreamy and folksy tilt on this popular song. Simply done and stripped back, it’s a powerfully simple cover that exposes the one-sided monologue over a relationship in doubt. With 11.8 million views, it’s earned a spot in the best Like a Versions of all time.

Chiming in with 10.5M views, Scottish synth-pop group, Chvrches put their own twist on “Do I Wanna Know?” by the aforementioned Arctic Monkeys.  Straying drastically from the original song, the synth-y re-imagining really works, developing new meaning to the lyrics. The softly sung words and downtempo electronic sounds make this one of the best Like a Versions of all time.

If you’ve never liked a Justin Bieber song in your life, then Halsey cover of “Love Yourself” may just change your mind. The American songstress starts off mellow then amps it up and throws in a few expletives unlike the Bieber version, which has never been played on Triple J. Her cover was also on YouTube’s 2016 top trending videos coming in at number eight and clocking 7.5 million views.

In 2016 DMA’s covered Cher’s “Believe”, completely changing up the dance tune to something that sounds completely authentic. DMA’s frontman, Thomas O’Dell makes it his own with his heartfelt vocals that do the lyrics more justice than the original. It even made it onto the 2016 Hottest 100, in fact, it was one of the highest positioned songs from Like a Version charting at number six. In our books, that makes it one of the best Like a Version’s of all time.

It wouldn’t be a list of the best of Like a Version without Tash Sultana’s rendition of “Electric Feel”. Ten years after its first release MGMT’s “Electric Feel” gets a complete revamp by one of Australia’s best talents, Tash Sultana. Using her unique technique of looping, Tash covers the song beautifully and soulfully with an upbeat tempo and guitar solo. This one clocks in at close to seven million views, making it one of the best Like a Version covers.

Covering the hauntingly beautiful track “Teardrop” by Massive Attack and somehow making it even more hauntingly beautiful, is Aurora. Hailing all the way from Norway, Aurora brings us gentle lines and keyboard stokes swelling towards its final note. It’s delicate, harmonic and enthralling, building slowly and making use of that unique and percussive heartbeat.

Welsh indie group Catfish and the Bottlemen dropped by Triple J back in 2015 and performed a deconstructed acoustic version of the 2006 hit “Read My Mind” by The Killers. Clocking up to 5.4 million views, it deserves a spot on this best Like a Version list. Even when vocalist Van McCaan has a hiccup in the second verse he carries on with the same spirit, even chucking in some off-the-cuff R.Kelly and delivers a fantastic cover.

Chet Faker brings back Sonia Dada’s hit song from 1992 “(Lover) You Don’t Treat Me No Good” in the Triple J studio complete with a backing choir. With the choir and just a guitar mixed in with some hand claps, Chet Faker showcased why he is one of the best voices in Australia. The cover was so popular it reached number 21 on the 2014 Hottest 100 list.

In this Like a Version, our very own homegrown heroes, the Gang of Youths, perform a breathtaking cover of Blood by the Middle East. With accompanying strings and the frontman David Le’aupepe’s signature soulful angst, don’t be surprised if you start to tear up.

Best Triple J Like a Version Covers of 2017

Best Triple J Like a Version Covers of 2016

Best Triple J Like a Version Covers of 2015

Best Triple J Like a Version Covers of 2014

Best Triple J Like a Version Covers of 2013

Best Triple J Like a Version Covers of 2012

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