We live in an era where people such as Justin Bieber, SoMo and Greyson Chance have become famous in no small part due to their Youtube covers.

Cover songs have been around for decades and sometimes the remake trumps the original track. This is where this blog comes in. It is here that we will stack these covers against their predecessors to determine which rendition of the song is truly better.
These covers will be judged according to the following: how well or badly the cover deviates from the original song, replay value and the cover’s ability to connect with the listener.
During the birth of ‘80s synth pop, England-based band Tears for Fears came in and dominated. Most famous for its song “Shout,” Tears for Fears has stayed around for decades due to its staple in pop culture and multiple times being sampled. Another popular song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” has become the pinnacle of the band’s success and even recieved a reference in Nas’ song “Rule” on his album “Stillmatic” in 2002. Of course this means that they would be covered, but by who?  
For the 2013 film “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” New Zealander Lorde covered “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” To add to her long list of recent accomplishments, the cover was then used in the trailer for 2014 film “Dracula Untold” and recently released video game “Assassins Creed Unity.”
Chances are you’ve heard “Royals” so I don’t have to go into detail about who this girl is, but know that she’s probably going to be around for a while. Does her rendition of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” have the staying power that she does? That’s what we’re here to find out.   

Round 1: Deviation? Good or Bad?
Musical tastes have changed since Tears for Fears recorded “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” in 1985. I think we can all accept that the most popular sounds of 30 years ago are much different than the ones of today.
That being said, we can see that these two songs are intended for separate audiences.
The original song was a dance hit and topped the charts internationally. Lorde’s cover, like most of her songs does not invoke dancing and hasn’t seen the radio light to climb music charts anywhere.
Lorde keeps the lyrics identical and the same piano chords are used, but that’s where the comparisons end. There is nothing upbeat about this cover and Lorde’s whispery, almost talking, voice compliments the more orchestral sounding song.
Sure Lorde may not be everyone’s favorite artist, but I don’t see anyone pining over Tears for Fears either. The modern update to the song is welcomed by many and breathes new life into the song.
Point to the cover. Score 1-0.
Round 2: Replay Value
How many times can a person listen to “Royals?” What about “Team?” “Buzzkill Season?” There’s a finite amount of Lorde’s voice I can tolerate especially after hearing her for a large majority of 2013. There’s something very dismal and dark about her sound that is good in dosages
Also, listening to a band whose popularity last peaked when my mom was in college provides a throwback feeling I can’t find from Lorde. The upbeat tempo Tears for Fears has in their songs comes in handy in this category.
Point to the original. Score 1-1.  
Round 3: Ability to connect with the listener
Does everybody really want to rule the world? The original song sounds super happy so we never listen to the lyrics. It’s a lot darker than the first listen would prove.
To truly draw that out a voice like Lorde is needed. I can see the “this guy doesn’t know anything” going through the minds of a few of you. If you play the two songs side-by-side, close your eyes and truly listen, something about the cover just seems right.
Point to the cover. Score 2-1. Winner: Lorde’s cover. I’m expecting a lot of flack for this one. I just feel that Tears for Fears, as great as a few of their songs are, can’t compete with the current taste of music. Back then, the original was astounding I’m sure, but now it’s the updated version that rules the world.
Agree? Disagree? Tell me below and suggest some other covers to listen to. Send me a tweet @Joshua_Jackson_. I’ll be back next week with another original pitted against its cover.