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.
Unless you live under a rock or have simply refused to turn on any radio station in the last year, you know the band Imagine Dragons. More importantly, you’re aware of its infectious single “Radioactive.” The song has been used in movie trailers, sports commercials and everything inbetween. A song with that kind of popularity screams, “cover me!” So of course the beautiful souls of YouTube decided to cover it, over and over and over again. One group’s cover stands above all others, a group who’s known for their a capella covers and success on NBC’s “The Sing Off.” Yes, I’m referring to the men and woman of Pentatonix as they partnered with popular violinist Lindsey Stirling for their “Radioactive” cover.
Which is better? Ready? Here we go.


Round 1: Deviation? Good or Bad?
Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive” rewards the ears with a collaboration of simple yet heavy drum hits and a solid showing by lead vocalist Dan Reynolds. The lines “I’m waking up” and “welcome to the new age” haven’t been the same since the song debuted in 2012. The band was already on its way to a strong first album with lead single “It’s Time,” but “Radioactive” sent everything over the top.
The song played so much that currently the thought of it sends me into a slight fit of annoyance. My bias aside, Radioactive could come on right now and I’ll find myself nodding and even singing along almost against my will.
Now I won’t go into the backstory of Pentatonix or Lindsey Stirling or their YouTube fame, but know that if you haven’t seen either one of these acts, I encourage you to get lost in the musical part of YouTube immediately after reading this.
The “Radioactive” cover strips everything out of the original song and replaces it with Stirling’s strings and Pentatonix’s walking beat box Kevin Olusola. Lead singer of Pentatonix, Scott Hoying takes the reigns as the other members of Pentatonix harmonize with him through the song.
While the lyrics are the exact same, that is the only thing remaining from the original song. The tempo is different, the pitch is different and so is the way I reacted to this song. While the original makes me feel excited about whatever feat I’m about to tackle, the cover causes me to recognize how talented its ensemble is and truly appreciate the song.
Point for the cover. Score: 1-0
Round 2: Replay Value
Almost 146 million million views separate the two videos as of this blog. The numbers clearly favor the original but that isn’t what makes it the winner of this category. Replay value is partially about personal preference but also about listening with friends. I can’t jam out to the “Radioactive” cover with my friends on a road trip, but if the original were to come on, the next season of “The Voice” better be ready.
As beautiful as the cover is, it simply isn’t as fun to hear over and over and over. Yes, I’m aware I said I’m tired of the song but if nothing else is on, then I can deal with it.
Point for the original. Score 1-1
Round 3: Ability to connect with the listener
I’m not sure if its just me, but when I listen to the original “Radioactive,” I just feel a little angry and really excited. I don’t feel any connection with the song itself because I’m so wrapped up in the power of the beat behind it. Then I remember that the song focuses on Reynold’s struggle with depression and rising up from that dark place. At that point, I realize that I’m supposed to be feeling that excitement, because the song is about overcoming the obstacles that hold us back.
The cover is calming and a bit soulful and the group harmonizes. It makes my heart feel a little warmer on the inside, but it doesn’t channel the meaning of the song itself. I can’t resonate with the cover because I feel that it was to produced and planned out.
Point to the original. Score 2-1 Winner: Imagine Dragon’s “Radioactive.”
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.