2014 has been a banner year for YouTube. The massive video sharing platform topped one billion unique monthly users, and also announced the launch of their forthcoming paid music service, Music Key. YouTube will undoubtedly be a dominant force in the music industry for a long time to come.

Here are thirteen of our favorite picks from 2014, side by side with the originals.

 

 

 

1. “TALK DIRTY”, Jason Derulo (feat. 2 Chainz)

Over 250M views on the original of this one! ‘Nuff said!

…but not really. It bears noting that this man is performing twenty–twenty!–genres’ worth of covers in this single 4 minute clip. We tip our hats to the guy who managed to grab a piece of hte “Talk Dirty” pie for himself to the tune of 7 million Youtube views.

 

 

 

2. “AFTERNOON DELIGHT”, Starland Vocal Band.

Harmony is the name of the game on this cover of the Starland Vocal Band classic. Bonus points for leaning into the original’s campy fun.

 

 

 

3. “BURNIN’ UP”, Jessie J (feat. 2 Chainz)

Ricky Lam is not playing on his dance tribute to Ms J. Catch the nod to Michael Jackson around 0:16, and the dramatic change of hue around the pre-chorus…we think Jessie would be proud.

 

 

 

 

4. “LULLABY”, Professor Green (ft. Tori Kelly)

It’s rare to see a recording artist take a step back from the fancy and embrace the people’s medium. Yet that’s just what up-and-coming vocalist Tori Kelly does in her acoustic interpolation of “Lullaby”, which she originally performs with British rapper Professor Green. Even if you’re not into Tori’s stripped-down take, her vocal performance alone proves why Kelly is buzzing. We can’t wait to hear more from her in 2015!

 

 

 

5. “WHEN I’M SMALL”, Phantogram

In general, if there is beatboxing involved, sign us up. Fine it’s Pink and Sergiu Bejenaru take an impressive spin at one of Phantogram’s classics.

 

 

 

6. “HEADBAND”, B.o.B. (feat. 2 Chainz)

Ahh, “Headband”. Where would 2014 have been without your distinctive whistle and undeniable bounce? Diego Vazquez and his crew hit the skate park and put it down in this professional-looking dance performance.

 

 

 

7. “MY IMMORTAL”, Evanesence

Star Youtube violinist Lindsey Stirling’s beautiful violin rendition of “Immortal” may have technically been posted in 2013, but as the song joined Reservoir’s ranks in 2014, it only seems fitting to shout out how breathtaking and surprisingly emotional the young musician’s performance is. Hear for yourself:

 

 

 

8. “WHEN THE BEAT DROPS OUT”, Marlon Roudette

2015 is looking good for Marlon Roudette coming off this international smash, and the Lithuanian co-eds in this teaser dance tribute know to capitalize on the “Beat” craze now.

 

 

 

9. “ONLY THE LONELY”, The Motels

Derek Nicoletto gives us a cool lo-fi visual on this earnest Motels cover.

 

 

 

10. “EMPIRE”, Shakira

Few songs give you that hair-raising, goosebump-inducing chill that the expansive pop ballad “Empire” does, so it’s no wonder it was one of the biggest songs of 2014. Here, a tender cover from Mary Digby juxtaposes intimate close-ups with vast, nature-boasting exterior shots.

 

 

 

11. “BIRTHDAY SONG”, 2 Chainz (feat. Kanye West)

This hot cover from Benoit is in first place! One of the most original cover/interpolations we’ve seen in any genre, Benoit’s take on “Birthday Song” is not only refreshing musically, but catches our eye with its warm black-and-white visual.

 

 

 

12. “ON YA”, M.O

A dramatic intro leads to a smoothly expressive dance to M.O’s “On Ya” by Remi Black and crew.

 

 

 

13. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE MEDLEY

There can never be enough JT in our lives, ever. Big shout out to Jegz and Sonali Pabari on this fresh and beautifully shot piano and violin medley featuring some of JT’s classics.