One of my personal hobbies is to procrastinate on homework while listening to songs recommended by YouTube. Through years of practice, faithful stalking, and an appreciation of music no matter what genre it is classified under, I have compiled a spectacular list of only the best.

1. "Skinny Love" by Birdy

Bon Iver wrote this song and gave it a great start, but Birdy is the one who was able to make it an international hit. Her sweet voice is perfectly suited for such emotionally powerful lyrics.

2. "Stay" by Black Stone Cherry

Plot twist: this song isn't actually a cover. In fact, it was country duo Florida Georgia Line who covered Black Stone Cherry's original song. However, since Florida Georgia Line has already made the country version of "Stay" a chart-topper, it's about time the rock version gets some recognition.

3. "Sally's Song" by Evanescence

Fans of the The Nightmare Before Christmas have no doubt heard this hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Sally's Song" before and can agree that this version is better. Or is that just me? Regardless, Amy Lee's voice makes this song worthwhile.

4. "House of the Rising Sun" by Five Finger Death Punch

This song dates back farther than the 1920s as a traditional English ballad. As time went on, "House of the Rising Sun" transitioned through several genres before settling more recently into rock. Ivan Moody utilizes his low register to add a whole new element to a timeless song.

5. "Burnin' It Down" by Tyler Ward

Independent artist Tyler Ward covered Jason Aldean's country song with his impeccable guitar skills and genuine personality. Not only is the song a good listen, the music video is kind of fun too.

6. "Bad Romance" by Halestorm

Although it's pretty hard to top Lady Gaga's jam, Halestorm does a spectacular job of it by using heavier instrumentation and Lzzy Hale's amazing voice.

7. "I Feel the Earth Move" by Shinedown

Here's a good ole Carole King song (music of my childhood) sung by the ever glorious Brent Smith. The faster tempo makes it even groovier than the original.

8. "Peponi" by the Piano Guys ft. Alex Boye

The Piano Guys frequently make instrumental covers, so it makes "Peponi," the African version of "Paradise," even more special with guest artist Alex Boye. Not only is the song a great listen, it adds a little culture to your day.

9. "Blank Space" by I Prevail

If you love T-Swift for her bubbly music, this variation of the song might give you nightmares. Just kidding! I hope. The backing vocals are on different level than Swift's for sure, but I Prevail was able to bring additional talent to a Taylor Swift hit.

10. "Call Me" by In This Moment

While I would never dream of disrespecting Blondie's version, lead singer Maria Brink transforms a classic with her impressive vocal range, supported by skilled musicians.

11. "Rolling in the Deep" by Otherwise

You can't really beat Adele at her game, but Otherwise was smart and changed the game: they added a verse. I know, I know. I was skeptical about it too. However, it doesn't take away from Adele's original work. Instead, it helped make the song their own.

12. "Rap God" by 10 Second Songs

If you Google "talent," Anthony Vincent's name comes up. Never mind. I just fact checked that, and apparently his name doesn't come up, but it should! Vincent is able to cover songs in his own style and while imitating a wide expanse of artists (40 in this song) from every imaginable genre. It was incredibly difficult to choose just one song to showcase Vincent's skill, so be sure to check out a few of his other videos!

13. "Careless Whisper" by Seether

Both the original and the cover of this song have been around for a decent amount of time, and though the original is great, Shaun Morgan has more raw, emotional power. Ultimately, Morgan makes the story sound more genuine with his heartfelt voice.

14. "Radioactive" Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix

A violinist and an A Capella group? Yes please! Stirling doesn't just play the violin, though; she dances at the same time. For that combination alone, I will forever be in awe, as will you, after you listen to some of her music. What makes this cover even more amazing is that Pentatonix collaborated with Stirling. Each of Pentatonix's five members possesses unique musical traits that they bring together to thrive as musicians.

15. "Hello" by Leo Morracchioli

Yeah, yeah. This is the second song by Adele to be included, but both of them have rightfully earned their place. Morracchioli recreated "Hello" with metal vocals and instrumentals, including more voice variations and a faster tempo. While it isn't as heart-wrenching as the original, Morracchioli does an excellent job of dedicating to the song and giving a five-star performance.

16. "Sound of Silence" by Disturbed

Although these songs aren't necessarily listed in order of quality, the best certainly comes last. Close your eyes and listen. Listen to the lyrics, listen to the piano, and listen to the voice that overshadows them both. This is probably the one instance where the original can't even compare.

So there is it. A list of 16 covers that range from amazing to life-changing. After it all, you hopefully have a stronger appreciation for artists from a wider variety of genres.