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11 of the Very Best Adele Covers

Kevin Mazur | WireImage

Every generation has its Adele -- an artist that receives constant praise as the voice of a generation, and whose songs are covered by anyone and everyone. To celebrate this 23-year-old's enigmatic voice we put together a list of the 11 best Adele covers we could find on the net. We will also follow-up this list with a readers' choice, so don't forget to let us know your favorites!
11. Father Tiger
'Set Fire to the Rain'
Greg Delson and John Russell make up this relatively unknown synth-rock outfit from Los Angeles, Calif. but it's Father Tiger's cover of 'Set Fire to the Rain' that might just make them a "thing." Armed with weird dance moves, a Christmas-light draped set and an incredibly relevant electro-melody, the band takes the best of indie chill-wave and smacks it against a pop wall.
10. James Vincent McMorrow
'Someone Like You'
James Vincent McMorrow's impassioned cover of 'Someone Like You,' from Adele's '21' is as simple as it is beautiful. Like a higher-pitched Ray LaMontagne, the Irish singer-songwriter does this cover an absolute justice.
9. City and Colour
'Hometown Glory'
City and Colour frontman, the very tattooed and Canadian Dallas Green, put on a suit and tie and took up an acoustic guitar for this intimate cover of 'Hometown Glory' recorded live at Royal Albert Hall in London. Copying Adele's strong cadences to a tee, Green adds a bit of sadness and solemnity to this already classic cut.
8. Patti Smith
'Rolling in the Deep'
You've finally made it in music when a punk legend starts to cover your songs. Patty Smith's version of 'Rolling in the Deep' isn't the best cover we've ever heard, but it is an important one. In the middle of the performance, Patty forgets the lyrics and starts to sing about the greatness of Adele. Certainly an honor, we'd like to think.
7. Kassidy
'Rolling in the Deep'
Rustic rockers Kassidy bring a Glasgow, Scotland rootsiness to Adele's most famous song. The video begins with frontman Barrie-James O'Neill lighting up a cigarette right before he and his band go into four-part harmony excellence while implementing a lazy rock recourse to the line "played it to the beat."
6. John Legend
'Rolling in the Deep'
John Legend's cover of 'Rolling in the Deep' takes the song's original concept to the next level. Mixing bits of gospel and a'cappela, Legend's sultry, subversive and layered vocals back up the beautifully cracking notes on the chorus.
5. PS22 Chorus
'Rolling in the Deep'
Staten Island, N.Y.'s PS22 Chorus have covered everyone from Ariel Pink to Katy Perry, even performing on the 2011 Academy Awards. But it's the grade schoolers' cover of Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' that really shows off their vocal prowess. This video, taken at the Newport Folk Festival shows the kid crooners in full form. Did you just get chills too?
4. Jeremih
'Rumour Has It'
Chicago soul man and 'Birthday Sex' singer Jeremih's cover of 'Rumour Has It' shows off the crooner's drum and piano chops (which are really spectacular). Full of throw-back incantations, anger and a momentary detour through David Bowie and Queen's 'Under Pressure,' this cover is simply one of a kind.
3. Connie Talbot
'Someone Like You'
Little Connie Talbot is only 10 years old, which makes her cover of 'Someone Like You,' some kind of anomaly. After finding fame on 'Britain's Got Talent,' the tiny singer has garnered millions of views on YouTube for her out-of-this world vocal performances. She also has the ability to make grown men cry.
2. Santogold
'Hometown Glory'
Santogold's cover of 'Hometown Glory' features a steady tom-tom chug, while the singer dances about the top of the beat, falling in and out of tune. While slowly building a lovely dissonance, Santogold's cover sounds like the soundtrack to a political thriller that's about to win every award at every film festival from Cannes to Sundance.
1. Jamie XX and Childish Gambino
'Rolling in the Deep'
OK ... this isn't exactly a cover, but it is a complete reinterpretation of 'Rolling in the Deep,' and it has earned the top spot on list for a very good reason. Jamie XX's dark-toned beats and total manipulation of Adele's voice will send chills down your spine, which Childish Gambino (Donald Glover of 'Community') delivers a hip-hop verse that'll destroy you.

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V. Madrid

Found this amazing cover of Adele’s “Set Fire To The Rain” on YouTube. The singer is named Masha – check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P93KEBzTvYM&feature=youtu.be

February 28 2012 at 7:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Petra Milavec

You should listen to this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzqZ1hdipoc ;)

December 23 2011 at 4:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pipes

I think this list is quite good but leaving out Mississippi's rising star Big K.R.I.T.'s "Hometown Hero" is a huge mistake. Cover of "Hometown Glory." Everyone needs to give it a listen and decide for yourself.

November 15 2011 at 9:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Amy

City and Colour is definitely my favorite. I've been listening to it all day!

October 26 2011 at 3:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Maria_Bianca

I'm surprised! David Cook's amazing cover of Rolling in the Deep wasn't included.

October 15 2011 at 6:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply