A hand-rubbing, finger-snapping rainstorm opens Angel City Chorale’s take on Toto’s “Africa,” and once the full choir harmonizes on the chorus, the overplayed ’80s hit lands all over again.
Postmodern Jukebox and Puddles the sad clown flip the pop-punk cover formula, giving Blink-182’s “All the Small Things” a smooth, speakeasy-style makeover.
A lawnmower, an accordion, spoons and an anvil: Finnish band Steve’n’Seagulls turn AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” into a bluegrass romp that’s silly, skilled and a lot of fun.
Backed by piano, harp and strings, Jonathan Antoine takes “Unchained Melody” from a warm, low baritone to a show-stopping high note in a 2018 live performance.
At the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors, Sting took Bruce Springsteen’s post-9/11 anthem “The Rising” from a lone spotlight to a full choir while the Boss watched from the balcony.
Postmodern Jukebox and Puddles the Sad Clown took Lorde’s breakout 2013 hit and turned it into a deadpan, retro lounge number — and it’s a lot of fun.