Modern covers you should listen to

1. Gods and Monsters by Jessica Lange (Originally by Lana Del Rey)

This was specifically covered for the show, American Horror Story in its fourth season called, "Freak Show". Throughout the season, there has been numerous covers by the cast of the show. But when veteran actress did her cover of Gods and Monsters, with a haunting melody, carnival music, and considering the character that sang the song, it was a perfect fit. I've never known Jessica Lange as a singer, and to see her perform various covers throughout the show was amazing. Gods and Monsters had a perfect parallel to the horror ambiance of the show and for the plot of the episode where Elsa Mars sings this song to perform on Halloween. Elsa Mars is a performer with a deadly determination to become a Hollywood starlet. The original Gods and Monsters is a song about a girl making toxic decisions and not caring of the outcome. This would be a song that Elsa Mars would sing, because it does have a semblance to her the character's story as well as the glamour in this song.

2. Desert Rose by Peter Hollins and Alaa Wardi (Originally by Sting feat. Cheb Mami)

Peter Hollins is always fantastic at re-creating songs in a personal cover that is more of an honorable homage to the original artist. That's what I've always respected about him. I didn't hesitate to buy this song off of iTunes after the first time I heard this song. This version of Desert Rose is unique in the way that most of the song is a combination of the singer doing different beats with his voice in placement of certain music, only little musical accompaniment is heard. The promo picture for the video is entitled, "The Best Cover of Desert Rose" and listening to the cover, the title is earned.

3. In The Air Tonight by The Protomen (Originally by Phil Collins)

Not many have been able to remake In The Air Tonight quite like The Protomen, and I've heard my fair share of artists that attempted to cover Phil Collins' 1982 hit. But none have quite done the job right to have that Phil Collins sound to it. I'm all for a new twist on a song, but this one brought the thunder. The iconic drum segment at the mid-way of the song, was recreated perfectly, nothing overdone, or weak in the beat. There has been that eerie and suspicious yet captivating feeling that comes from the orignal, that is still present with a fresh take on the song without taking away or overdoing. If you are a fan of the original, you won't be disappointed with the Protomen's cover.

4. One Way or Another by Until The Ribbon Breaks (Originally by Blondie)

The original is always a fan favorite, but the way the lyrics are, it's easy to make a twist on a dark turn for this song since after all, it is about finding someone no matter where they are. It's a haunting piano ballad with a sweet yet sinister tone of the singer. It is the exact cover version you would want to hear with the way the original lyrics were, it just took a while til we got that version in modern day. It's creepy yet compelling to listen to. It's been featured on the Ted Bundy 20/20 and an episode of the Magicians. It's going places and it'll get there, one way or another.

5. A View To A Kill by Northern Kings (Originally by Duran Duran)

When I first heard this song, I was surprised to see a band take up the reins on remaking a song that was made for a movie. More specifically, the James Bond film of the same name, A View to A Kill. Duran Duran was the original group that created the song for the movie in 1985. I took a chance at listening to this cover, and I was not disappointed. With a song like A View to a Kill, it has to be bold and dramatic to play. It's a fit considering Northern Kings is a rock band, the sound that was crafted for the cover, is perfect. This song was destined to become a rock song. It's equal to it's original.