Top 10 Orchestral Covers of Pop Songs

Victoria Fitzgerald
2 hours ago
4 min read

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Since World War II, there has been a widening gap between the pop and classical music worlds. The audiences and genres feel so far removed from each other. However, the gap seems to be narrowing in recent years. One way this has happened has been through covers of pop songs done by orchestral groups. These songs combine the instrumentation and expression of classical music with the well-known melodies and harmonies of contemporary pop songs. This is an innovative and fun trend that honors centuries-old traditions with modern creative expression.

10. I Wanna Be Yours - Dramatic Violin

“I Wanna Be Yours” was made popular by the Arctic Monkeys. The violin cover starts with a repetitive introduction and a long countermelody. The melody is incredibly emotive and has a lower harmony. The performer leans beautifully on points of tension and release, which captures the devotion and longing of the original track perfectly.

9. Set Fire to the Rain - Vitamin String Quartet

“Set Fire to the Rain” was made popular by Adele. This track begins with a repetitive arpeggio underneath the melody. The melody is played by solo violin, which allows you to really hear the timbres and overtones of the instrument. Harmonies are played on low drone harmonies. The prechorus brings more motion that builds into the chorus. The chorus is taken in the higher register of the violin. There are more motion and harmonies in the second verse and prechorus with a layered second chorus. The growing harmonic and melodic motion capture the drama and emotion of the original song.

8. Love the Way You Lie - St. Martin’s Orchestral Academy of Los Angeles

“Love the Way You Lie” was made popular by Eminem and Rhianna. This track has thick layering in the introduction, which gives it an emotive quality. The melody is played solo until the second half of the introductory chorus, where the solo is joined by lower harmonies. The melody is tossed around between different instruments, which allows listeners to enjoy a variety of timbres and textures. The group has impeccable timing, which, along with the electric guitar cameo, really tie the entire track together.

7. Do I Wanna Know - Vitamin String Quartet

“Do I Wanna Know” is another song made popular by the Arctic Monkeys. The bassline introduction sounds absolutely beautiful on orchestral strings. The high string melody layers stunningly with the countermelody and harmony in the bass. In the prechorus is a hint of desperate longing and the chorus carries intensity with the strength in the bass part. The melody sounds almost improvisatory over the backing, which adds to the emotive quality of the track. The ensemble takes the melody an octave up for the last chorus, which really adds a special touch.

6. Young and Beautiful - Invadable Harmony

“Young and Beautiful” was made popular by Lana Del Rey. Most of the tracks on this list are composed primarily of string instruments, but this track is really unique. It is a combination of music box and piano. Piano carries the chords, and the music box carries the melodies. The reverb has an almost synthesized and dreamy quality. The instrumentation creates an innocent and childlike quality, reminiscent of a first-love feeling.

5. Hey Soul Sister - Dallas String Quartet

“Hey Soul Sister” was originally performed by the American band Train. This track is in an upbeat major key. The verse is very exposed, with just the melody and supporting background being present. The harmonies develop throughout the prechorus and blossom fully in the chorus. This cover does a magnificent job of capturing the carefree whimsy and beauty of the original track.

4. Mad World (Piano Version) - Myuu

“Mad World” was originally by British band Tears for Fears. The introduction is melancholy. The melody is in the mid-register of the piano with the left hand carrying lower harmonies. There are gradual swells in dynamics throughout the entire piece. There is more harmonic motion at the chorus. The second verse features a melody in a higher register, which provides an interesting change of pace from the rest of the song.

3. Summertime Sadness - Antonin Charvat

“Summertime Sadness” was originally by Lana Del Rey. The introduction is primarily on strings, with brass supporting the harmonies. The first verse melody is done by flutes with a countermelody on oboe. Melody is then traded off to the strings and throughout different instrument groups through the entire song. Brass typically carries harmonic motion, except for the chorus where they have a strong presence in the melody. The chorus instrumentation is epic and thick. The wide range of instrumentation in the track allows for flexibility in timbre and thus flexibility in the emotional expression of the piece.

2. Fake Love (Orchestral Version) - No Choir - MDP

“Fake Love” was originally made popular by BTS. This track has a piano introduction before strings and brass join in for the second half of the introduction. Woodwinds feature primarily on the verse, and piano carries the prechorus before the strings take over. Strings are the primary feature on the chorus as well. Harmonies carry most of the creative and emotion expression in this song, adding the punch that the original track has.

1. Bad Romance - Simply Three

“Bad Romance” was made popular by Lady Gaga. The introduction has a solo melody over long harmonies. More motion is added in the verse with a fun pizzicato moment in the lower bass. This track sounds almost sassy, and balances spunk with emotional depth in the expressive melodies of the chorus.

Genre-blending is, in my opinion, one of the most fun things that modern artists can do. Not only beautiful, but orchestral covers are also innovative and exciting. Instrumental music has a variety of uses, and these songs can be listened to while cleaning, studying, or lounging about.

Written By Victoria Fitzgerald