Five great Lorde covers - and one shocker

Lorde in a still from the video for Royals.

The success of Lorde's No. 1 single Royals has inspired hundreds of artists to put their own spin on the song. We pick five of the best cover versions, along with one terrible attempt by a teen starlet.

Lionel Reekie, Bella Kalolo and Phillip Fan

Part musical, part RnB and part sea shanty - Lionel Reekie, Bella Kalolo and Phillip Fan's cover of Royals at the Silver Scrolls goes down as one of the most original so far. Fan's beatboxed rhythm underpins Kalolo's soulful vocal and Reekie's piano accordion. It's a bit jarring at first, but watch it again and it will grow on you.

The Silver Scrolls covers: Royals

<p>Every year the finalists of the APRA Silver Scroll Awards have cover versions performed at the ceremony, as well as the winners of the SOUNZ Contemporary Award and the APRA Maioha Award.</p> <p>This year, <i>Royals</i>, written by ...

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NOW PLAYING • The Silver Scrolls covers: Royals

Every year the finalists of the APRA Silver Scroll Awards have cover versions performed at the ceremony, as well as the winners of the SOUNZ Contemporary Award and the APRA Maioha Award.

This year, Royals, written by ...

Mayer Hawthorne

Neo-soul singer and multi-instrumentalist Mayer Hawthorne slows the song down and lingers on the luxury item checklist of its pre-chorus. His dense "funked up" arrangement changes Royals entirely - but not to the detriment of the song. As he says at the end: "That was it. That was cold."

Walk Off The Earth

Walk Off The Earth rose to fame with a cover of Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye that had all five group members playing one guitar. It was watched more than 150 million times on YouTube. The group have now turned their unique talents to Royals. This time their gimmick involves ukeleles flying on and off screen and in and out of band members' hands while being used to provide percussion.

Pentatonix

This one's for the Pitch Perfect fans. Pentatonix is a five-piece "acapella pop" group from Texas. Their cover of Royals only features their voices, but it certainly doesn't sound empty. Ignore the uncomfortably intense facial expressions. It's impressive.

The Beef Seeds

Royals, with its hip-hop beat and sparse, electronic arrangement, doesn't scream bluegrass. That hasn't stopped Welsh five-piece The Beef Seeds from going there anyway.

Rebecca Black

Rebecca Black has never been known for her vocal prowess - remember Friday?) Being sick makes her much worse. If it helps, Selena Gomez wasn't that good either.

- nzherald.co.nz