Today, we wish a very happy birthday to “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s as the indispensable emo-pop song turns 18 years old. Not only that, but Fearless Records, who released the song on May 9, 2006, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the label’s inception this year. Over the past three decades, they have been home to some of the scene’s greatest acts, including Movements, Pierce The Veil, I Prevail, Plain White T’s, and more. It’s a whirlwind of celebrations for two monumental entities that molded the 2000s emo scene.
Let’s be honest: “Hey There Delilah” had all of us in a chokehold in 2006 as we stared through our windows and contemplated our lost loves. It was the soundtrack to countless TV shows and movies, and we couldn’t escape it on the radio.
As the song becomes a legal adult, let’s reminisce on the aspiring and successful musicians who created their special renditions of the crooning ballad. Thousands of artists have tried their hand at recreating Tim Higgenson‘s soft, heartfelt vocals, while others have put new spins on the classic hit. Here are the top five most surprising covers of “Hey There Delilah.”
Tessa Violet
This cover is a true callback to the early days of YouTube stardom and the rise of content creators who specialized in covering popular songs. Tessa Violet became a household name amongst YouTube fans in 2015 and went on to have a solo music career of her own. Her cover is a perfect display of the whimsical aesthetics, soft and fluttery vocals, and high production value that put her on the map. It’s true to the original song with a few of Tessa’s personal touches.
Alex Goot and Chad Sugg
This cover is simple, and that is its strength. Alex Goot and Chad Sugg, accompanied by a guitar and a piano, are all we need to relish in the beautiful composition of the song. Their harmonies accentuate the powerful moments of the lyrics, while the studio provides a distraction-free environment for the performance. This cover is fan service for those who love the original song in its unchanged form.
Mac Glocky
Plain White T’s isn’t just for the emo kids anymore. Have you ever wondered what this song would sound like if Deftones performed it? What about Smashing Pumpkins? Maybe Arctic Monkeys? Mac Glocky has a knack for imitating dozens of iconic bands and intertwining their signature styles into unexpected tracks. He mastered nine different vocal styles and intertwined heavy riffs and unexpected beats into the “Hey There Delilah” melody. It’s a fun musical experiment that made me pine for a full heavy-metal cover of the song.
Jessica Ricca
The lyrics of “Hey There Delilah” tell an intricate story about a lost love who moved away. Meanwhile, the singer pines for her and wonders how she is doing. Tom Higgenson wrote the track based on a real woman named Delilah DiCrescenzo, a widely known professional runner. Although he never won her over with the song, some artists can’t help but wonder what the lyrics would be like if it were written from her perspective. We know Tom’s side of the story, but what about Delilah? In this fictional alternate storyline, Jessica Ricca is re-writing the narrative as she imagines Delilah’s response to the original lyrics.
Boyce Avenue
Boyce Avenue is another YouTube phenomenon that rose to stardom by performing covers online. When this song came out in 2006, it was a top contender for artists to reimagine. Despite the surge of success back then, this cover was actually released in 2020, which proves the long-standing legacy of the original. It’s clear by the comments that music fans worldwide continue to hold “Hey There Delilah” close to their hearts as they share their stories about the song’s significance in their lives. This is another simple studio-produced cover that allows Alejandro Manzano‘s voice to shine brightly.
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This is only a small glimpse into the expanse of “Hey There Delilah” covers that exist online. Every performance showcases unique emotional connections to the song, proving that everyone interprets it differently. Few modern tracks have the cultural impact that “Hey There Delilah” has achieved as it continues to remain a big part of our musical histories and futures. We can only hope that Fearless Records continues to release timeless music like this for 30 more years to come.
