Ahead, listen through the gallery of instrumental takes on popular songs like "Don't You Worry Child," "Firework," and "Empire State of Mind." "Firework" by Dallas String Quartet (Cover of Katy Perry) ...

Purists focused on instrumental surf music, but by 1963, vocal-based songs had become an important part of the tradition. One of the most important of these releases was The Rivieras' "California ...

This song originally appeared on The Beatles’ 1964 LP, A Hard Day’s Night.But the famed organ-based instrumental group Booker T. & The M.G.’s released a cover of the song on the 2011 reissue ...