Taylor Swift performs "Shake It Off" on stage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, California August 24, 2014.
Taylor Swift performs "Shake It Off" on stage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, California August 24, 2014. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Of all the “Shake It Off” covers online, Taylor Swift has been impressed with one Kiwi artist who, according to the U.S. chart-topper, made her song his own. 24-year-old New Zealand singer Jesse Will suddenly became an Internet sensation when Swift called his cover her favourite.

When “Shake It Off” was released in August, the song became an instant hit. And as expected, there have been dozens of people covering the up-tempo song immediately, rarely changing anything.

Will’s version is a standout. His haunting performance of the fast-paced pop song caught the attention of Swift, who endorsed it to her 48.9 million followers on Twitter.

“My favourite covers are the ones where the artist has made it their own, changing the way the song makes you feel,” she wrote, embedding the YouTube video of Will’s cover. As the description of the video reads, Will performed the song in St Dunstan and All Saint’s Church, Stepney.

My favorite covers are the ones where the artist has made it their own, changing the way the song makes you feel. http://t.co/2rr3QVUiCk

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 21, 2014

Before Swift took notice, Will shared his video to his over 6,000 followers, on Sunday, joking, “Do you love Taylor Swift, but wish she had a beard? Here’s the next best thing.” The crooner was joined by violinist Alicia Jane Turner in the video, providing a moving tune along Will’s emotional vocals.

“It’s nice to gain recognition from someone who’s been in the industry that long and with that amount of success,” Will told Stuff of Swift’s recommendation. “I arranged it in a way that spoke to me, and I guess it’s speaking to other people as well. I think she kind of captured quite a relatable sense of a lack of self-esteem and self worth, and a really simple way of being able to release yourself from that and get on with what you’re doing. I thought it would be nice to present it in another way.”

Will, who is based in London but is currently home in New Zealand for the holidays, was named songwriter of the year by Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios in 2013. He is set to release his second EP in March.