Unless you have purchased the rights, Youtube monitizes your video and remits the income to the copyright owner. You have to show them that YOU have the rights for them to send you the income. If the copyright owner doesn't allow covers, Youtube removes it or doesn't post it in the first place. At least that's how I understand it works.

I posted a video of my farm with a couple of CCM songs as background music.... shortly after it was posted, I got notice of copyright and they monetized the video with commercials. Same deal on some other covers I posted.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.