Cover vs. Remix — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 30, 2024
Cover songs are direct musical renditions of another artist's work, maintaining the original melody and style, while remixes alter or enhance the existing elements of a song, often introducing new beats or effects.
Difference Between Cover and Remix
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cover involves one artist performing a song that was originally by someone else, typically preserving the core components like melody and lyrics. Whereas a remix involves changing a song's dynamics by adding new elements or altering existing ones, which might include beats, rhythms, and sometimes even lyrical adjustments.
Covers are often seen as tributes or homages to the original work, aiming to bring a fresh vocal or instrumental perspective to the song. On the other hand, remixes are creative reinterpretations that aim to give the song a new flavor or adapt it to different musical tastes or genres.
In the cover version, the artist’s main focus is on maintaining the integrity of the original composition. However, in remixing, the remixer has more creative freedom to transform the song, often making it fit into contemporary musical contexts or specific audience preferences. Covers are usually performed by bands or solo artists across various music genres. Remixes, however, are commonly associated with electronic dance music and are frequently used by DJs to energize the dance floor.
The intention behind a cover is more about performance, often respecting and conserving the original song’s spirit. Conversely, a remix is more about innovation, aiming to see how different the song can sound and feel while retaining recognizable parts of the original.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A reinterpretation of a song, keeping original melodies and style.
An altered version of a song, often with significant changes to its arrangement or style.
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Purpose
To pay tribute or bring a new vocal/instrumental take to the song.
To rejuvenate or provide a different experience of the song, often for danceability.
Changes to Original
Minimal; mainly vocal or instrumental changes.
Extensive; can include tempo, rhythm, instrumentation, and sometimes lyrics.
Associated Genres
Any, often found in pop, rock, and acoustic.
Primarily electronic, dance, and hip hop.
Creative Freedom
Limited to interpretation within the original's framework.
High, with potential for radical alterations and reinterpretations.
Compare with Definitions
Cover
A new rendition of a previously recorded song performed by a different artist.
Jimi Hendrix's cover of Bob Dylan's All Along the Watchtower became a classic in its own right.
Remix
A reworked version of a song that alters its style, tempo, or instrumentation.
The remix of Old Town Road by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus added a fresh country appeal.
Cover
A musical tribute to an original artist or song.
Valerie was famously covered by Amy Winehouse, adding soulful depth.
Remix
A collaborative endeavor, often featuring the original artist and remixers.
Lady Gaga's Born This Way has multiple remixes featuring different artists.
Cover
A legally covered track under copyright law, requiring a mechanical license.
Any artist can cover another's song with proper licensing.
Remix
A derivative work that requires permission from original copyright holders.
Remixers often need explicit consent to alter original tracks legally.
Cover
A performance that interprets the original song's composition without substantial changes.
Aretha Franklin's cover of Otis Redding's Respect is widely celebrated.
Remix
A track altered by a DJ or producer to fit specific contexts like dance floors.
The Calvin Harris remix of Florence + The Machine's Spectrum became a dance hit.
Cover
A recording that can cross musical genres, introducing songs to new audiences.
Johnny Cash covered Nine Inch Nails' Hurt, bringing it to country audiences.
Remix
A creative reinterpretation that may change the song's original vibe or intent.
The Slumberjack remix of Morgan Page's The Longest Road adds a trap beat.
Cover
To place something upon or over, so as to protect or conceal
Covered the boat with a tarp.
Covered the photo with his hand.
Remix
A remix is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, and changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, books, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes.
Cover
To overlay or spread with something
Cover the potatoes with gravy.
Remix
To create a new version of (a recording) by recombining and re-editing the elements of the existing recording and often adding material such as new vocals or instrumental tracks
Remixed a popular ballad and turned it into a dance hit.
Cover
To put a cover or covering on
Covered jar with a lid.
Remix
A recording produced by remixing.
Cover
To hide or screen from view or knowledge; conceal. Often used with up
He tried to cover up his mistakes.
Remix
(music) A rearrangement of an older piece of music, possibly including various cosmetic changes.
Cover
To do something that gains for (oneself) a quality or association
The mountain climbers covered themselves in glory.
Remix
(music) A piece of music formed by combining existing pieces of music together, possibly including various other cosmetic changes
Cover
To be spread over the surface of
Dust covered the table. Your boots are covered with mud.
Remix
(transitive) To mix again.
Cover
To lie over or adhere to so as to protect or conceal
The rug covers the gouges in the floor. Paint covers the stains on the ceiling.
Remix
To create a remix.
Cover
To extend over
A farm covering more than 100 acres.
Remix
To rearrange or radically alter (a particular piece of music).
Cover
To travel or pass over
They covered 60 miles in two days.
Remix
(transitive) To modify (a work in any medium).
Cover
To have as one's territory or sphere of work
A sales rep who covers the Southwest.
Remix
To mix again or repeatedly.
Cover
To protect from loss. Used of insurance
A new policy that will cover all our camera equipment.
Cover
To take measures to prevent (oneself) from being held responsible for something
With the memo he is covering himself in case something goes wrong.
Cover
To be enough to pay for or make up for
Will $100 cover the bill?.
Cover
To have as a subject; deal with
The book covers the feminist movement.
Cover
To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation)
Two reporters covered the scandal.
Cover
To apply to or take into account
The law does not cover all crimes.
Cover
To protect by having within range or by firing a weapon
The fort's guns cover the entire harbor.
Cover
To aim a firearm at
Keep these dangerous suspects covered.
Cover
To guard (an opponent playing offense).
Cover
To defend (a position or area)
Cover third base.
Cover the backcourt.
Cover
To match (an opponent's stake) in a wager.
Cover
To purchase (stock that one has shorted).
Cover
(Games) To play a higher-ranking card than (the one previously played).
Cover
To perform or record (music previously recorded or popularized by another)
Covered a classic rock ballad from the 1970s.
Cover
To perform or record music first recorded or popularized by (another)
A band that specializes in covering the Beatles.
Cover
To copulate with (a female). Used especially of horses.
Cover
To spread over a surface to protect or conceal something
A paint that covers well.
Cover
To act as a substitute or replacement during someone's absence
Her assistant covered for her.
Cover
To hide something in order to save someone from censure or punishment
Cover up for a colleague.
Cover
(Games) To play a higher card than the one previously played.
Cover
A lid or top.
Cover
A binding or outer part for a book or magazine.
Cover
A bedcover.
Cover
A protective overlay, as for a mattress or furniture.
Cover
Shelter or protection
The sheep seek cover in the cave when it snows.
Cover
Strategic protection given by armed units during hostile action
The battleship approached the combat zone under a cover of fighter planes.
Cover
Something, such as vegetation, covering the surface of the ground.
Cover
Vegetation, such as underbrush, serving as protective concealment for wild animals.
Cover
Something, such as darkness, that screens, conceals, or disguises.
Cover
A false identity, especially for a spy.
Cover
An activity or organization that is used to conceal an illegal or secret activity
A man who sold paintings as a cover for spying.
Cover
A layer of clouds obscuring the sky or ground.
Cover
A table setting for one person
Covers were laid for ten.
Cover
A cover charge.
Cover
An envelope or wrapper for mail.
Cover
Funds sufficient to meet an obligation or secure against loss.
Cover
One who substitutes for another
Who is your cover for tonight's shift?.
Cover
(Music) A recording or performance of a song that was previously recorded or popularized by another.
Cover
A lid.
Cover
(uncountable) Area or situation which screens a person or thing from view.
The soldiers took cover behind a ruined building.
Cover
The front and back of a book, magazine, CD package, etc.
Cover
The top sheet of a bed.
Cover
A cloth or similar material, often fitted, placed over an item such as a car or sofa or food to protect it from dust, rain, insects, etc. when not being used.
Cover
A cover charge.
There's a $15 cover tonight.
Cover
A setting at a restaurant table or formal dinner.
We need to set another cover for the Smith party.
Cover
(music) A new performance or rerecording of a previously recorded song; a cover version; a cover song.
Cover
(cricket) A fielding position on the off side, between point and mid off, about 30° forward of square; a fielder in this position.
Cover
A collection (or family) of subsets of a given set, whose union contains every element of said original set.
The open intervals are a cover for the real numbers.
Cover
(philately) An envelope complete with stamps and postmarks etc.
Cover
(military) A solid object, including terrain, that provides protection from enemy fire.
Cover
(legal) In commercial law, a buyer’s purchase on the open market of goods similar or identical to the goods contracted for after a seller has breached a contract of sale by failure to deliver the goods contracted for.
Cover
(insurance) An insurance contract; coverage by an insurance contract.
Cover
(espionage) A persona maintained by a spy or undercover operative; cover story.
Cover
(dated) A swindler's confederate.
Cover
The portion of a slate, tile, or shingle that is hidden by the overlap of the course above.
Cover
In a steam engine, the lap of a slide valve.
Cover
(construction) The distance between reinforcing steel and the exterior of concrete.
Cover
Of or pertaining to the front cover of a book or magazine.
Cover
(music) Of, pertaining to, or consisting of cover versions.
Cover
(transitive) To place something over or upon, as to conceal or protect.
He covered the baby with a blanket.
When the pot comes to a boil, cover it and reduce the heat to medium.
Cover
(transitive) To be over or upon, as to conceal or protect.
The blanket covered the baby.
Cover
(transitive) To be upon all of, so as to completely conceal.
Regular hexagons can cover the plane.
Cover
(transitive) To set upon all of, so as to completely conceal.
You can cover the plane with regular hexagons.
Cover
To put on one's hat.
Cover
(transitive) To invest (oneself with something); to bring upon (oneself).
The heroic soldier covered himself with glory.
Cover
(of a publication) To discuss thoroughly; to provide coverage of.
The magazine covers such diverse topics as politics, news from the world of science, and the economy.
Cover
To deal with or include someone or something.
Cover
To be enough money for.
We've earned enough to cover most of our costs.
Ten dollars should cover lunch.
Cover
(intransitive) To act as a replacement.
I need to take off Tuesday. Can you cover for me?
Cover
(transitive) To have as an assignment or responsibility.
Can you cover the morning shift tomorrow? I'll give you off next Monday instead.
He is our salesman covering companies with headquarters in the northern provinces.
Cover
(music) To make a cover version of (a song that was originally recorded by another artist).
Cover
To protect using an aimed firearm and the threat of firing; or to protect using continuous, heaving fire at or in the direction of the enemy so as to force the enemy to remain in cover; or to threaten using an aimed firearm.
Cover
To provide insurance coverage for.
Does my policy cover accidental loss?
Cover
To copulate with (said of certain male animals such as dogs and horses).
I would like to have my bitch covered next spring.
The stallion has not covered the mare yet.
Cover
To protect or control (a piece or square).
In order to checkmate a king on the side of the board, the five squares adjacent to the king must all be covered.
Cover
To extend over a given period of time or range, to occupy, to stretch over a given area.
Cover
To traverse or put behind a certain distance.
Cover
(sports) To defend (mark) a particular player or area.
Cover
To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth.
Cover
To envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak.
And with the majesty of darkness roundCovers his throne.
All that beauty than doth cover thee.
Cover
To invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory.
The powers that covered themselves with everlasting infamy by the partition of Poland.
Cover
To hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the enemy were covered from our sight by the woods.
A cloud covered the mount.
In vain shou striv'st to cover shame with shame.
Cover
To brood or sit on; to incubate.
While the hen is covering her eggs, the male . . . diverts her with his songs.
The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen.
Cover
To shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat.
His calm and blameless lifeDoes with substantial blessedness abound,And the soft wings of peace cover him round.
Cover
To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit.
Cover
To extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to account for or solve; to counterbalance; as, a mortgage which fully covers a sum loaned on it; a law which covers all possible cases of a crime; receipts than do not cover expenses.
Cover
To put the usual covering or headdress on.
Cover thy head . . . ; nay, prithee, be covered.
Cover
To copulate with (a female); to serve; as, a horse covers a mare; - said of the male.
Cover
To spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet.
Cover
Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book.
Cover
Anything which veils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloak.
A handsome cover for imperfections.
Cover
Shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover.
Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire.
Cover
The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover.
Cover
The lap of a slide valve.
Cover
A tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests.
Letters . . . dispatched under cover to her ladyship.
Cover
A covering that serves to conceal or shelter something;
They crouched behind the screen
Under cover of darkness
Cover
Bedding that keeps a person warm in bed;
He pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep
Cover
The act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it;
The cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft
Cover
The front and back covering of a book;
The book had a leather binding
Cover
A natural object that covers or envelops;
Under a covering of dust
The fox was flushed from its cover
Cover
Covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container);
He removed the top of the carton
He couldn't get the top off of the bottle
Put the cover back on the kettle
Cover
Fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations;
Artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal
Cover
A fixed charge by a restaurant or night club over and above the charge for food and drink
Cover
A recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else;
They made a cover of a Beatles' song
Cover
A false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent);
Her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment
Cover
Provide with a covering or cause to be covered;
Cover her face with a handkerchief
Cover the child with a blanket
Cover the grave with flowers
Cover
Form a cover over;
The grass covered the grave
Cover
Span an interval of distance, space or time;
The war extended over five years
The period covered the turn of the century
My land extends over the hills on the horizon
This farm covers some 200 acres
Cover
Provide for;
The grant doesn't cover my salary
Cover
Deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression;
This book deals with incest
The course covered all of Western Civilization
The new book treats the history of China
Cover
Include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory;
This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds
This should cover everyone in the group
Cover
Travel across or pass over;
The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day
Cover
Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism;
Snow reported on China in the 1950's
The cub reporter covered New York City
Cover
Hold within range of an aimed firearm
Cover
To take an action to protect against future problems;
Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself
Cover
Hide from view or knowledge;
The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House
Cover
Protect or defend (a position in a game);
He covered left field
Cover
Maintain a check on; especially by patrolling;
The second officer covered the top floor
Cover
Protect by insurance;
The insurance won't cover this
Cover
Make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities;
He is compensating for being a bad father
Cover
Invest with a large or excessive amount of something;
She covered herself with glory
Cover
Help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities;
She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week
Cover
Be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of;
Is this enough to cover the check?
Cover
Spread over a surface to conceal or protect;
This paint covers well
Cover
Cover as if with a shroud;
The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery
Cover
Copulate with a female, used especially of horses;
The horse covers the mare
Cover
Put something on top of something else;
Cover the meat with a lot of gravy
Cover
Play a higher card than the one previously played;
Smith covered again
Cover
Be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game
Cover
Sit on (eggs);
Birds brood
The female covers the eggs
Cover
Clothe, as if for protection from the elements;
Cover your head!
Common Curiosities
How do artists benefit from covers?
Artists benefit from covers by reaching new audiences, showing versatility, and paying homage to influential music, often bringing a fresh interpretation to well-known tracks.
What is a cover song?
A cover song is a new performance of an existing song by a different artist, often maintaining the core melody and style of the original.
How do remixes affect the original song's popularity?
Remixes can increase a song's popularity by making it more accessible to different audiences, often revitalizing its presence in music charts and clubs.
Do covers require permission from the original artists?
Covers do not typically require direct permission from the original artists as long as a mechanical license is obtained for the song, which covers copyright payments.
What legal considerations must be taken into account when remixing a song?
Legal considerations for remixing include obtaining permissions for derivative work and potentially negotiating rights and royalties with original copyright holders.
What is the difference in intent between covering a song and remixing it?
The intent behind a cover is often to reinterpret or pay tribute to the original song or artist, whereas remixing aims to update or transform a song for different listening scenarios or audiences.
Can a cover become more popular than the original song?
Yes, a cover can surpass the original in popularity, especially if it brings a unique style or reaches a broader audience.
What skills are essential for a successful remix?
Essential skills for a successful remix include a strong understanding of music production, creativity in sound engineering, and an ability to appeal to the target audience's tastes.
How do cultural differences influence covers and remixes?
Cultural differences can significantly influence how covers and remixes are received, with certain styles or interpretations resonating more strongly in different cultural contexts.
What is a remix in music?
A remix is a modified version of a song, generally altered significantly by a producer or DJ to create a new sound or adapt it for different listening environments.
What are the typical characteristics of a remix?
Typical characteristics of a remix include altered beats, tempo changes, additional production elements, and sometimes new vocal collaborations, creating a different vibe from the original.
Why do remixes require permission from original rights holders?
Remixes require permission because they significantly alter the original work, creating a derivative work that goes beyond the scope of standard licensing.
Are there any ethical considerations in covering or remixing a song?
Ethical considerations may include respecting the original artist's vision and intent, especially when making significant changes in a remix, and ensuring proper credits and royalties are assigned.
How does technology impact the creation of covers and remixes?
Advances in technology have greatly facilitated the creation of covers and remixes, allowing artists to produce and distribute their versions more easily and collaborate remotely, expanding creative possibilities.
Can any song be covered by another artist?
Yes, any song can be covered by another artist if they obtain a mechanical license, allowing them to record and sell their version of the song.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
