In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song.
The term cover version originally implied a rival version of a tune recorded by an artist subsequent to an original version. Popular musicians (and especially modern listeners) have now begun to use the word "cover" to refer to any remake of a song.
Musicians now play what they call "cover versions" of songs as a tribute to the original performer or group. Using familiar material is an important method in learning various styles of music. Artists may also perform "covers" of a favorite artist's hit tunes for the simple pleasure of playing a familiar song. A cover band plays such "cover versions" exclusively.