I have always disliked the word "cover". It is often used as a put down. I've noticed, however, that it is often used on youtube, sometimes referring to a song in the PD, like House Of The Rising Sun. Sometimes someone will say,"Here's my cover of Frank Sinatra's MY WAY." Now Frank didn't write MY WAY, nor was he the first to record it. This means someone is covering someone else's cover.
What does the word "cover" mean? There is a tune that I wrote, but never recorded. It has been recorded twice by others. Does this mean that if I record it it's a "cover"?