What Makes a Great Cover Version?

My husband insists that the truly great cover songs present a familiar song in an entirely or mostly different style than the original. I agree that there are many such examples; Disturbed’s version of Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence is probably my favorite cover ever. However, I do think that some great covers can be done “straight;” Tori Amos’ rendition of Cohen’s Famous Blue Raincoat is one such—although my husband loves that too, so perhaps it’s the exception that proves his rule.

However, some truly great covers take a classic and turn it on its head in the most unexpected way possible, and my favorite example of this is Trent Summar & the New Row Mob singing George Jones’ He Stopped Loving Her Today. I’m sorry this isn’t live, because the performance is so energetic (I saw this live in 2007), but here’s the audio. It’s the chorus that makes the song. Let me know what you think—genius or horrifying?