In my long-lost youth, I don’t remember the term “cover” being used, as a new version of a previously-recorded song. What’s the origin of the word, and was there an older term for this type of recording?
I’ve heard the tale that back in 1950’s when “white” radio stations would not play records by “colored” artists, but they would play the same song when recorded by a white artist, the black artists referred to this as covering a black record with white (45 records were both black in color and they were referring to the artists being black).
I’ve never known if this is actually true or just a plasible story.
According to Wikipedia: “While it is all but impossible to trace the actual history of the term “cover version,” it is likely the term began to be used by record collectors once the early rock’n’roll records had become collectible. The actual term “cover” may have its origins in the fact that the artist who recorded the newer version of the song would have his records literally “cover” the original version in the sales racks.”
(quoted for accuracy)
Wikipedia article “cover version”
Annie-Xmas, your explanation is also plausible and one of those listed. It may be a combination of different explanations.
Wikipedia says:
“While it is all but impossible to trace the actual history of the term “cover version,” it is likely the term began to be used by record collectors once the early rock’n’roll records had become collectible. The actual term “cover” may have its origins in the fact that the artist who recorded the newer version of the song would have his records literally “cover” the original version in the sales racks.”
It seems reasonable, though the truth is probably lost to us.