with a cover of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a cover of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a version of a song or piece of work that has been performed or recorded by someone other than the original artist. Example: "The artist released a new album featuring a cover of a classic rock song."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Enemy limp to No 27 with a cover of Ghost Town.

The Guardian - Music

Tellingly, he had a hit with a cover of The Monkees' I'm a Believer.

The Guardian - Music

Jay Z hit back by opening his performance with a cover of "Wonderwall".

Independent

Sets tonight and tomorrow are at 8, 10 30 and midnight, with a cover of $25 $188 for the late show); Sunday night sets are at 7 and 9, with a cover of $18 $100 minimum (Ratliff).

The New York Times

Sets tonight and tomorrow are at 8, 10 30 and midnight, with a cover of $25; sets on Sunday night are at 7 and 9, with a cover of $18 $100 minimum all nights.

The New York Times

Sets tonight and tomorrow are at 8 and 10 30 p.m. and midnight, with a cover of $25 and $18 for the midnight set 18; on Sunday night, sets are at 7 and 9, with a cover of $18 (Ratliff).

The New York Times

Sets tonight and tomorrow night are at 8, 10 30 and midnight, with a cover of $25; Sunday night sets are at 7 and 9, with a cover of $18 and midnight; $10 minimum (Ben Ratliff).

The New York Times

He performed eight concerts ending each night with a cover of the Beatles track Back in the USSR.

The Guardian

In 1987, the Damned had a British top 30 hit with a cover of Alone Again Or.

The Guardian

Currently, Leona Lewis tops the singles chart with a cover of 'Run' by Snow Patrol (see Turkey, below).

The Guardian - Music

Things get modestly rowdy with a cover of Simple Minds' Don't You Forget About Me, segued into the rushing, tumbling Watching Birds.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a cover of" to clearly indicate that a song or other work is being performed or recorded by someone other than the original artist. It avoids ambiguity and immediately establishes the context.

Common error

Avoid using "with a cover of" when referring to remixes or heavily altered versions, as these may be better described as "inspired by" or "based on" the original work. Using "with a cover of" suggests a more faithful rendition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a cover of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating that a performance or recording is a version of a previously existing work. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase clearly indicates an interpretation of an original work.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Music

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a cover of" is a versatile phrase used to denote that a performance or recording is an interpretation of an original work. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and very common, particularly in news, media, and music contexts. The phrase functions as a prepositional modifier, primarily to inform audiences about the rendition's source material. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used to communicate clearly that a performance is based on a previously existing work and can be used with confidence across a range of registers, though it is most suited to neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covering the song

A more direct and concise way of saying "with a cover of".

featuring a rendition of

Emphasizes a performance or interpretation, suggesting a unique take on the original.

including a rendition of

Similar to 'featuring a rendition of', emphasizing inclusion in a larger work.

performing an interpretation of

Highlights the act of interpreting the original work through performance.

recording a version of

Focuses on the recording aspect, implying a studio-produced cover.

presenting a version of

Indicates a specific and possibly altered form of the original work is being presented.

doing an adaptation of

Suggests the original work has been modified to suit a new style or medium.

interpreting

Focuses solely on the act of interpretation without explicitly stating it's a cover.

as performed by

Specifies who is performing the work.

performing

Highlights the act of performing the song.

FAQs

How do I properly use "with a cover of" in a sentence?

Use "with a cover of" to indicate that someone is performing or recording a song that was originally performed by someone else. For example, "The band opened their set "with a cover of" a Beatles classic".

What are some alternatives to "with a cover of"?

You can use alternatives such as "featuring a rendition of", "performing an interpretation of", or "covering" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "She is "featuring a rendition of" that song on her new album".

Is it ever incorrect to use "with a cover of"?

It would be incorrect to use "with a cover of" if the new version significantly deviates from the original, such as in a remix or parody. In those cases, phrases like "inspired by" or "a reimagining of" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between saying "with a cover of" versus "covered by"?

"With a cover of" is used to introduce the original song, while "covered by" indicates who is performing the cover. For example, "The song is famous "with a cover of" 'Hallelujah'" versus "'Hallelujah' was "covered by" Jeff Buckley".