Understanding the Meaning of Cover Songs

https://drive(dot)google(dot)com/file/d/1DvXmb51EE5W4o_dHTkEW42fQzCiFGHnD/view
https://drive(dot)google(dot)com/file/d/1Zrmvis-iMetMgvFzdtXDHR6q5QplpKmJ/view
The conversation (the links above) this week talked a lot about using copies as a pathway to understanding the original. How does this apply in music? What does it even mean to call a song an original versus a cover? Is this always a simple and unproblematic concept? For example, even an "original" often owes its existence to pre-existing examples.
So, what makes the difference between this and a cover? Then, what is the relationship between a cover and an original? Do cover songs help us to understand the original? If so, how? What makes a compelling cover tune? Fidelity to the original? Individualized interpretation that departs heavily from the original? Be specific, and provide at least one concrete example in your response. In this example, talk about the original and the cover tune, and find a way to relate this back to a specific aspect of this week's discussion.
We are asking you to explicitly link your discussion to some aspect of what we covered this week in the lesson. You will find the discussion between Anthony and Ross particularly helpful as you explore this question.
As we discussed in the Kritios Boy question, challenge yourself to steer clear of "absolute" value judgments (I like/I don't like) or ranking (the original is "better" than the cover, and vice-versa) as you consider this question. Rather than choosing favorites or ranking one above the other, discuss how the relationship between a cover tune and the original is interesting to consider. Just show how the original works and how the cover tune relates to it.
Your post should be two to three (well-developed) paragraphs long.