I am trying to think of criteria for judging what is the Worst Cover Version of a Song Ever.

Here are some so far that artists sub-consciously must check through

1 Use the song to just make yourself lots of money
2 Sing/Play the song without giving yourself to the lyrics or the music.
3 Can’t be bothered with stamping your own personality over the song.
4 Try to sound like the original so you can make a heap of money on sync deals, so doing the original artist out of some money
5 Use a great song to cover up your own lack of talent
6 Misplaced loyalty to a fellow musician and idol
7 Always listen to your guru/producer/A&R person

However, some people judge a cover not by such criteria but more by being appalled that certain artists even go near a song of their idols.

Here is a case in point. Many seem to be not happy with this cover by Dolly Parton of Stairway to Heaven.

Now I am no big fan of Dolly Parton (really I am not), but cannot see how the criteria above fits with this version. It is either just plain awful or really rather good? (And here I realy start to worry about myself…)