I'm evaluating the Lauper song by itself (but the video has its own charms). I think her chief talent is timing--her songs celebrate the present moment more joyously than any I can think of. I hadn't heard this one, but based on first impression, I'd give it a 92.

The Acorn "cover" completely rewrites the notion of time from Lauper's original. It keeps anticipating (or even dreading) the future. I like slowed-down covers, but my first impression of this version is "Why didn't they just write an original song to accomplish what they're trying to do?" Acorn neither subverts nor expands on the original. If it had done either, I would have given it a higher rating. In this case, however: 80.

(For an example of covers that both subvert and expand the originals by slowing them down, check out the work of Hellsongs.)