Which Smooth Criminal?

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The Hitman

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Which version of 'Smooth Criminal' is better, the original Michael Jackson version, or the new Alien Ant Farm version?

I have heard both, and while the Jacko version was good (I hate pop, but I respect Jacko), I like the new version better.

Anyway, as Mike Sheahan would say... "What do you think?"

The Hitman
 

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Savatage

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#2
Although I am into hard rock & heavy music you just cannot compare an original songwriter's version to a cover version.

Alien Ant Farm are famous for playing someone else's song.

As a result young kids will think it is THEIR song.

When they have a decent original we will see their real talent.
 

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Myself and the missus, both having vastly different tastes in music, peed ourselves laughing when accidently falling upon the cover on MTV (a channel we generally make sure we avoid).

We found it quite horrid, and didn't realise it was a cover of the Jackson song.
 

Savatage

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#8
Well there you go- this is why I hate it when a cover song makes it huge, it's because the original artist usually gets no recognition-they don't advertise it as a cover song...they make it seem like it's an original composition (it's not the artists fault of course).

Puff Daddy is fantastic at doing it- he did the Police's Every Breath You Take & Led Zeppelins Kashmir as separate singles...people probably think he's a musical genius- it's amazing what a few loops can do to a song.
 

oh_my_hat

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#9
Pretty funny stuff. I’m not quite up to speed on all of MJ’s videos but I think AAF have parodied quite a few of his clips. I recognized Thriller, Billie Jean, BAD and there are probably a few more that I missed.

Whilst on the subject of music videos I think we are about 2 years away from porno music videos after watching the new Britney Spears video. WOW!!
 

aggels

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#10
Michael Jackson version for mine. Mind you, I may be a little biased, used to be a huge Michael Jackson fan when I was younger. Always puts me in a good mood.

My sister used to hate it when I played the original song, "He just keeps repeating the same thing over and over again, WTF is it with this Annie?" she'd ask.

Now she loves the new version. A lot of people i know didn't even know it was a Michael Jackson song. I hate it when that happens, but at least they pay credit to Michael Jackson in their filmclip, using the Billie Jean clip and several of his trademarks.

I don't like it though, I like the other one too much I guess.
 
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topdon

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I'm sorry ... nothing with EVER beat the original version of Smooth Criminal. To this day...it remains my favourite Micheal Jackson song.

When i first heard AAF's cover i was disgusted. I thought it was an utter butchering of a great song. However, as i listened to it a few times, it does have a great beat. :eek:

But still AAF's version has NOTHING on the original. And i am very suprised to see their version leading this poll. Perhaps it's a result of all the metal heads we have here. I dunno ... but every band that has tried to cover a Jackson song, has failed dismally. :eek: This is a slight improvement of others ... but AAF's lead singer can't sing for s hit and fails in his try-hard attempts to sound like MJ. :rolleyes:

IMO ... there is NO contest!!!
 

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topdon

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Originally posted by dee_girl9
i luv the Alien Ant Farm version, but i am a blind one, i didnt know it was a cover of a song. i thought it was an original :eek: But it rocks all the same :D
Oh dear!!! Nicki!!! Please dont tell me!! You didn't know it was a cover???

I cannot believe this! IMO, this song was one of Micheal Jackson's greatest and here i am hearing that sooo many people haven't even heard it!!! :(
 

lioness

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#15
Originally posted by Savatage
Well there you go- this is why I hate it when a cover song makes it huge, it's because the original artist usually gets no recognition-they don't advertise it as a cover song...they make it seem like it's an original composition (it's not the artists fault of course).
Yes Sav, I totally agree!!!!!!! Especially if the song wasn't widely known as being by the original artist, and a new generation are like 'GREAT new song' GRRRRRRRRRRRR. :mad: I actually had that with a friend who didn't know Guns n Roses' version of 'Live and Let Die' was a damn cover. It was like :eek::eek::eek: HELL-O it was only a freakin BOND theme, how could you miss McCartney's original????? :rolleyes: Anyway, yeah. lol


On this topic, haven't heard the other version, so I will go with Michael Jackson lol. Still reckon his best song is 'The Girl Is Mine' with mmmmmmm Paulie lol. :D But I may be biased. :D
 

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#16
One night I saw both on MTV. The original is better. During the AA chorus I thought, **** this sounds familiar. Their filmclip is better than the freaks one though.
 

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#17
Originally posted by Savatage
Well there you go- this is why I hate it when a cover song makes it huge, it's because the original artist usually gets no recognition-they don't advertise it as a cover song...they make it seem like it's an original composition (it's not the artists fault of course).

Puff Daddy is fantastic at doing it- he did the Police's Every Breath You Take & Led Zeppelins Kashmir as separate singles...people probably think he's a musical genius- it's amazing what a few loops can do to a song.
i think artists dont mind covers being made...
if it sounds good, then the original gets mentioned quite often..
if it sounds shyte, then it reflects on how good the original was...

for me, definitately prefer the MJ original...
the AAF version, the chorus sounds awful.. but, the beginning is pretty good stuff...

did anyone hear that rock version of MJ's Billie Jean?
i cant remember who did that one.. sounded awful too..
 

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#20
Originally posted by coxon


i think artists dont mind covers being made...

They don't- they get all of the publishing royalties. They have no reason to complain! It's just that as an example half of the people here didn't even realise it was a cover & that's the part that annoys me.
 

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Originally posted by The Hitman
Which version of 'Smooth Criminal' is better, the original Michael Jackson version, or the new Alien Ant Farm version?

I have heard both, and while the Jacko version was good (I hate pop, but I respect Jacko), I like the new version better.

Anyway, as Mike Sheahan would say... "What do you think?"

The Hitman
I had never heard the original version of Smooth Criminal despite being a fair MJ fan.
As soon as i heard ALien Ant Farms version i was hooked.....i liked it that much i listened to the song 67 times straight, from start to finish. It was at the end of Heavy shift one night - and i ruined my video in that particular area i watched it that many times.
I found one of my parents old MJ cds, and had a listen to the original....and i have to say the Alien Ant Farm version craps all over the MJ one.......the MJ version misses something, doesnt have that kick.....the thing thats missing is the riff!!! The riff to AAFs version is one of the most addictive riffs ive ever heard, despite it being very simple to play.

Savatage - try getting ANThology - i got it today and its not a bad cd....some good songs on there.
 

jod23

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#23
Re: Re: Which Smooth Criminal?

Originally posted by Macca19


I had never heard the original version of Smooth Criminal despite being a fair MJ fan.
As soon as i heard ALien Ant Farms version i was hooked.....i liked it that much i listened to the song 67 times straight, from start to finish. It was at the end of Heavy shift one night - and i ruined my video in that particular area i watched it that many times.
I found one of my parents old MJ cds, and had a listen to the original....and i have to say the Alien Ant Farm version craps all over the MJ one.......the MJ version misses something, doesnt have that kick.....the thing thats missing is the riff!!! The riff to AAFs version is one of the most addictive riffs ive ever heard, despite it being very simple to play.

Savatage - try getting ANThology - i got it today and its not a bad cd....some good songs on there.
Macca your my fellow co captain and i think your a cool guy but maaaan you have problems ...

Topdon your a legend, everything you said is true.

Now on the issue, the reason ppl cant do covers of Jackson songs and make them sound good is because MJ has a whole unique sound that is his and his only. Sure you can generalise and say its Pop music but we all know Micheal has a distinct sound that only comes with his music. Plus his voice is just awesome, when he isnt singing he sounds like a woman but put a mic in front of him and he is the man he used to be. AAF suck and there cover is awful.

Michael Jacksons Smooth Criminal is one of the best songs ive ever heard and could quite possibly be my favourite MJ song, AAF should be ashamed of themselves.
 
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topdon

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Re: Re: Re: Which Smooth Criminal?

Originally posted by jod23

Michael Jacksons Smooth Criminal is one of the best songs ive ever heard and could quite possibly be my favourite MJ song, AAF should be ashamed of themselves.
Amen to that brother!! :D
 

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#25
Originally posted by topdon


Oh dear!!! Nicki!!! Please dont tell me!! You didn't know it was a cover???

I cannot believe this! IMO, this song was one of Micheal Jackson's greatest and here i am hearing that sooo many people haven't even heard it!!! :(


well u will have to play me the original when i come over wont you? ;) But no i didnt know, but i saw the AAF film clip to it today and i luv it. :D so there :p




hehe
 
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