I don’t remember all the details but I do remember that MJ was a big fan of their version. So much so that when MJ passed his family had alien ant farm perform at the memorial concert.
MJ loved the song. After he passed the family even invited them to be part of the ceremony. Pretty great. Also the drummer always reminds me of Rick Hoffman from Suits and i can't unsee it.
One thing you have to respect Michael Jackson for is not taking himself too seriously. There were artists who refused to let artists cover or Weird Al parody their songs, but Michael didn't care. He took it as a compliment. Satire and mimicry in most cases is the sincerest form of flattery. Unless you're a villain in a Mel Brooks film. Then you're probably racist.
Michael loved music, and he loved other versions of his stuff. From Weird Al's parodies to the many, many covers in jjust about every genre, I've never heard of a time when he didn't give his blessing going in, or didn't love it when he heard them.
Yup was a teen when it came out and word was the manager sent it to the MJ camp without the band knowing and MJ loved it so much he made tips for the video and said in a interview he liked it more then his, inclu his tip for the drummer wearing 1 glove 🤙
During the sidewalk scene, when the lead singer is standing in the colum of smoke... that represents Michael Jackson during a Pepsi commercial where he was accidentally burned by pyrotechnics that set his hair on fire.
I was born and raised in Riverside CA in 1987. 2001 was my Freshman year and EVERYONE was bumping this song all through the Inland Enpire (the IE is Riverside County). 🤘
The video has so many deep MJ cuts in it; from some of the dance moves the kid and the band do (besides the lean), the flag on the house with the exploding car, some of the t-shirts people are wearing, the drummer with one glove, etc
Legally there is not a problem with an artist doing a cover of any song that’s ever been released to the public. No artist can stop someone from doing a cover version, assuming the original artist or writer licensed the song through a performance rights organization such as BMI or ASCAP. I believe Michael Jackson licensed his through BMI. Any bar band can play it, and anyone can do a cover. An artist can possibly ask you not to do it. Until recently, the idea that someone could not do a cover - was not even considered. Everyone knew that your publicly released songs, can be covered. So long as the royalties are administered.
That's true, but most do go out and ask. No one wanted to make an enemy of MJ at that time. Weird Al partnered with MJ so often, MJ paid for sets and mixing for videos, even though Al said many times he didn't /have/ to get permission.
As others had stated Michael loved this..and the video is full of so many homages it was clearly produced with love. The editing at the beginning of the bridge is the same way they edited part of the Billie Jean video. The girl jumping into the pool with the werewolf mask was wearing a letterman like MJ was in the Thriller video. It is hard to see but in some shots you can catch the drummer has a glove on his right hand..and the chair with "Bubbles" is a sparkly glove. The man's eyes at the end of this video are a callback to the Thrilled video as one of MJ's contacts was askew when they shot it and they purposefully recreated it here. In fact..MJ hooked with up with the tech for the lean. There are a whole lot of other little things going on but there are some of them.
It is supposed to be Bubbles, and they're sitting in a silver glove. The entire video is pretty much an homage to MJ. He loved it and fully signed off on it.
For the True Die Hard MJ fan . I heard there were over 20 referneces to MJ and his vidioes but i consider myself a fan from birth in the 80's and i could only count like 14.
Hey bro, greetings from Wales 🏴 UK 🇬🇧 I absolutely love this cover and I’m pretty sure Michael & his family did too, and why do I think this? In Wales’ capital city, Cardiff in 2011 we hosted the Michael Forever - Tribute Concert at the 75,000 seater Millenium Stadium. Of course MJ has passed in 2009 and this concert marked what would have been his 40th Anniversary as a solo act, Alien Ant Farm were invited to perform this at that show!! They joined the likes of Beyoncé, Christine Aguilera, Ne-yo, Jamie Fox, La Toya and Gladys Knight to name a few!! What I think is so great about the video is how they pay homage to MJ in so many ways, like you mentioned Bubbles the chimpanzee, the leaning, the dance moves from Thriller, the pavement/sidewalks lighting up, there are probably more but it’s so well thought out and shows the level of respect they have for MJ 😊🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
There are so many Easter eggs in this. The more you watch it, the more you see from michael jackson's multiple videos. Those three girls holding the sign, we love A.A.F. WHAT'S A TRIBUTE TO ONE OF MICHAEL'S VIDEOS? WHERE THREE GIRLS HELD UP A SIGN, WE LOVE MICHAEL. At the end, the tattoo on that man's back is elizabeth taylor. Michael had a strong relationship with as friends. And multiple ones in between. Watch this video several times.
This was a few months after he died I believed. They pushed it through due to all of the homage. They did this in October again a few months after he died.
Very nice tribute if you ask me. The original version technically was a rock song (I grew up listening to rock music but I was a huge fan of the King of Pop).
That car scene is a reference on what happened on MJs Black or White Video back in 1991. There was no music, MJ was dancing then he was breaking car windows that had the Nazi symbol, one said "Ni****s go home", KKK, and some others. While dancing he did his famous crotch grab. MJ had to make a shorter version of the song, taking off the violent scene, and the crotch grabbing. They thought it promoted violence. I remember when it came out, it was a special premier and had the newest technology when the people would morph into other people. If you search the original video, it is 11 minutes long.
If you like the American Pie films you should watch Porkys!!!! It's the original films that are probably the reason American Pie ever became a thing. A great movie and the sequels aren't too bad. Michael Jackson gave his blessing dor this cover and the video. He loved it!
Mj the goat! Billy Jeans lit steps. A homage to thriller. Moonwalker was broadcast on so many channels in 88. I can listen to hard rock. You can listen to rap. We all can listen to Jackson
These guys went ham and showed aspects of many of MJs songs… the thriller dance/werewolf mask, the Billie Jean sidewalk they pulled hi lights from so many MJ videos and made the song their own without turning it to total trash like many covers end up.
Yeah, MJ LOVED their cover. He was totally on board. 2 other covers that are great is Bad Wolves cover of the Cranberries Zombie (it'll make you cry!), and Public Enemy/Anthrax doing Bring The Noise. Chuck D said he felt weird doing a cover of his own song. But Scott Ian from Anthrax sent him a sample of the main riff and Chuck was sold on it. But Anthrax's record label didnt want to publish it. Scott Ian told them to go f**k themselves and they released it on their own. Of course it was huge and is considered the moment when metal and rap melted together to form a new genre called 'Nu Metal'. Limp Bizkit, Korn, Lincoln Park, System Of A Down, etc... Public Enemy and Anthrax paved the way.
I've always felt a cover shouldn't be done UNLESS the band is going to add something OF THEMSELVES to it. That absolutely happened here. That said, it is also a very loving tribute to the original song.
@@6Haunted-Days Nice try. Next time, do your research. "The music video was directed by Marc Klasfeld and shot in San Fernando, California. It features the band performing in a wrestling ring, and in front of a suburban house. The video also references various Jackson music videos, including the "Smooth Criminal" video itself."
No. Michael initially didn't like the kid in a mask. They reshot the kid dancing with no mask, sent it to Michael, and he decided to go with the masked version. He didn't have anything to do with the video, with the exception of giving his approval.
If nothing else, that video requires deep knowledge of Michael Jackson's music videos and you know...his pets (and the blow up chair the singer was sitting in was obviously Michael's silver glove). They weren't casual about it.
You have to listen to this other great “tribute” to Michael Jackson. Jazz greats Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten performing Beat it! Fair warning though it is different yet insanely beautiful!
Whitney Houstn made Dolly Parton a lot of money for "i will always love you " if the original artist approved, you hit Gold and both come out richer from it. Chris Stapleton and Fast Car
I don’t even really consider this a cover. I think of it entirely as a tribute.
I agree 100%
facts & now no one can ever cover an MJ song the same
MJ loved it. They recorded it as a throw away and their manager sent it to MJ’s camp and he got fully behind it.
Jackson was such a big fan of it, his family wanted them to perform it at Jackson's memorial
It wasn’t a throw away,it was an homage to the man’s work.
@@Ultra-Collector The music video was a homage, they originally did the song in 2001 and the music video came out 8 years later after MJ died.
@@alucard8433no the music video came out in 2001 too. I remember it on MTV. 2009
Is the UA-cam upload date.
@@whitediggity i was 7 in 2001 and remember the music video playing on tv as i was getting ready for school
I don’t remember all the details but I do remember that MJ was a big fan of their version. So much so that when MJ passed his family had alien ant farm perform at the memorial concert.
First part I knew but I didnt know MJ's family had them perform at his memorial.
MJ loved the song. After he passed the family even invited them to be part of the ceremony. Pretty great. Also the drummer always reminds me of Rick Hoffman from Suits and i can't unsee it.
One thing you have to respect Michael Jackson for is not taking himself too seriously. There were artists who refused to let artists cover or Weird Al parody their songs, but Michael didn't care. He took it as a compliment. Satire and mimicry in most cases is the sincerest form of flattery. Unless you're a villain in a Mel Brooks film. Then you're probably racist.
Michael worked with Al to help recreate the music video.
I remember MJ in a Halloween special and he made some super scary face...I knew then he understood how his face looks to people lol
MJ had no problem to this, in fact he was happy with it!
Michael himself approved this cover
the first thriller callout was the chick jumping into the pool with the wolf mask and letterman jacket.
Drummer had 1 silver glove on. Another tribute!!!
This is not just a cover. This is a tribute
Michael loved it!
Michael loved music, and he loved other versions of his stuff. From Weird Al's parodies to the many, many covers in jjust about every genre, I've never heard of a time when he didn't give his blessing going in, or didn't love it when he heard them.
Except for Just Lose It by Eminem 😂
You just witnessed the greatest tribute video to Michael Jackson, ever.
Oh, and MJ loved this version.
LOVE this cover. They did such a good job.
It was a different time, people weren't as easily offended and actually just enjoyed the Tribute....
One of the few covers I ever liked. And, I love that the whole video pays homage to Michael. Michael loved it, btw❤
He was sitting in a glove with Bubbles
One of the best covers of all time. Michael was behind them 100%.
Best cover EVER!
I think they did a great job love it . wonderfully job I'll give it a A+
They did a phenomenal job switching genres and making it their own style while still keeping the soul of the song....not sure exactly how to say that.
You just did….👍
Bass players bringing the MJ vibes
He’s my favorite part lol
I was a teenager when MJ started. I love his music and him. I never gave this cover a chance until now.
Yup was a teen when it came out and word was the manager sent it to the MJ camp without the band knowing and MJ loved it so much he made tips for the video and said in a interview he liked it more then his, inclu his tip for the drummer wearing 1 glove 🤙
I love this a true classic ❤️❤️
During the sidewalk scene, when the lead singer is standing in the colum of smoke... that represents Michael Jackson during a Pepsi commercial where he was accidentally burned by pyrotechnics that set his hair on fire.
I was born and raised in Riverside CA in 1987. 2001 was my Freshman year and EVERYONE was bumping this song all through the Inland Enpire (the IE is Riverside County). 🤘
The kid in the mask is dancing in front of the actual Jackson home in Gary, Indiana.
Assume nothing...if MJ would have had a problem with it then it wouldn't have been released! lol
And the chair he's sitting in is a single, sequined glove.
From my memories...MJ was extremely kind and gracious to other musicians...
The kid dancing is doing it in front of MJ’s former childhood home.
There are no palm trees in Gary, let alone Indiana.
"I dont know" I thought I was the only one who realized it was still ther and sung live by my boy on bass...
The video has so many deep MJ cuts in it; from some of the dance moves the kid and the band do (besides the lean), the flag on the house with the exploding car, some of the t-shirts people are wearing, the drummer with one glove, etc
The guy at the end with the Elizabeth Taylor tattoo on his back and the thriller contact lenses
Love this since I’m actually named after MJ in tribute to my oldest sister who died in an accident 3 months before I was born
MJ and family loved this,♥
Michael sanctioned this and loved every second of it...much love to you from the UK
😂🤣 I didn't even think about Bubbles, but yep! I always thought they did MJ proud with this, and I don't say that lightly. ❤
This is the absolute best cover ever. If I remember correctly it was a hidden track
Yes! Bubbles!
Loved the reaction man!
Legally there is not a problem with an artist doing a cover of any song that’s ever been released to the public. No artist can stop someone from doing a cover version, assuming the original artist or writer licensed the song through a performance rights organization such as BMI or ASCAP. I believe Michael Jackson licensed his through BMI. Any bar band can play it, and anyone can do a cover. An artist can possibly ask you not to do it. Until recently, the idea that someone could not do a cover - was not even considered. Everyone knew that your publicly released songs, can be covered. So long as the royalties are administered.
That's true, but most do go out and ask. No one wanted to make an enemy of MJ at that time. Weird Al partnered with MJ so often, MJ paid for sets and mixing for videos, even though Al said many times he didn't /have/ to get permission.
It was when Jim super glued himself to himself
Another MJ cover to check out is Chris Cornell's take on Billie Jean
As others had stated Michael loved this..and the video is full of so many homages it was clearly produced with love. The editing at the beginning of the bridge is the same way they edited part of the Billie Jean video. The girl jumping into the pool with the werewolf mask was wearing a letterman like MJ was in the Thriller video. It is hard to see but in some shots you can catch the drummer has a glove on his right hand..and the chair with "Bubbles" is a sparkly glove. The man's eyes at the end of this video are a callback to the Thrilled video as one of MJ's contacts was askew when they shot it and they purposefully recreated it here. In fact..MJ hooked with up with the tech for the lean. There are a whole lot of other little things going on but there are some of them.
MJ loved rock which is why he had many rock tracks, MJ had some of the best rock guitarists backing him
It is supposed to be Bubbles, and they're sitting in a silver glove. The entire video is pretty much an homage to MJ. He loved it and fully signed off on it.
They got Michael's approval & he loved the video.
You missed a TON of easter eggs lol You should def look those up 😊
killer cover, and a clip that's still funny even today! ❤
For the True Die Hard MJ fan . I heard there were over 20 referneces to MJ and his vidioes but i consider myself a fan from birth in the 80's and i could only count like 14.
California Dreaming by Cam Cole. He covers it awesome. Skip to 1:25 in the video called Sounds From the Van #7 (California Dreaming). It's awesome
Hey bro, greetings from Wales 🏴 UK 🇬🇧 I absolutely love this cover and I’m pretty sure Michael & his family did too, and why do I think this? In Wales’ capital city, Cardiff in 2011 we hosted the Michael Forever - Tribute Concert at the 75,000 seater Millenium Stadium. Of course MJ has passed in 2009 and this concert marked what would have been his 40th Anniversary as a solo act, Alien Ant Farm were invited to perform this at that show!! They joined the likes of Beyoncé, Christine Aguilera, Ne-yo, Jamie Fox, La Toya and Gladys Knight to name a few!!
What I think is so great about the video is how they pay homage to MJ in so many ways, like you mentioned Bubbles the chimpanzee, the leaning, the dance moves from Thriller, the pavement/sidewalks lighting up, there are probably more but it’s so well thought out and shows the level of respect they have for MJ 😊🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
Yes, and the werewolf from “thriller” jumped in to the pool…lots of MJ references from different songs
The "Smooth Criminal Lean" was first done by the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz"... in 1938
There are so many Easter eggs in this. The more you watch it, the more you see from michael jackson's multiple videos. Those three girls holding the sign, we love A.A.F.
WHAT'S A TRIBUTE TO ONE OF MICHAEL'S VIDEOS? WHERE THREE GIRLS HELD UP A SIGN, WE LOVE MICHAEL.
At the end, the tattoo on that man's back is elizabeth taylor. Michael had a strong relationship with as friends. And multiple ones in between.
Watch this video several times.
AAF called MJ and asked for permission and he said go ahead and he was on location at times during the video recording.
It’s a cover and a parody of everything MJ and it’s hilarious
That kid is dancing in front of the house the Jackson’s lived in Gary Indiana
No he wasn't. There are zero palm trees in Gary.
This was a few months after he died I believed. They pushed it through due to all of the homage. They did this in October again a few months after he died.
Love this cover version. You need more light for your video ❤.
Very nice tribute if you ask me. The original version technically was a rock song (I grew up listening to rock music but I was a huge fan of the King of Pop).
GO PACK GO!!!
Love me some American Pie!!!
Great cover!
Nothing but respect for Micheal Jackson! M.J is #1 RIP Micheal..
Tribute to MJ….rumor has it Michael loved it,including the video. ❤️🎶❤️
Though i really like their version of SC, people really need to see the video.
They're serious musicians with a great sense of humor.
Great cover.
yeah is a great cover
That was Flea, the bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers, at the end of the video..the guy with the cat eyes.
did you noticed the drummer's white glove?
It's not a Cover. It's a Tribute to the man MJ.
If you had fun with AAF. Check out Fallout Boy's cover of Beat it.
That was a good one too!
it is entertainment and a nice sped up cover
This is a beautiful tribute song.
American Pie in 2000 is like Porky's or Revenge of the Nerds in the 80's.
That car scene is a reference on what happened on MJs Black or White Video back in 1991. There was no music, MJ was dancing then he was breaking car windows that had the Nazi symbol, one said "Ni****s go home", KKK, and some others. While dancing he did his famous crotch grab. MJ had to make a shorter version of the song, taking off the violent scene, and the crotch grabbing. They thought it promoted violence. I remember when it came out, it was a special premier and had the newest technology when the people would morph into other people. If you search the original video, it is 11 minutes long.
If you like the American Pie films you should watch Porkys!!!!
It's the original films that are probably the reason American Pie ever became a thing.
A great movie and the sequels aren't too bad.
Michael Jackson gave his blessing dor this cover and the video. He loved it!
Mj the goat! Billy Jeans lit steps. A homage to thriller. Moonwalker was broadcast on so many channels in 88. I can listen to hard rock. You can listen to rap. We all can listen to Jackson
It's a tribute song to MJ.
Prince let a cover of when doves cry on the Romeo and Juliet movie in the 90 with Leonardo and Claire.
I had a feeling you would dig this one. And pretty sure the chimp was a tribute to 'bubbles'.
MJ loved it since they had to get Michael’s permission
These guys went ham and showed aspects of many of MJs songs… the thriller dance/werewolf mask, the Billie Jean sidewalk they pulled hi lights from so many MJ videos and made the song their own without turning it to total trash like many covers end up.
Yeah, MJ LOVED their cover. He was totally on board. 2 other covers that are great is Bad Wolves cover of the Cranberries Zombie (it'll make you cry!), and Public Enemy/Anthrax doing Bring The Noise. Chuck D said he felt weird doing a cover of his own song. But Scott Ian from Anthrax sent him a sample of the main riff and Chuck was sold on it. But Anthrax's record label didnt want to publish it. Scott Ian told them to go f**k themselves and they released it on their own. Of course it was huge and is considered the moment when metal and rap melted together to form a new genre called 'Nu Metal'. Limp Bizkit, Korn, Lincoln Park, System Of A Down, etc... Public Enemy and Anthrax paved the way.
You should check out Chris Cornell's version of Billie Jean (Acoustic)
I've always felt a cover shouldn't be done UNLESS the band is going to add something OF THEMSELVES to it. That absolutely happened here. That said, it is also a very loving tribute to the original song.
He directed the video! Michael I mean…..
@@6Haunted-Days Nice try. Next time, do your research.
"The music video was directed by Marc Klasfeld and shot in San Fernando, California. It features the band performing in a wrestling ring, and in front of a suburban house. The video also references various Jackson music videos, including the "Smooth Criminal" video itself."
MJ actually chose that young kid who dances. He helped direct this video and he loved it.
I didn't know that. That was so cool of him!
No. Michael initially didn't like the kid in a mask. They reshot the kid dancing with no mask, sent it to Michael, and he decided to go with the masked version. He didn't have anything to do with the video, with the exception of giving his approval.
❤️❤️❤️
Umm, Yea , Bubbles and the Chair was a Glove.. MJ gave His Blessing
If nothing else, that video requires deep knowledge of Michael Jackson's music videos and you know...his pets (and the blow up chair the singer was sitting in was obviously Michael's silver glove). They weren't casual about it.
You have to listen to this other great “tribute” to Michael Jackson. Jazz greats Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten performing Beat it! Fair warning though it is different yet insanely beautiful!
It was simply a tribute cover to MJ.... it's not just Smooth Criminal but several other videos....
and did you notice the drummer wearing one sequined glove?
Whitney Houstn made Dolly Parton a lot of money for "i will always love you " if the original artist approved, you hit Gold and both come out richer from it. Chris Stapleton and Fast Car
Mj owned his Master Tapes. These guys had to ask pemission for him to sign off on it. He loved it, so he said yes. Do more research.
Gotta check out Chris Cornell's acoustic cover of MJ's Billie Jean.
Flea 👀
🤘🤘❤