This iconic song is one of my very favorites. I'm a sucker for anthems, and I just LOVE how this proves that the stars of the 80's were so much more talented than the mass-produced droll the music industry shoves in our face today. Yes I'm talking about YOU, Taylor Swift. And YOU, Nickelback. And YOU, every person that's ever been on American Idol. And YOU, most people that are popular right now. How can they (the music industry, of course) expect us to take it? Oh wait. It's because of my peers who buy it, and love it, and worship it. The saddest part is that I really think they... actually... enjoy it. Which makes it even more pathetic.
Back to the subject at hand, how Michael Jackson & Friends are infinitely superior. This song won multiple Grammies, People's Choice Awards, etc. It is a delight. Let's check out it's evolution, eh? (I'm trying to show support for the Winter Olympics that open tonight in CANADA)
Here we see a demo version. The words are a bit different, but I imagine this is close to what Michael and Lionel Richie came up with when they presented it to Quincy.
Next is the original. If you haven't seen it, DO. This is the one to watch! **Disclaimer, Bob Dylan is an excellent musician, a gifted songwriter, and an incredible guitarist, but he's also a terrible singer.
Don't you just love it? I start crying within the first 13 seconds when Stevie Wonder comes on! Man I love that guy. Also, the end with Ray Charles? What is it with my love for blind musicians?
Next we have a rather interesting reboot of this:
Okay, so it's Italian, but still. I'm pretty offended for Pavarotti's sake, they shouldn't have allowed Mariah on stage at the same time as him *blech*. The best part of this is Lionel Richie. Man he's great! He sounds incredible! Too bad he spawned this.
The next step in this evolutionary process is the weirdest of all. It's really hard to explain. All I can say, really, is that it's a bunch of obscure 80's stars (mostly NOT musicians) who awkwardly lipsync. Wow, that wasn't as hard as I thought!
The next (and hopefully final, really) step of evolution for this poor, abused song, airs tonight, at the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver games! It's still Quincy Jones producing it, so that's nice, but here's the thing: most people in it, don't deserve to be covering a Michael Jackson song. Kindof like this travesty. Also, I hear the Jonas Brothers are a part of it? Ew! I'd rather have an appendectomy performed with only a spoon than have them defecate on his name like that. Anyway, here's the preview.
Do you know what's going to happen? Usher is going to do the same thing to this song, that he did to this song, here. Also... Justin Beiber? Really??
If you watch tonight... let me know what you think!
Edit, 8:30pm - It premiered a couple hours ago! Here's the video:
My thoughts (in order, actually, as I watch the video): Boo - Miley sounded terrible, seriously. Lil Wayne around 4:56 and T-Pain at 5:29? They honestly couldn't sing 10 words without auto-tune? AHH 5:53! Was THAT really necessary? Kanye and Will.I.Am - my, what creative raps you have. NOT! BUT - I think it's precious how they incorporated the original footage of Michael! That part was adorable
P.S. The Simon Cowell did something similar to this Help Haiti effort over in the UK. It's a cover of an REM song, and it's pretty good. Mika's in it! Yay! But, Miley Cyrus & Leona Lewis are in it. Boo. Click here to listen
7 comments:
so so close.
SO CLOSE.
Why did you have to mention Miley in the last line.
I love you and your good taste. Please excuse me and my good but sometimes bad but really enjoyable taste.
I think it was pretty charitable of me to only mention her once. And yes, you're excused as long as you never make me listen to Party in the USA ever again.
Okay, but at least this latest remake is for a good cause. And BTW, Bruce Boxleitner was very good looking in his day. That version with all the "obscure" people actually had some people that were pretty famous in the 70's and 80's, but not many of them were actual singers - mostly actors, and at least one Olympian. Just in case you were wondering…
I loved this. And I agree-- I LOVE the original. I think i remember getting weepy as a kid. ha ha. I just saw the new one a few days ago. WOW.. fail. Miley's voice is like rubbing sandpaper all over my skin. It's torturous, and gritty.
well done. I think i'll watch the original again. get in my daily dose.
ah man, i just watched the Everybody Hurts one. I love that song. It's pretty great... except for James Blunt, who needs to be put down.
sniff.. i have something in my eye...
dangit, i hate that sidebar tracker thing!! such a stalker. Well, i'm going to comment every time i visit, which may be creepier still, but i'm not going to pretend i don't come every other day. I stalk with pride. True i could just put you in google reader or whatever but, meh..
oh, i just watched the original again. it seriously is the most amazing thing, ever. in the history of time & planets.
I just wanted you to know that I read this (originally when you posted it) It's a long post and I hate when I take the time to write a long post and no one comments.
OK and I wanted to agree with you. I hate when new artists cover classic songs and ruin them! BOGUS!
I love you and hope you survive your tests :)
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