Michael Jackson was the undisputed 'King of Pop,' a title I don't believe any artist will ever take. Many of his songs are legendary, so it's no surprise that other prominent artists have covered plenty of his songs. His music has also transcended genres, with even Rock artists paying homage to his work. Here are four Rock bands that added a unique spin to his greatest hits while respecting the source material.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
Alien Ant Farm performed a phenomenal rendition of Smooth Criminal, which is arguably the most well-known song in the band's repertoire. The band's music hits a range of genres, although 'Punk Pop' is a decent descriptor for their performance of Smooth Criminal.
The Alien Ant Farm follows the original closely, swapping out the instruments for a more grungy ensemble. The vocalist doesn't try to imitate Jackson, opting for a more 'Punk' style. Even the music video is worth a watch as the band throws out several iconic dance moves that Jackson performed in Thriller.
In an interview with the Rolling Stones, the King of Pop even gave the cover his blessing, saying he "saw it and fell in love with it."
Evanescence - Dirty Diana
Evanescence is one of those bands that's instantly recognizable, thanks to their lead singer. Amy Lee is a classically trained pianist with an incredible vocal range. Lee puts both of those skills to good use in the band's version of Dirty Diana, which opens with a slick piano intro.
Many artists that cover Michael Jackson's songs don't even try to hit his higher notes. Lee doesn't shy away from those vocal feats, making for a superb and dramatic version of the song. The rock instruments also lend themselves to Dirty Diana, and surprisingly, well. If you'd never heard the original, you'd be none-the-wiser that it was originally a pop song.
Fallout Boy - Beat It
Beat It is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs, so in my opinion, if you're going to do it, you better do it right! Fallout Boy is another band known for pop/alternative rock. They also delve into emo territory, which doesn't seem like a good fit for an upbeat song like Beat It.
Regardless of what Fallout Boy is known for, their rendition is just as bright and bouncy as the original. There are plenty of grungy frills in the background, and the heavy drum kit is a perfect fit. John Mayer also plays a fantastic guitar solo during the second half of the song, which elevates the cover to the next level.
Saliva - They Don't Care About Us
Saliva is a hard rock band from the US and performed a brilliant cover of They Don't Care About Us as part of their 'Love, Lies, and Therapy' album. Their version is notably heavier than other covers on this list, even delving into Metal sound, like distorted guitar riffs.
That said, the fusion of genres works incredibly well, and it's one of many songs that prove Saliva isn't a 'one-note-wonder.' They Don't Care About Us is lighter than much of the groups work, but the heavy bass line is a brilliant addition to Michael Jackson classic.
