We know that every artist has their period where they “evolve,” but the news that ex-Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell is covering Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” on his upcoming solo LP made us smack our heads. Chris, Chris, Chris. Our fond memories of Ultramega OK and that crazy-dub cover of the Ohio Players’ “Fopp” still burn brightly–they were enough to forgive you for the fogey-glorifying video you made with Audioslave, and we didn’t even lay into you too much for the James Bond thing. But this time, you’ve gone too far. Covering Michael Jackson? Dude, seriously. Quit it. You own one of the most mind-melting voices of the modern rock era, so please quit acting like you are a member of godforsaken Alien Ant Farm. We have MP3s below to prove that you are much, much better than a “serious” cover that will probably wind up on the soundtrack to Van Wilder 2. And if these don’t convince you, we have more. A lot more.
Soundgarden – Hunted Down [MP3, link expired]
Soundgarden – Beyond The Wheel [MP3, link expired]
Soundgarden – Rusty Cage [MP3, link expired]
Chris Cornell Tackles Gospel — And Michael Jackson? — On Solo LP [MTV]
I’ve found that I’m much more likely to enjoy songs that are covers, even if I’ve never heard the originals (and don’t find out that they aren covers until well after the fact). I never heard the original version of Mad World, but hearing Michael Andrews sing it thrilled me. Same with countless others.
And I love this song, same as I loved Garbage’s World Is Not Enough and the Goldeneye theme, not to mention Sheryl Crow’s Tomorrow Never Dies. I’ve found, too, that LOTS of people just plain never heard these songs, but like them quite a bit once they do. Popularity isn’t an indicator of much these days, Idolator.
Billy Jean? holy fuck that’s awful. I would have forgiven him if he covered ‘Dirty Diana’ though.
Hmm. I still liked all this music better the first time, when it was called Black Sabbath. This “Beyond the Wheel” track, sorry, is especially derivative, except he sounds more like he’s ripping Dio than Ozzy.
Phyltre, the reason you tend to enjoy covers is probably because it’s very hard to write a good song. A lot of bands can play to some extent, but when it comes to writing a melody or memorable hook, they just aren’t up to it. But it’s not hard to pick out a good song someone else has already written.
Little Joe continues to be not only one of Soundgarden’s greatest, but one of my own personal anthems.
Chris, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU???
Didn’t Ian Brown already cover this song some years back? Chris is following in some great footsteps there…
Shouldn’t Ben Shepherd be broke by now? Do you think I could get him to kneecap Cornell for twenty bucks? Seriously, Cornell has fallen off more than anybody except for Ozzy. Yeah, I still say “fallen off”.
Chris forgot how to bellow and scream somewhere shortly after Superunkown was released. Ignore “Black Hole Sun” and listen to “The Day I Tried to Live”. He sounds like a shadow of those days, these days.
A live version of “Billie Jean” from a Swedish radio thing he did has been floating around on the net for a while. It’s a real slowed down rendition and you really don’t know what the song is until the chorus. The fans really like it on the web. Go ahead and give me crap, but I have to say it’s pretty damn good. Go listen for yourself. It’s on almost any of the Audioslave fansites.
Rooster: you are entirely correct. Meanwhile, “Beyond the Wheel” is seriously the crown jewel of the pre-Nevermind Seattle scene. It’s literally one of the heaviest songs ever written. There are harder songs, there are more obviously-weighty songs in terms of riffage. There are poppier songs and more abrasive songs, but “Beyond the Wheel” stands at a confluence that’s note-perfect. Plus, it’s between two ambient filler tracks called “665″ and “667.” That’s pretty much all that needs to be said.
Chris is a legendary rocker who has no doubt withstood the test of time. You can be critical of his work or choices…leaving Soundgarden and Audioslave, but he has evolved and matured wisely as an artist. A voice like that cannot be faked. “Silence the Voices” off of Carry On is some of his best work to date. He did a cover of “Freebird” and mixed it with classic “Slaves and Bulldozers,” resulting in one of the finest pieces of music I have ever heard. The world is a better place because of his insightful lyrics and the seemingly endless range on those magical vocal chords of his. After all of these years, he is still out doing himself and creating fresh material, unmatched in tune and harmony. In an industry full of mass manufactured garbage, Chris Cornell is a breath of fresh air. -Jessica