Alien Ant Farm - 'Smooth Criminal' Reaction. Covering a Legend's Song, Best Get It Right! They Did!

"Smooth Criminal" is a song originally performed by Michael Jackson in 1987. However, Alien Ant Farm, an American rock band, released a cover of the song in 2001. Alien Ant Farm's version of "Smooth Criminal" gained significant popularity and chart success, bringing renewed attention to the song.
Alien Ant Farm's cover of "Smooth Criminal" features a heavier rock sound compared to the original, with elements of alternative and nu-metal. The music video for their version also gained attention, as it paid homage to Jackson's original video and included references to his iconic dance moves.
The cover by Alien Ant Farm became their most successful single, reaching high positions on the charts in several countries. It remains one of their signature songs and is often associated with the band.

[@katemcalpine2836]

The kid in the mask was dancing in front of the jackson's old house in Gary, Indiana.

[@scottmasin741]

There aren't any palm trees in Gary.

[@katemcalpine2836]

@@scottmasin741 Pardon my error, cop.

[@noladr]

MJ loved this cover. The one easter egg y'all missed was that the drummer wore a glove on his right hand during the night scenes.

[@kaypirinha1982]

the whole video. Watch the ring scene again

[@zacatkinson3926]

Speed demon reference by the bass player hand gestures

[@atvena]

He also has the glove on when in the ring

[@jeffpierce5478]

Prove it hoe

[@56kwith200ping]

The end with the eyes from Thriller.

[@kevinjennings238]

The Kid wore a Mask because MJ did when he was having his Nose Changes!

[@bossfan49]

You said it.... they did everything right. They introduced their own sound to the song while still keeping it faithful. And the same goes for the video...they didn't flat out copy anything. It's totally fresh, and they managed to respectfully homage highlights from MJ's video catalog. Clever as hell.

[@terencewalker9215]

They paid their dues and homage to the Greatest, MJ in all respects. Then he gave them a head nod and permission to use it................. Enough said. Awesome track 😮

[@stevenmonte7397]

There are over 20+ references to MJ in the video. This was FIRE!!

[@chiefcrash1]

Including the reference to MJ's hair catching fire

[@jeffwright5768]

One of the best covers ever!

[@RickSmith-tb8xr]

MJ approved this

[@aaronproctor4745]

Crazy this song is still relevant 20 some years later

[@christianpcassidy3753]

Great reaction! They killed this cover of a classic. Brought that energy too💪 The fact that MJ co-signed this track was important as well. Thanks!

[@Thatgirl1973]

I have always and forever will love MJ...and this song. It doesn't surprise me MJ approved, because they really did him proud. Definitely on the best covers list, because while they made it theirs they still stayed true to the song! That's the mark of a great cover, and it's rare.

[@TheDivayenta]

The dancers were doing Thriller. And the guy at the end with the eyes! So many references!

[@zacatkinson3926]

He had Elizabeth Taylor as a tattoo

[@atvena]

The guy at the end is the bassist flea from the red hot chili peppers

[@Christopher-Baltimore]

Definitely one of the best covers!

[@jacqueline4514]

I absolutely love this cover!! It is a different take without losing any of the "best parts" of Michael's original

[@SIXX2772]

Ahhh yeah!!! We will always LOVE and tribute MJ forever!

[@LockedownSEO]

What I love about this video is it is a love letter to MJ's videos.

[@michaelmcnair7624]

For this band, they used to jam on this song at band practice...it keep building to this...and they recorded it.

[@coreyrogers8700]

Michael gave permission and absolutely loved this cover, he was on many outlets saying how muchhe loved it!

[@kimzwolinski9919]

😊😊 They were definitely paying homage. It really is a great cover.

[@christinewaide5249]

I love this song, and the video is amazing. It’s such a tribute to Michael Jackson. ❤

[@tonynittoli4792]

A true tribute to the greatest.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Love all of the references to MJ videos. Some you miss the first few times.

[@Organicme1]

Musical theater! TY for an amazing reaction!

[@dawngipe6324]

I was gonna say...no one dances like mj...but all their Michael touches were so awesome!!! Love the original, but im more of a rocker, so i just love this version❤

[@VegasYouTuberSteve]

Alien Ant Farm "Live" on Fremont Street Las Vegas, April 12th. Part of the Free concerts on Fremont in April..

[@jen-a-purr]

They introduced a light rock feel to this song. They did so well with this cover & Ecsp the video, paying respect to Michael at every turn.

[@philstone4277]

You guys are a blast! Thank you for covering this one :)

[@GhostDrummer]

Just found your channel. Thank you for being up front that you’ve already heard the song and watched the video. It makes your reaction so much better knowing that. Much respect.

[@jdovma1]

Holds up way better than you'd ever think.

[@thisisitreactions]

It definitely holds up

[@2009RipCity]

Number 1 (TIE) Best Cover ever with Disturbed's "Sound Of Silence" They gave respect to the original while making it their own!

[@billyboblillybob344]

CCR I put a spell on you should be a consideration

[@2009RipCity]

@@billyboblillybob344 agreed

[@40ozkingwest9]

Little help from my friends by Joe cocker. Cover of a Beatles song

[@mikemath9508]

I read once that MJ liked it so much he actually played this version on a boombox out his window. no way to verify but it's a fun song. it's the version i have on my playlist since 2003~

[@Callisto_Arcas]

I was so glad to see you guys finally review this cover. I completely agree with you guys: when covering a great song by a great artist, you can't sway too far either way. Not too much like MJ, but not too different either. This is a great happy medium from a band who loved MJ, and made sure to pay him homage in their rendition of his hit.

[@tammy5163]

I love this song by MJ. Is my favorite of all times. I love how they did this. Rock!

[@js-jd1dx]

This is definitely one of the best re-make that I’ve ever heard, and I’ve probably heard em all

[@marijuasher]

There's a very good article about this song and video that KZbin won't allow me to link. From the article, the dancer is an actor named Billy Edner: “I auditioned for the part,” Edner writes via email. “I was very young, maybe 12 or 13 years old, but I remember having to freestyle for the audition. Some of the dancing in the actual music video was freestyled, while some of it was choreographed.” Edner had been copying Jackson’s dances from the age of 5. “I toured around with Nike, Reebok and Sketchers doing dance convention shows,” he says. “Dancing was my first love.” He remembers having a blast on the “Smooth Criminal” set, which ended up having some surprise guests. “The coolest thing was that, on my shoot day, NSYNC dropped by. They were huge at the time, so I remember that being a really big deal.”

[@marijuasher]

MJ's video director heard the song on the radio while at the gym and reached out to the label to make this vid. All guys in the band are MJ fans, the director is a metal fan.

[@greeneyesdante]

You can tell this band had mad respect for Michael as do I! So many references in this video. Best cover ever!❤

[@Alonnah-78]

You guys have a subscription for life,, Love you guys 😂❤❤❤

[@fuzzylogics139]

Hahaha! ❤️ This was a good way to wake up and I’M UP NOW! 👀

[@RomesThe59]

MJ approved them covering this. One of the few bands he ever let cover his music and I’m not sure why he chose them but they did him justice.

[@janihensley5306]

Take it and make it yours with all the images were wonderful

[@reneelyons6836]

You guys are all right!!

[@sammylane21]

Dancing kid in the video was 20yrs ahead of us by wearing a 😷.😂 Dang it, kid's moves put mine to shame.

[@jaypeterson9884]

You need to check out Chris Cornell's haunting cover of Billie Jean. Beautifully done and another amazing MJ cover

[@hampyonce]

An album called "Punk Goes Crunk" is some great rock covers of rap classics. "Gin and Juice" for one.

[@markburnham7512]

One of very few covers that exceeds the original. Even MJ would gladly admit it.

[@TheGoldenCapstone]

I went to my first Warped Tour (a music festival for punk, metal, emo) and saw this band perform when this song was hitting at its peak. The crowd went nuts when they played it.

[@QwarkE1]

i love this version and the full respect they gave MJ if your my age you can see a the tickle of every MJ video to that point

[@skorpio156]

MJ gave 200% approval. Look it up

[@michaeltabor4176]

The only other MJ cover I think does justice is Chris Cornell's acoustic cover of Billie Jean

[@johnraygun9868]

Much love gentlemen!❤

[@crazylegslife]

You either do a cover song exactly the same or completely different. This to me is an amazing tribute to the ultimate King of Pop.

[@tiffymcconkey]

If you remember the dance from smooth criminal, the little boy is doing it move for move

[@jason42080]

This Song and Music Video is the Forever GOAT Love Letter to MJ...to include easter eggs of everything of late 70's and 80's MJ...which is why i feel was the top reason MJ had called AAF and gave them his blessing plus props and loving how they did the song and Music Video

[@jakenunya1587]

This cover was dope!

[@benb6535]

Great reaction...talking about another cover that's really good is We're an American Band done by Rob Zombie

[@--Spooky--]

If you have never heard it or havent already done it i have a must see cover for you. Do - Frog Leap Studios - Africa ( cover of Toto )

[@rowanmayfair9249]

This is in the annals as one of the best covers ever made.

[@tonyapoindexter2781]

Yeah, that was a good cover. Regardless of which is doing them, there are some great musicians out here that does some good changes, that work well. It's nice, it is. That's how you know a song is an icon in itself, to have the ability to be switched up, and it still comes out a hit, in a different way..

[@user-no6wd4rz4z]

They did this with respect for Mike

[@backgroundmusik]

This was filmed between innings of the first World Series of Baseketball

[@lindasalaki9404]

Wow, Great Video 😊

[@sharonchaput9705]

Also check out Chris Cornell's acoustic version of MJ's Billie Jean. It's brilliant.

[@wjadam024]

This is way up there. my favorite cover is punk band H2O doing Madonna's Like A Prayer.

[@56kwith200ping]

7:58... He didnt copy the anything, he refernced the videos which everyone knows, and he followed the written notes of the music. I think the only resemblance of the original song as far as howe words were spoken was the #3 guy ( the big guy) singing the "Ohh Noo" part in the boxing ring which I heard MJ did himself in studio because he loved this Cover so much.

[@carlbaker7242]

Michael would be proud.

[@Jude74]

He was, he LOVED it.

[@carlbaker7242]

@@Jude74 😎 Thanks.

[@Triggerhippie70]

A lot of people think that this is a parity of this song and it’s really not. It is a tribute to Michael Jackson. And they did it justice.

[@atvena]

Just showcases the song's masterful writing

[@KalElvis]

Great Homage to the King of Pop

[@greghicks83]

Seen this video probably 80+times. Never noticed the silver glove chair.

[@jeanine9391]

Me too, I love that video!!

[@RonaldkPlumm2]

I saw them at Family Values 99' Market Square Arena... Stained, Filter, DMX (was replaced after his arrest with KoRn) and Crystal Method and Limp Bizkit was the Headliner. One of the GREATEST concerts I've ever attended. 💯🤘🏻😊

[@greenrobot5]

This is indeed the best MJ cover ever. Fall Out Boy tried with "Beat it" but it wasn't great

[@yolandabrooksqueenofsevens]

Yes y’all ❤

[@patrickarts9091]

The greatest remake of a song is Cake, I will survive. You should definately react to this song.

[@peterworth9403]

A couple of other amazing covers of Michael Jackson covers to check out. Chris Cornell's acoustic cover of "Billie Jean" that brings a whole new feeling to the song. And the cover of "Dirty Diana" done by Shaman's Harvest. I actually like their version of "Dirty Diana" more, and that is NOT something I say lightly. Check it out....tell me what YOU think.

[@billbrown4026]

Who caught the Liz Taylor tat on the spoon heads back.

[@victorramsey5575]

This is probably the best low budget video ever. And that blonde Milf in the blue open shoulder top is HOT!! PS - MJ did have some rock in his vibe. The guitar solo in Beat It is none other than the late, great Eddie Van Halen. And Slash from Guns N Roses made a special appearance with Michael. In fact Michael acted like he was mad at Slash because Slash's solo just kept going and going and going. It was all in good fun of course. I was never a huge MJ fan, but I do respect talent and charisma. Michael definitely had that.

[@j1974f]

Great reaction! For another great MJ cover check out Thriller covered by a group called Dirty Loops! It’s awesome!!!

[@reedster66]

You've got to go down the "Ren" rabbithole. Start with "Hi Ren", the I shot the sheriff, and then The Hunger

[@topherthered]

You should do a series on the greatest covers. Hendrix "All Along The Watchtower" Mike Ness "Don't Think Twice" Ike and Tina "Proud Mary" etc... etc... etc...

[@thisisitreactions]

Great idea!!!!

[@elbruces]

Sometimes I see a cover song, and I'm like "it can't be better so why bother." In this case it was pure homage.

[@GrandpappyG]

You just hearing this cover now?!?!?!?

[@brianvernon249]

What does this video have on common with Obi-wan Kenobi - the series? A collective gasp: “ Is that Flea?!”

[@donjackson5522]

Another legendary cover to check out is Stevie Ray Vaughan covering Superstitious by Stevie Wonder.

[@haroldwhisenhunt40]

MJ approved everything about this

[@MaRoach7]

Nope, Falling In Reverse's Papa Roach song Last Resoet. He reimagined(not cover) it. And it's a masterpiece

[@kevinbradshaw7273]

They wanted to do a cover song and they found out that they all listened to MJ's Smooth Criminal as kids.

[@m3avenue]

You probably already know this, but if you are looking for another good cover song, I recommend Johnny Cash‘s cover of 9-Inch Nails’ ‘Hurt’. However, it is way on the other end of the good-feels spectrum from this cover of ‘Smooth Criminal’”

[@RoninHawk]

Try Red Hot Chili Peppers covering Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder.

[@terryconnelly484]

Michael Jackson approved of this very much

[@lesliemeola8209]

Michael got the idea for the lean from the Tin Man( Wizard of Oz )

[@Rizlack]

You should have added to the title "heard before"

[@tonyapoindexter2781]

It's just fun stuff.

[@KevinMyers0619]

Nice reactiction. I like the WU-Tang backdrop. Nice! I am from S.I. Even met Method Man in a Shoprite Now let me try to rhyme - I shook his hand and he gave me the magic wand... I've been to 160 a time or two the summer is easy but the winter is hard even if it"s snowing, you take that f@@ck*ng coat off. If you don't you ain't coming back with it on Naked That's how you came That's how you leave That's where I’m from

[@KevinMyers0619]

Everyone, please add and fix the lyrics then....

[@jamescarlson2100]

Another great MJ cover is Dirty Diana by Shamans Harvest , give it a try , you will love it .

[@simiangimp2282]

Good take 😊 If you never checked Red Hot Chili Peppers version of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground, give that a go too. Similar level of homage, sound-wise.

[@selfrealeyes]

Red Hot Chilli Peppers did a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" ....

[@soramirez5473]

wu tang forever.. dope song...

[@dizastro5437]

Medley on 45

[@danielbalboni6804]

Dynamite Hack "Boyz N The Hood"