FIRST TIME Hearing Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal || Best Cover Ever?!!

[@setonhillstudios]

*You can support the channel with KZbin Channel Memberships or through Buy Me a Coffee. Never expected, but always appreciated.❤Links in Description!* This is straight fire!! Is this the best cover ever?! Rest In Peace Michael Jackson!

[@Tommysimonsen]

A provoking title, now you will get flooded with great covers. to start it off. The White Stripes - Jolene (Official Music video) You done this one but defiantly a contender. Johnny Cash - Hurt

[@setonhillstudios]

@@Tommysimonsen Hurt is definitely up there too! Forgot about that one! 🔥

[@Tommysimonsen]

@@setonhillstudios Just though of a other one. Faith No More - Easy Original by The Commadores Lionel Richie.

[@nancymjohnson]

MJ loved this. He gave them permission to do just about anything.

[@nathanclarke2777]

Yeah it was so cool how cool MJ was with this! And they were such big fans of his that they didn't want to do it wrong!

[@gregmason2434]

MJ was humble. Similarly, most people recognized it as a privilege if Weird Al ever wanted to do a parody. Not quite the same thing, but similar.

[@ToriTrak]

If I remember correctly the only thing he didnt like was the mask on the dancing kid, thats why there is a video version out there somewhere without the mask too but later didnt mind the mask version anymore. I remember the first few times I heard this song on MTV the kid 100% didnt have a mask on.

[@tammyfinnemore]

Micheal gave approval, and even helped with suggestions

[@kennethbartlett4302]

They absolutely rock the shit out of this song.

[@firefighterchick]

The obtained approval from MJ not just for the song but the video as well.

[@Curtlf]

The white house with bars that the kid is dancing in front of is MJ's childhood home. He is also wearing a mask and an ET T-shirt (MJ sang in sound track)

[@Rayray-kj9cc]

Michael was always in awe of how popular he was!! So humble! And yes its the best cover ever!! PS Eddie Van Halen played the guitar in the original by MJ❤❤

[@tempusfugit7662]

This one’s wild, off the chain as you would say, esp. how that bass player hits them high notes in the harmonies.

[@merlekeif4835]

The car scene was homage to Black or White

[@laney1492]

Tons of MJ Easter eggs in this video. Drummer has one glove, MJ flag when the car explodes, Liz Taylor tattoo at the very end, others mentioned already

[@cellyblank9919]

Truly one of the greatest covers ever!

[@jasonswierenga1443]

Movies by alien ant farm is a must👍

[@tj_2701]

Agreed

[@shanevaters1615]

AAF base player dont get enough love. Dudes a stalwart

[@tj_2701]

The video doesn't just give nods to MJ, almost everything on screen during the video is an easter egg. Also, MJ loved it.

[@kimmycook2698]

MJ was great with this...he even let them use his patented lean move for the video.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

You're right, a lot of covers stray too far or stay too close. This is definitely ONE OF the best covers of all time. Top 3 bare minimum

[@IsabelleRSG]

Yes, it's probably in the top 10 best covers ever. A major tribute to MJ, done amazingly well and still playful, it wasn't easy to do but they managed.

[@themcdonalds4905]

Another awesome cover to check out- Seether with the cover of George Michael's Careless Whisper

[@SCUZZI87]

Alien ant farm - Movies! Great song and video

[@txaggievet]

The Car is a tribute to the Video Black or White. Also the kid wearing the mask originally shot the video without a mask, and you can watch that version on KZbin, but they thought he could do it better, so he redid it with a mask on as MJ often wore a mask, and they felt like it was a better version

[@toriboy25]

For some reason I thought it was The Way You Make Me Feel...maybe because that has cars in it too.

[@cindysimpson1046]

Best cover ever! ❤

[@robperry5293]

AAFs bass player knew Mikes long time drummer, drummer told Mike these guys get it & Mike gave the Okay.

[@rodthebodfromcanada]

The silver glove, Bubbles the chimp, the steam from coming out of the ground, the Elizabeth Taylor tattoo. Plus, most people miss that the four guys in the lawn chair are the guys from King of the Hill (i tell ya whut)

[@setonhillstudios]

Haha 🤣 I did miss that!

[@Instantphojo]

The lighted sidewalk from Billy Jean

[@jeffreyflint6286]

As much as I like the original by Michael Jackson I actually prefer this cover. They did a great job on rhis👍👍🤘🤘

[@SassyIndian]

If I remember correctly, MJ helped them out like he did with Weird Al and also MJ loved the concept of this cover. ❤

[@NZLatic]

Totally agree. This version rocks

[@kennethv5250]

i can actually visualize them telling michael, were gonna do this, people evverywhere, people on house tops, doing some of your scenes from the video but different, and him just getting excited about the ideas. i wonder if thats michaels chimp?

[@kellypickle]

This is just phenomenal Quite the homage

[@toriboy25]

Janet would put an MJ dance move into some of her videos. (Going off the MJ tributes in the video)

[@RobFielden]

This was released 23 years ago 😊

[@warrensereda4782]

The guy at the end with the Mohawk is Flea from RHCP'S

[@cptrush3671]

yea not many people knew that. cool he did a cameo. hell of a bass player too.

[@pikefisherman1978]

I saw Alien Ant Farm in 2001 in Manchester, UK. They were the supporting act for Papa Roach 🤘

[@nrg4141]

One of the greatest covers ever, for sure. Very few MJ covers manage the balance you talk about. This is the absoluet best for it. That said, if you've never heard Chris Cornell do Billie Jean, that should 1000% be on the reaction list my man. IMO if this is a 10/10, thats a 9.8/10.

[@TheDeadStretch]

Movies and Attitude are two original songs by them that are dope. The music video for Movies is fun but my favorite and their most notorious is the music video for "These Days." So for this video they rented the roof that was directly across the BET Awards "red carpet" entrance. The music video is basically them getting reactions from all the BET Awards guests. They got arrested for it too.

[@michaeltabor4176]

Did you notice that the guy with the Thriller eyes at the end was Flea from RHCP?

[@setonhillstudios]

What?! So many nuggets in this video!! I absolutely missed that! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@laraismyname821]

@@setonhillstudios That is not flea. He was just a random extra.

[@richardkidney5738]

Here's a cover version for you, give The Trooper a listen by a band called The Hu, they're a Mongolian metal band, saw them at download last year, awesome set

[@jerrygross8073]

The truth is that they made this as a tribute to Jacson a few months after his passing.

[@brettyoungonair]

Alien ant farm got some goood tunes. , their best in my opinion is “Bad morning” , “movies” is also good, “courage “ and “wish” Worth checking out

[@timann80]

These days and glow are 2 of their best as well in my opinion.

[@ironrob2713]

Check out the video of alien ant farm doing "these days". Great song and they actually crashed the BET awards to make the video

[@davidward9737]

6:16 is from Moonwalker as is this song. Thriller, Billie Jean. MJ approved it. MJ did alot. "We are the world" also "Thriller" is the biggest hit and the album

[@jeffjones6221]

Total banger!

[@Shankulaaa]

Did you see the flag on the porch in the car scene had Michael Jackson's face on it? This video is awesome!

[@setonhillstudios]

I missed that! Appreciate it!

[@MS-ro9dm]

Awesome reaction sir. And it is very intense, certainly one of the best covers. Try Streetheart doing the Rolling Stones' Under my Thumb (live vid) or The Headstones doing the Traveling Wilburys Tweeter and the Monkey Man.

[@firefighterchick]

All great choices!

[@aliselynch]

Johnny Cash "Hurt" (and some of his others like Personal Jesus and One), then Kasey Chambers cover of "Lose Yourself", then this cover of Smooth Criminal (i grew up with this, it aired on MTV TRL) are top 3 covers of all time imo. You gotta hear the others if you havent.

[@Alacarte0421]

Say guy, I know Christmas is like 10 weeks away but this one in the back burner to do. Small Town Titans - Mr. Grinch

[@ericvallandingham5113]

You are doing great bro.

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the kind words and I appreciate you hanging out! 😁

[@badwolf72022]

From what i understand, that blue house the kid was dancing in front of was the home MJ grew up in

[@WolfsDE]

The Suburb setting - The beginning of Black or White. The Werewolf mask - Thriller Lights in the sidewalk - Billie Jean Dancing kid with medical mask - Michael's dancing Glove chair with a chimp - Just Leave Me Alone Guys doing King of the Hill parody and doing "dance"...thriller zombie dance. Song and lean move - Smooth Criminal Standing on the car - The Way You Make Me Feel The Fog coming up below - Bad The little Asian girls - Moonwalker (represents the kids in the movie) The black jacket the thriller bikini girl is wearing...Bad I think the outfits they wore as a band were representing Jam. I can't remember if they had anything in the video for Beat It, Remember The Time, Man In The Mirror, Earth Song, Scream or any other videos. Someone else would have to point that out if I missed any of them. But as people said...Michael heard their version, loved it and let them go wild with whatever they wanted for the video because he knew they were paying tribute to him with this cover. I wish I could say they had more hits, they sadly didn't. They kept trying to make this other song they did a thing and it never really took off the way they hoped. I don't remember if they lasted past the first album or if they continue to make music and it just is independent and not with a major label. I do know this cover kicked ass. A fitting tribute to a legend.

[@captrik17]

This kicks man..

[@setonhillstudios]

💯

[@derekrubis6652]

This song is off the MTV show “Tough Enough 2” soundtrack that is why the wrestling ring in the video

[@brettyoungonair]

I remember in 2001 getting ready for school and this was on MTV. So it came out around 2000-2001. Man those were the days!!! At least for me. Getting ready for school and on MTV was bands like Korn, limp bizkit, System of a Down, alien ant farm, sum 41. Great times.

[@normbittner3762]

This was an amazing cover from back a way. Yes- great job with all the nods to MJ- the lighted sidewalk from Billy Jean, the chimp, dancing kid, the car and more. I think the car was in The Way you Make me Feel. Think it as from late 90's or 2000's.

[@KalonReeves]

Check out Alien Ant Farm "The Movies"

[@echo1855]

Best cover ever was "All Along the Watchtower" by Hendrix. But this one's good too.

[@Justaperson717]

Please react to their "Movies" and "These Days".

[@SassyIndian]

If I remember correctly, MJ helped them out on some of the choreography because MJ loved the concept of this cover. The chimp is actually MJ's chimp, Bubbles.

[@setonhillstudios]

Oh wow! That’s awesome! 😁

[@nandopants]

Alien Ant Farm has a super wide range of music. I highly recommend Attitude or Tia Lupe to see a completely different side of them.

[@karlbecker8775]

Amazing cover!!!

[@williamwilson9283]

👍💯❤️

[@ericvallandingham5113]

Man I LOVE watching your videos.

[@setonhillstudios]

Really appreciate it! 😁

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

I think, Movies, might be the only other song I know by them. Maybe one more.

[@irmaoksanen6830]

This band reminds me of The Barenaked Ladies, Canadian band that also uses humor in songs and videos.

[@bringmechoc]

I forgot all about this cover!

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

Used to do this version in a cover band back in the early 2000s. Always went down well. Couldn't quite manage the 'lean' though......... Fell flat on my face trying to do it one time, gave it up after that.

[@kellypickle]

Hi Stephen, I was hoping that you would check out a very, very, very young Peter Frampton with Humble Pie natural, born Bugie live

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

Love this song since it came out when I was in high and I was actually named after Michael Jackson in tribute to my oldest sister who died 3 months before I was born because he was her favorite artist, so Michael Jackson always had a special place in my heart and I didn’t believe any of the bs rumors

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

2001 when I was a sophomore in high school

[@jgilbertify]

You should check out "These Days" by AAF

[@Alacarte0421]

Steven, the best cover ever is Careless Whisper by Seether.

[@JustinSmith-nn2jw]

Rehab or Back to Black please

[@JohnHazelwood58]

Check out "Billie Jean" by "The Bates", too. You don't have to react to it and I've never found a good quality video of it, too, but the audio version alone is epic! Same music genre as AAF, but already released six years before this one; back in 1995. "The Bates" were a german Punkrock-Band from 1987 to 2001. Sadly the lead singer passed away in 2006. The band itself split up in 2001 ... same year the AAF song was released. But that's coincidence only! :)

[@tj_2701]

If you want another AAF song I recommend Movies.

[@davidkneitel1840]

This is a good cover. But the best is someone one The Voice. I believe in Holland. He sang Earth Song perfectly. It was some years ago. Still the best to date.

[@hamma4276]

Only songs I've heard are Smooth criminal, Movies, and Wish, and if you really wanna hear a Banger check out "Wish". It's got a hard driving drum beat that you might like too 👊😉🎸

[@Klj768]

Better than the original imo

[@laraismyname821]

MJ had input & approved everything. At one point he said he didn't like that the kid was wearing a mask (that's back when MJ wore one in public). So they re-shot the kid's dance scene without him wearing a mask. MJ saw it & said he liked the masked version better--so they put it back in. But there is a version of this video of this out there somewhere on the internet with the dancing kid maskless. The jumping on the car part I 'think' was a nod to MJs 'Black or White' music video--but not 100--there's just a similar (but a little weirder) scene in that official music video.

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the insight! 😁

[@ashleymcgriff270]

Check out Movies by AAF. Great song!

[@brittanybigelow4287]

I believe this song came out in 2001.

[@wls64]

Good tune bro! Hey I've got another cover for you, postmodern jukebox featuring Haley Reinhart, covering Seven Nation Army. Cheers

[@jameseves9209]

The only cover I've seen that's better is Kasey Chambers doing Lose Yourself

[@setonhillstudios]

Oh yeah!! That is killer! Covered that here on the channel a long while back! 🔥

[@mikesmith-xv4vt]

Best cover ever is Hurt by Johhny Cash, but this is a real close second!

[@setonhillstudios]

Great point! That’s on the channel too and blew me away! ❤️

[@po5283]

Oh man, you've got to check out some Weird Al, he does several parodies of Michaels that are not to be missed, MJ even assisted by giving him access to the sets, costumes, and a bunch of other things, which is why Al's videos, are shot for shot remakes of the originals, just with Weird Al's flare and style thrown in.

[@setonhillstudios]

I have one Weird Al song on the channel, “White and Nerdy.” 🤣

[@megdelaney3677]

💔Please react to Chris Cornell's cover of Billie Jean!

[@setonhillstudios]

I heard that’s amazing!! Thanks for the recommendation!! Chris Cornell is UNREAL!! 🔥

[@cainealexander-mccord2805]

Way too contentious, dude. Just because people say stupid sh*t doesn't mean you have to respond to it. It's not on you to prove anything to anyone. Don't let 'em harsh your buzz! And this one; I"ll stop every time for this one. It's not just that the song is an epic cover, but the band hit all the memes, but respectfully. The younger set tells me this band had a few hits, but I'll never know about it because this one is the only thing they ever play. Works for me, cuz this one will never get old. Love your channel!

[@setonhillstudios]

You’re right, you’re right! Thanks for the wisdom! This is such a cool rendition of a classic for sure! Thanks for hanging out and the constant support! Have a great one! 🤘🏻

[@DrMcKay66]

You want more MJ covers? Then my suggestion is Dirty Loops and Cory Wong covering Thriller. Exuse my language but that one is fkn fenomenal 😂

[@setonhillstudios]

It’s actually on the channel! I covered it a long while back! 🔥

[@DrMcKay66]

@@setonhillstudios Aha ok. I did not go thru the channel to look if you seen it so thats why i suggested it 🤗 Have a good day.

[@setonhillstudios]

@@DrMcKay66 You too! 😁

[@sparpant]

This was tremendously entertaining at the time but the best cover of all time is probably Gary Moore doing either “The Messiah Will Come Again”, “Red House” or “Shapes Of Things” in my completely unbiased opinion.

[@LibertySpam]

Primus does the best covers

[@setonhillstudios]

I’ll have to check some of those out! 🤘🏻

[@paulbunyan513]

I have 2 more songs for you that are as good as the original, but added their own flare to it. "Blank space" by I prevail "Simple man" by shinedown. If you can find a live version, even better

[@JohnLunt-g4f]

The best cover I have everheard is Wild thing by Shaka Kahn. It is way better then the original by The troggs!!!

[@nathanclarke2777]

For me this is top 3 covers ever! First is Hurt covered by Johnny Cash. Second would be All Along the Watch Tower by Jimmy Hendrix ( didn't even know it was a cover till like 15 years ago!). Then this!

[@brucemangan3807]

Getting permission to do a cover is called a mechanical license that you can apply for… and basically you’re splitting the residuals from the track so for this Michael Jackson or his estate would get a percentage and then the band would get the other percentage, etc.

[@professorD72]

Great Covers? How about this one? Now don’t get me wrong Slade is fantastic, but when this video came out (I was 11), I had no idea who Slade was. This one is a Banger! And the album it came from (Metal Health) was the first Metal Album to reach number 1 on the Billboard Chart. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKnKfnqhbq-DjKMsi=Cd1Fvnj6ckoRlENH

[@heavin6586]

Another cover you really need to check out is Phil Collins cover of Paul Brady's "Helpless Heart" ( yes, a song that Phil actually did not write 😂 ) No disrespect to Brady but, this song was just made for Phil voice Live 1995 on Ray Martin presents kzbin.info/www/bejne/fobYZIuGpbJohtUsi=LjG4K-XcDA6pCX1c

[@paulclements6277]

Don’t you want to wear headphones for a better audio experience….just asking…enjoy your reactions

[@setonhillstudios]

No worries. Yeah it’s a common question people ask. I am actually listening through 2 pairs of studio grade monitors that we mix on. A pair of KRK’s and JBL’s depending on how much bass response I want. It covers the entire frequency spectrum nicely! Have a great one!

[@paulclements6277]

@@setonhillstudios thanks for the reply ..more el estapario please

[@setonhillstudios]

@@paulclements6277 Definitely need to! Been too long!

[@patrickbateman7369]

React to their video "Movies"

[@alfredrule9186]

2001

[@katherineschmidt2075]

You wanna look at other decent covers, try Marilyn Manson' s version of Soft Cell's Tainted Love, way better than the original. Also Marilyn Manson version of Sweet Dreams by Annie Lennox.

[@joe2tonepringle352]

just asking .... are you over 21 ? .... what rock have you been living under not to have heard this ?

[@setonhillstudios]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨 I think he's been living, right here ⬆ or maybe ⬆ How is it possible for anyone over 21 to not have heard this song? 🙄🙄🙄

[@timlloyd1454]

I like this cover better than the original i refuse to watch or listen to MJ's stuff ANY of it i refuse to support a pedo and thats exactly what he as you DON'T pay 14 million to somebody if you DIDN'T do anything wrong👍👍

[@setonhillstudios]

I honestly have no idea of the details of the alleged crimes or the payout. I do agree however, that particular crime is sickening and tragic! Have a great day and thanks for swinging by the channel!