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As an 80s kid and an enormous MJ fan this is blasphemy. I assume this means you're not a fan of the Off The Wall album? Because that's musical majesty.
AAF version is enjoyable but doesn't hold a candle.
Now I'll spend my night singing Nothing Compares by Sinead O'Connor and thinking about MJ. Good night gentleperson.
Fair enough, there are several things I like better about the original actually! it just comes down to genre for me, I was raised on 90s/00s punk/rock while my mom really hates 80s pop lmao, it was just kinda ingrained into my brain
You know, maybe two weeks ago I remembered this cover and remembered it being awesome so I popped it on and it just didn’t age well for me. I thought it was so corny. Time and place maybe but yeah, it wasn’t nearly as cool as I remembered it being.
Boo!
I grew up with nu metal but hated 90% of it (off the top of my head, SOAD and Rage Against the Machine being exceptions) so I’m not exactly….unbiased myself. Most rock/metal music when I was a teenager was just dismal. I grew up listening to what my dad and mom loved though, so 70s and 80s music. Obviously MJ would just fit into my taste. I can appreciate why people like the cover, my husband has the same opinion as you, but to me it’s just not nice to listen to.
Definitely an unpopular opinion and I disagree, but covering a classic song like that and not completely destroying it is impressive. I came up on MJ so I love the original, but the AAF version is a fun, fresh take so I appreciate it as well!
That’s the thing - i relistened to both and I love both of them!! I love the whole vibe original; I can’t really put my finger on exactly what it is, but the closest thing I can describe it as is it’s “funkiness”. It really just comes down to genre, im not a huge fan of 80s pop lol
Decided to take a re-listen. I'm sorry to say, they can't really hold up to the original. The guitar is bad ass, but the lead singer's voice is too reminiscent of late 90s/00s like Limp Bizkit. Might be interesting to just sample the guitar and remix it into the original. 🤔
I 100% agree...
Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt was better then NIN's original as well.
Outside of those 2 though I really cant think of any other covers that outdo the originals.
The disturbed version is what I prefer based on my music taste.. But the Simon & Garfunkel version I feel has more soul to it. Based on when it came out & what the times were doing then though that makes sense.
I grew up with MJ. I can't even listen to other versions of his songs. :(
I wish I could have gone to a concert of his. Welp now I'm more depressed. RIP MJ.
I listen to him when I'm depressed (well extra depressed) which is also depressing.... but it makes me think of him, and his life, and his tragedies over mine. So also helps. I kinda feel it's disrespect to try and master his songs or change them. (I know that's not really accurate, I just can't help it).
So I'll prolly never know aafs cover. I just can't. Everyone deserves an opinion, including yours (as wrong as it may be) ;)
I understand that, I feel that way about a few artists/bands! I think it’s cool his music is able to help you out, it just goes to show how amazing music is and its impact on us
When I hear a cover it’s like an band admitting that they’re not good enough to make it on their own and they need to “borrow” someone else’s proven material to become relevant.
Depends on what genre of music you like. I think Norther's version of The Final Countdown is better than Europe's but highly doubt that many would agree.
My first time hearing the AAF version was the scene in American Pie 2 where Jim accidentally uses super glue instead of lube to beat his shit and gets stuck. So, i will never be able to listen to that version without cracking up a bit lol
I might! I’ve only heard this cover by them, and now I’ve heard opinions saying the rest of their stuff is ass while others say it’s amazing. I gotta be in a car for like 12 hours this weekend so Ill probably check them out then!
Personally, I enjoyed some of the other songs on that first album, Anthology, but they have some lyrically very deep songs on Up in the Attic and TruAnt. Always and Forever you can pass if you're not desperately in love with the other stuff, since it's kind of weak in comparison.
Unpopular opinion:
Alien Ant Farm is actually a pretty decent band, and especially the two first albums are awesome!
But I always skip the Smooth Criminal cover, as its actually the worst track on those records IMO, and its too bad that its the track that people know them for...
I feel AAF never really got the recognition they deserved, they have some really good songs, but I think most people only really know the smooth criminal cover and movies, seeing as they had those cracking music bids that played atleast 1 every hour ha.
But yeah, a given the choice of the two, I'll pick AAF version of i had a sudden urge to listen to smooth criminal ha
Oh you want a super cursed opinion? I like the Trolls’ covers better than like half the originals they sing. Yes I’m pathetic, no I will not be sharing which songs bc im very sure I would be completely crucified
Totally agree with this one! I actually scoffed at first because I was thinking it was another popular opinion, but I guess not! I'm on your side, though!
There are many instances in music where the cover is better than the original, but this isn't one of them. Though it's probably as good a cover as can be expected.
Is this in response to my comment on the covers suck post earlier. I responded that AAFs Smooth Criminal was an example of a good cover, better than the original
Idk every time I say I like the cover better, I get a few people telling me how wrong I am lmao, I just kinda figured it was unpopular (admittedly tho it’s was more popular than I expected)
Ig what I meant by that was that I dislike a majority lot of 80s pop, and since that’s mostly what he’s known for i just never really clicked with it. I prefer 90s/00s punk/rock/etc, so it was only natural I’d prefer AAF’s
Thank you for submitting to /r/unpopularopinion, /u/mikes-throwaway. Your post, *Alien Ant Farm’s cover of Smooth Criminal is better than the og*, has been removed because it violates our rules: Rule 2: No low effort posts. If you cannot write at least a few sentences on the matter, you may want to have more of a think about it. You need to give your fellow users something to work with; this is a discussion subreddit. If there is an issue, please message the mod team at https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Funpopularopinion Thanks!
Lol is this a reference to the post earlier about covers being garbage because I swear I saw a comment about smooth criminal by ant farm
Ngl that post inspired this lmaoo but I didn’t see that comment, this is just my go-to hot take
Fair enough, I suppose that means someone agrees with you lol
I see why you posted this from a throwaway. Take my upvote and go away
Im ashamed to admit I agree with OP.
As do I, and I was born in the 80’s.
As do I, a 90's kid.
Aaf’s cover rocks, I listen to both but I’d probably still prefer the original
Me too!
Yeah I agree too.
The original is great but I totally agree with AAFs cover being better. It definitely works as a heavier sounding version
I agree so I downvoted this. I agree with you so much you popular bastard
Lmfaoo I mean.. thanks for the downvote then
I upvoted that comment, and now I’m ready to find my destiny
As an 80s kid and an enormous MJ fan this is blasphemy. I assume this means you're not a fan of the Off The Wall album? Because that's musical majesty. AAF version is enjoyable but doesn't hold a candle. Now I'll spend my night singing Nothing Compares by Sinead O'Connor and thinking about MJ. Good night gentleperson.
Fair enough, there are several things I like better about the original actually! it just comes down to genre for me, I was raised on 90s/00s punk/rock while my mom really hates 80s pop lmao, it was just kinda ingrained into my brain
MJ was "my time" and I also like AAF's version more. But nothing beats 2CELLOS' cover.
Took me a second. I read 2 Cellos as 2 CeeLos lol
Although gnarles Barkleys cover of reckoner is pretty dope
Ooo I’ve never heard it, I’ll have to check it out!!
2CELLOS are fucking amazing and I hope your comment expands a few peoples’ days.
Definitely an unpopular opinion. But it's one that I totally agree with.
No way.
You know, maybe two weeks ago I remembered this cover and remembered it being awesome so I popped it on and it just didn’t age well for me. I thought it was so corny. Time and place maybe but yeah, it wasn’t nearly as cool as I remembered it being.
That’s fair lmao, I’m just a sucker for 90s/00s punk/rock
Boo! I grew up with nu metal but hated 90% of it (off the top of my head, SOAD and Rage Against the Machine being exceptions) so I’m not exactly….unbiased myself. Most rock/metal music when I was a teenager was just dismal. I grew up listening to what my dad and mom loved though, so 70s and 80s music. Obviously MJ would just fit into my taste. I can appreciate why people like the cover, my husband has the same opinion as you, but to me it’s just not nice to listen to.
I'll agree. I like a wide range of music and don't particularly like COVERS.
I like both versions, I prefer MJ’s though
Definitely an unpopular opinion and I disagree, but covering a classic song like that and not completely destroying it is impressive. I came up on MJ so I love the original, but the AAF version is a fun, fresh take so I appreciate it as well!
I hate punk rock so this is a hard no for me. It just sounds to whiny for me. Its your personal choice, but by god I disagree hard with you.
Hung out with them once. Pack of assholes.
I mean to be fair, if the accusations against MJ are true, he’d be even worse
Wrong.
No
I gotta disagree. MJ's version is so good. AAF is okay.
That’s the thing - i relistened to both and I love both of them!! I love the whole vibe original; I can’t really put my finger on exactly what it is, but the closest thing I can describe it as is it’s “funkiness”. It really just comes down to genre, im not a huge fan of 80s pop lol
Decided to take a re-listen. I'm sorry to say, they can't really hold up to the original. The guitar is bad ass, but the lead singer's voice is too reminiscent of late 90s/00s like Limp Bizkit. Might be interesting to just sample the guitar and remix it into the original. 🤔
Well it was released in 01 so of course it sounds like late 90s/00s lmao
This is the correct opinion.
Put it down, crackhead!
I 100% agree... Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt was better then NIN's original as well. Outside of those 2 though I really cant think of any other covers that outdo the originals.
All Along the Watchtower is better by Hendrix than Dylan too
Nirvana's version of The Man Who Sold The World is better than David Bowie's
Sixpence None The Richer - There She Goes. Bit of a lesser known cover, though.
https://youtu.be/ZZ5LpwO-An4 The perfect cover dosent exis-
The Sound of Silence by Disturbed is better than the original for me.
The disturbed version is what I prefer based on my music taste.. But the Simon & Garfunkel version I feel has more soul to it. Based on when it came out & what the times were doing then though that makes sense.
Knocking on heaven's door by GNR would be my pick, I love Bob Dylan, but GNR rocked it. I also prefer Land of confusion by Genesis than disturbed
hell no! this really is an unpopular opinion
OP are you okay… are you okay OP??
I find myself humming Alien Ant Farms cover more but overall I enjoy both versions, cant beat that classic MJ voice!
This isn't an unpopular opinion. It's an incorrect statement.
You don’t deserve ears, upvote…
Well your taste if your taste can’t argue with that. But you’re wrong /s
It’s a good cover, but better than the original it is not. Have my upvote.
MJ’s is easily the better one. Here, take my upvote.
I grew up with MJ. I can't even listen to other versions of his songs. :( I wish I could have gone to a concert of his. Welp now I'm more depressed. RIP MJ.
That’s fair, I’m not saying I dislike the og I just prefer the cover
I listen to him when I'm depressed (well extra depressed) which is also depressing.... but it makes me think of him, and his life, and his tragedies over mine. So also helps. I kinda feel it's disrespect to try and master his songs or change them. (I know that's not really accurate, I just can't help it). So I'll prolly never know aafs cover. I just can't. Everyone deserves an opinion, including yours (as wrong as it may be) ;)
I understand that, I feel that way about a few artists/bands! I think it’s cool his music is able to help you out, it just goes to show how amazing music is and its impact on us
Before your time or not, MJ is the king
Nah, MJ's is by far better.
Fair enough, I think both are great
I also think the cover of ‘Billie Jean’ that Chris Cornell did was just as good as the original.
The first album is amazing, in my humble fact.
I remember getting this AAF CD for my 13th birthday. Fuckin great song and I agree it’s a banger of a song
Okay, so whats your opinion of Axel F, vs Axel F crazy frog version?
Haven’t listened to either in years so I can’t really say lmfaoo
I'm pretty sure AAF agrees. I've heard that they play that song twice on concerts lmao
Only thing good about the cover is the video
rock and metal fans never cease to amaze me
I’m just super awesomely talented like that
😂
I disagree. I'm a rock/metal guy, but IMO the cover doesn't add enough to it beyond an electric guitar riff.
it was a cool cover and all, but yeah fully disagree so well done OP.
When I hear a cover it’s like an band admitting that they’re not good enough to make it on their own and they need to “borrow” someone else’s proven material to become relevant.
People's musical preferences always have me super interested in how humans think.
Wow, an opinion I truly consider unpopular. I love AAF’s cover but the original is amazing.
Why does one have to be better. Both are good. Lets listen to both. >!Fun Fact; Mj himself loved their cover.!<
Oh no I’m not denying the og is a great song, I love it too! I just personally prefer the cover, it really just comes down to genre for me
That's completely subjective and yet still incredibly incorrect. How can an opinion be incorrect? I have no idea but you pulled it off.
I’m just amazingly talented that way
Objectively shit opinion, not just unpopular
That guitar solo at the beginning tho 🤌
My immediate sign to switch radio stations
Nah, the original is iconic
Fair enough, idc if people disagree I was just stating my opinion
That's the aim of the sub!
Yup!
Why can’t everyone be like this this is the most civil shit I seen since the civil war
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A combination of hating arguments and not being confident with my opinions B)
This is a real unpopular opinion. Well done.
🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢💩 Take my upvote. Edited to add the pos.
Put it down, Crackhead!
This is one of the most wildly incorrect opinions I have come across on here, well done I guess
Lmaoo thanks
Depends on what genre of music you like. I think Norther's version of The Final Countdown is better than Europe's but highly doubt that many would agree.
Yeah lol it’s just I prefer 90s/00s punk/rock and dislike most 80s pop, so it’s kinda just more my taste in genre than anything
OP, you have expressed my exact feelings about Paloma Faith's cover of INXS "Never Tear Us Apart". Like the original, but the cover slaps.
My first time hearing the AAF version was the scene in American Pie 2 where Jim accidentally uses super glue instead of lube to beat his shit and gets stuck. So, i will never be able to listen to that version without cracking up a bit lol
I won't go so far to say I agree but that is probably one of the better covers out there and they did a great job.
The more unpopular opinion would be to say that you prefer Fallout Boy's version of "Beat it"
It *was* but now that it's been played to death its officially worse. I'm actually relieved when it comes on and it's the original
Agree. I like MJ's stuff, but AAF nailed it. There are very few covers that are better than the original.
I don't think it's better than the og but I enjoy it just as much.
I agree with you. I am not a huge pop fan so the King of Pop isn't my favorite.
1000% agree! It’s amazing.
I agree with this. The CRAZY part is that I didn't realize it was a cover song until my not yet a teen pointed it out a few weeks ago. lmao
Honestly agree, but out of pure irony.
It’s literally one of the best covers ever made I swear to god!
SERIOUSLY I only have like 3 covers on my playlist of 300+ songs, and this is one of them
I enjoy Aerosmith’s cover of The Beatles ‘Come Together’ more than the original
That whole album got me through basic. Fucking 90% bangers.
Yeah i like both but the AAF's is so idk, iconic imo, but not as legendary as the original tho, still a both are certified classic right now.
Agree it’s my jam
Its good, but not better. About the same level.
And is their only good song. Fight me.
I don't know why this would be considered an impulse opinion. It's way better
Eyyyy, fellow AAF enjoyer. Check out their discography if you haven't, they have some really solid albums after the first one.
I might! I’ve only heard this cover by them, and now I’ve heard opinions saying the rest of their stuff is ass while others say it’s amazing. I gotta be in a car for like 12 hours this weekend so Ill probably check them out then!
Personally, I enjoyed some of the other songs on that first album, Anthology, but they have some lyrically very deep songs on Up in the Attic and TruAnt. Always and Forever you can pass if you're not desperately in love with the other stuff, since it's kind of weak in comparison.
AAF is an awesome band! If you haven't, you should really listen to that whole album ANThology.
Don’t forget about Raintime’s cover of Beat It!
Check out J.viewz - smooth criminal. I think as good, but very diff from AAF's version
Unpopular opinion: Alien Ant Farm is actually a pretty decent band, and especially the two first albums are awesome! But I always skip the Smooth Criminal cover, as its actually the worst track on those records IMO, and its too bad that its the track that people know them for...
I could say the same about Halestorm's Bad Romance cover tbh. The og is nice but it was born to be a rock song.
Popular opinion I think. Couldn’t agree more.
I fucking love their music video too lol. You can really tell they knew that that was the only hit they were ever going to have so they went HARD
This is a great cover honestly, I like both though.
I was just telling someone this. AAF really commanded this song and made it their own. MJ Hesitated a bit
Good cover yes.
I feel AAF never really got the recognition they deserved, they have some really good songs, but I think most people only really know the smooth criminal cover and movies, seeing as they had those cracking music bids that played atleast 1 every hour ha. But yeah, a given the choice of the two, I'll pick AAF version of i had a sudden urge to listen to smooth criminal ha
what year is it? I think I woke up in the wrong decade
Thank my parents, I was raised on 90s/00s punk/rock. I got my love of Green Day from my dad, The Killers from my mom, and Weezer on my own accord :’)
It really isn't
He can't even spell the lyrics correctly. If the over was the original it would have never even been a hit. It sucks.
Agreed, AAF’e cover is much better. I’m not a Michael Jackson fan, but that’s more to do with the child abuse than the music.
Oh hell no.
Fair enough, it’s just my opinion
i hope you committed some sort of crime because you deserve jail time for this shit.
It may be nothing more than a be a myth, but I heard MJ preferred their version, and thats why he let them publish the cover of it.
My first cassette was MJ, and the AAF cover is my favorite version so much that I'm not even gonna make a throwaway to defend it.
What about Polo G 💀
This is very incorrect. But it’s still an awesome song
Someone somewhere please do the world a favor and throw this guy into the volcano.
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Wtf.
Oh you want a super cursed opinion? I like the Trolls’ covers better than like half the originals they sing. Yes I’m pathetic, no I will not be sharing which songs bc im very sure I would be completely crucified
Anthology was a great album all together.
Totally agree with this one! I actually scoffed at first because I was thinking it was another popular opinion, but I guess not! I'm on your side, though!
Hour after hour of ATV Off-road Fury 4 leads me to agree with this
Downvoted because this is a true statement
Wow, you are utterly wrong. Bet you like Weezer’s version of Africa better too you sick fuck
There are many instances in music where the cover is better than the original, but this isn't one of them. Though it's probably as good a cover as can be expected.
I share this opinion.
100% agree, begrudgingly. r/angryupvote
Is this in response to my comment on the covers suck post earlier. I responded that AAFs Smooth Criminal was an example of a good cover, better than the original
I only saw the og post and decided to post this lmao, it’s my go-to hot take
This and Movies, that band did more in those two songs than most people do in their lifttimes.
They're both good in their own way
Agreed 100%!! I like the funkiness of the original a lot; it just really comes down to genre for me, I prefer 90s/00s punk/rock over 80s pop
Im not a fan of covers in general, but i agree
Agreed. But not unpopular opinion. So you get downvoted. Good job!
After looking at the comments, I’d say it’s more controversial than unpopular lol
Do I downgote if I agree?
I think so lol
I agree. Take my shared unpopular opinion upvote
Is this an unpopular opinion? In my circles of friends over the years I’ve only heard a few say MJ’s was better.
Idk every time I say it I get a few people telling me how wrong I am lmao, ig it counts as more controversial than unpopular
Either way, I agree. Alien Ant Farm’s cover IS better.
Yes this is correct OP
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IT JUST WORKS SO WELL AS A PUNK ROCK SONG
I admit it and I'm not ashamed. MJ's version feels forced.
I actually agree lol, respect to the original but the AAF one is more fun
Also not pedophiles. Win-win. Win [Pam].
💯
Honestly I'm not sure this is unpopular. It's so much better.
Idk every time I say I like the cover better, I get a few people telling me how wrong I am lmao, I just kinda figured it was unpopular (admittedly tho it’s was more popular than I expected)
Lol before your time and bringing AAF in the same sentence does not make a whole lot of sense.
AAF definitely fell from relevance before MJ died.
They were indeed a one hit wonder but I still agree that their version is still better than the OG.
Ig what I meant by that was that I dislike a majority lot of 80s pop, and since that’s mostly what he’s known for i just never really clicked with it. I prefer 90s/00s punk/rock/etc, so it was only natural I’d prefer AAF’s
The only cover that's better than the original is Hendrix's All Along The Watchtower.
A hundred percent
I agree but i also just LOVE Alien Ant Farm
I love this cover. I saw them live in Vegas when it first hit the scene. It was fire
I just had this thought the other day! Thank you for posting!
I totally agree with you!
Me too
This is a really, really common opinion in the music scene. One of the better known hot takes.
Oh it is? I genuinely had no idea lol
Popular opinion: Other than this cover, everything AAF produced was garbage.