Exploration of Cover Songs

The song that I chose is Smooth Criminal originally recorded and performed by Michael Jackson. Alien Ant Farm covers the exact same song.

Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal

Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal

The songs have some similarities and differences between the two versions. The differences between the two songs are in the musical quality. In the cover song by Alien Ant Farm, the rhythm is changed up to a faster tempo than the original song performed by Michael Jackson. The speed in the Alien Ant Farm’s cover of Smooth Criminal is faster than the original song performed by Michael Jackson. The difference is in how fast the tempo is which allows the lyrics to come out at a faster pace. The organization of the songs is different. The song by Alien Ant Farm uses more rock based instruments and is more of a rock song where the original song by Michael Jackson is more of a pop song with lower pitched instruments. There is more tension and release in the original song over the cover song. In Michael Jackson’s version or the original song the pace of the song is slow with lyrics said along with the rhythm and after awhile the songs goes to a break from lyrics but starts up right after leaving some tension and release but a very small release. In Alien Ant Farm’s version of Smooth Criminal the contrast and affinity is very definitive because the lyrics are sung at a fast pace but the song was sung with a slow tempo which shows a contrast in the song but there is affinity in the lyrics which allows the tempo to line up with lyrics.

I like Alien Ant Farm's version better because of its faster tempo and the rock melody that comes along with the song.