Things about this cover that I heard and read: Michael Jackson not only approved of the song, but he worked with them through the process. For example, MJ was at first not keen on having the moonwalking boy wearing the medical mask, but after seeing the version sans mask, he changed his mind and asked them to include the mask. The boy is dancing in front of the real first home of the Jackson family and not just some random house. The shoes and props needed for the "lean" were provided by MJ's people. The cover was so good it ranked among the top 25 metal songs of all time. Sadly, it's believed by many that this cover song set the bar so high that AAF could not really follow up with anything else on par, which hurt their progression. MJ's funeral was highly restrictive on who was invited, but AAF did get one and attended as he was their idol and inspiration.
Well said and RIP MJ I miss his music put aside all the hate or whatever you had against MJ you can not say he couldn't make good music because he was one of the best to do it period!
I remember that. I believe MJ was also of the belief that a good cover version should be like this, where they take the song and make it their own and not just do a copy of the original
Sometimes I wonder if people are MJ fans or they just say they are. The amount of Easter Eggs from MJ's life and videos that go unnoticed by reactors is amazing but I guess you had to have grown up in that era to really know it.
You can be a fan of something without knowing everything about it, not every one is obsessive. Doesn't make them any less of a fan if they don't notice every single reference to everything.
This cover of MJ "Smooth Criminal " 1st was done and approved by the King himself, MJ in 2001 but didn't get big and blow up to the video hit until 2009 3 months after MJ died the group was allowed by the MJ family to reair replay the song that MJ himself thought wass the greatest coverever done by anyone. The group Alien Ant Farm said it was done in complete love and respect. That MJ had the greatest influence and inspiration on their music ♥
Bro... If you think this song didn't SLAP in 2001, you weren't old enough. Considering the FACT that this video released in 2001 and didn't get posted on YT until MJ passes. 🤘 Pretty sure this was a top 10 world wide song in 2001...
@@tankeater I remember when this first came out and yes, it was a massive hit. The radio played it constantly, as did my walkman. Some of you may remember what those were
The original is such an iconic classic that you really can't comprehend it even being possible to cover it and do it any justice what-so-ever, but I think AAF managed to do it.
I like that it sounds like an entirely different song while also sounding like the same song Michael did. That just goes to show how good the writing and arrangements from the original are that it can cross genres and translate over that perfectly
If a artist/band is going to cover a Michael Jackson song they are opening a door to the real possibility people are going to hate it. But AAF nailed the hell out of this song as well as the video.
The drummer and bass player used that song to warm up. Mike the drummer love MJ's music when he was young and still has his red jacket. Glad you liked it and thank you for the job you do.
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.
Music is written to be passed on. That's what makes great music last forever. People still working hard to play Bach and Beethoven centuries after it was a hit. Sorry so many feel that about covers, but it's what it's all about in the first place. You learn form others, create your own and the cycle continues. The great songs continue on forever.
I loved Michael's release of this tune...but honestly, this version is my favorite. Plus, all the great references they put in from other MJ tunes/vids.
So I'm not the only one who found that odd. I've never in my life ever heard anyone call him Mike Jack. That's just weird, right? I hate to use the term "poser" for anyone, but... I mean... ehhh... Thinkin' this guy might fit the bill. And the fact that he didn't react at all to the slew of references AAF put in the music video? I'm not a huge MJ fan, but even I got 90% of them. In fact, I'm a metal head, but you have to show some serious respect to the King of Pop.
I was there young man. I was there when the *MJ original* was on the radio, I was there when the AAF cover came out and all the eyebrows raised. They hit the mark, and good reaction video you have also. We all approached with caution, but we all ended up nodding heads and loving how they did right. Glad you caught it the same way too. :)
If you think about it, a rock band covering a MJ song does not sound easy at all. On paper, you can already feel the negative feedback coming. This has to be one of the greatest covers of all time. Showed big respect to MJ with this one.
The two best rock covers are this, and Disturbed doing Sound of Silence. AAF doing Smooth Criminal is fast, fun, hard, and just plain rocks. Disturbed's Sound of Silence is hard, but also moving and emotional. Totally different vibe, but so very good.
I say this every time I see a reaction to this song, but I legit never know this was an MJ song until I was in my mid 20s. I always thought it was an AAF song.
Michael Jackson also gave permission to weird al to cover the song beat it. He liked it so much he gave permission to Al to cover Bad and let him use the same set for a music video
They did a great job. I get scared when people try to cover Michael Jackson too. You should see "Beat it" by Fall Out Boy featuring John Mayer. That is another fabulous cover that does Mike justice.
It's a praise chorus, which would Also be a good song to review from jimmy eat world, alas the way Alien Ant Farm covered this is praise chorus that raises to a crescendo as the song references to.
Listen, this song is the shit! I am a fucking huge Michael Jackson fan I mean big-time and let me tell you this song is this shit. They definitely did him dresses they were honoring him.
Do you know how many rock songs I have heard covered, how many rap artists told music in the 80s from Rock? Everyone is inspired by someone, and this could not have been done without permission, it's the whole song. And in the early 80s rappers tried taking pieces of songs without permission. They were sued of course.
Oh man, I’m begging you to check out two other songs of Michaels that were redone. Although these are actually parodies that Michael gave full permission and even helped with the videos to make sure they were right. If nothing else you’ll get a good laugh. The artist is Weird Al Yankovic and the song titles are Fat and Eat it. Weird Al has been doing parodies for over 40 years. In the music industry, they say that you know you’ve made it when Al does one of your songs. He’s done Eminem Queen Coolio Madonna And so many more.
Michael Jackson didn't give you permission to call him, " Mike Jack... Actually, you should be calling him Mr. Michael Jackson! You didn't know him. Quit acting like you do!
Don't listen to new music if you're just gonna have a rotten attitude and be judgy. Just crawl back under your rock. You might do well to learn something about respect from this band as they sing the song better than "Mike Jack" smh
That's just wrong, if you will actually watch, you will see that it was done in complete respect and love,to the greatest entertainer ever!! It's done in love and respect
Things about this cover that I heard and read: Michael Jackson not only approved of the song, but he worked with them through the process. For example, MJ was at first not keen on having the moonwalking boy wearing the medical mask, but after seeing the version sans mask, he changed his mind and asked them to include the mask. The boy is dancing in front of the real first home of the Jackson family and not just some random house. The shoes and props needed for the "lean" were provided by MJ's people. The cover was so good it ranked among the top 25 metal songs of all time. Sadly, it's believed by many that this cover song set the bar so high that AAF could not really follow up with anything else on par, which hurt their progression. MJ's funeral was highly restrictive on who was invited, but AAF did get one and attended as he was their idol and inspiration.
Well said and RIP MJ I miss his music put aside all the hate or whatever you had against MJ you can not say he couldn't make good music because he was one of the best to do it period!
it's a different typa lean as they leaned from three different angles, while Michael was restricted to only leaning to one direction
I was watching another reaction to this, and they said that the Jackson family loved it so much they had it performed by AAF at the funeral.
I don’t know much about AAF… who is the guy providing all the vocal embellishments? He nails it, and really puts this on another level.
I remember that. I believe MJ was also of the belief that a good cover version should be like this, where they take the song and make it their own and not just do a copy of the original
This music video was a love letter to Michael Jackson. Straight up.
Sometimes I wonder if people are MJ fans or they just say they are. The amount of Easter Eggs from MJ's life and videos that go unnoticed by reactors is amazing but I guess you had to have grown up in that era to really know it.
You can be a fan of something without knowing everything about it, not every one is obsessive. Doesn't make them any less of a fan if they don't notice every single reference to everything.
Yeah most of them don't get a lot of them but they are a lot younger
Allot of them are kids so..... it kinda makes sence?
Agreed! This guy missed it all and came at us like "Oh, you better not eff with MJ" and we know more because we lived it.
Kids....... Lol
Michael actually loved their version ❤
The amount of Easter eggs that went over homies head🤷🏾♂️
I was gonna say this but by the end I just assume he's more concerned with vibing to the music
This cover of MJ "Smooth Criminal " 1st was done and approved by the King himself, MJ in 2001 but didn't get big and blow up to the video hit until 2009 3 months after MJ died the group was allowed by the MJ family to reair replay the song that MJ himself thought wass the greatest coverever done by anyone. The group Alien Ant Farm said it was done in complete love and respect. That MJ had the greatest influence and inspiration on their music ♥
Bro... If you think this song didn't SLAP in 2001, you weren't old enough. Considering the FACT that this video released in 2001 and didn't get posted on YT until MJ passes. 🤘
Pretty sure this was a top 10 world wide song in 2001...
@@tankeater I remember when this first came out and yes, it was a massive hit. The radio played it constantly, as did my walkman. Some of you may remember what those were
The video dropped in 2001 I remember watching it on mtv
The original is such an iconic classic that you really can't comprehend it even being possible to cover it and do it any justice what-so-ever, but I think AAF managed to do it.
I like that it sounds like an entirely different song while also sounding like the same song Michael did. That just goes to show how good the writing and arrangements from the original are that it can cross genres and translate over that perfectly
If a artist/band is going to cover a Michael Jackson song they are opening a door to the real possibility people are going to hate it. But AAF nailed the hell out of this song as well as the video.
The drummer and bass player used that song to warm up. Mike the drummer love MJ's music when he was young and still has his red jacket. Glad you liked it and thank you for the job you do.
They respected him more than your constantly saying "Mike Jack" in some misbegotten attempt at sounding cool.
Right? Nobody ever in the history of anything has anyone ever called him "Mike Jack" The fuck is that nonsense?
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.
Always and Forever is also an Alien Ant Farm album name 🎉
This is my all time favorite MJ song and my all time favorite cover of ANY song.
Music is written to be passed on. That's what makes great music last forever. People still working hard to play Bach and Beethoven centuries after it was a hit. Sorry so many feel that about covers, but it's what it's all about in the first place. You learn form others, create your own and the cycle continues. The great songs continue on forever.
I loved Michael's release of this tune...but honestly, this version is my favorite. Plus, all the great references they put in from other MJ tunes/vids.
Definitely one of the most epic cover songs of all time.
They paid homage to like three four different songs in this…..and bubbles in the silver sequin glove chair js ❤
This is how you do a cover right.
I love how he went from dont screw this up, to loving it
First time I've ever heard someone call MJ "Mike Jack".
Michael loved this….im sure subs will explain it. ❤️🎶❤️great reaction
Man, I did not know you knew Michael Jackson that well to call him Mike Jack. Even his family weren't allowed to call him that. 😅😂
So I'm not the only one who found that odd. I've never in my life ever heard anyone call him Mike Jack. That's just weird, right? I hate to use the term "poser" for anyone, but... I mean... ehhh... Thinkin' this guy might fit the bill. And the fact that he didn't react at all to the slew of references AAF put in the music video? I'm not a huge MJ fan, but even I got 90% of them. In fact, I'm a metal head, but you have to show some serious respect to the King of Pop.
I was there young man. I was there when the *MJ original* was on the radio, I was there when the AAF cover came out and all the eyebrows raised.
They hit the mark, and good reaction video you have also. We all approached with caution, but we all ended up nodding heads and loving how they did right. Glad you caught it the same way too. :)
they better not ruin this, watchu talkin back, this is the only acceptable cover of a MJ song
It is wild to watch MJ fans reacting to this cover.
If you think about it, a rock band covering a MJ song does not sound easy at all. On paper, you can already feel the negative feedback coming. This has to be one of the greatest covers of all time. Showed big respect to MJ with this one.
yep Mj not only approved but had input with this, apparently loving all the refernces to his music throughout
You weren't even alive when MJ's version was released, stop acting like you somehow own it, when he was OK with it 😂
Exactly what I was thinking lol 😂
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Basically everything in this video is an easter egg paying tribute ti MJ
The two best rock covers are this, and Disturbed doing Sound of Silence. AAF doing Smooth Criminal is fast, fun, hard, and just plain rocks. Disturbed's Sound of Silence is hard, but also moving and emotional. Totally different vibe, but so very good.
I say this every time I see a reaction to this song, but I legit never know this was an MJ song until I was in my mid 20s. I always thought it was an AAF song.
Michael Jackson also gave permission to weird al to cover the song beat it. He liked it so much he gave permission to Al to cover Bad and let him use the same set for a music video
They did a great job. I get scared when people try to cover Michael Jackson too.
You should see "Beat it" by Fall Out Boy featuring John Mayer. That is another fabulous cover that does Mike justice.
I like Pierce the Veils cover of beat it better.
MJ loved it.
Michael Jackson himself approved of this cover.
I know you hate to like it. Welcome to the club.
Bradda, Mike himself want this to exist to threres that.
Love this video, but I love the one when they crashed the BET awards even more. Watching all the rappers vibing to their song is awesome
It's a praise chorus, which would Also be a good song to review from jimmy eat world, alas the way Alien Ant Farm covered this is praise chorus that raises to a crescendo as the song references to.
It's funny how you almost didn't want to like it, but couldn't help yourself and then just gave in to it
React to Chris Cornell's cover of Billie Jean
Led Zeppelin was perfectly happy with Hearts cover of Stairway to Heaven. So
And this one was 20 YEARS AGO......
Listen, this song is the shit! I am a fucking huge Michael Jackson fan I mean big-time and let me tell you this song is this shit. They definitely did him dresses they were honoring him.
my 1st concert was the 5 in jax, fl. i was 13. and then mj brought little boys into his bed.
i was like 'ummmm, i, well, ummm..what?'
Do you know how many rock songs I have heard covered, how many rap artists told music in the 80s from Rock? Everyone is inspired by someone, and this could not have been done without permission, it's the whole song. And in the early 80s rappers tried taking pieces of songs without permission. They were sued of course.
❤❤
Oh boy, another cover that will shock you is by Kacey Chambers, she did Lose Yourself. It’s phenomenal.
I prefer this version, it reaches into your gut and wakes you up.
That's just my opinion.
This reactor is sending me to sleep though.
Man said they stepped on it like bad coke but had to make sure we knew he didn’t mean it like that 😂
I love how you mad that you not mad...😂😂😂
You should have looked at the video..
Oh man, I’m begging you to check out two other songs of Michaels that were redone. Although these are actually parodies that Michael gave full permission and even helped with the videos to make sure they were right. If nothing else you’ll get a good laugh.
The artist is Weird Al Yankovic and the song titles are Fat and Eat it. Weird Al has been doing parodies for over 40 years. In the music industry, they say that you know you’ve made it when Al does one of your songs. He’s done
Eminem
Queen
Coolio
Madonna
And so many more.
Graduate of the same Fire Academy. 2002. Cheers bro
Bad reaction to a fantastic song and video.
Another great cover to check out is Dynamite Hack - Boyz in Da Hood.
They sure did
You pause too much
And you missed half the vid
I guess MJ did this song also.
Why you gotta be so negative off the get go? Have fun
Michael Jackson didn't give you permission to call him, " Mike Jack... Actually, you should be calling him Mr. Michael Jackson! You didn't know him. Quit acting like you do!
Don't listen to new music if you're just gonna have a rotten attitude and be judgy. Just crawl back under your rock. You might do well to learn something about respect from this band as they sing the song better than "Mike Jack" smh
"They better not have messed up this song by the legend mi jack". Yeah you got so much respect you can't even say his whole name. Can't watch.
That's just wrong, if you will actually watch, you will see that it was done in complete respect and love,to the greatest entertainer ever!! It's done in love and respect
@@kshay1882 Congrats, you're the first person to not have a sense of humor
knew you was gonna like it 👍