Michael Jackson vs. Chris Cornell | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 5^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Michael Jackson and Chris Cornell contend for the best rendition of “Billie Jean.” 

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 5^th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Michael Jackson and 🎙 Chris Cornell contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Billie Jean”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean”

💿 Thriller • 🏷 MJJ Productions • 📅 1982

“She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene / I said, ‘Don’t mind, but what do you mean, I am the one / Who will dance on the floor in the round.” One of the greatest songs of all time is none other than 🎵 “Billie Jean” by the late, great, King of Pop, 🎙 Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009).  “Billie Jean” is just one of many hits from one of the greatest albums of all time, 💿 Thriller, released in 1982. Yes, Jackson has been a leading candidate to be cancelled for a fair share of controversies, but the genius of his music and artistry has never been disputable. “Billie Jean” is the perfect, timeless name song.

“She told me her name was Billie Jean / And she caused a scene…” The lyrics are catchy as albeit, while the music (produced by Jackson and the legendary 🎛 Quincy Jones) successfully fuses pop, funk, and R&B.  Jackson blesses us numerous times with his signature ad-libs – “Hee-hee” and “Hoo!” – adding to the decadent listening experience. I’ll leave you with the most famous, memorable lyrics from the chorus: “Billie Jean is not my lover / She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one / But the kid is not my son!”

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 More Songs That Feature Names in Their Titles (2020)

2. Chris Cornell, “Billie Jean”

💿 Carry On • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2007

On his 2007 album, 💿 Carry On, the late, great 🎙 Chris Cornell (1964 – 2017) took a big risk.  He covered a truly iconic no. 1 hit by one of music’s biggest icons, 🎙 Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009):  🎵 “Billie Jean”. Naturally, as a rock star, tackling an R&B/pop record with one of the grooviest beats of all time should not work.  In the hands of Cornell, and a huge transformation, “Billie Jean” takes on a separate sound and personality compared to the original.  Honestly, if you are going to cover a classic EVERYBODY knows, and truly make it your own, the Chris Cornell approach to “Billie Jean” is the way to go.

“Billie Jean” is no longer R&B or pop in Cornell’s hands – it’s a straight up rock song 🤘🏽. There is a shift form common time to compound duple (or compound quadruple if you hear it that way).  This lilting approach, coupled with the minor key adds a more darker, enigmatic nature to the record. Another nice musical touch is the use of a string bass, which adds a folky vibe, complementing the narrative conjured up. Chris makes “Billie Jean” sound more agonizing, even incorporating a certain degree of subtlety on the verses. Following the first verse specifically, Cornell explodes on the chorus, backed by juiced-up, distorted guitars, pummeling drums, and more energy.  It’s a similar sentiment on the second iteration of the chorus, though with a drum groove locked in on the second verse, unlike the first, you anticipate this fever pitch. It is tough to outduel or usurp the King of Pop ever, but Cornell gives it his all on this epic reinterpretation.

Appears in 🔻:

• Chris Cornell, “Billie Jean”: Covers No. 5 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

🎙 Michael Jackson or 🎙 Chris Cornell? As aforementioned, it is tough to outduel or usurp the King of Pop. Cornell gives his best shot on what I would dub an epic reinterpretation. That said, “Billie Jean” will always belong to Michael Jackson, period.  May both of these once-in-a-lifetime musicians rest in peace.

Michael Jackson vs. Chris Cornell: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 5 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Interscope, MJJ Productions; Antoni Shkraba via Pexels; andresilva5, talha khalil, Valentin Tikhonov via Pixabay; Nick Wang on Unsplash]