Unique Covers Volume 2: Michael Jackson Covers

This week's installment of Unique Covers is focused/dedicated to the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson.... Since Michael is my all time favorite artist.... this countdown will be 8 covers instead of 5

8.

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Fall Out Boy - Beat It

Fall Out Boy did it right paying homage to Jackson with this cover which prominently featured a guitar solo from John Mayer.... I recently saw Fall Out Boy in concert and during their song "Save Rock And Roll" various images of legendary musicians were displayed in a slideshow....no one got more applause than Michael

7.

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Adam Lambert - Black or White

One of my favorite performances Adam Lambert did on American Idol.... He came out of the box swinging with this version of Michael's song about racism and loving one another.... I think it's about time someone else covers this song in this day and age

6.

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The Civil Wars - Billie Jean

You might be asking yourself, "Why did he use the Civil Wars' version and not the classic cover from Chris Cornell?" Well my answer is simple... although they are both great renditions of arguably Michael's biggest hit.... Nothing beats the haunting harmonies of Joy Williams and John Paul White.... So sad The Civil Wars broke up :(

5.

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John Mayer - Human Nature

When Michael died in 2008, several artists were asked to pay tribute at his memorial... none of these tributes were as touching as what John Mayer did.... with nothing but his black relic Fender stratocaster he paid tribute by playing an instrumental rendition of Human Nature....and it brought me to tears

4.

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KT Tunstall - I Want You Back

Technically cheating since this was the breakout hit for The Jackson 5 and not Michael himself, but the way KT utilizes the loop station on this live arrangement brings to life the poppy flavor of this Motown classic

3.

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Boyce Avenue - Will You Be There

I WAS going to wait and feature these guys exclusively in their own countdown (And I'm still going to) but this cover is beautiful and genuinely one of my favorite covers of a Michael song

2.

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James Morrison - Man In the Mirror

You might better know James for his soulful hits such as "Wonderful World" and "You Give Me Something" but this heartfelt take on one of my all time favorite songs makes you re-think what the song is actually about...giving this gospel-enriched classic an acoustic flavor was a brilliant idea

1.

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Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal

This 2001 hard rock take on Jackson's hit, branded a whole new generation of MJ fans and popularized the famous question "Annie, Are You Okay?" You had to have known it would be number one