Got Ya Covered: Chris Cornell – Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)

Quick! What’s the biggest-selling album of all time? That’s right, Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

With super-hits like Beat It, The Girl is Mine (featuring some guy named Paul McCartney), and the freaky title track, MJ’s sixth album solidified his place on the throne as the King of Pop.

Some 25 years later, Chris Cornell, the voice of Soundgarden, released an intense, stripped-down cover of the hit single, and it still stands up today.

I’ve always believed that a cover which sounds too similar to the original is . . . well, if you can’t say anything nice . . .

Chris’ cover of Michael’s song is original, passionate, and a fitting tribute to Michael Jackson, who died two years after this cover came out.

Bonus: here’s a live performance of the song from Victoria in 2011!