Let me begin by saying, that 3 minute clip that aired on TV does NOT serve the song justice. The full version is better, but does not top the original.I love the fact that Janet was chosen to re-sing Michael’s original part, and I thought Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Adam Levine and Pink shined graciously throughout. I also enjoyed Mary J. Blige and Kanye West’s lines towards the end.
I have a problem with the fact that this became a free-for-all. Artists who haven’t contributed any meaningful work to the world were invited to participate like Nipsey Hussle, while artists who define our generation like Beyonce, Ne-yo, and Alicia Keys are not in this version. Why was Justin Bieber given the opening when he’s barely released one album or proven himself as an artist that will last?? Then you have the auto-tune, and although IT has come to play a major part in today’s music, it was over-used by Akon, Lil Wayne, and T-Pain. The rap part should’ve been cut altogether, (with the exception of Kanye’s lines) right along with Wyclef’s off-key wails. I look at this version and compare it to the great talent gathered for the original and I cringe. This was, in many ways, a letdown and a disgrace.
I think it’s still important to support the song as it serves a larger purpose than just receiving our critiques. Help the folks of Haiti, even if you don’t like this re-make.
There are very few words in the english language to describe how bad that was.
Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias…did Lionel and Quincy just call people in the morning and say, “What are you doing at 4 today?” And I know there’s this consistent need to “modernize” everything, but the original was done in the 80′s, and you didn’t hear Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh beatboxing over it, so what’s up with the autotune?
Some people killed it *cough* Jennifer Hudson *cough*; and some, there was just crickets. If Michael were alive today, he would’ve laid a sequinced glove across the faces of Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones for desecrating a masterpiece. To summarize, I hated it.
LIKED IT! It dosent top the original but nothing will so love the effort that was put into it and the ppl that participated in it. Thought it was weird to have auto tune but then again i feel they added it cause thats what most ppl (lil wayne,tpain) are using these days and it gave the song a lil something different. Would have loved to see alicia in it, but from what i heard she had other obligations. Maybe in another 25 yrs lol.