Week 6_2/19/16 _The Kid Is Not My Son

            Who hasn't heard Michael Jackson's very iconic song about parentage, "Billie Jean"? This is one of Michael Jackson's most well-known works for several reasons. The music has a quick tempo upheld by a constant beat provided by the percussion. Throughout the song, guitar rifts can be heard while Michael inserts his own theatrical hoots and rifts. Although the lyrics are about a very serious issue on whether Michael has indeed fathered a child unknowingly or not, the song is relatively upbeat and dance-worthy. It's a tad ironic and perhaps humorous that these lyrics talk about a woman possibly trying to swindle Michael by pretending that her son is Michael's, but his tone is confident while also being light as air. With the light tone and confident singing, it is almost as if Michael is mocking this woman or warning his audience that one cannot simply trick Michael Jackson. The mannerisms which he uses with his upturned tone at the end the word and the seemingly random hoots and scales which permeate the song is individualistic and unhindered, which in turn, makes it seem more wild and fun to listen to. If you listen carefully, you can hear a harp and other string instruments come and go with a serious and seemingly sad melody which brings a certain haunted, serious feeling to the song. I believe that this haunted feeling is reminiscent of when Michael's mother warns him to "be careful who you love" because, obviously, being a celebrity is very hard. I feel as if Michael is trying to portray that it's not easy being so famous because people, especially women, are always trying to bring him down and frame him for things he didn't do.

                  On the other hand, The Civil Wars have a cover of "Billie Jean" that blows up that haunted feeling to totally engulf the song. In this cover, the tone is sorrowful, regretful, and reminiscent. The two voices combined, unlike Jackson's solo voice, perfect the art of blending their voices to send a greater impact with the lyrics. The combination of the two voices is so beautiful and melodic that it's so easy to listen to this song while in a ponderous state. One could definitely not feel excited or in the mood for dancing after hearing this cover. In addition, one single instrument is used, unlike how Jackson used an entire orchestra in his version. I felt that having one guitar to strum the much slower and laxer beat really gives the spotlight and attention to the singing of the two voices. In Michael's version, the background music is compelling and very interesting but takes away from his voice at certain times. Since The Civil Wars is made of up one female and one male, one could possibly listen to their version and feel like two people are showing their own perspective. "Billie Jean" is incredibly iconic but never lends a voice to the woman's side of the story. While the male singer of The Civil Wars sounds reminiscent and possibly still angry about how events had passed, the woman's voice sounds much more sorrowful and smooth, as if she suffered more than him. When we combine the voices of the male and female to sing "People always say be careful what you do", you get the sense that this is a conversation or realistic confrontation between an estranged couple, which is more realistic and interesting. Another great aspect of this cover is that the woman echoes her lyrics after the man, which signifies to me that the woman's story or pain is just an afterthought in this journey we take.
         Two very different audiences would listen to each version of "Billie Jean". Those preferring the alternative and folk-style music would listen to The Civil Wars' version. Those that would prefer Michael's "Billie Jean" are fans of "oldies" or those who were alive when it came out.