There’s nothing more badder than Billie Eilish singing Michael Jackson! The LA star delivered one of the most iconic Triple J Like a Version vids when she dropped in to sing her take on Jackson’s “Bad.” Eilish went mega viral by delivering a smouldering cut of the ‘87 hit with her big bro Finneas O’Connell holding it down on acoustic and backing vocals. This wasn’t no folky sing-along tho – the star siblings delivered a sparse, menacing cut of Jackson’s hit.
Eilish first wrung every inch of attitude and sass out of the lyrics with a brilliantly understated opening verse. She then opened up the taps with the chorus, switching up from an intense breathy falsetto to belting and then back to a breathy low register chaser. Eilish’s performance is all the more impressive when you consider that the pop icon was just 16 years old! The Music Man is of the opinion that Eilish might just be the most talented Gen Z pop star in the biz, and smoking cuts like this are exactly why!
Eilish’s take on “Bad” pretty much broke the internet Down Under, drawing 16 million views and becoming the sixth most popular upload ever on the Aussie national broadcaster’s YouTube channel. Fans raved below the video with comments like “Damn. Intoxicating. Silky. I hear echoes of a lot of old female jazz greats mixed with her own twist. She truly is something special” and “Love it when an artist doesn’t just copy the original but instead puts a whole new spin on it. Fantastic cover! This is creative artistry.”
Eilish recorded not one but two bangers when she dropped into the Triple J studio. The second tune was “Bellyache,” which is a deep cut from her debut EP Don’t Smile at Me. “Bellyache” was likewise performed in a duo format with her brother on acoustic and backing vocals, and the pair stripped it right back from the hip hop-influenced studio version. This intimate acoustic format also proved to be a hit with viewers, who tuned in 14 million times to the performance.
Michael Jackson released “Bad” on September 7, 1987, as the second single from his album of the same name. Jackson is the sole credited songwriter, and he co-produced the track with his longtime collaborator Quincy Jones. The Music Man readers may recall that “Bad” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and is certified Platinum in the US. The single marked Jackson’s move into an edgier and darker sound, which he would continue to develop on his follow-up album Dangerous.