Clash of the Cover Songs: Michael Jackson vs. Imogen Heap
- Posted on Oct 28th 2009 2:45PM by Ashley Iasimone
- Comments (49)
The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!

The Song: 'Thriller' (original version by Michael Jackson)
The Contestants: Michael Jackson vs. Imogen Heap
In This Corner -- Michael Jackson: With Halloween right around the corner, we'll undoubtedly be hearing the late King of Pop's chilling classic a lot this week. The 1982 song -- and its epic 14-minute dance-with-the-undead video -- became a signature for Jackson; the groove of its bassline, paired with Michaels killer vocals and sleek moves, produced a frighteningly great single.
Michael Jackson, 'Thriller'
In This Corner -- Imogen Heap: Being put up against a recording from the best-selling album of all time? No pressure. Still, covering the track for BBC Radio 2, the brave English singer makes the song spooky in her own way. The attitude and beat of Jackson's original version is replaced with soft vocals and some hauntingly pretty piano. With such a mesmerizing transformation, it's pretty easy to believe that "something evil's lurking in the dark."
Imogen Heap, 'Thriller'

The Song: 'Thriller' (original version by Michael Jackson)
The Contestants: Michael Jackson vs. Imogen Heap
In This Corner -- Michael Jackson: With Halloween right around the corner, we'll undoubtedly be hearing the late King of Pop's chilling classic a lot this week. The 1982 song -- and its epic 14-minute dance-with-the-undead video -- became a signature for Jackson; the groove of its bassline, paired with Michaels killer vocals and sleek moves, produced a frighteningly great single.
Michael Jackson, 'Thriller'
In This Corner -- Imogen Heap: Being put up against a recording from the best-selling album of all time? No pressure. Still, covering the track for BBC Radio 2, the brave English singer makes the song spooky in her own way. The attitude and beat of Jackson's original version is replaced with soft vocals and some hauntingly pretty piano. With such a mesmerizing transformation, it's pretty easy to believe that "something evil's lurking in the dark."
Imogen Heap, 'Thriller'
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Reader Comments(1 of 3)
Laurelat 10-28-2009
You have got to be kidding me. That was a waist of my time. Many others I'm sure.
noelleat 10-28-2009
yeah u r totally rite she did waste her time i feel u on dat( Lol)
pippinat 10-28-2009
yes, you should spend your time learning how to spell. 'Waste'. 'Waist' is your hips.
melissaat 10-30-2009
there is only one MJ wgo can sing this song.. And she sounds like she is crying and really dont know what she is doing..LEAVE MJ'S SONG ALONE....
Sterculiusat 10-28-2009
I can't believe there was even a poll asking which was better, as if anyone could ever do it better than MJ...ridiculous.
LISAat 10-28-2009
MJ will always be the King I grew up with his music amd so did my two oldest kids
Alysaat 10-28-2009
GOD IS GOOOOOD!!
Ericat 10-28-2009
Every so often a remake, retake, redo of a well-known piece of music surpasses the original...
No offense intended toward the singer, but this isn't one of those occasions. Ms. Heap gives the song a different spin, but it comes nowhere near Mr. Jackson's.
noelleat 10-28-2009
yeah rite uhm cant no one ever do it better then the king of pop himself michael's the greatest she waisting her time if she thought we were going to pick her over michael you shouldnt compare no one to mike cause he will always be in that top number 1 spot .
Antat 10-28-2009
who do they think she not MJ noone dose it better then MJ, she need go and find someone else song to and leave MJ song along.
Kellyat 10-28-2009
Someone should tell this woman to stop singing and make me a sandwich. Unless it's the soundtrack to Shia Labeouf being shot on SNL, I don't want to hear this woman ever again.
Katat 10-28-2009
Of COURSE it's not gonna be as good as the original, but I still liked it. But why is this even a topic??? Love Immi, though!
BooNo.5at 10-28-2009
Oh pew that was a stench of a song...NO WAY!!!
hecat 10-28-2009
MANNN dam how could they but this clown on a battle wit MJ is likw putting lil wanye and 2pac on a battle wow !!!! good one
danat 10-28-2009
Finally someone has made a good version of this song wacko jacko sure couldn't
SweetiePieat 10-29-2009
Are you tone deaf? The girl can't sing worth s**t! Her voice cracks and breaks and she can't even stay on key. She's horrible!
VAGLOCKGIRLat 10-30-2009
DAN, MAN PUT THE CRACK PIPE DOWN DAN, CUZ YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND!!!!
Lenny Morganat 10-30-2009
What the fuck..A bet you're white..You all kill Michael with that crap..and still he's bigger than Elvis
mjlover4lifeat 10-30-2009
I'd kick you right in your mouth and let my foot come out your a$$ for saying something stupid like that. Idiot! Your opinion doesn't count any way! jealous hater!
Briat 11-11-2009
Wow. You truly are an idiot.