They are each great in their own way, and in their own context. I can't love one more than the other, but I love them differently.

I didn't even need to click the link to know what you meant.

Fun fact: When the windmill arm finger touches the mailbox, it also lights up my heart.

Damn I forgot about the truckload of energy that bass player brings in that video.

See also, Boys of Summer by the Ataris, and that one's a lot closer as Don Henley's original is nearly as good. Some might argue better, and I wouldn't disagree with them directly, but I prefer the cover.

Most cover songs, you don't know they're covers, they're that much better.

Despite being an 80s kid, my introduction to KISS was Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, with God Gave Rock n' Roll To Ya. Later found out it was a cover. In fact, Christian group Petra, which probably rivals Fleetwood Mac for number of past members (albeit for different reasons — Petra styles itself a missionary, not a band in the traditional sense, so their revolving door of members is to be expected), covered the song before KISS did. I don't even recall who did it first.

Of course, a lot of popular songs aren't even written by the performer. The Bangles' Manic Monday was written by Prince, but there wasn't a Prince version until later. Prince never released it in his lifetime, it was released after he passed. So that wasn't a cover. Prince literally wrote the song for them and they recorded it. He recorded it too, but didn't release it. Maybe they got to hear it, but it was not made public. Still not thought of as a cover.

I always wondered, is it an ant farm for alien ants, or is it an ant farm owned by aliens?

Yes, it's just better. Or at least, more to my taste.

Both versions are good, but I'd have to say I prefer the AAF version. It's probably been a decade or more sine I've seen this music video, and I didn't realize just how many Michael Jackson references are in it.

I love Alien Ant Farm. Every track on their first album is wonderful. After that it starts to dip but there are still good ones in their later works.

That whole album is good too, at least i remember listening to the CD a ton back in the CD binder days. My favorite song from that album is Flesh and bone. Their drummer and bass player are great

GenX here. This is one thing me and my little kids agree on, AAF's version is superior.

Yes. Its just better to me.

Yes! And that's saying something, because the MJ version is good too.

Hell yes!

I mean, one is better than the other depending on mood for me. If I'm feeling metal, I'll prefer AAF, if not, MJ.

The best version https://m.youtube.com/shorts/VKma0zlB5fw

Yes!!

I remember seeing this music video on MTV . At 11 years old I bought their CD from the local record shop

I definitely prefer the original, although the AAF version is right in the nostalgia sweet spot for me.

Fo shizzle.

No. Nothing tops Michael (yeah, yeah, except a kid, I get it...).

it had been a minute but they do a pretty good job.. reeeeal early 2000s expressions on the face of the bass player there

First one then the other?

Absolutely.

I grew up on MJ.

If you were a kid in the 90s MJ grew up on you too.... 😅.

look, Michael Jackson was a talented songwriter. I just don't like his voice.

My favorite is the white panda mashup with Baller, Shot Caller. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDripRFEajk&t=972

No, but they can both be good.

I had no idea what you were talking about. Might have saved a click if you mentioned what they were covering and who MJ was.

Heard there version before. Had it on a compilation in 2003. It's catchy at first and then tiring, and unlike a lot of great covers I got bored with it fast.

It isn't that bad but it is 100% the worst track on that album and probably one of their worst songs (although their newest album more recently was pretty Meh)

I skip it every single time I listen to the album.

So many Michael Jackson references in the video!

Michael Jackson approved of this cover.