You always have an interesting perspective, Steve, and this was no exception. Clearly a LOT going on in this rendition and I can see how it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If nothing else, it showcases Jonah’s amazing vocal, instrumental, arranging and production talents!

The guest keyboardist with the beard is Jordan Rudess, keyboard for Dream Theater & Laid Tension Experiment. Arguably the best rock/program metal keyboardist atm.

Yeah, it was bloody awesome, like most anything he does.. But I didn't expect that direction either! I'd listen to it when I had the space to pay attention, but not in the car...

Thanks for having a go at this one, Steve, although it was pretty mean, terrible and plain…bad 😂 Sure, one can’t argue with expectations and taste. I happen to love this one and have listened hundreds of times to it, each time hearing new layers and things -and just can’t get enough of all the crazy harmonic layers and stuff going on (the Prince comparison was a great one, I thought), but totally get it if this is just sensory overload to you -and I’ve heard others say similar things about some of Jonah’s and Dirty Loops’ work. Also, for me to compare it with MJ’s version is absolutely impossible because the two versions are just worlds apart, but so killer in their own way -and that’s just me probably 😉 Always love seeing your faces and reactions though, Steve. Might want to check out some of Dirty Loops earlier covers and pieces from their Loopified album -some truly insane stuff there 👍 🙏

Jonah‘s style is a very controlled throw everything in, including the kitchen sink. Personally, I am drawn to the complexity and creativity we saw here.

When I first starting hearing Jonah's solo work my opinion was somewhat like yours. I think it a little too much comparisons to Dirty Loops, perhaps, not sure. That said the more I've listened to Jonah's solo work it just keeps growing on me. I'll take one example "Coffee Break". First listen 'yeah, that's nice.' Now I've probably heard it 50 times and I'm in love with it. It's just worked it's way into my brain. It's catching, clever, great playing, fun, super slick. I'm actually quite mad for it. Well thats just me but you did ask to hear. Keep up the great work.

It's almost like a promotion for a Broadway production for a Bad musical. LOL Yeah, maybe a little too esoteric and a tad self indulgent for us regular folk but def appreciate Jonah's awesome talent!

I think I enjoyed this a little bit more than you did, but your feelings are totally valid. It wasn’t my favorite thing I’ve heard Jonah do, but it was interesting and well-done. But I agree, the original is just… it is what it is. It’s a classic. This was a fun little sonic exploration. BUT I found it interesting that you brought up Prince. It gives me an excuse to tell a fun story. Did you know Michael Jackson wanted Prince to be a guest on this song? They were both at the height of their careers. There was a bit of friendly rivalry between them. And in the music video, Wesley Snipes’ character was originally planned to be played by Prince. If I’m remembering my pop culture lore correctly, I think MJ sent the demo to Prince who was supposed to do a verse and co-write and co-produce. But Prince being Prince, he basically re-wrote the whole song and a bunch of the lyrics because he didn’t think there was anything “bad” about someone as wholesome as MJ portrayed himself. At the time, Prince was the edgy one with a reputation for writing scandalous lyrics and triggering the pearl-clutchers and MJ was spending most of his time at Disney World. Well, in a clash of egos, the project then fell apart and Snipes was recast in the role and the rest is history.

I think you’d really enjoy Regressor - Moonlight Chef, super under the radar but he’s insanely talented guitarist and producer

IMO the best Jonah song from this album is the one you haven't reacted to yet. Diamond Ring. I would be interested to see what you think about that one.

Does anyone call attention to the influence of Jacob Collier in this Cover? 😂😂👌

I really only like the end when it slows down. Always felt like the jazzy feel made it rather corny. Nice musicianship and what not. But yeah...it's a lot.

this is a bit like level 3 jokes: Level 1 is you say the obvious joke, level 2 is you say something that makes the listener fill in the level 1 bit (most good humour is this), level 3 is a line where the listener needs to have done the lv1 line, thought about the various lv2 stuff that relate, and therefore has the links in mind to relate to the level 3 line. Level 4 plays on the lv3 line, and is mostly not funny cus no-one's followed you...too many tangents 🙂 ....i've tried to stop doing these, though losing all my friends has made that easier lol. (am kidding) This music often doesn't do the obvious, misses the 2nd level stuff that you should do instead of the obvious stuff, and instead plays on that it should be doing 2nd level stuff by not doing it and doing something else instead. I've said it before, there are many art forms I know I'm 1st level at, maybe a bit of 2nd level, but 3rd level modern sculpture for example.....nope, you can leave that trash in the wheelbarrow! But we respect your opinion Steve, and these musicians should too, if they want their song to be a hit (not commecially, but in the earworm/playlist kinda thing) they need to be exciting musicians like Steve who absolutely knows it when a song is a "hit". Anyway, enough lv4 waffle.

Everyone involved in this is clearly IMMENSELY talented, but I have never been a fan of this guys vocals 😬 the cover as a whole is a bit much for me as well. Interesting, to say the least.

Talent is undeniable but I feel like he over-thought the arrangement a bit. I don't mind the breakdowns but take me back to ride.

I see it the same way as you do. For me it is even the weakest piece of the album. In this respect, I always wonder why everyone recommends it first. "Diamond Ring" definitely has more punch. Even the song "I just need" I think is great. It has the vibe of MJs "The girl is mine".

You're just jealous... that's why you did not like it.