In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the new version to raise money for Haiti. Love the little kid waving his hand in the air in the beginning. Babs still got it. So moving to see Michael Jackson. And oh my gosh, Jennifer Hudson blows my hair back with her voice. Incredible.
How do you think this compares with the original?
21 Comments
EIREGO
February 13, 2010 at 4:26 pmYes, it’s very cool to see MJ singing and a somber Janet Jackson alongside him in split screen. Jennifer Hudson does make my hair blow back, but Celine Dion is virtually unintelligible. Can’t understand a single word she’s saying even after hearing it a 4th time.
Yeah, it’s all good, but don’t hate me for wondering why all these people did this for Haiti, but while the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans still gets a lot less attention. Where’s their video? Why hasn’t New Orleans been cleaned up? It was a natural disaster, too. And why couldn’t these stars get behind the passing of free health care? It just makes me sad. I have nothing but well wishes toward Haiti. It is a very sad thing that happened to innocent men, women and children, but I honestly feel this video, no matter how well intentioned, is too little, too late and a bit too selective in its aims and goals.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 15, 2010 at 12:47 pmEIREGO, you ask good questions I don’t have any answers for.
Shell Sherree
February 13, 2010 at 5:08 pmI loved the original and love this one, too. I like the rap inclusion, even though I’m not a big fan of rap, but it helps give this version a twist. And I’m a bit in love with Josh Groban, so it was great to hear him there. Funny, I was just thinking about Barbra Streisand the other day, wondering how her voice is travelling and was glad to hear that it still is!! As for Jennifer Hudson, to any of the naysayers about the Idol formats, I have to say, “care to revise your position?” 🙂
Pop Culture Nerd
February 15, 2010 at 12:56 pmI think Idol naysayers only watch it during audition nights when the horrible, delusional singers show up.
Bailey
February 14, 2010 at 1:18 amI was mildly impressed with this line-up. Celebrating a musical 25th Anniversary in the year 2010 should at least include SOME (if not all) of the following: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Bono, Cher, Rihanna, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli….NONE OF THESE people were there….but, Vince Vaughn, Heart and others were.
I did hear that they didn’t invite some of the “originals”…but, it would’ve been good to see Tina Turner and other icons participate.
I didn’t like Michael Jackson’s inclusion. The point of the song is the fact that it was AN EVENT….A GATHERING……. All of these musical talents got together for one day to perform TOGETHER. Unfortunately, Michael couldn’t be present…and, from what I heard….neither could Janet Jackson (notice she wasn’t in any group shots?)………I’m a purist when it comes to a recorded in a studio…I didn’t really appreciate Sinatra’s duets recordings because they were all digitalized……none of the individuals that Sinatra “sang with” were in the studio with him….
….Yes, this post seems like a rant with a lot of different directions….but, it’s my two cents with what’s on my mind.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 15, 2010 at 12:59 pmI like your opinionated comment! Nothing wrong with being a purist. And you’re right about the people who should’ve been there. I would add Sheryl Crow, Alicia Keyes, Chris Martin. Didn’t get why Vince Vaughn was there, either.
Christine
February 15, 2010 at 1:09 pmI missed Vince Vaughn, but I saw Jeff Bridges in the top row.
Jen Forbus
February 14, 2010 at 12:43 pmI had to chuckle as I was reading the other comments. There’s so much variance on what people liked or didn’t like.
I guess I’m more of a purest. I like both songs, but prefer the original. I didn’t like the rap inclusion at all and a few other parts sounded more like noise than music.
I did like Celine’s part. I think she has an incredible voice. I loved Barbra Streisand. I was a little shocked at Miley Cyrus, but she did well. Pink…quite fabulous and I really don’t listen to her music.
Actually, I listen to a lot less music these days and so there were many faces that I did not know. I did notice that country was very under-represented in this version. Other genres were dominant, so I think for me that may be why the original rings better for me. I think it was more diverse. But, that’s just my opinion.
Jen Forbus
February 14, 2010 at 12:43 pmOh, and this also made me feel old. Has it really been 25 years? I remember buying the original song on vinyl!
Pop Culture Nerd
February 15, 2010 at 1:04 pmHaha! I didn’t get some of the noise that passed for “music,” either. I also thought it strange that the 8-year-old Justin Bieber got to start off the song. I thought they’d lead with someone more seasoned/commanding.
I bought a 45 of the original, too!
Christine
February 15, 2010 at 1:08 pmI thought Justin Bieber was a strange choice as well. I’d never seen him before, but recognized his voice. Only 8, eh? That explains why I thought it was a female singer before I looked at my radio that was displaying the artist’s name.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 15, 2010 at 1:17 pmHe’s actually 15 but looks like an 8 year old and I thought he sounded like a girl, too. Not his fault his voice hasn’t dropped, just wondering how he got the lead position.
Christine
February 15, 2010 at 1:22 pm15, really? Aw geez, I kind of feel for the kid, now. Still don’t think he should have the lead-off though.
Christine
February 14, 2010 at 2:05 pmGah, it’s been 25 years!?! Holy Crap!
That said, I was a little reluctant to watch, but glad I did. I’d probably say that I like the original, only because it was such a new and unique event at the time. I was impressed by some of the people they gathered for the 25th Anniversary edition for Haiti. I was also impressed that I actually knew who most of them were! Ha! 😉
I’m a fan of Celine Dion, but I agree with Eirego that she wasn’t easy to understand. Josh Groban can do no wrong, Shell. He’s one of those artists that you know will sound as good live as his recordings. I think Pink’s the same way, Jen. I really liked when Jamie Foxx was channelling a little Ray Charles in that one segment with Jennifer Hudson.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 15, 2010 at 1:11 pmNice to see you again, Christine!
I thought the original had stronger talent—Bruce Springsteen! Bob Dylan! Smokey Robinson! I had a hard time identifying some of the performers in this new version. Even after I looked up the names, some held no significance for me (who the heck is Ethan Bortnick?).
Christine
February 15, 2010 at 1:17 pmMissed chatting and it’s good to be back! I’d been a bad girl with my time management visiting with all of you that I let a few too many things slide. So holding out “seeing” you all again as a carrot, took about a week and got things back under control. (Can you say WITHDRAWAL? Ha!)
The original was definitely heavier on the stronger talent with fewer “flavors of the month”, y’know? And I’m stumped on the Ethan Bortnick. Was he the guy who reminded me of Moby?
Pop Culture Nerd
February 16, 2010 at 2:18 pmThough I know Moby’s music, not sure I could pick him out of a crowd so I can’t answer that question!
Poncho
February 15, 2010 at 11:27 amI liked the new version. Didn’t quite loved it as I love the original, but it was nice to see all those people reunited. I think it would have been awesome if they wrote another song to avoid the comparison, but that’s just me.
That being said, I love JHud’s voice: she’s amazing; I was amused by the rap thing; and laughed with glee when heard Streisand (in a good way!). I think Miley Cyrus is stepping up her game, and Pink couldn’t sound better either. Josh Groban’s great anytime he opens his mouth.
What I did get that I enjoyed a lot is that the people in the video weren’t only concerned for the situation in Haiti -or New Orleans or the other places mentioned-, but they were also having fun which is nice. Helping people shouldn’t be something terrible, but the other way around.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 15, 2010 at 1:14 pmLove your last sentence, Poncho. Well said.
Both you and Jen seemed to like Miley, or thought she did okay. She bugs the crap out of me.
Poncho
February 16, 2010 at 11:25 amOhhhh… Miley bugs the crap out of me as well (I can only stand her in her cameo in Big Fish, but it’s the love for the picture that holds my hatred), but she doesn’t annoy me in the video quite as much as in her other “work”. In fact, I couldn’t even stand watching “Bolt” in English ’cause of her voice.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 16, 2010 at 2:21 pmShe was in Big Fish? I must’ve blocked it from my memory because it was too traumatic!
Who voices her role in Spanish?