JUNE 26, 2009
Bizarre Versions of "Thriller"
Michael Jackson's Global Influence Extended to Wacky International Covers of His Hit Songs
Michael Jackson, who passed away June 25th at the age of 50, was known worldwide as "The King of Pop," and his popularity was truly global. Few American artists have ever connected with international audiences the way Jackson did-with over 750 million records sold worldwide, roughly 1 out of every 8 people in the world owns a Michael Jackson record.
If you need further proof of Jackson's global influence, check out these wacky international versions of his mega-hit "Thriller." The first is from a 1985 Indian film called Donga, directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy. Sung by Indian actor Chiru, the song's, actual Telegu-language title is "Golimar" ("Shoot The Bullet"), but thanks to the internet-and some infamous YouTube parodies-it's become affectionately known "The Indian Thriller."
The second video was one of last year's biggest viral internet sensations, generating over 4 million YouTube hits after its debut last July. Shot at Cebu Provincial Rehabilitation Center in the Phillipines, it shows over 1,500, orange jumpsuited inmates performing a impeccably choreographed "Thriller" dance routine in the prison's exercise yard. The brainchild of Provincial security consultant Byron Garcia (who originally uploaded the video to YouTube) the dance routine was an attempt to give some "structure" to the prison inmates' exercise regime. In addition to working out to "Thriller," the inmates also reportedly execute their precision dance routines to The Village People's "In the Navy" and "YMCA".
And finally, the internet premiere of the Nat Geo Music staff in Italy singing their version of "We Are The World"-the 1985 hit, co-written by Jackson and Lionel Richie, that dominated the number slot for weeks on music charts in over 17 countries worldwide. We don't expect this version to do quite as well, but it's further testimony that Michael Jackson's influence will live on forever, though not always in the palatable of formats.
