Michael: I wanna sing it like you

[Hot_Street]

A thought occurred to me while watching the new video with Siedah Garrett. In it, she mentions that he said he wanted to sing Man in the Mirror exactly like she did. Siedah's demo version is indeed very similar to Man in the Mirror. The same goes for the Invincible album. Michael practically copied the demos note for note. I wonder: Where is Michael's own style and input? On the other hand, he certainly gives the songs his own touch and character with his voice. But is that enough?

 

[Maxym]

There are artists whose whole catalogue is written by others. We have not idea what their personal input was. The songs were suggested to him, he picked them and he sang them. Does it actually matter how much of an input he had? Because he took parts of the writing credits, maybe?

(This brings me be a very remotely question I asked myself recently: Is there any version of All The Things You Are that sounds like MJ's? Or was it his own interpretation? Edit: Maybe he "energised up" Ella Fitzgerald's version and/or Judy Garland's version.)

 

[Hot_Street]

There are artists whose whole catalogue is written by others. We have not idea what their personal input was. The songs were suggested to him, he picked them and he sang them. Does it actually matter how much of an input he had?

I assume he liked the songs so much that he didn't want to change anything.

 

[Maxym]

I assume he liked the songs so much that he didn't want to change anything.

Yeah, that can mean he simply thought the songs were well written/well sung by the author from the start.

 

[Victorious]

I am quoting myself for this, from an old discussion:



'Basically it's the same with his dance moves, ad-libs and albums, they all follow the same 'formula' (yes even History). And when he sang other peope's songs he almost copied their guide vocals exactly

I guess when Michael thought something was 'Bible' he knew it 'worked' and there was no need in changing it or adding up on it. Which is in a way a shame (little surprises) but might also gave him some rest and routine like he was used to from the Jackson years..?'

 

[Jackears]

I think Michael chose the song because he liked it just the way it was and the fact that he left the background vocals the same, makes it very clear to me.
I also think that he really admired Siedah. They did a duet on the same album, co-wrote Keep The Faith and she finally was in the Dangerous Tour (I'm so glad she was honestly). I personally wouldn't change something dramatically if I really admire it, I would just follow the lead and make it my own, as Michael did with Man In The Mirror.

 

[squirrelinthetree]

We should not forget this song and many others had been written directly for him, so the songwriters integrated his style into the song before hand, so not much he could have wanted to change remained.
I also wondered for the invincible demos whether maybe there were sometimes previous versions discussed and the final demo could have included adjustments, like background and ad libs brought in by mj. Or would that be very unusual?