Cornell Flattered By 'Idol' Shout-Out

Chris Cornell says he's surprised but flattered that "American Idol" contestant David Cook performed a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" last week on the show, in what was nearly a note-for-note version of Cornell's own interpretation.

Interest has since spiked in the Cornell cover, a drastically stripped-down take on the song that appeared on his 2007 solo album "Carry On." The track is currently No. 12 on iTunes' Top Alternative chart.

The former Soundgarden frontman told Billboard he was returning from a trip to South Africa when the show aired last Tuesday, and by the time he got home to Paris, he was flooded by emails from fans unsure about what was going on.

"This is something where they know I came up with this arrangement and reinvented the song," he said. "I stuck my neck out being a guy that comes from the indie rock world doing a Michael Jackson song. You can clearly see that the judges are giving this guy credit for it on national television. My fans were like, 'Wait a minute! That's Chris Cornell's moment."'

Read more at Yahoo! News.

Comments

[elcapitan1800]

Weird, I dont know if I would be flattered by an American Idol contestant stealing my version of a song and not crediting me. Although there is the remote off chance that it was his own cover version and it coincidentally sounded like cornells. I mean, it is the same song

[Rafa88offspring]

I don't think Cornell's cover is all that... I've heard much better covers of the same song.

[ooftymcgoofty]

it was credited as chris cornell's version of billie jean. ryan seacrest specifically said "..with chris cornell's version of billie jean.."

[Metallica_Man55]

lol chris cornell on american idol.

[roxtar_shock]

Cornell should have gone on Idol and performed the song, to show what it means to redo a song vs doing a kareoke version. If more people did that maybe I would watch the show.

[redh0tchilip3pp]

Link anyone?

[roxtar_shock]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MgwAJrfXo&feature=related
cornell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_aiawC-9aM
cook

[pouyannassiri]

man im glad he didnt go on idol to perform! but what the hell the idol version was EXACTLY like cornells version they should atleast give him some credit

[Time Seller]

David Cook's version was rad.

[KevVin]

Lets not give the person who put the original arrangement together? I doubt it was MJ.

I salute you, unknown studio producer awesome person.

[KevVin]

***give credit

[SharpObject]

...Cool?..

[Fishermann]

Oh yeah, Cornell's remake of Billy Jean is the s***! Bluesy as hell and a magnificent voice to back it up. No interest in seeing the dude from that show recover a cover.

[roxtar_shock]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpX-kndqHnE

Listen to Seacrest @ the very beginning for credit.

[GuepaGuepa]

was it the chris cornell before he lost his great voice?

[Nesiac]

KevVin wrote:

Lets not give the person who put the original arrangement together? I doubt it was MJ.

lol bless you people who say what we're subconsciously thinking but cant articulate

I salute you, unknown studio producer awesome person.

[Gsh]

Thanks for posting the links roxtar_shock.

This David Cook fella could have come out looking like a class act if after the judges praise he had said something to the effect of, "Thank you but I just want to thank Chris Cornell for coming up with this brilliant rendition. The credit belongs to him. Thanks".

[napsternova]

So that's what Cornell is doing now? Covering Michael Jackson songs. lol OMG

[elcapitan1800]

Well at least Cornell got his deserved credit

[sirpsycho85]

Cornell's version is pretty terrible, and this one is just that with a singer who's not as good.

[deknisely]

Yeah, they credited Cornell AFTER voting took place. And Cook's version was definitely NOT note-for-note of Cornell's version. That Cook guy should be happy that most people have never heard Cornell's version of that song or people definitely wouldn't have been that impressed, in my opinion. and NO Cornells not covering MJ songs. just that one. lol.

[metallee923]

Wow, I JUST commented on the VR article, and said that Chris should join them...maybe this is a sign...

hahaha i hope

[SchitzoJoe]

The judges had no clue that Cook did Cornell's version of 'Billie Jean.' They just thought he did a great rendition, but he did say that he used Cornell's version last night, giving him credit. He never took any credit for the arrangement when he performed it, the judges just didn't know better.

[pinky_demon]

That guy did an alright cover of a cover...ha

[jahyarain]

KevVin wrote:

Lets not give the person who put the original arrangement together? I doubt it was MJ.

I salute you, unknown studio producer awesome person.

i would say Quincy Jones but everything i've read says MJ actually wrote bassline and all about a stalker.

[NightEmbers]

I like Cobra Starships Cover, but Chris' is good too

[tbarrettl]

metallee923 wrote:

Wow, I JUST commented on the VR article, and said that Chris should join them...maybe this is a sign...

hahaha i hope

Yeah considering Chris was intense back in Soundgarden around Badmotorfinger if he has it in him to speed things up again.

[BobTheBlob]

how is chris cornell indie rock?

checked.

[megathrash00]

thats really great that he flattered...but now its time for him to audition for velvet revolver

[David_Bowie=GOD]

He actually did credit him, he said and so did Ryan Seacrest that he was going to sing Chris Cornell's version of Billie Jean. So I dont see why everyone is saying that he wasnt credited. Overshadowed more than anything.

[Weapon&TheWound]

Same thing happened when that guy did shinedown's cover of simple man and passed it off as his take on the lynyrd skynyrd version

[MetalliRage]

how bout cornell goes to vr

[koolfoolinapool]

metallee923 wrote:

Wow, I JUST commented on the VR article, and said that Chris should join them...maybe this is a sign...

hahaha i hope

I kinda did too.

I said the Cornell of 1992 though.

[koolfoolinapool]

Please.

Cornell + Thayil + Shepherd + Cameron = SoundgardeN

That equation should once again be put into use.

[Metal_Hed_23]

pouyannassiri wrote:

man im glad he didnt go on idol to perform! but what the hell the idol version was EXACTLY like cornells version they should atleast give him some credit

THEY DID! he said chirs cornell's versoin of Billie Jean

[E-dogg66]

metallee923 wrote:

Wow, I JUST commented on the VR article, and said that Chris should join them...maybe this is a sign...

hahaha i hope

I hope NOT I like Chris but I don't want to see him in any new bands, VR need's someone New & Fresh with there own sound not someone who sounds like they've sang on four different band's records! Hmm wait a minuite He Did.

[jshizznit]

heh i know that guys cousin

oh well maybe someone should idonno...set his house aflame?

[PumpkinPieces]

yeah he did give him credit for it just this tuesday.

[rush5757]

yeah, I saw cornell play that version of billie jean when I went to his show at the Paramount in Seattle. He did a great job with it, and i think he should have been given credit more clearly. Anyways, it's cool that he isn't pissed at the american idol guy, and that he chose to be flattered. Good for cornell, caring more about the music than the fame. Cheers, cornell!

[the boogieman]

elcapitan1800 wrote:

Weird, I dont know if I would be flattered by an American Idol contestant stealing my version of a song and not crediting me. Although there is the remote off chance that it was his own cover version and it coincidentally sounded like cornells. I mean, it is the same song

%100 agreed