Draft 1

Watkins 1
Cole Watkins
ENG 1201
Penny Sobocinski
28 June 2020
Analyzing the Different Rhetorical Appeals of Two Different Songs
There are many songs over the years that have been sung and then covered by another artist
whether that’s because they love the song, or it inspired/motivated them. Regardless the reason,
that means the song is recorded by two different artists that could have different intentions for
the song. In this case, the song is “Smooth Criminal”, by Michael Jackson and Alien Ant Farm.
Michael Jackson released the song in 1988 and it was a huge pop hit with Michael eventually
becoming a pop legend. Alien Ant Farm covered the song in 2001 but had completely changed
the purpose of the song by covering it with a metal rock vibe to the song. Nonetheless, Alien Ant
Farm’s cover was also widely popular but from a different audience, it was metal rock fans. The
song “Smooth Criminal” is a well-known song by Michael and Alien Ant Farm. There were big
differences between the two songs in some ways including audience/purpose, and rhetorical
appeal of the songs.
Most songs that are covered typically exist within the same genre. What I mean by that is if
Michael Jackson would have sung a love song and Adele covers the song then the mood and tone
of the song will remain relatively the same. In this instance, the song “Smooth Criminal” by
Michael Jackson and Alien Ant Farm had a completely different mood and vibe to it. In the
Alien Ant Farm music video, you can literally see who the audience for the song is. In the music
video there is a boxing ring with the bands inside performing their songs and outside the ring is a
bunch of metal rock music fans of all ages banging their head to the beat and moshing into one
Watkins 2
another. This is interesting as it’s the opposite audience of Michael Jackson’s version. In
Michael’s video the audience isn’t visible, but you are still able to identify who the audience is
by listening the beat, lyrics, and tone of the song. Michael Jackson’s music video takes place in
the prohibition era at an illegal warehouse bar that is filled with criminals. Many of Michael
Jackson’s songs were personal to him and had some reason to make the song, but “Smooth
Criminal” was a fictional setting. Michael’s purpose for writing “Smooth Criminal” for fans of
all ages to enjoy. Alien Ant Farm’s purpose in covering Michael’s song was to pay respects to
the pop legend. The band were big fans of Michael, but they were a rock band and Michael sung
pop music which usually had separate meanings. Their solution was to cover “Smooth Criminal”
but make it a metal rock song by changing the tempo and rhythm of the song.
One thing in the “Smoot Criminal” songs is that they have the same rhetorical appeal. In
Alien Ant Farm’s video, they evoke excitement and aggression. The song has a guitar and drum
heavy rhythm which entices people to act wild. The rhetorical appeal Alien Ant Farm uses is
pathos as they appeal to their audiences’ emotional side through music. Music, for many people,
is used to help relieve stress. If Alien Ant Farm’s music helps people and strikes them
emotionally then they are doing right. Pathos was used by Alien Ant Farm to show that Michaels
music was timeless and could be performed in any genre and still be considered good music. In
Michael Jackson’s version of “Smooth Criminal” his video is what you’d imagine a smooth
criminal is. Michael plays the smooth criminal who is elegant in his deceptions and is looked up
to by the kids. The rhetorical appeal used in Michael’s song was pathos because he created an
emotional appeal by creating a movie-like music video which was unheard of at the time. The
movie-like video appealed to people because it was unique and fun to watch. Michael’s claim in
Watkins 3
his music video was that there is no limit to what constitutes a music video and it should be fun
and interesting to watch.
“Smooth Criminal” is a song written and sung by Michael Jackson and covered thirteen years
later by Alien Ant Farm. Both songs are different in almost every aspect like rhetorical appeal,
purpose/audience, and rhythm. There is a big contrast in the different songs meaning and
delivery, but the purpose is the same, to make music each persons’ fan base will enjoy.
I am unsure about my conclusion and feel I can include more, but I am lost at what to say?
Watkins 4
Jackson, Michael. “Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Official Video).” Youtube, song by
Michael Jackson, 19 November 2010, youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4
Alien Ant Farm. “Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal.” Youtube, music video by Alien Ant Farm
performing Smooth Criminal, 7 October 2009, youtube.com/watch?v=CDI9ZMfj6aE

Draft 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Draft 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Draft 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Watkins 1

appeal of the songs.

and interesting to watch.

Michael Jackson, 19 November 2010, youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4

performing Smooth Criminal, 7 October 2009, youtube.com/watch?v=CDI9ZMfj6aE

You might also like