Yellow Magic Orchestra's original version from 1979

Greg Phillinganes' version from 1985

Eric Clapton's version from 1986

Ryuichi Sakamoto's version from 1987 (as a solo artist outside of Yellow Magic Orchestra)

The Human League's version from 1993 (billed as Yellow Magic Orchestra VS. The Human League)

Michael Jackson's version from 1982, release in 2010.

i like the YMO and eric versions best. probably erics version most of all, even though it's a straight copy of gregs version and he was in erics band, erics guitar works really well in it, and it's been one of my fave tracks of eric's tremendous catalogue. ryuichi's version in turn tries to emulate the guitar, which goes to show how influential that version was, partly thanks to greg

i'd never heard the HL version before, and had to put it off as it was fucking awful. i never even knew they recorded it. the MJ version isn't bad either, it's the best track on the latest cd by far, and isn't mike phillips playing on it? he plays on something on the album, i'm not sure if he is credited or not

it's a shame MJ didn't do a proper finished and released version at the time, instead of the cut and paste job of the released version

I like the Greg Phillinganes version the best, with Michael's a close second.

I'm partial to YMO, Greg and Michael's version but I also really like Eric's version

the Human League version...... TERRIBLE

I'm rolling with MJ on this one. There isn't much variation in many of the renditions, so it's that voice that puts him over the top.

bboy87 said:

I'm partial to YMO, Greg and Michael's version but I also really like Eric's version

the Human League version...... TERRIBLE

Yes, absolutely terrible! And THIS is coming from a Human League fan.

I don't want to be biased but I listened to them all and was ready to play devil's advocate and be objective and fair to other artists.....but of course I have to give it to michael, he deserved the song from day one, though I know it was floating around in the late 70's too. After his I like Greg's, and Eric's somewhat, the key it's in.

I only knew Michael's, Eric Clapton's and Sakamoto's versions. I didn't know this song was covered by so many. Thank you!! >_<

Michael's version is my favorite. This was already one of my favorite songs from MICHAEL album...

Powerful and emotional voice and AWESOME beatbox intro

for me, the YMO version is the best one... then the phillinganes. i absolutely HATE the version released on that 'michael' album. but then again, i don't count it as an album of michael's so...

MJJstudent said:

for me, the YMO version is the best one... then the phillinganes. i absolutely HATE the version released on that 'michael' album. but then again, i don't count it as an album of michael's so...

I think many Michael fans HATED this version too =( Funny how rolling stone compared this song to Wanna Be Startin Somethin'...I just can't find that much funk-quality on this version of the song...

But, I loved it^_^

Emancipation89 said:

MJJstudent said:

for me, the YMO version is the best one... then the phillinganes. i absolutely HATE the version released on that 'michael' album. but then again, i don't count it as an album of michael's so...

I think many Michael fans HATED this version too =( Funny how rolling stone compared this song to Wanna Be Startin Somethin'...I just can't find that much funk-quality on this version of the song...

But, I loved it^_^

hmmmm... i thought a lot of michael fans liked it.

Emancipation89 said:

MJJstudent said:

for me, the YMO version is the best one... then the phillinganes. i absolutely HATE the version released on that 'michael' album. but then again, i don't count it as an album of michael's so...

I think many Michael fans HATED this version too =( Funny how rolling stone compared this song to Wanna Be Startin Somethin'...I just can't find that much funk-quality on this version of the song...

But, I loved it^_^

I would have loved to know IF there was any original music to go along with MJ's version. From what I heard, the music was build around Michael's version from the 80's. Remember this had been one of the tracks that was recorded for "Thriller", but left off. I downloaded it because, I have all the version mentioned here, except for Michael's.

shorttrini said:

Emancipation89 said:

I think many Michael fans HATED this version too =( Funny how rolling stone compared this song to Wanna Be Startin Somethin'...I just can't find that much funk-quality on this version of the song...

But, I loved it^_^

I would have loved to know IF there was any original music to go along with MJ's version. From what I heard, the music was build around Michael's version from the 80's. Remember this had been one of the tracks that was recorded for "Thriller", but left off. I downloaded it because, I have all the version mentioned here, except for Michael's.

Whichever no talent produced MJ's version should.be ashamed.a.d banned from music. It's horrible. The drum beat is horrendous. They should've let Quincy produce it, its classic MJ but the production ruins it.

kdj997 said:

shorttrini said:

I would have loved to know IF there was any original music to go along with MJ's version. From what I heard, the music was build around Michael's version from the 80's. Remember this had been one of the tracks that was recorded for "Thriller", but left off. I downloaded it because, I have all the version mentioned here, except for Michael's.

Whichever no talent produced MJ's version should.be ashamed.a.d banned from music. It's horrible. The drum beat is horrendous. They should've let Quincy produce it, its classic MJ but the production ruins it.

I think it was Teddy, that produced it, I could be wrong though.

shorttrini said:

kdj997 said:

Whichever no talent produced MJ's version should.be ashamed.a.d banned from music. It's horrible. The drum beat is horrendous. They should've let Quincy produce it, its classic MJ but the production ruins it.

I think it was Teddy, that produced it, I could be wrong though.

John McClain produced it. TR produced "Breaking News," "Hollywood Tonight," and "Monster."

Sounds great to me!

AlexdeParis said:

shorttrini said:

I think it was Teddy, that produced it, I could be wrong though.

John McClain produced it. TR produced "Breaking News," "Hollywood Tonight," and "Monster."

Sounds great to me!

Okay. Thanks for the info.

Michael wins for me for one reason and one reason alone: THAT VOICE.

His voice is simply awesome in it. It's powerful, energetic-he sounds so damn good. That's why I rate his version as the best.

shorttrini said:

AlexdeParis said:

John McClain produced it. TR produced "Breaking News," "Hollywood Tonight," and "Monster."

Sounds great to me!

Okay. Thanks for the info.

No problem.

YMO's original version, hands down.

1) YMO

2) Greg Phil

3) MJ (voice is just classic!)

1) YMO

2) Greg Phil

3) MJ (voice is just classic!)

I have an idea. We need to have Michael's vocals on Greg's version of Behind The Mask!

Michaels version.... that voice and its more energetic:-D

TonyVanDam said:

I have an idea. We need to have Michael's vocals on Greg's version of Behind The Mask!

i know that militant did a version of that, but then there is a version floating around on youtube that did this as well... it's sounds absolutely amazing. and ultimately is the best version of the song... neck and neck with the YMO version, to me... THIS is the version which should have been released! i do not acknowledge the version which was released in 2010.

MJJstudent said:

TonyVanDam said:

I have an idea. We need to have Michael's vocals on Greg's version of Behind The Mask!

i know that militant did a version of that, but then there is a version floating around on youtube that did this as well... it's sounds absolutely amazing. and ultimately is the best version of the song... neck and neck with the YMO version, to me... THIS is the version which should have been released! i do not acknowledge the version which was released in 2010.

Excellent! THAT^ sounds exactly what Michael intended for himself during the Thriller sessions.

Since Behind The Mask couldn't be on Thriller, it should definitely have been on Bad. Personally, I would have removed Just Old Friends (no disrespect to Stevie Wonder, but that song was always weak sauce! ) from Bad and have Behind The Mask in it's place.

TonyVanDam said:

MJJstudent said:

i know that militant did a version of that, but then there is a version floating around on youtube that did this as well... it's sounds absolutely amazing. and ultimately is the best version of the song... neck and neck with the YMO version, to me... THIS is the version which should have been released! i do not acknowledge the version which was released in 2010.

Excellent! THAT^ sounds exactly what Michael intended for himself during the Thriller sessions.

Since Behind The Mask couldn't be on Thriller, it should definitely have been on Bad. Personally, I would have removed Just Old Friends (no disrespect to Stevie Wonder, but that song was always weak sauce! ) from Bad and have Behind The Mask in it's place.

hee hee... i actually love 'just good friends', especially the older i got. and it's got my two favourite artists of all time on it too... i say though, 'behind the mask' could have replaced 'dirty diana', in my opinion. but alas, i wasn't there to make the decisions...yes indeed though, that is what i believe 'behind the mask SHOULD sound like.