Atif Aslam – “‘Billie Jean’ is my tribute to Michael Jackson.”

July 16, 2009

Atif-AslamNo one could’ve foreseen Michael Jackson’s death. As the new Coke Studio episode hit airwaves last Sunday, one heard Atif belt ‘Billie Jean’ while performing his own composition of ‘Wasta Pyar Da’. When Atif was recording this song, it was in March earlier this year and Michael Jackson was still alive. Three months later as the song went on air, Michael Jackson is no longer with us.

“I was humming ‘Billie Jean’ at Coke Studio and it went from there,” says Atif of fusing ‘Billie Jean’ into Coke Studio. “I’ve been a huge fan of Michael Jackson. His demise is an irreplaceable loss and this is my tribute to him,” Atif added.

Even though Atif Aslam is no Michael Jackson, the track ‘Wasta Pyar Da’ was smooth, haunting and interesting. The jump in between from ‘Wasta’ to the words from ‘Billie Jean’ – “People Always Told Me Be Careful Of What You Do/And Don’t Go Around Breaking Young Girls’ Hearts/And Mother Always Told Me Be Careful Of Who You Love/And Be Careful Of What You Do ‘Cause The Lie Becomes The Truth/Billie Jean Is Not My Lover/She’s Just A Girl Who Says That I Am The One” – and back and forth throughout the song gave it an edge. Some might not even approve of Atif’s ‘Billie Jean’, especially as Michael continues to dominate headlines even in his death, but as a singer, what is commendable is that Atif never imitated Michael. It was experimental, daring and challenging. MJ, we think, would approve.