Billie Jean - Michael Jackson cover by Rafael Witt (Wanderer Sessions)

#michaeljackson #billiejean #cover #singersongwriter

This song has always amazed me since the first time I heard it. Michael's vocals were so sharp and intense, the groove was dynamic and so cool. I loved it.

When I was in High School, in 2012, 2013, 2014, I was in a band with some friends. One time a friend showed me the version of this song by "The Civil Wars" and it blew my mind. The way that couple changed the song made me question everything in music. I was like: can they do that? can they change the song so much it was almost recognisable? yes they can. I loved their rendition of Billie Jean but when I tried to play it, it just didn't sound right. One day I changed the tuning on my guitar, tried singing a bit lower, changed the tempo and created my own version of Billie Jean. And I loved it haha, I performed it every time I got the chance since 2013, when I started playing gigs in High School, in Caxias Do Sul, my hometown.

But at the time, I didn't think music was my thing... so I started a graduation course in Mechanical Engineering (as you do...), I studied for 3 years... I didn't graduate. Then I thought I might try International Relations, to one day be a Diplomat, maybe... but during the course I recorded my first songs, on a real studio and started pursuing my career in Music alongside International Relations... It made me so happy. The pandemic hit. I graduated and played my first real concert in my home town. and guess what song was definitely on the setlist? yes, my version of Billie Jean. it's become a classic now, you know... haha.

So, in May 2024, we were in São Francisco Xavier recording these sessions for my debut album, with this amazing band. It was easy to get lost in time, jamming with them in between songs. I started to play this one to see what would happen and damn, it worked so well with all of us together. we couldn't resist. we had to record a band version of this one. It was such a blessing... I love my job

Every Thursday I'll post a new video. We recorded "old" songs, covers and new songs from my debut album. Enjoy :D

Cheers from Brasil

Follow me on Instagram:   / rafaelwitt__  
Watch all the Wanderer Sessions here:    • Wanderer Sessions  

Credits:

Billie Jean
Lyrics - Michael Jackson
Songwriting - Michael Jackson

Video

Directed by Kabé Pinheiro and Laís Branco

Musicians
Rafael Witt - voice and acoustic guitar
Kabé Pinheiro - music director, body percussion and "spd-sx pro"
Maria Luana - backing vocals and percussion
Peter Mesquita - double bass and fretless bass
João Oliveira - custom acoustic guitar, eletric guitar, steel guitar
Vito - accordion

Audio and Video production
Direction and Production - Produtora VMD
Assistant Direction - Chrys Galante
Camera Operators - Laís branco, Chrys Galante, Malu Freire
Photography - Malu Freire
Making Of - André Fidalgo

Visual Identity
Rodolfo Marcondes and Rodrigo Oliveira

Technical Crew
Production - Camila Monteiro
Chef - Stefany Branco

in partnership with
folkyourself and roadie