Black or White - Covers and Culture Impact

Covers and Culture Impact

"Black or White" has been covered by some artists since its release.

  • In 1992, "Weird Al" Yankovic recorded a parody of "Black or White" titled "Snack All Night", which however never released commercially. Yankovic performed his version during a concert.
  • In 2009, singer Adam Lambert performed the song on the 8th season of American Idol during the Michael Jackson episode, which was re-aired on June 29, in a tribute to the death of Jackson on June 25.
  • In the early 1990s, the children's show Sesame Street also spoofed the song with a song called "Wet or Dry". Little Chrissy responds to the question of what makes him happy: he likes having fun "no matter if he's wet or dry", and demonstrates by playing his piano on both a stage and underwater (surrounded by fish). "Wet" and "dry" are further demonstrated with several kids, Mr. Handford, and Maria getting buckets of water dumped on them. Both the song and video spoof "Black or White".

The music video, particularly the "Panther Segment", have been referenced or parodied by television shows and artists.

  • The video, including the "Panther Segment" was parodied by the sketch comedy TV show In Living Color, in which Tommy Davidson appeared as Jackson, but instead of a panther, Davidson morphs from a tiny black kitten.
  • The "Panther Segment" was also parodied by the popular American sketch comedy television series MADtv.
  • In 1991, English rock band Genesis parodied the "Black or White" video in the ending of their video for "I Can't Dance", in which member Phil Collins imitates Michael Jackson's "panther" fit in front of a stark white background.
  • In 2011, Brooklyn hip hop group Das Racist released a music video for their song, titled "Michael Jackson", parodying the "Black or White" video. The song is features on the group's album Relax.
  • In 2012 the television show Glee covered the song in the episode "Michael", it features primary voices from Kevin McHale, Lea Michele and Naya Rivera, and backing vocals from the rest of the cast. Jenna Ushkowitz and Darren Criss are not featured in the song or the performance. This cover debuted and peaked at number 64 at Billboard Hot 100, number 42 at Billboard Digital Songs, and number 69 at Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart at the week of February 18, 2012.

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