Which Version of 'They Don't Care About Us'?

[CaptainEO]

Which video of They Don't Really Care About Us Do You Like better?

I find each works and each conveys a different message. But I always thought the jail version always fit the mood a bit better, I love when they pound on the tables, and the raw emotion coming through MJ's performance. Plus it's a different look for MJ. It's like his anger is breaking through the 4th wall.

[Emma]

Jail version for sure. It had a stronger message, in my opinion. The other one was always a little confusing and strange to me. And it wasn't as interesting as the jail version.

[CaptainEO]

After seeing this video I knew he wasn't ever going to be the same MJ again, well after watching Scream I knew that. He had an edge to him, all this anger built up towards all these people that did him wrong, towards the media, he had been cheated, taken advantage of and had been fought through his addiction to pain killers. He came out of his slump firing back on the HIStory album. I think songs like They Don't Care About Us, This Time Around, Scream, 2 Bad, Tabloid Junkie, Money, DS, among others just drip with angst. HIStory to me was the okay I've had enough of this crap album, and now I'm really going to tell you how I feel. I mean was it not the first time MJ used cuss words on his albums. When he dropped the F bomb I think my mom's ears fell off. I couldn't even believe it. But it goes to show you just how frustrated and full of resentment he was at the time of writing the songs.

The sweet, young MJ from Thriller and Bad was replaced with a more jaded and cheated Michael. Not that he wasn't the same ol' Mike inside, but he was different. Who had been through so much during the allegations that his music and self projected image to me anyway did a total 180. I mean just look at how angry he looked.



He wasn't the same MJ, and I kind of liked his edgier, taking no more BS attitude. And to me the jail version of the video fits that message perfectly.

[princechristian]

I've always liked the longer Brazil version. I love the end where the music is gone, but the drums remain, and he's yelling, I would love to have the audio of that video.

[Lady S]

OK I can't believe I'm saying this

at the risk of sounding like a dolt, I didn't know there were 2 versions, I only saw one where he was outdoors (I think) with a bunch of people.

[Skylight]

Prison version.

I just think it emphasizes the idea of the song more greatly than the Brazil version. I mean, you can kinda feel the anger and everything in the prison version. The Brazil version lacks that.

[Skylight]

Originally Posted by Lady S

OK I can't believe I'm saying this

at the risk of sounding like a dolt, I didn't know there were 2 versions, I only saw one where he was outdoors (I think) with a bunch of people.

Aww that's alright. If it makes you feel any better I never knew there was a full version to TWYMMF until like a month ago when I got the HIStory Greatest Hits DVD for my birthday

I think you saw the Brazil version. Here's the prison version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97nAvTVeR6o

[Emma]

^ Wasn't the prison version banned or something and thats why he had to make the other one?

[Skylight]

Originally Posted by Emma

^ Wasn't the prison version banned or something and thats why he had to make the other one?

Actually the Brazil version was made first. MJ had always wanted to make two videos for TDCAU, one I'm assuming that would be all-around appropriate and one to covey the message more greatly. I'm not quite sure what happened but the prison version wasn't really played by any TV station...

[krystikel]

From what I recall it was banned for excessive violence...

It's the better version in my books!