Australian Band Faces Backlash Over Usher Song Comments
An Australian punk band has found themselves at the center of a global controversy after making controversial remarks about a popular Usher song. Melbourne-based group Radio Free Alice appeared on Triple J’s Like A Version program, where artists are invited to perform their own songs alongside a track they admire by another artist.
The band sparked outrage when they revealed their reasoning for covering Usher’s 2010 hit, “DJs Got Us Fallin’ In Love.” They began their explanation with a bold statement: “We have always felt that good songs don’t need good covers. Bad songs need good covers.” They continued, “This song is the ugliest duckling of bad songs! So, we thought it was a fun challenge to see if we could turn it into a good song, if that was physically possible.”
Their comments quickly drew backlash from listeners, who took to social media to express their anger and disappointment. One person wrote, “It’s not too late to apologise for at best the clearly thoughtless comments.” Another added, “Are they calling…… DJs got us falling in love again by THE USHER…… a bad song? Who tf are they WHAT???!!” A third person commented, “Just watched the cover… They DO NOT have the talent to back these remarks.”
Some fans pointed out the song’s success, noting that “The Usher song is a product of the time, but it was WILDLY successful and went multi-platinum in a dozen countries.” Others criticized the band’s cover, saying, “Their cover is awful, they took an ‘ugly duckling’ and turned it into a dead duck.” One person even expressed shock at the band’s audacity, writing, “The audacity to disrespect USHER and I don’t even like Usher.”
Many fans also questioned the band’s credibility, with several stating they had “never heard” of Radio Free Alice before the incident.
The Legacy of Triple J’s Like A Version
Triple J’s Like A Version program is one of the station’s most popular and long-running segments. It provides a platform for artists to showcase their talents and reinterpret songs they admire. The segment has become a cultural touchstone in Australia, often featuring unexpected and creative covers.
In January 2022, veteran children’s entertainers The Wiggles made history by becoming the first band to top Triple J’s coveted Hottest 100 poll. Their Like A Version cover of Tame Impala’s 2012 hit, “Elephant,” was a surprise win that captured the attention of music fans across the country.
The Wiggles’ victory was particularly notable because the children’s band had never heard of the Hottest 100 before their win. Original members Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, and Murray Cook admitted this during an appearance on Sunrise, where they spoke to hosts David ‘Kochie’ Koch and Natalie Barr about the poll.
“I didn’t know about the Hottest 100, I didn’t know about Like a Version. I didn’t know about Tame Impala a year ago so this has been a great surprise,” Anthony said. Kochie then explained that being considered “the coolest of cool” in the music industry means winning the Hottest 100. He asked Purple Wiggle Jeff if he’d ever expected to be “this cool.”
“Who’d have thought I’d be this cool at the age of 68?” Jeff responded cheerfully. He also claimed he had never heard of Triple J’s Hottest 100 before topping the poll.
The Wiggles’ cover of “Elephant” was released in March 2021 as part of Triple J’s Like a Version series. Their performance not only surprised fans but also highlighted the program’s ability to bring together artists from all backgrounds and genres.
