It’s a musical concept that seems to work more often than not: the "melancholy acoustic version," a.k.a. "taking a well-known, up-tempo song and stripping it down to its saddest studs." For example, when A-ha performed a slow, somber version of their 1985 synth-pop hit "Take on Me," the Internet exploded. When executed perfectly, the results can be magical.
It’s equally satisfying with cover tunes, especially when artists step out from their bread-and-butter genres. Take Chris Cornell, a legend of heavy alt-rock, playing an acoustic rendition of Michael Jackson’s 1983 R&B-pop classic "Billie Jean." The performance dates back to 2012, during Cornell’s set at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where he blended tracks from his solo catalog, Soundgarden, and his other bands Audioslave and Temple of the Dog, along with two choice covers ("Billie Jean" and The Beatles’ "A Day in the Life").
Cornell, with his curly hair dangling in front of his eyes, keeps the arrangement as simple as possible, picking out minor-key arpeggios as he plays around with the vocal melody. In the chorus, he leaps up in his register and throws in some of his signature grit and vibrato, adding emotional weight by extending certain lines—just listen to how he draws out the "I" in the line "says that I am the one."
If Cornell seems confident in his version, that’s not surprising. He recorded the cover for his 2007 solo LP, Carry On—and according to Setlist.fm, he performed the song 218 times total on stage, with 147 of those staged between 2006 and 2012. (There’s even a charming rehearsal video of him teaching the chord progression to his bandmates.)
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
The late Cornell was one of rock music’s most acclaimed and accomplished singers, and he knew first-hand how cover songs can hold a major—and sometimes unexpected—power. "The brilliance of 'Billie Jean' came to me when I was reading the lyrics for the first time, which was around the time that I was doing that arrangement," he toldRolling Stone in 2009. "[A]nd the idea came from a conversation I had with my wife about the art of the cover song, because she would bring up ideas about songs I should cover, and I would always shoot ’em down, and I would explain the art of it: You can cover a song by an artist you are obviously influenced by and you will reproduce it, paying homage to it, and sticking close to the original. That’s one way, the other way is Johnny Cash doing [Soundgarden’s] ’Rusty Cage,” which on paper sounds like the most ridiculous fucking idea you’ll hear in your life. It did to me." (Cash’s cover appeared on his 1996 album, Unchained, which also features hat-tips to Tom Petty and Beck, among others.)
The Soundgarden icon said his wife "challenged" him to cover a song no one would expect. "I thought[, 'Well, who] would be the least likely artist for me to attempt to cover?'], and the first name that popped into my head was Michael Jackson. I liked 'Billie Jean' because it had that little keyboard line in it, which I thought I could turn into an electric guitar line. And it was just embarrassingly awful." When Cornell took a deeper look at the lyrics, he realized they were put together in a "brilliant" way. "The story isn’t spoon-fed to you," he said. "[I]t’s poetic."
Of course, Cornell put his stamp on many other classic songs, from Led Zeppelin’s folk-rock anthem "Thank You" to Sinéad O’Connor’s Prince-penned ballad "Nothing Compares 2 U."
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Japan.Image via Canva - Photo by Shawn.ccf
Bowing.Image via Canva - Photo by Ababsolutum
A gift exchange.Image via Canva - Photo by Masafumi_Nakanishi
Man looking worriedCanva
People applaudingCanva
Children volunteeringCanva
Friends huggingCanva
Woman enjoys beach sunsetCanva
Couple fightingCanva
Three friends huggingCanva
RV camperCanva
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.