Friends, I am super bummed about Michael Jackson. I've been fortunate enough to be home (Indiana) when it happened and had a road trip the next day to Chicago. I couldn't have asked for better road trip music. Regardless of which market I was in, I could find different stations playing strictly MJ.
I never would have guessed that I'd care, but I do. I can't think of anyone else whose death I'd care about like this. It has to be a combo of hugely talented + charitable + tragic life. I tried to think of hugely talented (or popular) people who've had longevity, but all I could really come up with was Madonna and Bono. But both of them seem happy (enough) people who sail through a privileged life. I guess it's Michael's utter sadness that really gets to me. I never believed any of sexual allegations against him and after reading more about it this weekend, I definitely don't. They were accusations by money-hungry frauds that ruined his career, his health and his life. The only notable song that came out after the first major allegation drama was Scream. Imagine how things may have turned out differently if that hadn't derailed him? Who knows, he could have been producing massive hits that kept changing the course of music for the past 16 years. Can you even name a truly amazing pop music smash hit from the past 5 years? I can't. I think the last great pop song was Hey Ya - six years ago!
Anyway. I've actually been focused more on his dancing over the weekend. I've watched so many videos with my eyes focused on his footwork. Yesterday my family and I watched YouTube videos of our favorite performances.
I chose THE BEST EVER intro of his Moonwalk during Billie Jean from the Motown 25 show. Yes, you've seen it, but if you haven't watched it lately, rewatch and try and view it from the perspective of never having heard the song or seen anyone move like that:
My stepdad chose Man in the Mirror from the 1988 Grammy Awards, where he seemed so pared-down (no sequins!) until he busted out the (surprise) full gospel choir.
My favorite things I learned over the weekend are that, although everyone talks about his ownership of the publishing rights to the Beatles catalog, he actually owns half of the entire Sony catalog - Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, James Brown and Mariah Carey, to name a few. My boo works for Sony/ATV publishing, so as far as I'm concerned Michael Jackson was his boss. Now I suppose Prince, Paris and Blanket are.
AND that he did not write Thriller or Man in the Mirror. But I'm going to pretend he did.
And, finally, that he has a patent for the shoes in the Smooth Criminal video that let him 'defy gravity'.
It's a bummer that it took him dying for me to recognize my love. I don't think I ever really dedicated time to listening to all of his music like I have recently. And I think I just pitied what he had become recently. In the end, he seemed like a good person who could never manage to find happiness himself. And considering the happiness he brought the world through his music and helping kids, well, it just ain't right. Life isn't fair.
Ok, I guess I'm going to go cry outside of his parents house now. Bye!
I never would have guessed that I'd care, but I do. I can't think of anyone else whose death I'd care about like this. It has to be a combo of hugely talented + charitable + tragic life. I tried to think of hugely talented (or popular) people who've had longevity, but all I could really come up with was Madonna and Bono. But both of them seem happy (enough) people who sail through a privileged life. I guess it's Michael's utter sadness that really gets to me. I never believed any of sexual allegations against him and after reading more about it this weekend, I definitely don't. They were accusations by money-hungry frauds that ruined his career, his health and his life. The only notable song that came out after the first major allegation drama was Scream. Imagine how things may have turned out differently if that hadn't derailed him? Who knows, he could have been producing massive hits that kept changing the course of music for the past 16 years. Can you even name a truly amazing pop music smash hit from the past 5 years? I can't. I think the last great pop song was Hey Ya - six years ago!
Anyway. I've actually been focused more on his dancing over the weekend. I've watched so many videos with my eyes focused on his footwork. Yesterday my family and I watched YouTube videos of our favorite performances.
I chose THE BEST EVER intro of his Moonwalk during Billie Jean from the Motown 25 show. Yes, you've seen it, but if you haven't watched it lately, rewatch and try and view it from the perspective of never having heard the song or seen anyone move like that:
My stepdad chose Man in the Mirror from the 1988 Grammy Awards, where he seemed so pared-down (no sequins!) until he busted out the (surprise) full gospel choir.
My favorite things I learned over the weekend are that, although everyone talks about his ownership of the publishing rights to the Beatles catalog, he actually owns half of the entire Sony catalog - Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, James Brown and Mariah Carey, to name a few. My boo works for Sony/ATV publishing, so as far as I'm concerned Michael Jackson was his boss. Now I suppose Prince, Paris and Blanket are.
AND that he did not write Thriller or Man in the Mirror. But I'm going to pretend he did.
And, finally, that he has a patent for the shoes in the Smooth Criminal video that let him 'defy gravity'.
It's a bummer that it took him dying for me to recognize my love. I don't think I ever really dedicated time to listening to all of his music like I have recently. And I think I just pitied what he had become recently. In the end, he seemed like a good person who could never manage to find happiness himself. And considering the happiness he brought the world through his music and helping kids, well, it just ain't right. Life isn't fair.
Ok, I guess I'm going to go cry outside of his parents house now. Bye!
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
have you ever had stitches before 37?
how are your fine-feathered friends taking to your pop outz?