Goodbye, Michael.
We're just sayin'...
“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”
-Michael Jackson
The music world lost its biggest icon today. Like so many fans, I don’t think there is a single artist I admired more growing up. So many classics. The Thriller album first introduced me to MJ, the Bad album made me a fan, and looking back, I believe Off The Wall is his finest work. Even the title “King of Pop” falls short in my opinion; he transcended musical categorization and appealed to fans of every musical persuasion.
Much will be said in the coming days about Michael Jackson’s life, and while the last decade or so may have been a slow-motion train wreck, it still pains me a bit me to know he’s not in the world anymore. Here’s to the man who for most of his life personified musical talent, and for that I will always hold him in awe. Rest in peace, Michael. Thank you for the music.
- cor
Cor is right, even the term “King of Pop” doesn’t do enough justice to what Michel Jackson was. He was the perfect storm of electric dancing, phenomenal singing, genre bending beats and an infectious personality that drew in people of all races and all cultures from all over the world. People gravitated to him for entertainment, yet they stayed with him because of his heart. And he was crazy. But before we get all judgmental on the man just think about this: no one has ever been as popular for as long as Michael Jackson. No one. Ever. I have no idea what that level of continuous fame would do to me. None. I seriously doubt I could take it. Country megastar Garth Brooks put it well on Larry King live a few moments ago:
“I don’t wish that level of fame on anyone”
Considering all that he went through during his life, the fact that Michael Jackson had so much love to share may be his single greatest achievement. So goodbye Michael, we’re going to miss the singing and dancing, the creativity and videos, the performances and the smiles; but most of all we are going to miss the love. Rest in peace.
- Jay
In remembrance of an amazing musical career, we are forgoing the remixes for one post and sharing a few of our favorite Michael Jackson originals. We’ll be back with a slew of remixes tomorrow, we promise, but for now let us remember the man and the music in pure form. Forgive us for the long list; it’s impossible to sum up such an astounding body of work into a few short internet videos. For each favorite we select, we’re omitting at least five others. Which Michael Jackson songs were your favorites? (You can vote in the poll to the right, or leave us a comment if we missed your fav.) And what will be your enduring memories of the King of Pop?
Compilations
Michael Jackson Tribute Video
Michael’s best dance moves compilation (with Biggie rap! Crazy they’re both gone now.)
Music Videos:
Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough (Pardon the ad, we couldn’t find another version)
Smooth Criminal
Live Performances
Billy Jean on Motown 25 Live (the performance that made him the King of Pop. Great post about this on NPR)
Man in the Mirror
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Not included in the post OR the poll is my personal favorite Michael Jackson song when I was a kid. It was in Moon walker, but not one of the major hits…
Leave Me Alone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbH04pY7alA
There have been much more famous people in the world. Ones who haven’t squandered millions of dollars, and molested children. There is no excuse!! Remember he wasn’t alone in making his music. It’s a buisness, and he benifited from it.. He made enough money to buy all the rights to the Beatles music and the elephant mans bones… He could of pumped his money into a more philinthropic venture, but a giant statue of him parading around Europe was a better idea.. His music was great. I’ll give him that. But he was no great man… His music touched many peoples lives. It doesn’t make up for him touching little boys!!!
Fair points all. I definitely think there is a swell of emotion after someone great dies and we do tend to put on the rosy colored glasses when we look at their past… or I do anyway.
But I do challenge you to actually name someone as famous as Micheal Jackson, at a global level, for as long as he was.
Hey, guys! Thanks for the post. Y’know, I was surprised by how emotional I was — and still am — by the passing of Michael Jackson. I still am crying in fits and starts.
O.K., now, regarding your poll, I actually really loved some of his ballads. I think one of my all-time favorite MJ songs is “She’s Out Of My Life.” I know we all focus on his larger dance hits, but as a singer, he was very vulnerable to us, and really let us in with his ballads, too. (Think of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” or “You Are Not Alone.”)
Love you guys!
Thanks for the feedback Belinda! You’re rite, the ballads were lacking. I’ve updated the poll with your suggestions!
Yeah, the ballads are good too… and more emotionally fitting for saying goodbye. That’s why we felt like putting Man in the Mirror last (even though it’s not really a ballad, per se.)
i read a comment that suggested “michael the artist died a long time ago,” and that resonates with me. as a child of the 80s, thriller and bad will always have a place in my heart. but i will maintain my disrespect for the pill-popping, child molesting narcissist.
in reverence to the MJ of old, check out D.A.N.C.E. by Justice. recognize those lyrics? if you’re a jackson fan you should.
i’m going to agree with off the wall being his best work… why not more songs from that album on the poll?
rip MJ.
Good question. There’s a long answer citing MJ’s long and varied career and it being impossible given the limitations of the blog to get them all in yadda yadda… but the short answer is Off The Wall is my favorite, and Jay made the poll.
[...] Goodbye Michael|MJ Remixed Classic mixtapes. Fresh singles. Home-cooked DJ sets. Musical musings. What’ll it be, Suga? [...]
i will really miss the King of Pop. michael jackson is truly the best pop artist in this lifetime.~”*
sadly, the King of Pop will never be coming back again, oh i missed Michale Jackson,*`
internet video is one for the greatest things that we have since e-mail;.:
Awesome,I adore Michael Jackson! He was the most talented to ever sing! We will never have someone like MJ! RIP to the KING!
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