When I was a kid, there were definitely people that cast aspersions on Michael Jackson’s sexuality. In the late ‘70s and ‘80s, the “Michael is gay” rumors were prevalent, to the point that a rumor floated (and was published) that MJ had actually undergone a sex change operation. Allegedly, the sex change was so that… Read More “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson (1982)
“Heartbreak Hotel” is not one of the better known Jacksons songs, but it’s one of the songs that points the clearest path to places Michael would go during his solo career. It was the first Jacksons song that was composed by MJ alone, it kicks off his love affair with gothic imagery, and it was… Read More “Heartbreak Hotel” by The Jacksons (1980)
“Got To Be There” announced the arrival of Michael Jackson, solo artist. While it certainly set a precedent, MJ and J5 records would remain virtually interchangeable for another eight years. So there’s nothing here that portended Michael’s mastery of pop music with one big exception: that voice. Michael hadn’t hit puberty yet, so “Got To… Read More “Got To Be There” by Michael Jackson (1971)
So, there are a lot of disco songs that begin with the word “get”, clearly. “Get On The Floor” closes out side 1 of Off The Wall. After a 1-2-3 punch of “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough”, “Rock With You” and “Working Day And Night”, one might think Michael would put the non-stop boogieing… Read More “Get On The Floor” by Michael Jackson (1979)
Dear Michael Jackson, welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” was where Michael stopped being the lead singer of the Jacksons and became Michael Fucking Jackson. “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” transcended boy bands, transcended disco, transcended those silly “Star Wars”-esque references about the… Read More “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson (1979)
Can you imagine the wild shit Michael Jackson encountered in his life? Like, before this dude was 15, he’d had more life craziness than a lot of people live out full lives having to go through. The groupie stories alone could probably fill a book. “Dirty Diana” is a groupie story, and it’s not especially complimentary… Read More “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson (1987)
“Dangerous” is the final track on the Michael Jackson album of the same name, and it ends the proceedings with a bang. It says a lot to the quality of Dangerous that you’re not like “holy fuck, is this album over yet?” by the end. Because it’s damn near 80 minutes long. In my piece… Read More “Dangerous” by Michael Jackson (1991)
Teddy Riley was the best option for Michael Jackson when he was elected to take the reins of production from Quincy Jones. Q was famously behind the boards for MJ’s three career-making albums; 1979’s Off The Wall, 1982’s Thriller and 1987’s Bad. Even by the time the last album was recorded, pop and R&B music… Read More “Can’t Let Her Get Away” by Michael Jackson (1991)
Invincible, the last studio album Michael Jackson made in his lifetime, is pretty fuckin’ messy. But “messy” doesn’t necessarily mean bad, and there were 6 or so gems buried in the album. “Butterflies” was one of those gems, and could’ve been a blockbuster…had it been properly promoted. Mike was looking for ways to update his… Read More “Butterflies” by Michael Jackson (2001)
I was one of the millions who was devastated when Michael Jackson passed away. As much as I mourned though, I can’t imagine anything I felt was anywhere near the same ballpark as the anguish his family underwent following Michael’s death. Wow, that still feels weird to write and it’s been almost nine years. “Broken… Read More “Broken Hearts Heal” by Janet Jackson (2014)
Five Star Jamz 