Josh Hathaway, Blogcritics Sr. Assistant Music Editor
I begin with the simple premise everybody likes at least one Michael Jackson song, whether or not they admit it. Not one CD on my shelf or one song on my iPod is a Michael Jackson song, but even I like a couple songs by Michael Jackson. Saying you don't like at least one song by Michael Jackson is like saying you don't like oxygen. In short, you're lying.
Part of what makes that true is something we often miss about his music: its breadth. Think about it all: there are those magical, innocent pop gems with The Jackson 5, the ballads, the incredible dance numbers, and even a pair of songs where he teamed up with "Guitar Heroes" to rock out. The self-proclaimed King of Pop could make such audacious claims because his music transcended genre and decades, confounding critics and surprising audiences who dared him to top himself one more time.
Jackson hadn't been musically relevant in nearly two decades. Some will blame the mess his life became. I'm reminded of a riddle created by religious skeptics who ask if God is powerful enough to create a boulder so big he can't move it. I wonder if the diminishing output wasn't in part the result of being overwhelmed by the prospect of climbing the mountain he created. He lived in a place called Neverland, but even Michael Jackson couldn't be Michael Jackson forever. What it seems he couldn't quite comprehend that we understand now in the wake of his passing is that he didn't have to.
So, so many things come to mind. The classic songs, the iconic images of him dancing and entertaining the masses, all of these flood my memories. Michael Jackson was my Elvis Presley. He was that to my generation and many others.
I choose now to remember him in a song from Bad, "Man in the Mirror." It may not be the obvious choice, but for me, that was Michael’s last perfectly honest moment to the world about himself. That song, written with Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, is a prayer for understanding and a plea for the inner peace Michael never found.
Article comments
1 - Karen Stoessel
Thanks Kit...although never a big fan of Michael Jackson's, I did enjoy some of his music. I wish him peace in his spiritual Neverland.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
He was juuust before my time. But his mark on pop culture was indelible even as an embattled caricature in the nineties. I'm sure a lot of people would like to remember him strictly by his music, but it doesn't do his legacy justice as a tragic figure who never really had a childhood.
3 - tink
Reading this, I am struck again by the breathe and span of MJs life work. Like other greats that have gone on before him, Elvis and Sinatra come to mind, there is no denying the fact that he had the ability to reach different generations of fans. And that he, like them, will continue to do so in the future.
Thanks to Josh and Connie for the opportunity to be a part of this article.
4 - Josh Hathaway
You're probably right, Suss. I don't think any of us can be exclusively defined solely by any one thing be it the best or worst thing we've ever done. Michael Jackson was more than a musician, no matter how significant his achievement in the field. Music made him world famous. Other factors took that fame to a completely different level. All of it is worth reflecting on, I suppose, including the music. Lost in the flood of everything else is that the guy was wicked gifted.
5 - Rosie
He was a game-changing musician, despite his psychological problems. I agree, living life to the fullest is a powerful message for us to take away.
6 - Sherry
Very nice article and thoughts about his music.
7 - The Other Chad
Enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts - thanks, Josh, for letting me contribute.
8 - Jordan Richardson
Well done and beautifully stated stuff, gang.
9 - zingzing
i'm listening to bad for the first time since i was 10 or so right now, and i think "liberian girl" could probably be a hit today. #1: it kicks ass. #2: r&b has stagnated, so the dated qualities, however small, might not matter. #3: if the streets of brooklyn, which have been absolutely filled with mj over the past few days say anything, this shit is hot right now. #4: i'm listening to it again, and it's better than the first time (or 150th, good god knows how many times i listened to it back in the late 80s).
10 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks again go out to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts. Thanks Rosie, Sherry, Jordan, and zing for the comments and kind words.
11 - Kit O'Toole
I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts as well as readers' comments. I'm glad that you, Josh, gave us a chance to talk about MJ's musical legacy instead of rehashing all the controversial stuff. And zingzing, I agree, "Liberian Girl" is an underrated song.
12 - Susan Keeping
Tink, I love what you said. I am the same age as you and that was it...Michael was our age. I remember them playing ABC at my grade 8 graduation dance. I lost interest later in life but I'll always remember that little boy and his incredible talent.
13 - graham woods
well now the three kings of music are in heven.king of rock and roll elvis.king of contrey johnny cash.king of pop michael jackson.thank you to all..