What’s your favorite Michael Jackson song?
I think it’s safe to say that if you have ears, eyes, or fingers, you’ve heard the sad news that the King of Pop passed away yesterday from a heart attack.
Michael Jackson was an undeniable genius musically, and it’s incredible to me when I listen to Thriller or Off the Wall or Bad, or just about any of Michael’s records, how timeless and relevant that music still is, even after almost 30 years. How many other popular records from the late 70’s-early-80’s can you say that about? I can only think of a few.
At the same time, I’m just not qualified to properly eulogize Michael Jackson in the way that he deserves. I was a casual fan. Someone who grew up with Thriller and Bad. As a kid, I danced around to Beat It poorly impersonating MJ with one Carhartt work glove on, inappropriately grabbing my crotch and moonwalking (ie walking backwards) around my parents living room.
But when the backlash started, the child abuse allegations surfaced, and the plastic surgery got out of control, I was on those bandwagons too. Remember Weird Al’s Eat it parody?
I’ll contend that if you’re throwing a dance party, even in 2009, there is no better record to get the dancing started than Thriller. There may not be a better song to dance to than Billy Jean. That bassline is freaking awesome.
You’re going to hear a lot about Michael Jackson over the weekend. You’ll hear more of his music on the radio over the next few weeks than you’ve heard in a long time. As I was driving to work today, I pulled up beside a girl who was rocking Beat It in her car. I tried to get her attention to give her a nod of approval, but she didn’t see me.
It just seems to me that the best way to honor Michael is to talk about his music. What memories do you associate with probably the best, most masterfully crafted pop songs ever created. And most of all, what’s your favorite Michael Jackson song?
I’ll start. My vote is playing in the slideshow below.
Comments
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By roger on June 26th, 2009
smooth criminal and you are not alone are my top 2
By Todd Gill on June 26th, 2009
One memory I have is with the inside foldout cover of Thriller vinyl album. MJ is holding that cat so tightly that his veins are literally popping the heck out of his wrist. It’s crazy. Here’s a decent-ish shot. Look at his right wrist. It freaked me out as a kid.
By Rynnedog on June 26th, 2009
Love P.Y.T – and so many more!
By Lacy on June 26th, 2009
I love and obsessed over Thriller as much as anyone else. I used to wait the 15 minutes til the next airing of the Thriller video on the MTV. But for some reason I love “Remember The Time” video and song more than anything else. Eddie Murphy, Magic Johnson and Iman. Totally sweet choreography and MJ turns to spinning gold dust.
I learned That entire routine and could perform it right along with MJ. Because that’s what sone girls do in high school. Right, Cathy?
By Innarested Observer on June 26th, 2009
Billie Jean just cannot be denied. Still great to this day.
By burgerboy on June 26th, 2009
Bille Jean fo sho.
By rcu on June 26th, 2009
I can’t pick a favorite, but I’ve had Beat It going through my head all day.
By Jason on June 26th, 2009
Billie Jean was my first 45. Gotta go with that.
By Christine on June 26th, 2009
Rock with you and P.Y.T are serious dance move songs.
By Urk on June 26th, 2009
I had such a punk rock snob attitude about Thriller when it first came out that it took years for me to realize that I actually liked all (well, most of) those songs that I couldn’t get out of my head. It took me even longer to discover that Off The Wall was an even better record. have to go with “Rock With You” for the fave song. So much talent, so sad that his life turned into a punch line on a bad joke at best. so sad for those kids if any of that is true.
By Boggy Creek Creature on June 26th, 2009
Because I’m a fan of alliteration, I’m going with Bad and Ben
By George on June 26th, 2009
“Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”
Sorry to be a wet “Blanket” but it’s awfully hard for me to have any sort of respect for the guy. I know u r supposed to separate the person from the artist…and I can do that 99% of the time…but child molesting is hard to ignore.
On the plus side, Walmart’s having a big sale today in honor of MJ. All little boy’s pants are half off!
By Jason on June 26th, 2009
You’ve been wanting to use that joke all day, haven’t you?
By jEREMY on June 26th, 2009
Dirty Diana and THRILLER…watched that video till the VHS worn out
By Scott Stapp of Creed on June 26th, 2009
Without even a nanosecond of hesitation I’m going with “Jam.” I usually throw it on when I’m ballin’. Next time I do it’ll be when I’m bawlin’. Thanks for taking MJ, God…NOT.
By bricksysmokes on June 26th, 2009
R.I.P. P.Y.T.
By Ants in My Trance on June 26th, 2009
Gotta be PYT, right?
By P-Dub on June 27th, 2009
Not my favorite, but where’s the love for Man in the Mirror?
Don’t Stop… and Rock With You are neck and neck.
By reed on June 27th, 2009
“PYT” solo, “I Want You Back” with The 5 as well as the all-around favorite. Both were some of the first funky grooves I learned on the electric bass.
By chris c on June 27th, 2009
Billie Jean. The Caetano Veloso samba version of the song is good, too.
By Alannah on June 27th, 2009
TODD! Yes! The veins! My childhood best friend and I used to freak out on how they looked in that photo – like ropes under his skin or something. It’s oddly comforting knowing that I’m not the only one for whom this has been a lasting memory.
I loved his duets with Paul McCartney (The Girl is Mine and Say, Say, Say)…also very partial to Workin’ Day and Night.
So many many good ones…
By Callie on June 29th, 2009
“You Rock My World” is on my get-up-and-get-going-it’s-a-new-day playlist. It makes me move.
By Beat Bachs on June 29th, 2009
I’ll be DJ’ing at Fix this Wednesday night and I plan on dropping a bunch of MJ tracks as my own personal little tribute. No Cover, and $7 buckets.
Bring your glitter glove.
By Cora McCrary on July 6th, 2009
I think Michael was one of the most amazing persons I have seen, both musically and from what I felt in my heart about the man, even though I did not know him personally–I wish I could have.
I felt so much compassion for him because as great as he was, he always looked sad to me. My heart always went out to him each time I heard about his “life”. He lived an amazing life that so many did not understand. Yes, he was ‘very’ different from most folk. But he had the right to be who he wanted to be. No one had the right to judge and slander him the way he was slandered.
I never believed he was anything but misjudged by the media and many people. The media makes me sick sometimes–anything for a story!
Well, he is gone from this sometimes terrible, horrible world and I home someday, I will meet him in person, and tell him I always believed he was a wonderful person. Nobody is a perfect person, but he was accused so many times of things that should not have been plastered across the TV.
Even not, though he is not with us anymore, there is too much nosying into affairs that should not be all over the news. He should have some kind of privacy, even though he was an entertainer that will never be surpassed by anyone.
My prayers and love goes to the family and those precious children. Someone please see that those children will not have to go through what Michael had to endure. Keep the cameras out of their faces!!!
Michael never hurt anyone, but he was hurt in so many ways, by so many people, for such a long time.
Sleep peacefully, Michael–and if God wills, Keep dancing and singing!!!
By Cora McCrary on July 6th, 2009
I like all of Michael’s music. Each one of his songs brough a different impact upon me. I especially like the video where he sings “you’re just another part of me”–hee, hee!!