Day 37 – He Was the One
The continuing adventures of “Eric’s Trip Around the Sun”. One final trip with the iPod.
The King of Pop.
The rise and fall of Michael Jackson has to be one of the greatest tragedies of my generation. Yes, I know that he is only a popstar but he was one that influenced millions with his music, changed culture as we know it.
Billie Jean is one of the greatest pop songs ever written. It’s provocative lyrics, dancing and presentation, in some ways make it almost X- Rated. For example, in the clip below from the 25th Anniversary of Motown, Jackson sticks his hand in his pocket and jerks it in such a fashion that you would think he is masturbating.
Michael Jackson circa Thriller, it’s probably a little racy for television. Michael Jackson circa 21st Century it’s a little weird as his world became more fantasy than reality. Yet this video is still iconic on
Growing up when Thriller was out, it was like Michael Jackson and everyone else. The level at which he commanded pop music was amazing from the moonwalk, the studded glove but also the cultural aspect of being black. I was and still am not much of a dancer. I think my moonwalk would be an embarrassment. My hips are permanently broken. I could best describe my dancing to be comparable to a drunk ostrich.
‘Thriller’ is fun during Halloween and ‘Beat It’ has got its charm but ‘Billie Jean’ was the true gem. The song, for being a #1 hit is pretty dark and depressing in a Copacabana-kind of way. Still there is a certain funky-sexual side as well. There is this underlying sexuality as well. The introduction lasting almost a half a minute creates this buildup, i.e. the moment she walks into the room. Of course, Jackson launches into a PSA about listening to his mother before the claims of fathering a child come up. Michael Jackson fathering a child?
Obviously there is the psychological aspect of writing a song like this, the pressures of pop-stardom this should have been a red flag. How do you account for the fact that there will be those that will do whatever is in their power to make claims against your character? The only place to go is to turn to Neverland.
That is the tragedy.
• Catherine Wheel – Bill and Ben
• Leonard Cohen – Bird on a Wire
• Grateful Dead – Bird Song
• Patti Smith – Birdland