MJ's Passing Saddens Me
I have had a surprisingly overwhelming feeling of sadness since hearing the news of Michael Jackson's passing. I have been glued to the TV as I constantly channel surf to find any news, stories, tributes, etc. about him. His musical legacy is simply unparalleled! My love of music, Michael's music in particular, is probably why this news has affected me so much.
I always credit The Jackson 5 has the musical group that got me hooked on my love of music! Actually, it was my mom who influenced my love of music because she was an avid fan of ALL Motown music, however, it was definitely The Jackson 5 that were at the top of my own personal list of all the Motown era artists with The Supremes being a close second. I Want You Back, ABC & The Love You Save were always cited as my favorite songs at the age of 5. And, from that point forward, I was a forever fan and my mom bought ALL the Jackson 5 music for me. I know we wore the hell out of those LP's and eventually they all became too scratched up and we discarded them one by one over time. I never replaced them on vinyl but I have purchased many of them as re-issues on CD's in recent years.
I know Michael's Thriller album always gets most of the attention, but for me it was Off The Wall that I felt always had the best songs, beats, rhythms, hooks and lyrics of ANY of his releases!
I really don't think there will be another like him. Below is a TOP FIFTEEN list of my favorite Michael Jackson songs:
1. The Love You Save - although, I had many favorite Jackson 5 songs, this was probably at the top of the list.
2. Music & Me - I always felt this song's lyrics spoke to me and were about me. I identified with this song. Still do.
3. Blame It On The Boogie - this song takes me back to roller-skating days and roller skating rinks in the late 70's. I remember always asking the roller-skating DJ to play this song and I would boogie down on my roller-skates to this song! The song is the perfect blend of funky pop music!! Shake Your Body was a close second choice favorite from the Destiny album and the "The Things I Do For You" was another undeniable funky jam!!! Destiny was one of my top favorite Jacksons albums!!
4. Walk Right Now - this song was a release on the Triumph album and it is credited for inspiring one of my first pieces of choreography. I just love the funky guitar playing and the funky bass lines. There were many other notable songs from Triumph that were just fabulous, This Place Hotel, Can You Feel It, Wondering Who - in fact, this is probably the most cohesive of all the Jacksons albums in my opinon.
5. Off The Wall - "just groove and let the madness in the music get to you" this is my favorite Michael Jackson lyric. Anyone who knows my love for a funky groove would not be surprised to know that this is one of my favorite Michael songs. There are many favorites from this release. One of my favorite non-singles is "It's The Falling In Love"!!! Of course, as usual, I would scrutinize the album credits and I became very interested in anything Rod Temperton touched musically. Also, this song introduced me to the incomparable and awesome Patti Austin cause she sang on it. Side note - Patti has went to become one of my all time favorite female singers too. I have ALL her music!!
6. Human Nature - this is my favorite slow jam of Michael's. It is simply beautiful lyrically and musically. It always transports me to another place. I also loved SWV's interpolation of it in their song Right Here!!!
7. P.Y.T. - It's reminiscent of the funky hooks that had me loving Michael's Off The Wall release!!!
8. Torture - technically considered a duet with Jermaine. This song takes me back to my first year of college and using it for one of my first choreography pieces in college. I loved it!!
9. Another Part Of Me - not the biggest hit from BAD but it was my favorite song on the BAD release. When I saw Anita Baker in concert in the late 80's she covered it in concert! I was so elated to hear Anita cover it so I imagine it was one of her's favorites too!!!
10. Leave Me Alone - again, not a big hit for Michael but it seems I liked the lesser known hits from BAD!! Liberian Girl was another jam I loved.
11. Remember The Time - this is such a great song!! I loved the Steve "Silk" Hurley mix and played it to death!! I also loved the remix versions of "Who Is It" and "In The Closet" better than the album versions. In fact, on my MJ playlist, I substiute the remix versions for the originals.
12. Scream - this song as well as the video was off the hook. I remember going to HOTLANTA with my party friends and this song was performed by a Janet and Michael impersonator during one of HOTLANTA's party events. They had the choreography and impersonation down pat!!! That memory sticks out whenever I hear this song.
13. You Are Not Alone - a simple yet poignant Michael song.
14. Blood On The Dancefloor - I had also bought the CD maxi single with a variety of remixes and I fell in love with the fire island mix of this song.
15. You Rock My World - collaborating with Rodney Jerkins took Michael back to some of his funkier roots and I, of course, was instantly hooked when this song was released!!!
I always credit The Jackson 5 has the musical group that got me hooked on my love of music! Actually, it was my mom who influenced my love of music because she was an avid fan of ALL Motown music, however, it was definitely The Jackson 5 that were at the top of my own personal list of all the Motown era artists with The Supremes being a close second. I Want You Back, ABC & The Love You Save were always cited as my favorite songs at the age of 5. And, from that point forward, I was a forever fan and my mom bought ALL the Jackson 5 music for me. I know we wore the hell out of those LP's and eventually they all became too scratched up and we discarded them one by one over time. I never replaced them on vinyl but I have purchased many of them as re-issues on CD's in recent years.
I know Michael's Thriller album always gets most of the attention, but for me it was Off The Wall that I felt always had the best songs, beats, rhythms, hooks and lyrics of ANY of his releases!
I really don't think there will be another like him. Below is a TOP FIFTEEN list of my favorite Michael Jackson songs:
1. The Love You Save - although, I had many favorite Jackson 5 songs, this was probably at the top of the list.
2. Music & Me - I always felt this song's lyrics spoke to me and were about me. I identified with this song. Still do.
3. Blame It On The Boogie - this song takes me back to roller-skating days and roller skating rinks in the late 70's. I remember always asking the roller-skating DJ to play this song and I would boogie down on my roller-skates to this song! The song is the perfect blend of funky pop music!! Shake Your Body was a close second choice favorite from the Destiny album and the "The Things I Do For You" was another undeniable funky jam!!! Destiny was one of my top favorite Jacksons albums!!
4. Walk Right Now - this song was a release on the Triumph album and it is credited for inspiring one of my first pieces of choreography. I just love the funky guitar playing and the funky bass lines. There were many other notable songs from Triumph that were just fabulous, This Place Hotel, Can You Feel It, Wondering Who - in fact, this is probably the most cohesive of all the Jacksons albums in my opinon.
5. Off The Wall - "just groove and let the madness in the music get to you" this is my favorite Michael Jackson lyric. Anyone who knows my love for a funky groove would not be surprised to know that this is one of my favorite Michael songs. There are many favorites from this release. One of my favorite non-singles is "It's The Falling In Love"!!! Of course, as usual, I would scrutinize the album credits and I became very interested in anything Rod Temperton touched musically. Also, this song introduced me to the incomparable and awesome Patti Austin cause she sang on it. Side note - Patti has went to become one of my all time favorite female singers too. I have ALL her music!!
6. Human Nature - this is my favorite slow jam of Michael's. It is simply beautiful lyrically and musically. It always transports me to another place. I also loved SWV's interpolation of it in their song Right Here!!!
7. P.Y.T. - It's reminiscent of the funky hooks that had me loving Michael's Off The Wall release!!!
8. Torture - technically considered a duet with Jermaine. This song takes me back to my first year of college and using it for one of my first choreography pieces in college. I loved it!!
9. Another Part Of Me - not the biggest hit from BAD but it was my favorite song on the BAD release. When I saw Anita Baker in concert in the late 80's she covered it in concert! I was so elated to hear Anita cover it so I imagine it was one of her's favorites too!!!
10. Leave Me Alone - again, not a big hit for Michael but it seems I liked the lesser known hits from BAD!! Liberian Girl was another jam I loved.
11. Remember The Time - this is such a great song!! I loved the Steve "Silk" Hurley mix and played it to death!! I also loved the remix versions of "Who Is It" and "In The Closet" better than the album versions. In fact, on my MJ playlist, I substiute the remix versions for the originals.
12. Scream - this song as well as the video was off the hook. I remember going to HOTLANTA with my party friends and this song was performed by a Janet and Michael impersonator during one of HOTLANTA's party events. They had the choreography and impersonation down pat!!! That memory sticks out whenever I hear this song.
13. You Are Not Alone - a simple yet poignant Michael song.
14. Blood On The Dancefloor - I had also bought the CD maxi single with a variety of remixes and I fell in love with the fire island mix of this song.
15. You Rock My World - collaborating with Rodney Jerkins took Michael back to some of his funkier roots and I, of course, was instantly hooked when this song was released!!!