Midweek music fix - The Michael Jackson Edition

He is the king of pop. Everyone has some Michael Jackson story. Unfortunately, Thriller was not the first album, nor was Billy Jean or Beat it the first 45 I purchased (that honor belongs to some compilation featuring Blonde and trouble by Lindsay Buckingham, both when I was 5). He wasn't the first person I saw in concert (thats Hall and Oates). But, I did become obsessed with MJ and Thriller and Beat It was the first song lyrics that I tried to transcribe - thanks to my mom finding the lyrics in a magazine, I didn't have to. I saw the infamous moonwalk live (my parents were motown fans), replayed the vhs tape of him moonwalking on the grammys and remember staying up to watch the debut of Thriller with my parents. My first Napster download was a Michael Jackson Song - Wanna Be Starting something. I remember spending time thinking about what I wanted to be my first download on Napster and it seemed pretty clear that it had to be MJ because, he is afterall, the the King of Pop.


1. Don't Stop Till you Get Enough.
I didn't own Off the Wall, like many people my age, I really discovered MJ through Thriller. But, this song was on the making of thriller documentary and upon hearing it, i decided that i needed to own more of MJ.

2. Man In the Mirror. I could have this wrong, but I don't think I was totally into this song, but my best friend Darin (and his twin sister) liked this song...or at least i thought they did and therefore decided to listen to it more. You'd think that this song would be cheesy...but its not, its good.

3. Wanna Be Starting Something. What a great pop song. Who doesn't love to sing: Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa

4. Rock Wit Choo. Alittle Michael Jackson disco.

5. PYT. When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, I was convinced that this was the best song on the album. I think I was trying to find a not-super-popular song as my claim for the "best song" I think I may have called a girl a PYT.

6. Smooth Criminal. I don't really know what this song is about... But I love the emotion behind the lines, "Annie Are you OK." And I think that this is part of the genius of MJ. He takes the simple and makes it impressive. Not only does this song have a great beat, you can dance, you can watch Michael Jackson dance, there is a catchy hook, but I really get the sense that there is depth behind his questions of Annie.

7. Want You Back. Is the best pop song ever? If this exact song were released today it would be relevent and as completely and totally awesome as it was when it was released. This is just a great song. How does little Michael Jackson evoke so much emotion into a song about losing a girl...when he's what? 10?

8. Dirty Diana. I have to imagine that this song is not on many folks Michael Jackson lists. Thats fine, I get that. Its not as catchy as most of his songs and its telling more of a story with more complicated lyrics. Forget for a moment the person who is singing this song. This is good song about obsession and lust and dark and dirty.

33Forever MJ