BY JOHN CARTER JR
Rock with you – Off The Wall, 1979
The transition between the lyrics “relax your mind, Lay back and groove with mine” and “You gotta feel that heat” is executed well. This transition will help lead into the chorus. This song sounds like when someone is trying to get another person to dance with them.
“Girl, close your eyes Let that rhythm get into you, Don’t try to fight it, There ain’t nothing that you can do, Relax your mind, Lay back and groove with mine”
You tell them to enjoy the music, you tell them not to fight
Beat It – Thriller, 1982
This song almost starts with a rise or small build. Funny enough, there is a line that states “their words are really clear” given, unlike other MJ’s songs the lyrics in this song are easier to hear. I think the comparison between the concepts of being “tough” and being “bad” is interesting in that being “tough” is representative the want or will to survive, while being “bad” is like being cool and strong enough to stand up to your enemies. This song is well paced in terms of rhythm. In this song, Jackson advocates for the tough route, but will later change his tune with his 1987 “Bad” single.
Billie Jean – Thriller, 1982
The opening to this song is iconic and reasonably so. It works extremely well with the opening lyrics. We should take note of how suave and cool MJ looks in the music video. Those light up platforms that he steps on respond to his dancing very fluidly. Back to the music itself. “Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one” this indicates that everyone wanted to be with Billie Jean, but she saw Jackson is the one. While Jackson admits she is gorgeous, he goes on to deny her claims that he is her child’s father, and that he is not in love with her. It was an odd but intriguing topic for MJ to tackle. He does it in a superb fashion and looks great doing it.
Bad – Bad, 1987
MJ would change his tune when it came to making the choice between being “tough” and being “Bad”. The initial Whip sound on this song is that bad motif in essence. “Your butt is mine, Gonna tell you right,” the opening lines tell us that Jackson is on the offensive, he is ready. He is ready to attack, he’s not backing down. In the lines “Well they say the sky’s the limit, And to me, that’s really true, But my friend you have seen nothin’, Just wait ’til I get through.” MJ uses almost a soulful voice in contrast to the rough rest of the song which I find to benefit the setup of the song. There is an instrumental section of the song in the music video with no singing for a few seconds, which is executed well. The lyrics in this song display MJ’s ability to write (not necessarily) simplistic and still be genius at the same time.
Butterflies – Invincible, 2001
This is one of the only songs that really stood out in the Invincible album. It has phenomenal vocals and great lyrics to tout. The song shows that Michael maintains his talent even with the least great album. Touching on the concept of butterflies in the stomach (a classic reference to infatuation, attraction, and love) was sweet.
Remember The Time – Dangerous, 1991
This song has the air of nostalgic romance, which I appreciate. Lines like “do you remember the time” display MJ’s perfect voice performance. The opening in the video shows a flirtatious Jackson. Now the song’s lyrics are simplistic in nature even more so that “Bad” but cause an easy way for more people to relate. The music video is shot in an Ancient Egypt set, but the song has mention of phones (“We’d stay on the phone at night till dawn”), it was beautiful but odd in execution. Jackson scats in this song, something that is done less so in more music. People like Ella Fitzgerald and Michael Jackson used scat to an excellent extent.
Gone Too Soon – Dangerous, 1991
The music matches his voice well in this song in an almost entwining fashion. You can’t help but think of MJ himself when listening to this song, Gone too soon is a song that in it of itself is very quick. It is sad but this song is a tribute song and it is respectable for that. Making the comparison of someone’s life to that of a comet are likened in that they pass quickly, this comparison and other (“like a rainbow”) convey the message that life does pass fairly fast. It is a reminder that life is a short and quick moment that should be enjoyed.
Stranger in Moscow – HIStory, 1995
The beatboxing is a solid opening for the soulful voice soon to follow it and to maintain with it. “Armageddon of the brain” I repeated this line in my head. This song is about being alone and lost, but the music itself gives off the feeling of hope which strays from the lyrics. Sure it has its moments where the music pulls back to the lost feeling, The music feels hopeful, while the lyrics feel lost and I enjoy that about the song the contrast makes for a great mental image. You feel as if you are walking along with your narrator, MJ.(by the way, his outfit in the video is my favorite MJ outfit).
Little Susie – HIStory, 1995
Pieces of music can evoke a product of emotions and this song does just that. Poor Little Susie is emotionally tough, sorrowful, and rigid, The vocals sound very depressing and almost ghost like in the (not moaning) but tired voice. This song is a beautiful piece that is barely outdone in performance by “Smile”.
Smile – HIStory, 1995
While Childhood is the song where Michael’s heart is poured out, this song is the piece listeners can relate to. People do this all the time, it’s a constant. Many People smile through their troubling situations, This song has a way of making the listener feel sad on the inside, but smiling will still occur. His voice is beautiful in this performance. This is the height of Michael Jackson pieces in terms of emotional catharsis. You know a song is well made when it makes you feel.