On Thursday, the King of Pop passed away. I did my best to avoid the weird (and morbid) hype that surrounded his unexpected death- I didn't watch the non-stop videos on VH1 or seek out any sappy montage about his life. (Although after the first draft of this post, I looked to see if he was mentioned on the In Memoriam segement on This Week with Stephanopoulus. He wasn't. But it was solely military this time, so I'll watch this week.) I didn't mention MJ in my facebook status (although I will admit to taking a stupid facebook quiz that told me if I were a song, I'd be Black or White.) I didn't even intentionally play any of my favorite Michael Jackson songs. I hate that Heather-ish phenomenon when everyone suddenly starts caring when someone dies, and I guess I just didn't want to be a part of it.
But, I did care. Michael Jackson might have been a creepy, plastic guy right before the end, but he was my first crush. I had the buttons and the posters (the one with the yellow vest- remember?) and my cousin & I would take turns fighting over who would get to kiss the tv when we saw Billie Jean or Beat It on MTV. I remember being very concerned for the scarecrow in the scary parts of The Wiz. I appreciated Weird Al's parodies because I knew the original Michael Jackson videos like the back of my hand. Even in college,
I remember driving with my roommate listening to Michael & Janet singing "Scream" or singing my only songfest solo: Thriller. (I was dressed like Elvira, and although I lost all evidence, my dear friend Abby was kind enough to share hers on facebook.)
So picking a song for Sunday was hard. Eventually, I picked a song that probably isn't everyone's favorite, although it is definitely one of my top five favorite Michael Jackson songs. I'm not going to put all of the lyrics on here, but just a few that are a little haunting when you reflect on the life of a strange, talented, tragic star.
But, I did care. Michael Jackson might have been a creepy, plastic guy right before the end, but he was my first crush. I had the buttons and the posters (the one with the yellow vest- remember?) and my cousin & I would take turns fighting over who would get to kiss the tv when we saw Billie Jean or Beat It on MTV. I remember being very concerned for the scarecrow in the scary parts of The Wiz. I appreciated Weird Al's parodies because I knew the original Michael Jackson videos like the back of my hand. Even in college,
I remember driving with my roommate listening to Michael & Janet singing "Scream" or singing my only songfest solo: Thriller. (I was dressed like Elvira, and although I lost all evidence, my dear friend Abby was kind enough to share hers on facebook.)So picking a song for Sunday was hard. Eventually, I picked a song that probably isn't everyone's favorite, although it is definitely one of my top five favorite Michael Jackson songs. I'm not going to put all of the lyrics on here, but just a few that are a little haunting when you reflect on the life of a strange, talented, tragic star.
Hold me, like the river Jordan
And I will then say to thee, "You are my friend."
Carry me, like you are my brother;
Love me like a mother.
Will you be there?
Weary- Tell me will you hold me?
When wrong, will you scold me?
When lost, will you find me?
But they told me a man should be faithful
and walk when I'm able
and fight to the end
but I'm only human.
Everyone's taking control of me
Seems that the world's got a role for me
I'm so confused will you show to me
You'll be there for me and care enough to bear me...
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