Posts tagged Michael Jackson
The Friday Five: February 26, 2010
Feb 26th
Friday Five : \’frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv\ : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Loom” by Ani DiFranco (from Little Plastic Castles, 1998)
There are songs that define you; coming into your life at the exact right moment in your life, taking up residence next to the memory of that time. This song is one that finds place in a very distinct period in my life. Lyrically it spoke to a relationship that had consumed me in a decidedly unhealthy way. I will admit, I listened to this a second time before moving onto the next song.
“Endless Summer Nights” by Richard Marx (from Richard Marx, 1987)
Nearly a decade earlier, here is nostalgia in a jar. You see, before I grew into the wise old music geek that I am today, I was a young music geek — with an emphasis on the geek. Even at the tender age of 13, I was smitten with the schlock-pop of Marx. Fast-forward some twenty-odd years and I still get that tinge of youthful yearning that hearing this tune brings to mind.
While we’re on the subject, has anyone else heard the Adam Lambert single, “Whataya Want from Me,” and asked themselves, “Hey, does Richard Marx have a new song out?”
“The (Shipped) Gold Standard” by Fall Out Boy (from Folie à Deux, 2008)
I know I have stated it here before, but I dig Fall Out Boy. If you can manage to ignore the gossip-columnist drama of the band, and get past the image, the band has actually cranked out some quality pop music. It certainly does not hurt that Patrick Stump’s voice is golden.
“Bad Habits” by Maxwell (from BLACKsummers’night, 2009)
The lead off track from Maxwell’s triumphant comeback record, BLACKsummers’night; this song starts at a smolder and builds to its soulful climax before breaking it back down to a simmer. It might have taken him eight years to create this record, but it was well worth the wait.
“Don’t Stop ’till You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson (from Off the Wall, 1979)
In all, not a bad way to end this week’s installment of The Five and kick off the weekend. Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with this week!
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: December 4, 2009
Dec 4th
Friday Five : \ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv\ : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Great Lake Swimmers – “Unison Falling Into Harmony” (from Lost Channels, 2009)
Largely overlooked in favor of the indie folk-pop of Fleet Foxes, Canada’s Great Lake Swimmers released one of the most lush, yet intimate folk-rock records of the past year.
U.S.A. for Africa – “We Are the World” (from We Are the World: U.S.A. for Africa, 1985)
I’m fairly certain I could fill an entire page writing about “We Are the World”, what hearing it again reminded me of was the time in which Michael Jackson could do no wrong and how, even at eleven, I was in awe of his considerable talent.
Miles Davis – “All Blues” (from Kind of Blue, 1959)
To say Miles is a force in my life and my musical DNA would be an understatement, I even named my son after him. Part of Davis’ magnum opus, “All Blues” is eleven and a half minutes of pure bliss.
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Sky’s the Limit” (feat. 112) (from Life After Death, 1997)
I never connected with the tunes on Life After Death nearly as much as I did Ready to Die.
Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention – “Happy Together” (from Fillmore East, June 1971, 1971)
It occurred to me as this track started – and it is a brilliantly crass take on The Turtles classic – that only one of the artists featured on the Five this week is still with us. Not the thought I want to leave you with on a Friday, so I highly suggest hitting play on the track above and regaling in the joy. Baa-Ba-Ba…
Okay, so who’s next!
The Friday Five: June 26, 2009
Jun 26th
Friday Five : \ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv\ : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Today my shuffle is a celebration of the King of Pop and the memories tied to his music, I encourage you all to share your five today whether they be related to Michael Jackson or not…
The Jackson 5 – “ABC” (mp3) (from Greatest Hits, 1971)
This brings to mind watching the Jackson 5 cartoons with my little brother.
Michael Jackson – “Thriller” (from Thriller, 1982)
I remember watching Clash of the Titans at my Aunt & Uncle’s house followed by my first viewing of the classic video.
Michael Jackson – “Human Nature” (from Thriller, 1982)
Like much of his music, this brings me back to summers spent playing outside, clutching my little red AM radio, devouring all the music of the day.
The Jackson 5 – “The Love You Save” (mp3) (from Greatest Hits, 1971)
One of the first bass lines I ever bothered to sit down and actually learn note for note.
Michael Jackson – “Man in the Mirror” (from Bad, 1987)
My memory of this song changed forever yesterday. Upon hearing the news it was this song that came rushing to me. It bears repeating that despite it all, Michael cared with a child like innocence for the troubled of the world. This is what I will cherish. This as well as his music is what I will share with my children. The legacy of the artist who tried to change the world, and who, to some degree, succeeded.
What’s getting you through the day?
RIP Michael Jackson: 1958-2009
Jun 25th
Pete’s Thoughts
My first memory of seeing Michael Jackson was May of 1983. I was 12 years old, and a 7th grader at Jerstad Junior High in Racine, Wisconsin. My drama teacher, Mrs. Mottl, wheeled in a TV and VCR one day, excited to show the class a video of Michael Jackson dancing and singing on the ‘Motown 25′ television special. It had aired just a night or two before (May 16, 1983).
The whole class sat awestruck as we watched Michael kick, dip, glide and stride across the stage – and of course – watching him moonwalk across a stage for the very first time. It was a defining moment in his already storied career, and certainly the same for those watching him. Michael was truly one of a kind, the ultimate performer, and I am very much saddened tonight as I write this.
It’s not that I’ve been a huge fan of Michael Jackson (as a lot of you know, I’ve spent most of my life obsessed with the music of Prince). But I always enjoyed his music, and admired his showmanship, and the undeniable force and presence he was in popular music.
MIchael Jackson, to people my age, is our Elvis. He’s our John Lennon. His impact on the world of entertainment and popular culture is certainly on a par with Elvis and John. We grew up with him.
Yes, Michael had his problems. The last 10-15 years of Michael’s life were filled with tragedy, bizarre behavior, and deplorable accusations. But tonight, I think back to Michael Jackson the entertainer – the amazing young talent moonwalking across that Motown 25 stage.
I’m still numb, like a lot of you. It doesn’t seem real, does it? It’s hard to even fathom right now that Michael Jackson is no longer with us in this life.
Truly a dark day. May you rest in peace, Michael.
Michael’s Thoughts:
It’s hours later and I’m still a bit stunned. Rather than write the words that will be written over and over in the coming weeks and months, I will say that the Michael I will choose to remember is the man that brought us all joy through his music, his dance, his passion and his desire to leave the world a little bit better than he came into it. I will celebrate his work and his legacy. Pray for his children and his family as they weather the days ahead. Celebrate his life and legacy… dance and sing, not out of sadness, but in honor of all the good he brought this world.
I’m Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It’s Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
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