The Friday Five: June 26, 2009
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?
2 Comments
Anne
OK I added Janet Jackson to my mix as well as any covers of Michael Jackson songs. I really did not have the much from him but have added a huge amount today for a party that I am hosting tonight.
1. “Scream” from Michael and Janet Jackson. Remember when this video came out, all the hoopla over it. Lots of money spent and it was ok.
2. “Together Again” Janet Jackson from “The Velvet Rope”, 2000. I include Janet’s music in the mix because you do have to question how far she would have gone if not for The Jackson 5 and Michael. Not saying she’s not talented but let’s face it, music is a hard business to get into and succeed and if you have a name, it helps.
3. “The Girl Is Mine” Stephen Colbert and John Legend. What a crack up! This is from a Stephen Colbert episode where the two of them are singing the song about the Statue of Liberty. Pure comedic genius.
4. “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” from “Thriller.” Love this song, always have, always will. Now you will have to excuse me for a few minutes. I must take a break to dance and relive my younger years.
5. “The Life of the Party” from The Jackson 5. OK, I admit it, I have had their greatest hits forever and I just added this song to my playlist today. Quite frankly, I will probably delete it after my party tonight. I love Jackson 5, just not this song.
Gonzo
Ok, so this isn’t a shuffle per se. We initially planned on ending our Prince party last night with PYT, but went out with a 30 minute MJ set instead. It only seemed right.
1. The Jacksons-Walk Right Now
My partner in crime’s choice. The Jacksons material is kind of the lost jewel in the MJ catalog. This track is hot.
2. MJ-Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
My pick. For the second night in a row, I was in a club where “mama se mama sa mama cu sa” brought everyone together.
3. The Jacksons-Shake Your Body Down to the Ground
Not my pick, but an unstoppable jam.
4. MJ-Remember the Time
My pick. We only had Thriller and Dangerous with us, and this remains the most enduring song from Dangerous for me.
5. MJ-PYT
Dance floor filler, and hands down my favorite MJ track of all time.
RIPMJ