For all you like minded individuals who believe Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers that walked the face of this earth, this message is for you and those who have yet to feel the power of “the force”!
Brothers and sisters in music, the moment has arrived for the magnificent unveiling of Bad 25!! This is an occasion to celebrate and do a “big mama run” down the aisle of somebody’s Baptist church to give thanks to Jesus for this release of unreleased treasures. Now let’s give you the rundown of what to expect from the newest MJ re-release: (more…)
Smooth Criminal carries the air of a Broadway musical. In this track, Michael acts as a narrator of a classic murder mystery illuminating his uncanny ability to tell a story and create drama. Equally great is the complimenting video from his short film, Moonwalker. While I love Michael’s musical artistry, I’m also a fan of his gift of thinking outside of the box through his visual genius. Influenced by the Fred Astaire movie, The Band Wagon, Smooth Criminal is a treat for anyone who loves the vaudeville feel of music entertainment. Check out both video clips and tell us what similarities you find. You may also see some influences used in Michael’s video, You Rock My World. (more…)
Written by Michael Jackson and released as the first single from the Bad album in the Summer of 1987, this duet with Siedah Garrett was understandably received after great anticipation. It was almost like a hush went around the world to hear what was to be MJ’s next move after Thriller. High drama, lush arrangement and supple melody I always considered it a beautiful intro into the Bad era.
Talk about bringing the heat… this song still brings it for me. Groovewise it’s a head nodder right up there with “This Place Hotel” which of course I still refer to as “Heartbreak Hotel” (Elvis… cue Chuck) but anywhoo rhythm rules the day here. I have to say as reserved as I am everytime this joint comes on I have to shake a leg and when it get real good there might be a chance that I jump up and down and do a little leg kick. But fortunately there’s no pics or video so you have to use your imagination…
For me, Speed Demon is one of the forgotten step kids on the Bad album. In comparison to Dirty Diana or Liberian Girl, it didn’t really measure up to mainstream acclaim however this cut “goes hard” without question in my opinion. With the motorcycle intro, the addictive bass run, Michael’s simple vocal hick as a musical element, the chord change at the vamp, and the horn arrangements at the end, I just get excited writing about it!! I love this damn song!!! It’s also funny that the concept for the song was based on an actual speeding ticket Michael received in a driving violation. Now how about that for turning a ticket into a tune!!! Plus, through his short film, Moonwalker, Michael’s visual artistry once again strikes a chord by use of Claymation animation, a tactic never used in a music video before. This again shows Michael’s constant drive to push the envelope of creative innovation and further his reach as an icon.
“The Way You Make Me Feel” is my mom’s favorite MJ track of all time. That is probably why this song stands out in his catalog for me also. I love the vibe that Michael gives in this video- he’s having fun, flirting with the girl of his dreams. An interview was done in later years with the lead model in this video who serves as the object of Michael’s affections. She spoke favorably of MJ. I wish Michael could have shown this type of vibe more later in his career. “You Rock My World” is the only video in the last few years of his career that showed a slight touch of this vibe. I also wish that there was an official video treatment for “Butterflies”, which shows a deeper level- MJ was crushing on someone hard.
You would have to be “Bad” with an opening line like “Your butt is mine” nothing else to talk about see here… but seriously the title track from the final album in the MJ/Quincy trilogy is bad as in bad meaning good not bad meaning bad(cue Run-DMC). Based in part on a story that Michael had read in Time magazine, “Bad” had a two week stay at #1 in the Fall of ’87. I particularly like the Jimmy Smith Organ solo and who didn’t practice the “You’re doing wrong!” section of the video in the basement by the full length mirror? Or was that just me?
