Originally posted on March 8, 2011

As the old adage states hindsight is 20/20 and I don’t think anyone was even considering the tragic events that were just around the corner but for some reason this press conference just happened to be on my mind today. I remember watching it live and my reaction to the crowd assembled, I was struck by the sight of all these folks caught up in the mania that is Michael. Tears, screams, clapping, jumping and cheering: men, women, children, old and young tossing these flowers to this incredible artist while he was still with us. Somehow my mind, body and spirit was transported from 2009 to 1983 and the affirmation was as clear then as it is now: Michael Jackson is that dude, period.

Sometimes a little thought just pops into your head and you have to share.

Peace.

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…

MJ and Stevie… what more can you say but enjoy!

Just wanted to take some time to pay tribute to The Greatest Entertainer of All Time: Michael Jackson. I have put together some of the best coverage from the GFM archives as we remember Michael on this the anniversary of his untimely passing.

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/michael-jackson-medley

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/dj-jazzy-jeff-presents-hes-the-king-im-the-dj

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/michael-jackson-this-is-it-trailer-and-janets-mtv-tribute

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/michael-jackson-laid-to-rest

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/happy-51st-birthday-michael

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/forever-michael-tv-one-documentary

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/this-is-a-samplin-sport-the-michael-jackson-sample-map

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/never-can-say-goodbye-the-michael-jackson-memorial

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/michael-jackson-tributes

http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/rest-in-peace-michael-jackson-1958-2009

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?

I’ve always loved this song but I never really listened to the lyrics. Once I took the time to hear what he was saying I realized that Michael was a  man with real feelings singing this song with raw emotion. Even though he’s not with us today his wonderful voice still lives on. Enjoy this great song!!