“Bille Jean” is one of those rare tracks that 90% of the modern world could name within the first 10 seconds of the track’s opening notes. From the amazing yet understated video treatment, to Michael’s swagger, “Billie Jean” is a crash course on the life of an 80′s rock star in under 5 minutes. MJ weaves a cautionary tale that sagely advises us “don’t go around breaking young girl’s (or boys for that matter) hearts. The track hit # 1 on both the Hot 100 & R&B charts. Michael had done many videos prior to this, but “Billie Jean” was the first true glimpse into the visual genius that we would witness throughout his entire career. In a televised interview, Michael mentioned that “Billie Jean” was in reference to all of the girls over the years who claimed to be pregnant by his brothers. After his death, their were rumors that Michael has a grown son who attended his funeral. Which begs the questions: “Did Michael trick us all?” ” Could Billie Jean have been real, and was “the kid” actually his son?”
The “Girl is Mine” was a mash up of two icons from different musical genres. The song peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the R&B charts. The collaboration was revolutionary in a time in which artists did not “genre hop” as easily and calculating as they do in today’s music. It is the type of collabo that makes you scratch your head until you hear the actual track- then it all comes together. My favorite part of the song is the friendly banter that begins around 3:00. Sadly, the friendship between Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson did not last, as they had a falling out over Michael’s stake in the catalog that holds rights to the Beatles music. What is your favorite part of this song?
Like every woman in the world, Michael Jackson was my school girl crush. I could have cared less that he was 18 years older and in my mind, Brooke Shields had nothing on me! In my imagination, Baby Be Mine was his candy coated Valentine to my heart. I couldn’t help but swoon at his earnest plead to be his love. Well, in my mind, that’s how the story went. If you were one of the P.Y.Ts who felt weak at the knees by MJ’s passion in this song or if you simply loved the brilliance of Rod Temperton’s penmanship, sit back and enjoy this smooth cut.
We are featuring songs that Michael is credited as the sole writer this week. Today is the lead single from that album that sold a bunch back in the mid-80′s. If you listen closely to this track and “Blues Away” they incorporate an element that is missing in a lot of R&B today, the B for Blues.
November 30, 1982. 3 years after Off The Wall. 7 Top Ten singles, 7 Grammy’s, over 20 million copies sold, biggest selling album of all time, the release of Thriller. Just in time for Halloween, here’s a flashback to the epic mini-movie that started it all. And oh yeah, Ola Ray.
