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Tribute To Michael Jackson: 1958-2009

Posted by swaggerlikekev in News on 06 25th, 2009 | one response

50 years after God graced us with his stirring voice and undeniable dance moves, Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California.

Clichés aside, there will never be another “King Of Pop”. Nobody in the history of pop music will ever again transcend the colour boundaries, or bring together the masses through his philanthropic efforts. Even though the final two decades of his life were plagued with countless allegations of child molestation and failed comebacks, we should never forget the genius that is Michael Jackson. With that in mind, I present to you the ten songs that I feel define his career and really portrays what he meant to the world of Pop music.

Kindly note that I was not able to post the actual videos due to the fact Michael’s YouTube channel disabled embedding.

10. She’s Out Of My Life

With the song “She’s Out Of My Life”, Michael gave the world it’s first glimpse at the man beyond the superstar. His vocals here are impeccable, and near the end of the song, he breaks down and cries.

9. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

Nothing here to marvel at but a pure Funk/RnB masterpiece. A million dollars to the next person that can actually refrain from dancing to this the next time they hear it.

8. Bad

Leather jacket? Check. Martin Scorsese as the director? Check. Weird Al Yankovic gaining instant inspiration for a parody? Check and mate.

7. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

A song that can single-handedly help you woo the affections of that special little lady. Provided that you can sing and dance to it ofcourse.

6. Beat It

Bold African-American Rock N’ Roll, a scorned vocal performance, Quincy Jones at the helm, and one killer Eddie Van Halen solo.

5. Black Or White

The song did quite well to promote equality and social justice around the world. Unfortunately, a Macaulay Culkin cameo did little to dispel his child-molestation allegations.

4. Man In The Mirror

Hands down Michael Jackson’s most critically acclaimed song. Inspiration at it’s finest.

3. Ben

A song as more comforting than a tub of ice cream and sleeping next to your plush bear combined.

2. Thriller

Nothing has ever come close to he entrancing appeal of this song and music video. Would you believe that the director, John Landis’, challenge at the time was to make Michael look “scary”?

1. Billie Jean

What more can be written about this song the has not been written before? Well for starters, it has the distinct honour of being the first music video played on MTV by an African-American. For the cherry on top, Michael performed the “moonwalk” to this song on Motown’s 25th Anniversary. The world was never the same after that.