Posted in: Pop by Tony Dan on July 19, 2009 | 1 Comment
Aside from his talent as a singer there was also a message in Michael Jackson’s music.
Image via Wikipedia
There is no debating about Michael Jackson’s talent as a singer or a dancer. It was those talents that were the reason why he was dubbed the “king of pop. Though he performed at the highest level in these areas there is another area that he performed well in also.
Through four decades, Michael Jackson fans were dazzled and impressed by the vocal abilities of a gifted singer. From childhood Michael stood out as a performer, first impressing Berry Gordy of Motown Records and then thousands of fans on the stage.
Lost in all of this is the fact that Michael was probably as gifted a songwriter as he was a singer.
Michael Jackson was driven to write songs that had a meaning and a message. In his heart he wanted to change the world and literally make it a better place (Man In the Mirror).
Think about the words to “We are the World”. We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.” These are words spoken from the heart a man who wanted to do what he could to change world conditions.
Michael Jackson had a great understanding of the position that he was in as “the king of pop.” He understood that he was on a platform that gave him a great deal of power and influence to affect change in the world that he was living in and he used that position to the fullest extent.
Michael used his popularity to address social issues and conditions and he used his music to convey the message that he had concerning situations that existed in the world.
World hunger, world peace. education and prejudice are just a few of the areas that Michael Jackson addressed through his music.
Think of the words to “Black or White.” But more importantly, think about the images in the video of nationalities from around the globe. Michael Jackson wasn’t just speaking about the conditions that were just here in the United States, his message was that discrimination and prejudice should not exist anywhere in the entire world.
Michael Jackson had a world view in his approach to addressing the human condition. He understood the global impact of how situations that existed in one part of the world could affect conditions in another part of the world.
Michael’s convictions to do something about human suffering in the world ran deep and he took to heart in his music.
Then there was the pensive, thoughtful songwriter who dealt with the inner feelings that we all have. The chorus to “You are not Alone” just stays in your head. “You are not alone, I am here with you, though we’re far apart, you’re always in my heart.” The words tug at your heart. You cannot listen to this song and not be moved. And that is what the songwriter fully intended to happen.
This was vintage Michael Jackson.
He wanted to move you. He wanted you to feel the power of the words in an effort to change the way you looked at life and judging by the record sales both before and even after his death, he was successful.
Michael Jackson was a caring, loving, giving individual who felt the pain and suffering that was in the world and tried to do something about it.
Michael Jackson will no doubt be remembered for his ability to sing and dance but I hope he will be remembered for one more thing, his ability to make us stop and think with a message in one of his songs.
Marty August 11th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
So true….many of his songs he wrote with the intent that you not only HEARD them… he wanted you to FEEL them. I remember Michael saying in interviews that he wanted his music to tell a story… he aimed for that with his videos as well. I love his ballads… Gone too soon still one of my favorites… the words, and Michael’s beautiful falsetto are supreme. I still get teary every time I listen to it.