I remember listening to "Dangerous" on cassette tape with my mom in the living room of our small apartment, back almost twenty years ago, dancing around doing my best imitation, as I am sure millions around the world found themselves doing around that time.
For a time Michael was a Pop icon, and ultimately a punch-line but he left us with some truly great pop songs, untouchable dance moves and epic, genre defining music videos.
Michael was an american brand, he is Levis, Elvis, Coke-a-Cola, Mickey Mouse.
Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
I can't help but feel sad for Michael and what his life was, something so insular, and removed from what it is to even be human. A freak show made to do song and dance for our amusement. He got scrambled so young and ultimately grew up living to negate anything he truly was, all of it under what I believe to be an earnest attempt to regain his childhood, and keep his innocence, even if he sinned in the process. He was so desperate to have his childhood back, and so physiologically stunted that I believe he truly did enjoy the company of young boys. They were the only people not cynical or wise enough to be able to judge him, and they didn't want something from him, like everyone else in his life. Michael was probably so warped and insulated that he didn't see the serious taboo nature of his actions. All of this being said, I am not beyond believing inappropriate contact was made, Michael was probably so sick and warped that he couldn't distinguish the boundaries properly.
When I think of Michael Jackson, I can't think of anything more perfect than his bid on the Elephant Man's bones. Michael certainly must have felt a connection with the Elephant man, and it makes perfect sense. Michael was our Elephant man, except we never got to hear him yell out "I am a human being! I am a man!"
So today Michael lies down to go to sleep with out the pillows.
If you find yourself with time and want to see Michael just having fun watch:
I have to say Thriller is great but I really find myself going back to Beat It, and Billie Jean
Sigh. Well said.
ReplyDeleteEnd of an Era.