“Where There is Love… I’ll Be There”
Jun 25, 2009 Current Events, I Forgot to Tag, Out of Wicked's Mouth, Thoughts and Perceptions, Wicked Wisdoms
Today is a sad day. (Or yesterday if you are in another place on the globe… or reading this on Friday)
I am heartbroken. Like, my heart hurts in my chest right now.
I have something important to say. I need to get it out. Sooo… If you don’t like it, then don’t ever in your life come back here again.
It is tacky and tasteless to talk shit about a person after they die. Especially when that person changed a good portion of my generations lives at one point or another. Especially less than 6 hours after they pass away. Especially when that person obviously had some sort of psychological issues related to the fact that he lived in a fishbowl from as far back as he could remember.
I get that many people dislike his eccentric and questionably inappropriate behaviors. I truly do. In fact, when all of the accusations came to light, I was angry. I had a hard time listening to his music with the same level of respect as before. Lets be real. I told jokes and talked shit. It took me a long time to really get past whatever I thought he may have done. I was more in disbelief than I could ever put into blog form because for all of my life for as far back as I can remember…
I idolized this man. I loved him. His music, his music, his music. His dance. His imagination in his videos. His talent. His heart.
I danced the Thriller dance. Like a pro. Billie Jean was most definitely not my lover. I Rocked with MJ all night. I didn’t stop til’ I got Enough. I told every one I knew to Beat It as often as it was applicable, and sometimes even when it wasn’t. I PYT’d on a regular basis. I checked with the (wo)Man in the Mirror. I mastered the moonwalk … and when the time came to hold hands with my neighbor … I did and sang every last word of We Are the World.
It is not funny to make jokes right now. It just isn’t. Like it or not, Michael Jackson was the King of Pop. He spent decades entertaining us. Inspiring us. Making us laugh. And love. And sing. And most of all … dance.
His music has a way of making you happy. I can’t think of one single MJ song that I don’t turn up as loud as I can when I hear it. (Okay maybe just a couple) But you get my point. When I work out, I always start my run with PYT. That song can take me from meltdown moment to a whole new me just by hearing it. Ask any one of my girls that were in Nashville.
PYT is MY song. So is Dirty Diana. Heal the World. Black or White. Remember the Time. Blah. How do I even begin to list them all?!
I am not a bandwagon riding, renewed fan who is all of a sudden all MJ all the time because he passed. I have always been a fan of MJ. Even after the jokes and the odd things he did. Even after the court settlement. Even after he named his kid Blanket. (I mean, REALLY?! who names their kid that?!) I have honestly grown to feel sorry for him. Not like ‘awwwww’ feeling sorry. Because that is not even close to it. I just couldn’t imagine a life like that. I have no idea what it would have felt like to put a pair of his shoes on. I couldn’t imagine living in the kind of fishbowl he had spent his whole life living in.
What I do know is that Micheal Jackson having everything anyone could have ever possibly dreamed of wanting is real life proof that it doesn’t buy happiness.
So do me a favor. Please. Don’t bother leaving your negative ass opinion. Or your sick joke.
Instead, close your eyes and try to think of at least one moment in your life where one of his songs made you happy. Where it gave you that pep in your step. Where you grabbed a hairbrush and sang “Don’t stop til you get enough” as if you were him. In concert. Hold that memory with you. Right next to your heart.
Because above all, beyond anything, all he ever wanted was to give you that.
If you feel like it, share your favorite MJ song/video… and if it has a memory attached… I would love to hear it.
Tags: death, inspiration, joke, love, michael jackeson, music
June 25th, 2009 at 21:25
i like the man in the mirror. probably my all time favorite. and well written blog court.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:30
I love that song so much. SO much.
Thanks.
June 25th, 2009 at 21:25
I’ll put the same thing I put on f.B’s blog…and then add a little something at the end.
I said to a couple of people today…and I’ll say it here. The man that he became may have been ‘disgusting’ and no, I don’t condone any of the things he did but the man was a brother, a son and a father. The man, in his day, gave us incredible music and shaped many of our lives. One of my first memories is my cousin dancing to his music videos. It was a family bonding for us.
And no matter what, we have to respect death. No matter how I might feel, I don’t disrespect death and while I may not mourn somebody, I do not speak ill of them on the day that they died…it was just how I was raised.
While I respect that people have their opinions, I’ve seen some things that made me feel disgusted…because yes, the man was a child molester but that means he was also a very very sick man…it doesn’t excuse what he may have done but it shouldn’t shape our opinion of him on the day that he died.
His music has, and will always, be a part of my life. It is just a fact and one that I am proud of because it’s the same as the ending of a marriage. You don’t complete disregard the good memories simply because the end was a shitty ride.
My favorite video has to be Black & White…it always HAS been. I love the song, the video and the fucking message behind it. I loved the video for Remember the Time…and the Way You Make Me Feel…
I grew up with his songs. Like you, when I found out about everything, I did grow cold a little. I lost respect for him as the man he was now but should that taint the image I had of him growing up? The way his music made me feel?
I think not.
PQ Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:31
Black OR White.
Sorry. I’m tired
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:33
I appreciate this comment.
I will say this. I don’t 100% believe that he molested any children. Call me naive if you want to. He was never convicted of a crime, and I have always wondered if, those people tried to use his wealth and fame for their own financial gain. I just don’t 100% believe it. Never have. Stranger things have happened on either end of the spectrum though. So the only ones to truly know are him and Him.
I totally understand where you are coming from, and one of the reasons why I love you so much is that you just get it.
<3
June 25th, 2009 at 21:33
I was in such shock when I found out. I don’t think it is appropriate for people to make jokes right now. I heard a couple at work. But mostly all of us just walked around singing various MJ songs all night.
Though I can’t say I would have bought tickets, earlier in the year, I heard he was going to tour again. I was happy for him. I wish he could have did it one more time, steal our hearts all over again, and maybe then he could have peacefully left this world.
It’s a sad day.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:35
Yeah. It woulda been nice for him to have had that moment… because I think that, for once… he was doing it for himself.
You know?
Aymie Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:50
That’s what’s heartbreaking, I know he was doing it for himself this time around.
The truth is, he doesn’t have to prove anything to us. He has already given the world so much. We will never forget him.
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:44
I know…how ironic is it that he was in the process of revamping his career…for whatever reason…even if only he would be able to say he still had it. He never truly lost it, it just got buried by the accusations and finger pointing. SMH…
June 25th, 2009 at 21:34
Man was an era…totally misunderstood…I don’t envy his life with all the money and fame it entailed. I’m sad for him. That is that. I hope they focus on his music and accomplishments.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:39
I totally agree. That was the reason I wrote this. Because it is so easy to turn the negative on and let the frenzy of it get out of control. I am sick of it and people are going to start to hear about themselves in the form of delete.
June 25th, 2009 at 21:35
I love Man in the Mirror, Smooth Criminal, Beat It….. so many favorites.
I remember you and I sitting on the floor in my bedroom… I had to be 4 or 5 so you would have been 6 or 7? We had MJ in the tape player and we were singing Bad at the top of our lungs. And kept getting told to stop screaming.
I think you said exactly what I have been thinking. The status notes for some of my friends on FB are talking about “the world won’t miss another child molester” and “he was a terrible person” – and yes, he was accused (but not convicted) of some terrible things. But is TODAY the day that we bring that up again? Really? So frustrating.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:41
There are so many great ones. It is hard to nail just one favorite down.
I totally remember this. I also remember how we used to pretend we were gonna be the next US Olympic ice skaters. Do you remember that?!
We were such dorks. HAH. And yeah. We were always too loud. I would give your mom a straight headache now because I am SO fucking loud. Heh.
Jen Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:48
OMG i had forgotten about the ice skaters. LMAO we were dorks.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 21:52
Yeah. Totally.
June 25th, 2009 at 21:56
I’ve been like you and had my doubts about the accusations, they always felt to me to be more the parents pushing the children for their own gain… well written blog, I have been thinking this all day …
I have never stopped being a fan of the music, from he moment I got my hands on my very first cassette, Bad, which made my Grandfather the most favouritest person in my life… the thing that strikes me most though, is although he is THE music act of our generation, he still appeals to so many … My almost 5 year old nephew… favourite song … Man in the Mirror… and yes, he knows every lyric – my Sister just told me that Seb turned to her this morning and asked who would sing Man in the Mirror now that Michael Jackson was dead…. and to me… that statement is proof that while gone from the earth, he will live on forever because of his music and the fact that it continues to appeal even to the youngest of generations.
My favourites are Man in the Mirror, The Way You Make Me Feel (this one was played over and over again when I first got that cassette haha) PYT, Smooth Criminal, Dirty Diana, Billie Jean … The way you make me feel and well… the list would continue forever let’s face it…
While his was not the first album I owned it certainly was the most influential on my music tastes as a young girl (well… him and my Dad who has kick arse taste in music)
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:02
Ditto on the most influential. Thank you for the thoughtful comment.
<3
Kylie Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:12
I couldn’t believe it this morning when I logged on to fb and saw the link you had up – I went to about 6 different sites before I would believe it …. I think this is one of those “where were you when you found out events”, like the death of Princess Diana, and even to a lesser extent Heath Ledger (though that one may be an Aussie one I don’t know) – and for the generation before us, JFK and Elvis, people the world over remember these things… People like to scoff about things like this, but the effect these people had on generations past and present, is nothing to be scoffed at… Music especially can be so many things, it can be comforting, it can be cathartic, and in some instances it can be an old friend, bringing back happy memories of easier times.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:13
I absolutely agree. It plain is not funny. Period.
June 25th, 2009 at 22:19
[...] refuse to write a post about Michael Jackson. If you want, you can read my comments on f.B and Wicked’s blogs…but I will say this. Black or White was one of the defining songs & video [...]
June 25th, 2009 at 22:24
This was a Michael Jackson blog worth reading. Today I am sickened by some people that think that it is okay to speak ill of someone who is dead and has never been convicted of a crime. I have never believed for a second that MJ molested anyone. The first mother settled out of court for 20 million dollars. There is no price tag for your child’s innocence. The 2nd charge was dismissed after 5 days of bizarre and inconsistent testimony given by the mother and the child. The jokes I’ve been receiving all day are so unnecessary, not to mention disrespectful.
He did so much good in his life and helped so many people. His music inspired everyone so much and he knocked down so many doors for black artists that have followed in his footsteps. He had a hard life that was witnessed by way too many people. All of his friends loved him so much. Their loyalty towards him alone, should show the world that he was so much more than the biased media portrayed him as. I hope people let him rest in the peace that he deserves. It’s time to let go of the negativity that has surrounded him for the last decade. He was troubled in life and now its time for all of his troubles to end quietly and respectfully. He was a musical genius and his videos will always be favorites of mine.
That’s all I can say for now cuz im gonna go dance to Thriller. Good job Courty.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:31
Thanks babe. I am glad you read this. I was hoping that you would.
<3
June 25th, 2009 at 22:35
Wicked, you said everything I’ve wanted to say since I first heard the news. It fucking pisses me off that people cannot respect the man on the day of his death…I refused to believe the accusations then, and I damn sure don’t believe them now. What parent in their right mind allows their child to go…alone…to a grown man’s house to “play”? What parent would willingly accept a monetary settlement in lieu of justice for their child? The man was neither tried nor convicted. Let him rest in peace. Lord knows he had no peace while he was here on earth.
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:37
Oh, and as far as my favorite MJ songs…”Thriller” of course, then “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” and “The Man in the Mirror.” My best friend and I watched the “Remember the Time” video (the one with Eddie Murphy and Iman) millions of times until we got his choreography down pat and was able to imitate his dance perfectly. We even performed it at our school’s talent show. Honestly, it is too hard to pick just one song, or even a few. The man was a genius.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:39
I just cant stop loving you … such a beautiful song.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:38
“Lord knows he had no peace while he was here on earth”
Nail. On. The. Head.
<3
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:40
<3 right back at ya…thank you for posting this. I'm going to cry into my juice now. *hugs*
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:42
Join me?!
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:49
Gladly
June 25th, 2009 at 22:41
His talent was legendary – so were his demons. What he did or did not do is now between him and his maker.
His music had huge impact on my life – from the time I was a child. I grew up listening to The Jackson 5 – I can’t help but feel lifted every time I hear one of those old Motown songs. I remember bopping around the skating rink to Dancing Machine and their remake of Rockin’ Robin. He was absolutely on fire when Thriller was released. Things just began to slowly spiral out of control for him after that and it didn’t appear he was going to recover from it career-wise.
I heard someone in the news today say that this was an American tragedy. I think the real tragedy is the way we place these individuals on such pedestals and worship them like they’re gods….and the way the media follows their every move and spoon-feeds it to us like we can’t get enough (and sadly, it seems we can’t). They’re just people – entertainers. Flawed humans like the rest of us. I don’t mean that in any way to offend you – it’s just my observation and feelings about what has become of our society.
He lived a tragic life but managed to rise above it long enough to share his amazing talent with the world. It’s really sad that the demons of his childhood seemed to win out in the end. It’s tragic that he needed help and never got it because (like so many before him) he was surrounded by yes-men…..highly paid ass-kissers who would never have dared done anything but bow down and adore. Likely not a real friend in the bunch.
I cried when Elvis died. I was driving home when the news was delivered about John Lennon – cried then too. I have had mixed feelings all afternoon – I was one fan that never was able to turn back after all the accusations of molestation and the subsequent interviews he gave. I found myself focusing more on the quiet passing of Farrah Fawcett today.
Still – it’s no joking matter. Death will come to us all eventually. The loss of any human life is not to be taken lightly.
He had a gift and he shared it with us.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:46
You didn’t offend me. THIS didn’t offend me.
I don’t think that having an opinion about it is the issue. It is the blatantly disrespectful way that it has been expressed that is disgusting and offensive.
I have thought about Farrah today a great deal. She did not have the same impact as MJ had so it was a different feeling for me.
If that makes sense.
I love you. Thank you for commenting and being honest.
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:55
I have also thought about Farrah today, but…this may be wrong to say, but I’m going to say it anyway…her death was expected and she probably welcomed it. Cancer is an ugly, debilitating disease. I’ve known several people with end-stage cancer, and for the most part, by the time it was over, they were more than ready to go. It was a loss, to be sure, but it would have been more painful for them to continue to suffer.
Michael’s death was sudden, and all the more tragic because of the fact that he wanted to get back out there and let the world know that he was still the King of Pop. He wanted to prove himself and basically tell all the naysayers and finger pointers to kiss his ass. He had a big heart and dedicated his career to trying to make a change in this world. The man he became was a shadow of his former self, but the real MJ was still there, right below the surface.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 22:58
I mentioned that very fact in an earlier conversation.
Her death isnt any less important than anyone elses… but I think that we all felt it. I was talking with someone at work last week about how I could feel it coming. She is in a better place where she cant hurt anymore.
Shit he is too.
Miss Christy Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:07
I am still in a state of shock. I have always loved Michael, even during the awful, gut-wrenching allegations that still make me feel queasy and angry at the same time.
As far as favorite song, I’m going to have to say “I’ll be there.” When I saw that 9 year old sing that song and give that song emotion like an adult it made me want to cry and laugh and get mad all at once.
I remember listening to the Jackson Five and Michael in my college dorm in 1998. I remember the other girls making fun of me for listening to him, saying he’s a child molester, etc. but that just made turn up the music even louder.
Of his newer songs I would have to say Dirty Diana since I think that song meant a lot to Michael as he worshiped Diana Ross as a child and was later disappointed by her. There is so much raw emotion in that song it sends goose bumps up my arms.
I also loved when he and Elizabeth Taylor became close. The work they did for various AIDS foundations will forever impress me.
Thanks for the memories, MJ
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:10
I love Dirty Diana. That song is so intense that it is indescribable.
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:08
Exactly.
June 25th, 2009 at 23:00
i know exactly what you mean!! the negativity is sooo annoying… for the record… i dont think he ever touched those kids… i think he is a big kid himself… was a big kid himself… he wasn’t given a normal childhood… not even semi normal… what could we expect? he was different but he was still great
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:11
Cassi Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:13
June 25th, 2009 at 23:01
Hearing this today was like hearing London blew up. It’s kind of more than just the death of a man. I couldn’t believe it. Nobody could joke about it. I think it hurt everyone and we were awkwardly embarrassed that it hit us so hard. Celebrities die. All the time. But this one.. his death kind of fucked us up. This is TRAGIC.
This morning I was at work and one of his songs came on and me and this young teenage kid started talking about him. And not one bad thing was said. We just agreed he was the shit.
During his truly weirder years, I kind of stayed away from most media. I didn’t have to see that. I still think of him as looking like he did during Thriller. That humble, soft spoken powerhouse of talent always flashing that gigantic grin.
I really loved Human Nature and Say Say Say with Paul McCartney best.
Sadly, imitations of his abilities are all we have to look forward to for now. People like him come maybe once a generation.
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:13
“…During his truly weirder years, I kind of stayed away from most media. I didn’t have to see that. I still think of him as looking like he did during Thriller. That humble, soft spoken powerhouse of talent always flashing that gigantic grin….”
That is also how I liked to remember him. I didn’t want to hear the shit from the media, or see the effed up pictures…I just couldn’t grasp the fact that this great man had succumbed to his demons and had allowed them to overtake him. Like Cassi said, he was just a big kid who never really had a childhood of his own, who just wanted to help those who were suffering through philanthropic acts and through his music. I like to think that through this, he filled some of the void, but some voids simply cannot be filled.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:14
I liked to remember him that way too. Even as late as Remember the Time.
David Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:38
Earlier I saw a chronological breakdown of his various faces… I had only a vague idea of how much or often he changed it… Poor guy. He was once kinda beautiful. I don’t wanna know what would posses a man to go through that much pain to change his face that severely that often.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:13
And this generation (not ours but the one behind ours) has no idea what the fuck respect means.
I think that his death today IS tragic. Tragic because he is one of the few left that actually made MUSIC. Music that was heard across the cultures. He touched every single one of us with at least one song.
AT LEAST one.
Ebony and Ivory anyone?
Zandria Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:19
Oh, yes, of course Ebony & Ivory! So many of his songs had deeper messages, messages of hope and love, the longing for peace….who can argue with those concepts? “We Are the World” comes to mind:
There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can’t go on
Pretneding day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God’s great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need
[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
Send them your heart
So they’ll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand
[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
When you’re down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one
[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:20
Yep. Yep. Yep.
David Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:42
Ebony and Ivory was Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Not an MJ song at all.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:38
My bad. I was thinking of Say Say Say.
David Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:20
I was in this bluegrass/funk band and while setting up, I’d check my tuning and play the bass line from Billie Jean and the drummer always had to jump in…
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:21
HAHA. Damn drummers.
Was he naked? I heard that real drummers only play naked.
David Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:30
Funny you say that. I have seen more than my share of naked drummers.
And sadly none of them were Cindy Blackman. Google her.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 23:30
I will tomorrow. For now, I must sleep.
XoXoX
June 26th, 2009 at 01:55
I remember… being in the second or third grade and just having to have a purse with MJ on it. A week or so later I insisted that I bring it to a family Fourth of July Celebration. It held exactly one cassette (MJ’s Thriller), and whatever else a third grader puts in a tiny purse. Since I wasn’t a fan of the sound of fireworks, I opted to watch the pretty sparklies and feeling the percussion in my chest while listening to The Girl Is Mine and Thriller and whatever else cycled through the clunky walkman to my anxious ears.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:39
*grin*
I didn’t know this about my friend.
I love the Girl is Mine. LOVE.
Anne Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 18:51
Right now, I have Heal the World cycling through me noggin.
Make it a better place.
For you and for me and the entire human race.
There are people dying
And if we cared enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me.
June 26th, 2009 at 03:54
This is a fantastic blog. When I heard the news of MJ, my first thought was about his music and how great it was and the memories of that. Not the bullshit after the fact. I think it shows what kind of person you are. If you can even think badly about someone they day they died, it has nothing to do with the person who passed, it has to do with how rude, disrespectful you are. <3
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:40
Thanks Lauren and I totally agree. I plan on purging disrespectful people. Bet that. It is one thing to not agree or not like someone. But to be nasty the day of their death is not something I prefer to associate with.
June 26th, 2009 at 04:34
Rock with You.
Everything else I could/would say has already been said here. I am sad and will spend my day being grateful that the little I have IS the *LITTLE* that I have for once.
.-= Squish´s last blog ..I Don’t Wanna Grow Up… =-.
Squish Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 04:46
I lied… I did have something else to say.
I was not on any jury. I do not have a law degree. Therefore I am not qualified to judge, ANYONE.
That is all.
.-= Squish´s last blog ..I Don’t Wanna Grow Up… =-.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:41
Oh… Rock With You. <3
Yeah. GREAT song.
And, I agree with you on all counts here.
THAT is all.
June 26th, 2009 at 05:08
Thank you for putting into words the emotions that struck me as I saw, heard, and read the disrespect and quite frankly. sometimes downright vulgarness being spewn. Music has had such a huge impact on my life, and MJ had such a huge impact on music and dance… I can’t think of a single time in my life that did NOT have an MJ song attached.. from one of my earliest memories watching the jackson 5 perform on tv to eagerly awaiting his videos.. to just listening to the raw emotion he put into his music. I too never jumped on the negative bandwagons, and still choose to remember the charismatic young man just bursting with energy and sheer talent.. and that joyful smile.. from the height of his career. To this day, You are not Alone is a constant favorite. Reminding me that having far flung family and friends does NOT make me alone… nor them. Love you woman. Thank you SO much for writing this… (and making me bawl before coffee)
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:42
Yeah, You are not Alone is one of my favorites. I cry every fucking time. Especially now.
June 26th, 2009 at 05:41
You wrote exactly what I’m thinking. Again. I swear you do that all.the.time.
The man is a legend and deserves to be remembered for that instead of the joke that he became. I have felt so much sympathy for him for so many years. And I wish more people would realize that he is innocent until proven guilty so quit calling the man a child molester. He may have been and that isn’t something I take lightly but there’s no hard proof of it and he was never convicted. It’s not our place to judge. That is between him and God. Let’s remember him for the talent and the incredible, generation defining music he created for all these years.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:44
<3
I just speak from the heart. We are kindred spirits.
I agree. I think that the 'joke that he became' was a sad sad thing that was manifested over psychological issues and troubled childhoods.
Love you.
June 26th, 2009 at 05:57
I adore MJ. Adore. And I kinda went off last night…
There are two reasons for people to be ashamed now.
1. That we participate and develop a society where the need for gossip is so intense that people get paid huge for being shitty people. I don’t care how famous you are-no one deserves to be followed and have pictures taken in bathrooms and in their homes. Mr. President was all “but they make there living off the public so they can’t turn it off when they feel like it!” Oh really? Whay not? By that logic then people who make billions off of publicly traded companies should be followed home very night. It’s sick and disturbing. Michael was already unwell and we pushed. Hard. In my personal way of thinking I don’t believe he molested anyone. I believe that he regressed- in a huge way. That when he couldn’t take it anymore (it being whatever demons he was wrestling with) he just snapped and became 7 again. Which brings me to the second shame doling…
2. Where the fuck were his freinds and family and management team? YOU DO NOT LET SOMEONE GO CRAZY LIKE THAT WITHOUT STEPPING IN. I don’t care how rich and important you are, when you are exhibiting obvious signs of psychological breakdown the people in your life have an obligation to intervene. When you look at the old footage of him the aired last night you would have to be blind, dumb and deaf to not see that you were watching a man totally lose his shit. Shame on those closest to him that didn’t help.
Do I make jokes? yes….in the same way I make jokes about myself and my friends who may have lost it for a time….but I still think it’s time for this society to reevaluate how we treat celebrities.
.-= Miss Tricky´s last blog ..Friday? Already? =-.
April Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:18
I think I’ve repeated that same damn rhetoric for so many years. Celebrity culture pisses.me.off. I refuse to watch any kind of celebrity gossip show or read tabloids. I know that I can’t avoid every bit of gossip there is but the very least I can do is not give them my money or ratings for viewing. I want the media to butt out and let them live their lives. No, they absolutely don’t deserve to be stalked and preyed upon just because they use their talent to entertain. That’s a warped view of things, IMO.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 08:45
T- I totally agree. I think that when I meant “jokes” I was talking about the “BURN IN HELL CHIMO” type of jokes.
They werent funny before and they sure as hell arent funny today.
Celeb gossip is a guilty pleasure of mine. To an extent. I think that there is a thin line drawn and not many know when to draw it. Or to not step over it.
Squish Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:54
I have used this theory, tied with the idea that when he snapped, he realized children were nicer than adults. They didn’t care that he was famous, or had a shitton of money, they liked him for him. They were safe… if that makes sense.
.-= Squish´s last blog ..I Don’t Wanna Grow Up… =-.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 10:04
Squish that absolutely makes sense.
I commented below my theory on this. … or feeling. whatever.
Kylie Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 15:04
I’m the same when it comes to gossip mags and so on, I think they are supplied and published by bottom dwellers – and I don’t understand how a press tag and a camera is all it takes to mean you’re no longer a creepy stalker..
June 26th, 2009 at 09:12
I’m just shocked. I loved him – I was born the year Thriller came out so I was a little too young to get super into his music until I was probably 12 or 13. That year for Christmas my mom bought me Thriller and Bad for Christmas and that. was. it. I’ve lost both of those cds probably twice and rebought them every time.
I think one of my favorite songs is off the Bad special edition and no one really knows about it – I Just Can’t Stop Loving You in Spanish. Even though the translation is different, I love it so much. It would be easier for me to list the songs I don’t like, because they’re so few and far between (like Speed Demon and Liberian Girl aren’t my thing).
.-= Just A Girl´s last blog ..TMI Thursday: The Hits Just Keep Coming =-.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:17
I still have my Thriller single. I am scared to play it though… like the tape will get eaten or something.
I have not heard that version… time to google.
D LOVES Librarian Girl
June 26th, 2009 at 09:18
Moonwalker is still one of my fave movies. For the fact that it has my favorite MJ song in it. Smooth Criminal.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:22
You and D will get along so well.
He was JUST talking about Moonwalker last night. Smooth Criminal is such a great track.
<3
Irish Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:25
I had squish watch it and I guess if you didn’t see the movie when you were younger it wont have as much meaning.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:28
You are right. It is one of those movies.
I get it though.
Irish Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:29
And that makes me like you just that much more
=)
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:34
Ditto.
June 26th, 2009 at 09:27
I have also been offended by the negativity from others. No matter what someone’s opinion is on the subject, a man died. A son, father, brother, uncle, etc. RESPECT the dead. Have respect for man-kind.
I’ve always been a fan of MJ, always loved and respected him. And I still do.
The whole child molestation case did throw a wrench in that, and really made me think about what my gut instinct told me. But it also makes you question what kind of person is he? Did he really do the things people accused him of?
And I came to the conclusion that I truly believe he did not molest these kids. I think that there is a VERY thin line between affection and sexual attraction. Who out there can deny HOW GOOD it feels (and NOT in a sexual way AT ALL) to get a loving hug from a child? What child does not love to curl up to their mommy, daddy, anyone else they love, for some good ol snuggle time? Maybe that’s all Michael craved. Was that innocent, beautiful love. There is no love like a love from a child.
I can imagine that he probably never received much of that as a child. He was thrown into the spotlight SO early in his life. And learned that people only loved him for his music and fame. He probably learned that you can’t trust anybody, especially when you are MICHAEL JACKSON.
To most, maybe hanging out with kids sounds creepy and perverted. But nobody else out there is MICHAEL JACKSON, nobody has lived the life he has, so how can anybody say that he didn’t truly just love the companionship of children?? Not everybody has sexual intentions behind their actions, and they need to stop screaming “child molester.” It’s not fair and it’s not right. The true child molesters are disgusting human beings that should have their genitals chopped off… anybody who would harm or violate a child is seriously FUCKED UP!!!!!!!
Anyways, I’m getting way off subject by rambling… I hope Michael Jackson is in peace right now. Away from the scrutiny and judging of everybody. Resting peacefully in heaven.
My all time favorite song is We Are the World. And I think that explains exactly how Michael truly felt about people. It’s one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, and I cannot listen to it without getting goosebumps and crying.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:31
Your comment gave me chills Lis. Chills.
And, I agree that sometimes it is hard to really understand (especially with social stigma against men vs. affection/pedophilia) how to decipher sexual attraction to that feeling of innocent affection toward a child that isnt yours. People are so god damned terrified of that now days. And for good reason.
I wasnt there so I dont know. I just know I love his music. Ya know?! That is tangible for me.
June 26th, 2009 at 09:28
He’s such proof that you can’t just buy your way through life. I don’t know that that’s what he was trying to do, but I know the end result didn’t really work out.
But I totally agree that all he ever wanted was to make people happy. And I think he succeeded at that more than almost any other one person ever has.
.-= f.B´s last blog ..heartbroken. =-.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 09:33
I dont think he knew any other way. I think he was deprived of heartfelt affection. Like, the unconditional affection that kids desperately need growing up.
I think, to everyone around him… he was a paycheck. He had dollar signs all around him.
So sad.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:24
PYT – goes without saying that it was THE song of sunbeam’s birthday celebration last january. all of us, dancing like children in our pajamas singing at the top of our lungs… oh, what the neighbors must’ve thought! haha….
michael jackson was an amazing, spirited soul whose perspective on life was out of focus. i don’t know much of any of his back story – i know the accusations, i know the news frenzy to a degree, but i can only remember him as an adorable little boy in the jackson 5. dancing in his flaired bell bottoms with that afro.. and later when he came back into the disco.
“she’s out of my life” was MY ALL TIME FAVORITE song he sang .. i can remember washing dishes with my mom, listening to the radio when i was younger and that song came on. i cried, even then, for the sound of his voice breaking at the very end.
we’re all damaged, people. his damage was that much more exacerbated by all the hype and hoopla and microscopes he lived under. regardless of his final facial features or skin tone, i still think of him as an icon. he changed the world with his music.. he gave me hours of pleasure with his amazing dance moves and his exciting videos. do you remember the debut of the thriller video movie? having to wait up to watch it and vincent price and … at the time, it was scary. i loved it!!
whatever you came to think of him, he was a child of god and a creature of circumstance. how would your life be ridiculed if you were living under the pressure and press that he did? my prayers for him and his family is that they will know some peace. be left with their grief in order to grieve … rest in peace, michael jackson.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 10:31
I love “shes out of my life”. I still cry… even if it just a little welling around the eyes at the breaking of his voice at the end.
His emotions, his TRUE feelings about the world came out in his music and I think had he not had that outlet… he would have been far more a broken man than he was with it.
I love you. Thank you for sharing a memory, and your love.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:54
This whole thing is shocking… he was so young… I mean my DAD turns 50 next week.
I loved his music, loved what he (and his family b/c I love me some Janet) did for music. ::sigh:: I was holding out for him to re-record that Beatles music he stole (ok maybe not stole but out-bit) from Paul McCartney.
oh… any FYI – Blankets’ real name is Prince Michael Jackson III.
Danelle Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 19:56
lmao… out-BID
LivingWicked Reply:
June 27th, 2009 at 23:00
He is one of the artists I wanted to have an opportunity to see live.
June 26th, 2009 at 19:54
*chills* Your words…your heart….and all of these comments. I was thinking, “He’s our of our lives…” and the loss. Then, BOOM…Chrissie mentions the one song that truly moved me beyond words that had not been mentioned.
“So Ive learned that loves not possession
And I learned, love wont wait
Now Ive learned, that love needs expression
But Ive learned too late”
may his legacy be that we remember we ARE the world…and that love should be expressed. now.
i
LivingWicked Reply:
June 27th, 2009 at 23:05
I love you.
June 27th, 2009 at 08:35
The Way You Make Me Feel… now, forever, and ALWAYS.
.-= LiLu´s last blog ..The Fugly Cometh Early This Weekend… v14 =-.
LivingWicked Reply:
June 27th, 2009 at 23:05
You Really Turn Me On.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:51
I’m a little behind on this page..forgot to bookmark it but I figured I’d leave my comment on this particular blog.
It’s good to know I wasn’t the only one who just felt heartbroken..like the world just felt a little more empty when he died.
I’ve heard a lot of jokes at work. And I’ve bitched out every single fucker who dared tell them. Even a manager. It’s very disrespectful, no matter the person to speak badly about them or tell jokes at their expense after they’ve passed. No exceptions.
He was a wonderful musician who changed a generation of music. 80’s pop was ruled by Michael. He was SO very talented..so, so talented. I’ve been a fan of his since I was reallllly young. He made very creative music videos and was an amazing dancer.
It’s so hard picking a favorite song though! lol
I bought Thriller 25 the Deluxe Edition that came with the Number Ones DVD..and I’ve about wore that DVD out lol. I love ALL the songs, and from start to finish, each song just makes me happy. When I went to California in 2008, I went to the Virgin Megastore and bought Bad and Number Ones on CD and found a really awesome brown Thriller shirt in a vintage shop. The day he died, I listened to my CD’s all night until I went to work..and then I listened to my songs I have on my Blackberry and I wore my Thriller shirt 
…although I got in trouble for not being in dress code, I didn’t care lol.
I have a couple of recent memories of his music though…
I had a party for my friend’s birthday..well we had been drinking and a friend of mine tried to argue that Fall Out Boy’s music video for Beat It is better than MJ’s..and I said I have a DVD of music videos and will prove that his is better. Well, we ended up dancing and singing drunkenly to his music all night till 2 a.m. when we started tos lightely sober up and question why we were listening because we couldn’t remember lol.
And I bought Eddie Murphy’s Delirious 2 pay days ago and there’s a joke about as long as you’re a singer, you’ll get the women – even MJ who isn’t the most masculine looking or sounding guy and then Eddie sang a little bit of one of his songs..he does a good impression btw! That, in turn, reminded me of the song and music video of the song Eddie and MJ sang together
He will be greatly missed…and shame on anyone who makes jokes and talks shit about him now… :/