In the flurry of Michael Jackson stuff this week, I posted as a Facebook status that I was "impressed that Michael Jackson's death was so engrossing to the world that Google thought it was under attack. I still don't care for his music."
I have been surprised at the incredulous responses that the last admission has brought - especially from people younger than me. I think the Jackson 5 stuff is part of the pleasant Motown background music. His solo stuff, not so much. I thought the politics of "Bad" were interesting, but not the song. I thought the politics of "Billie Jean" sketchy. For the rest - I guess I was never in his target demographic.
So, who is Michael Jackson for?
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8 comments:
Isn't the only answer, once he had broken with his exploitative parents, "himself"?
MJ is the sound that will last forever!!!! LOve him or not u will always remember him
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We will, for the next week or so, all be hopelessly swept into one of our periodic, media-driven orgies of communal lamentation. And you had the bad taste to point out that you didn't particularly care for the guy's music. By the way, it's not bad taste to demur on the subject of Jackson's "genius," it's just bad taste to do so publicly.
At a gruelingly boring party on Saturday night, MJ's death was of course a prominent topic of discussion. I suggested that his death was most likely hastened by drug use, or anorexia, or both (this was before the news reports had made much headway into these matters). My comment was no more favorably received than yours.
MJ is about to be enshrined in the Pantheon that includes Elvis, Princess Di, and JFK June-yah. I bet Larry King can hardly wait to get there himself and set up shop.
Latte-sippers, in general, don't get MJ.
Fair enough. So who does? What is the core demographic for whom Michael Jackson's work is important?
His demographic includes anyone who was a kid in the 80's. I don't understand people mourning public figures, or being "shocked" that he died, but I get his music meaning a lot to people. His music was new, fun, happy, and had more family friendly lyrics than the 80's hair bands, so it was on heavy rotation in my house. It reminds me of being 6 years old in the back of our station wagon fighting with my little brother over if I was touching his side of the seat or not. I think a lot of my generation has the same memories.
I liked MJ's music. I particularly liked his videos. He was an incredible showman. He made MTV. I think his music is appreciated across a wide range of demographics.
Yeah, I may be an outlier here. I liked the Thriller video, but more for Vincent Price.
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