Down with the king

Yesterday when I read that Michael Jackson had passed away, I felt like someone had punched me in the chest. I was disoriented and I couldn't breathe right.

I've been listening to a lot of his music in the last 24 hours-- ripping old favorites and classics that weren't in my mp3 library, checking out post-Thriller albums I'd glossed over and trying to wrap my head around his musical legacy.

I haven't had time to pull together any sort of overarching retrospective, although I'll do so on my radio show this coming Wednesday. Here are a handful of favorites that aren't necessarily obscure but also maybe not the first ones people think of.



Jackson 5: "2-4-6-8" (Motown, 1970)



Michael Jackson: "Maria" (Motown, 1972)


Michael Jackson: "Ain't No Sunshine" (Motown, 1972)

It's amazing how well MJ handled adult material. He might have had the voice of a twelve year-old but he really put across a greater depth of feeling than you'd expect a kid his age could.


The Jacksons: "Let Me Show You the Way to Go" (Epic, 1976)

I never listened to much of MJ's post-Thriller output when it was new. When I heard it, I was usually turned off by what I felt were poor production or song choices-- just way too many rock crossover attempts and songs about fame or children. He did cut a lot of great songs, though. Here are some:


Michael Jackson: "Can't Let Her Get Away" (Sony, 1991)


Michael Jackson: "They Don't Care About Us" (Sony, 1995)


Michael Jackson: "Butterflies" (Sony, 2001)

"Butterflies" was written and originally recorded by perennial dues-payer Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, etc. She's featured on background vocals.


Michael Jackson: "Heaven Can Wait" (Sony, 2001)

I wish it had.