Thank you for the Music – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has become a legend in his own right. He is truly the King of pop. He brought pop music to life. His dances were something to watch, especially the ‘moonwalk’ which is known to be his signature dance move. I remember when I was in junior college, way back in the 1980s there never was a party where they didn’t play his songs. ‘Thriller’, Billie Jean, Beat it, Bad, Dangerous, The girl is mine, ‘Wanna be starting something’, ‘The way you make me feel’ are some to name a few. Many a youngster imitated his ‘moonwalk’ and robot moves, they were oh so ‘cool’. I can still hear those songs in my head when I think of them.

It was quite like the Beatles craze. Michael Jackson’s music was magic to the ears, you couldn’t help but dance when you heard it. All his numbers had a lively beat and even the oldest and saddest of people could tap their feet and bob their heads to it. He enjoyed fame and glory for a number of years and then something changed, there was a series of scandals that came to light and led to his downfall. It was sad to see the King of pop become a kind of monster overnight. The whole episode had a surreal quality to it. Fans could not believe it but the courts came up with evidence to prove his dark side was real. The music had gone silent. The King of pop was sent off to exile to his Neverland- in a manner of speaking. He took to drugs and went into depression.

It was quite evident that Micheal deeply sufferred from what one might call a ‘lack of self acceptence’ despite all the fame and glory he had. He felt the need to change his skin color, tweak up his nose and face and create a cleft just to give himself a ‘new look’. But looks do not bring you love or self acceptance. The lack of self love no doubt would have to do with the abuse he is said to have suffered as a child at the hands of his father. No amount of fame, glory or talent can compensate for the lack of love. The love that comes from within, that is reflected and reinforced by one’s parents.

He was to have made a comeback, his concerts were sold out even as they were announced, but the star entertainer died a premature death, he was not to live to see himself restored to glory. With his death the world has lost a great musician and singer. No matter what controversies and scandals revolved around him, he did give the world some of his best music. May he find peace and love on the other side.