It took a while for me to understand the significance this guy has had on my life. When I first heard the news, my first reaction, I will painfully admit, was “He had it coming… “. But then in one of my day-dreams I thought back to my kiddo days.
For all the Mettallica, Linkin’ Park and Limp Bizkit songs I have heard, I know that they were all just passing phases. Their songs sound fake at best and lacked any real quality. They were somehow always second best.
Its hard to quantify what exactly the parameters are for making the list of the 2 most influential music-makers in my life. I can’t number them 1,2. They made songs which I remember and sing along with in my sleep.
They were there with me in my darkest hours of teenage life. Both literally and figuratively because I used to listen to songs when I went to bed everyday. I had a small tape-recorder which I would plug in by my bedside and would listen to the songs till I drifted off.
The first name I got as soon as I thought back. Bryan Adams. He was the first musician who I really followed. I had all his songs at one point – every one of them. He was a genius – though he was a bit old. I just generally like his voice and his songs.
Thought as I might, I couldn’t get another name. Mettalica was too commercialized and I couldn’t relate to their latest songs. Linkin’ Park was all screaming and manufactured angst. Eminem was more of the same. Limp Bizkit have made just 1 likeable album and don’t look like they are going to bring out another Choclate Starfish. Which brought me back to ol’ Michael.
I have never bought Michael Jackson songs ever. Back in the days when music was on tape and not too expensive, it was pretty weird. I loved every single one of his songs on both Bad and Dangerous. Both albums were with cousins of mine and I had copies. I danced to his songs and I sang along with them. Black or White, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, They don’t really care about us, Dirty Diana, Man in the Mirror … I guess its just that I never had to fast forward any song from his 2 albums.
Maybe if I were a bit older I might say the same about Off the Wall and Thriller. The beat of They don’t really care about us still rings fresh in my mind and as childish as it was this was the song that ran through my head during the days of anti-establishment (read school) thoughts…
Well, I think the time was right for his death whatever people may say. From a music industry PoV, MJ saved their ass once with Thriller when the sales were drooping. Now with file-sharing ending the industry as we know it I wonder who is going to save the day…
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