Human Nature

If They Say Why, Why...

When I got home Thursday evening, I sat down as usual to the computer and started on Twitter.  I expected to read tweets about Farrah Fawcett, since I had heard of her passing earlier in the day.

Instead, I read that Michael Jackson was dead.

WTF! This must be some mean-spirited internet hoax that needs to stop.

I first read a report on TMZ--Not believing that...

Then, the New York Post--A rag...

When I saw the LA Times report and the crawl on CNN, I felt numbness and the uncomfortable sting of tears.  Could this be true?

My reaction surprised me.  I'm not one of those people, who weep over celebrities they never met, but I guess, in this case, I am.

Tell 'Em That It's Human Nature...

I fell in love with the Jackson 5 upon hearing ABC.  As a child, I remember dancing around my apartment while listening to them on WABC-AM. I couldn't wait for the latest issue of Right On! magazine, so I could put another poster on my wall. Their music made me feel so good, and they were all so cute.

When they were on Soul Train, it was an EVENT.   I remember my mother and her friends calling each other to remind them to tune in. Keep in mind that in the pre-VCR days that if you missed a performance, you were totally SOL.

Here they are performing Dancing Machine.

Awesome! I wanted to dance like that. And OMG, Jermaine was so fine!

Blame it on the Boogie is on of my favorite songs and videos by the Jacksons.

I love this song and video so much because Michael conveys the unmitigated joy of music and dance so much better than anything that I can imagine putting together.

Also, MJ's  vest and belt are too hot. I need more glitter in my life.

Blame it on the boogie should be my life's tagline.

Rock with You was my favorite song in my senior year of high school.

His Motown 25 performance was one of the most remarkable things on television--ever.  We talked about it for weeks after.

Michael becomes iconic at 3:44.

I saw MJ in concert in 1987.  It was during the tour for Bad in Atlanta.  MJ rocked the stage for over two hours to a diverse crowd.  He was amazing.

As we rode back on the MARTA, we sang Michael Jackson songs in unison.  It was magical.

Why, Why Does He Do Me That Way?

Soon after, Michael morphed into Wacko Jacko, the celebrity, more in the news for plastic surgeries, bizarre antics, and inappropriate, possibly criminal, behavior with children than music. 

I didn't bother with his last few albums, and went into premature mourning for the sweet little brown boy with the Afro and the flat button nose.

His death brought into sharp relief how much his music means to me.  He was part of MY generation, a massively talented genius who lost his way.

It doesn't matter that I didn't know him personally or how ugly that the aftermath is going to be.

What matters most is that he helped connect a little projects girl with the music in her heart and the dance in her feet. 

For that, I'm forever deeply grateful.

Thank you Michael and rest in peace.

Human Nature (My favorite MJ song)
[1st Verse]
Looking Out
Across The Night-Time
The City Winks A Sleepless Eye
Hear Her Voice
Shake My Window
Sweet Seducing Sighs

[2nd Verse]
Get Me Out
Into The Night-Time
Four Walls Won't Hold Me Tonight
If This Town
Is Just An Apple
Then Let Me Take A Bite

[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way

[3rd Verse]
Reaching Out
To Touch A Stranger
Electric Eyes Are Ev'rywhere
See That Girl
She Knows I'm Watching
She Likes The Way I Stare

[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin' This Way
I Like Lovin' This Way

[4th Verse]
Looking Out
Across The Morning
The City's Heart Begins To Beat
Reaching Out
I Touch Her Shoulder
I'm Dreaming Of The Street

[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin' This Way

Comments

[Beverly]

Beautiful post. I hope he finds the peace in death that he was unable to find in life.

[urbanknitrix]

Love your post and so true.

[Vicki]

It's been almost two weeks. The memorial service was yesterday. I still can't believe it... still feel so sad... still teary sometimes. I hope he's found peace; I pray for his children.