mimi07 said:

Oh wow. That song has always made me cry.

I couldn't even get thru the first 30 seconds of that, but that was really nice of them.

Murray's hearing is on the 23rd. I feel like after all of this is said and done he won't get prison time at all. It's just sick.

he looks happy like he's trying to be gentle, nice acting, but we know what he did....yet I feel like I'm judging him the way michael was if this is all a hoax (I don't believe in it, but have had what if's many times)

^^ Michael is dead.

They are hard words to accept I know but nothing will change that.

There is no hoax. What kind of man would inflict such pain on thousands of supporters, yet alone his family? A man who was all about L.O.V.E.? I doubt it.

Michael's death was hard to take and even now when I listen to his music I find it hard to believe he is gone. But he is.

It makes me sad and angry when people talk about conspiracies and hoaxes, and whilst I understand the desire to not have it be true, perpetrating these wild ideas in the long run just damages Michael's legacy and his fans.

BTW this isn't a dig at you alphastreet, as I know where you are coming from.

Also on the Conrad Murray issue, I find it somewhat hypocritical of some fans to be so convinced of his guilt in a malicious way. In the same way we all asked people not to rush to judgement on Michael during his trail and what until the truth came out, surely we can afford the same for Murray. I personally it was a tragic accident caused by neglect but not intentional or murder.

Now back to the music...

Swa said:

^^ Michael is dead.

They are hard words to accept I know but nothing will change that.

There is no hoax. What kind of man would inflict such pain on thousands of supporters, yet alone his family? A man who was all about L.O.V.E.? I doubt it.

Michael's death was hard to take and even now when I listen to his music I find it hard to believe he is gone. But he is.

It makes me sad and angry when people talk about conspiracies and hoaxes, and whilst I understand the desire to not have it be true, perpetrating these wild ideas in the long run just damages Michael's legacy and his fans.

BTW this isn't a dig at you alphastreet, as I know where you are coming from.

Also on the Conrad Murray issue, I find it somewhat hypocritical of some fans to be so convinced of his guilt in a malicious way. In the same way we all asked people not to rush to judgement on Michael during his trail and what until the truth came out, surely we can afford the same for Murray. I personally it was a tragic accident caused by neglect but not intentional or murder.

Now back to the music...

yeah I really don't believe he would be an asshole and do this to his kids, mother and fans at all, this is no laughing matter. Though I have accepted he's not coming back, hearing his name and the word killed does something to me and I still cry almost everyday though now it's just a couple times a week instead. What hurts me the most is that I can't think about his death, I can mainly think about what they did to him for years and that angers me and eats away at me cause I took on a burden and don't know why. And though I'm not mad at him, I feel like he let me down though he really didn't, it's just easier to blame my own feelings on someone who is now a soul at peace. I feel destructive about it too like everytime it eats away at me I just want to numb away the pain though I'm not going to

I hate conrad too but have been calm about him lately too though I still hate him, I think I'm in denial about who he is and what he did, intentional or not.

[Edited 8/15/10 17:05pm]

Swa said:

^^ Michael is dead.

They are hard words to accept I know but nothing will change that.

There is no hoax. What kind of man would inflict such pain on thousands of supporters, yet alone his family? A man who was all about L.O.V.E.? I doubt it.

Michael's death was hard to take and even now when I listen to his music I find it hard to believe he is gone. But he is.

It makes me sad and angry when people talk about conspiracies and hoaxes, and whilst I understand the desire to not have it be true, perpetrating these wild ideas in the long run just damages Michael's legacy and his fans.

BTW this isn't a dig at you alphastreet, as I know where you are coming from.

Also on the Conrad Murray issue, I find it somewhat hypocritical of some fans to be so convinced of his guilt in a malicious way. In the same way we all asked people not to rush to judgement on Michael during his trail and what until the truth came out, surely we can afford the same for Murray. I personally it was a tragic accident caused by neglect but not intentional or murder.

Now back to the music...

People can beleive whatever they want.

What if his life was threatened or something like that?

TMZ published the 333 to be precise FBI files of Michae Joe Jackson in December.

[Edited 8/15/10 17:59pm]

[Edited 8/15/10 17:59pm]

suga10 said:

Swa said:

^^ Michael is dead.

They are hard words to accept I know but nothing will change that.

There is no hoax. What kind of man would inflict such pain on thousands of supporters, yet alone his family? A man who was all about L.O.V.E.? I doubt it.

Michael's death was hard to take and even now when I listen to his music I find it hard to believe he is gone. But he is.

It makes me sad and angry when people talk about conspiracies and hoaxes, and whilst I understand the desire to not have it be true, perpetrating these wild ideas in the long run just damages Michael's legacy and his fans.

BTW this isn't a dig at you alphastreet, as I know where you are coming from.

Also on the Conrad Murray issue, I find it somewhat hypocritical of some fans to be so convinced of his guilt in a malicious way. In the same way we all asked people not to rush to judgement on Michael during his trail and what until the truth came out, surely we can afford the same for Murray. I personally it was a tragic accident caused by neglect but not intentional or murder.

Now back to the music...

People can beleive whatever they want.

What if his life was in danger? Then what would you say?

[Edited 8/15/10 17:56pm]

But his life wasn't in danger. He had everything to live for.

A chance to redeem himself in the public eye. A chance to reclaim the crown and remind everyone why they loved him in the first place. A chance to get back to doing what he loved. And a chance to get out from the financial crisis he was in.

It is a tragedy he died and never got the chance to see the outpouring of love that the world had for him.

Swa said:

suga10 said:

People can beleive whatever they want.

What if his life was in danger? Then what would you say?

[Edited 8/15/10 17:56pm]

But his life wasn't in danger. He had everything to live for.

Listen to what Larry King says to Craig Ferguson.

"What do you think of the Michael Jackson thing? He's still dead by the way"

suga10 said:

Swa said:

But his life wasn't in danger. He had everything to live for.

Listen to what Larry King says to Craig Ferguson.

"What do you think of the Michael Jackson thing? He' still dead by the way"

[Edited 8/15/10 18:12pm]

[Edited 8/15/10 18:13pm]

[Edited 8/15/10 18:16pm]

angel345 said:

suga10 said:

I can't stand Karen Faye. She's far from what you deem a professional, and always behaved like she owned Michael. She also was jealous of every woman who came near Michael.

And Tatiana was nuts too. She was pretty, she is too desperate. If Michael wanted her, he could have made his attempts.

[Edited 8/14/10 19:33pm]

Well, it does seem like some of the women he's encountered in his life becomes obsessed with him. I've kinda wonder why If you can follow a man all around the globe to be with him, then he must got it going on. You know who did this. I assume you do

I did have LMP in that line-up but decided to delete it because I know how possessive her supporters could be in their "Michael's one and only true love" fairytale

Its funny how LMP was still hanging around with MJ after their divorce.

Yet she kept bashing him.

Why hang out with the man you can't stand honestly.

Swa said:

^^ Michael is dead.

They are hard words to accept I know but nothing will change that.

There is no hoax. What kind of man would inflict such pain on thousands of supporters, yet alone his family? A man who was all about L.O.V.E.? I doubt it.

Michael's death was hard to take and even now when I listen to his music I find it hard to believe he is gone. But he is.

It makes me sad and angry when people talk about conspiracies and hoaxes, and whilst I understand the desire to not have it be true, perpetrating these wild ideas in the long run just damages Michael's legacy and his fans.

BTW this isn't a dig at you alphastreet, as I know where you are coming from.

Also on the Conrad Murray issue, I find it somewhat hypocritical of some fans to be so convinced of his guilt in a malicious way. In the same way we all asked people not to rush to judgement on Michael during his trail and what until the truth came out, surely we can afford the same for Murray. I personally it was a tragic accident caused by neglect but not intentional or murder.

Now back to the music...

Swa said:

Not sure what the point of the Larry King clip was - got lost on me.

Happy to continue this in private org note rather than clog up space here.

I don't really care to argue about it, because everyone has their own belief.I respect your opinion. I've done enough research to come to the conclusion of my beliefs. Its not really a matter of not accepting the realtiy, I was also believing that Michael was dead and all, and Conrad should get punished- when this all happened with Michael, but later I went on to the hoax forums, and started reading up on stuff there. At first, I thought it was going to be ridiculous over there with a bunch of delusional believers, but then they were pointing out some really interesting things over there regarding Michael's death, and then I started to open up my eyes a bit.

Anyways time will tell what the truth is. We'll just continue to discuss the man and his music.

[Edited 8/15/10 18:31pm]

[Edited 8/15/10 18:32pm]

jaybendy said:

ali23 said:

THANK YOU!

I love the way his body moves.. he's so lanky but comfortable in it, it's really cute.

And Siedah = a million times better than Sheryl Crow.

JAY!!! When did you jump on board here, girl! I don't see you around at the other blog anymore. Good to finally see you on an MJ thread again

Fuck talking about that shit. We're never gonna solve whatever mystery people think happened. MJ's gone to the afterlife. We can only keep his memory alive. That's all we got. Whatever happens with Murray he's gonna have to deal with that and God.

suga10 said:

Swa said:

Not sure what the point of the Larry King clip was - got lost on me.

Happy to continue this in private org note rather than clog up space here.

I don't really care to argue about it, because everyone has their own belief.I respect your opinion. I've done enough research to come to the conclusion of my beliefs. Its not really a matter of not accepting the realtiy, I was also believing that Michael was dead and all, and Conrad should get punished- when this all happened with Michael, but later I went on to the hoax forums, and started reading up on stuff there. At first, I thought it was going to be ridiculous over there with a bunch of delusional believers, but then they were pointing out some really interesting things over there regarding Michael's death, and then I started to open up my eyes a bit.

Anyways time will tell what the truth is. We'll just continue to discuss the man and his music.

[Edited 8/15/10 18:31pm]

[Edited 8/15/10 18:32pm]

exactly the same story with me, but I've come to realize that this is not like the trial or any other mj time when we needed to know the truth for each and everything, cause it's too overwhelming. And even if he's alive, I don't believe he's coming back at all. I've just accepted he's not coming back, but I can't accept how he has gone and how much it has broken me, the hurt is too strong still.

You CAN'T accept death, BUT you have to learn to live with it and think positive that he's doing alright in the other side of the world. I don't believe the hoax.

Timmy84 said:

You CAN'T accept death, BUT you have to learn to live with it and think positive that he's doing alright in the other side of the world. I don't believe the hoax.

yeah I have learned to live with it almost, I'm doing so much better latey, but still have down days here and there. I know he's fine and I keep his soul in my prayers. I feel so mad at myself too for getting so attached and feeling this way toward someone cause I have never been this hurt, or if I have, I got over it faster or differently.

babybugz said:

Only God , Michael and Doctor Murray know what happen that tragic Day, I choose not to talk about it anymore. I just started recently listening to mike's music again.

proud of you for that, I can listen to him fine again, but watching him is harder and I still can't do it. I start getting mad at him though he doesn't deserve it, it's cause I can't admit whatever went on that day and want to hide from it and the feelings it is bringing on and it's some kind of mask that's protecting me from going crazy.

I haven't seen one shred of "evidence" that makes a hoax believable. I mean these were the people who were saying the This It It photo released after his death was proof he was a live because the S in IS wasn't seen through his legs, thus he was photoshopped in. When you point out that that whole panel is never lit up in any of the film as it was used as a way to get on and off stage at the back of the ramp, they fail to concede it.

Look, I would love for Michael to still be alive. But sadly this isn't the case. I am just thankful for having been around long enough to have seen him in concert a few times, and enjoyed his music for decades. And to see the outpouring of love for him that was missed in the last decade of his life.

I know he is in a better place, and that hopefully gives us all some relief.

alphastreet said:

Timmy84 said:

You CAN'T accept death, BUT you have to learn to live with it and think positive that he's doing alright in the other side of the world. I don't believe the hoax.

yeah I have learned to live with it almost, I'm doing so much better latey, but still have down days here and there. I know he's fine and I keep his soul in my prayers. I feel so mad at myself too for getting so attached and feeling this way toward someone cause I have never been this hurt, or if I have, I got over it faster or differently.

Well that is natural. We're fans, of course we're gonna have down days, I do too. I couldn't get too attached because it's unnatural but I still love and care for the man. I think if anything, we have to celebrate his life. We can't worry ourselves wondering why, we just have to move on...and keep honoring MJ's legacy and keep his memory alive.

alphastreet said:

Timmy84 said:

You CAN'T accept death, BUT you have to learn to live with it and think positive that he's doing alright in the other side of the world. I don't believe the hoax.

yeah I have learned to live with it almost, I'm doing so much better latey, but still have down days here and there. I know he's fine and I keep his soul in my prayers. I feel so mad at myself too for getting so attached and feeling this way toward someone cause I have never been this hurt, or if I have, I got over it faster or differently.

Timmy84 said:

alphastreet said:

yeah I have learned to live with it almost, I'm doing so much better latey, but still have down days here and there. I know he's fine and I keep his soul in my prayers. I feel so mad at myself too for getting so attached and feeling this way toward someone cause I have never been this hurt, or if I have, I got over it faster or differently.

Well that is natural. We're fans, of course we're gonna have down days, I do too. I couldn't get too attached because it's unnatural but I still love and care for the man. I think if anything, we have to celebrate his life. We can't worry ourselves wondering why, we just have to move on...and keep honoring MJ's legacy and keep his memory alive.

Swa said:

I haven't seen one shred of "evidence" that makes a hoax believable. I mean these were the people who were saying the This It It photo released after his death was proof he was a live because the S in IS wasn't seen through his legs, thus he was photoshopped in. When you point out that that whole panel is never lit up in any of the film as it was used as a way to get on and off stage at the back of the ramp, they fail to concede it.

Look, I would love for Michael to still be alive. But sadly this isn't the case. I am just thankful for having been around long enough to have seen him in concert a few times, and enjoyed his music for decades. And to see the outpouring of love for him that was missed in the last decade of his life.

I know he is in a better place, and that hopefully gives us all some relief.

I still think there was love for him shown even if it was downplayed by the mainstream media, it just became hard to express it for many though I let it all out no matter what happened

The only things I find suspicious are Jermaine's airport slip up, the lax being closed and the suspicious heilcopter; and that medical office owned by another doctor Murray works with being closed and something about his wife's pharmacy not operating and being deserted or some shit according to fans who went on the internet or who went down there to check it out. But in the long term I don't think these are strong enough to prove anything either.

babybugz said:

Timmy84 said:

Well that is natural. We're fans, of course we're gonna have down days, I do too. I couldn't get too attached because it's unnatural but I still love and care for the man. I think if anything, we have to celebrate his life. We can't worry ourselves wondering why, we just have to move on...and keep honoring MJ's legacy and keep his memory alive.

Pretty Much my feelings on this.

It's all about protecting and honouring his legacy from this point on.

babybugz said:

alphastreet said:

yeah I have learned to live with it almost, I'm doing so much better latey, but still have down days here and there. I know he's fine and I keep his soul in my prayers. I feel so mad at myself too for getting so attached and feeling this way toward someone cause I have never been this hurt, or if I have, I got over it faster or differently.

I got over it (I don't mean it like over it but just chose to move on )He was about to go on this tour then this happens nobody saw it coming. And I had a feeling he wasn't going to be able to do those shows smh.He's my favorite singer and will remain .

yeah true, when it happened though I was shocked, a part of me accepted it cause of all the hell he went through and me being relieved there was no more pressure, but the more we heard and the moment I heard abuot the doctor and this all being prevented and him being gone period and tons of other stuff sinking in, it got harder and harder to deal with emotionally

Timmy84 said:

You CAN'T accept death, BUT you have to learn to live with it and think positive that he's doing alright in the other side of the world. I don't believe the hoax.

Michael would'nt do that to his children.

Swa said:

I'm so tired I don't know if I have posted this yet or not, lol. So apologies for the double post if that is the case.

But to continue the weekly discussion of one of MJ's solo albums - this week HiStory.

HiStory

A lot had changed for Michael Jackson when HiStory was released. No longer was he seen as the creative genius, but rather as at best a target of tabloid journalists and at worst a potential child abuser. But whilst the years leading up to the release of HiStory were traumatic and filled with a lot of unanswered questions, Michael did what Michael knew best to do and that was break the media silence with an album that for the most part was his point of view on what most people took as fact and as the title suggested offered His side of the Story – the best way Michael knew how, through music.

Whilst packaging the album as a double cd filled with greatest hits and new music was a smart marketing tool and way to reintroduce Michael to a weary public, what the fans longed to hear was the new material. We didn’t need to convinced of his legacy. What we wanted to hear was where he was going to take us next.

For many of the press there was speculation as to whether he would actually address what had transpired in the previous years, or would Michael retreat into a fantasy world of imagery and safe pop. Thankfully, Michael didn’t hide and instead delivered his most personal album of his career.

With the industrial distorted introduction of Scream blasting through the speakers it was almost like Michael was rebooting for a new chapter in his life. And for those who though Michael might tread lightly the first verse showed he was instead going to tackle things head on. With a hard hitting beat grounding the track Michael and sister Janet trade verses in a unified attack at the injustice, frustration, and pressure that being in the public light delivers. As if saying you want the truth you got it, lyrically it contains some of Michael’s most direct and confronting utterances. In both an attack, and plea for relief, the song throws down hard and doesn’t let up. This is Michael mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore. Scream still pumps hard and has become a favourite for many a fan wanting Michael to step up.

They Don’t Care About Us continues with the anger. Its pulsing rhythmic shunt lays a bare bone foundation for Michael to spit out his lyrics that for the first time dismisses the idea of being universally loved, and hits hard with reality that he might be hated by some, yet he challenges them to truly see what it is they are hating and what they base their hatred on – stories fed to them by someone “in a suit, on the news” where people are chewed up and spat out like “dog food” and everyone has an “allegation”. It’s almost like Michael is welcoming the aggression knowing that ultimately the truth will be his savour. And perhaps in the only moment that Michael truly addresses the labels people were now willing to sling in his direction he counters with “I’m tired of being the victim of shame, you’re throwing me in a class with a bad name”. Where this song could have easily drifted heavily into a hostile rant, Michael manages to salvage it with vocals that at times attack but in equal measures draw you in.

After the aural assault of the opening two tracks, Michael shifts gears with one his all time greatest tracks, the hauntingly beautiful Stranger in Moscow. Again he wears his heart on his sleave, but rather than play the victim he lets us into his experience of his “swift and sudden fall from grace” and how it feels to be “abandoned in my fame”. He opens himself up with honesty that let’s us feel his pain without him asking for us to pity him. Musically the track features some beautiful melodies that both underscore the sadness of the situation but yet still offers a moment of hope that “sunny days will drown the pain”. But rather than fully arrive at a happy ending, Michael stays with the reality of feeling alone and makes the song more powerful for it.

While the previous songs perhaps looked at the previous years with a focus on the media in general, This Time Around hit’s squarely at those accusing him. He unfurls their plans to “control him” and “get him” and “falsely accuse”. And with a tone of lesson learned, he also seems to deliver the lyrics as if having the last laugh. Once again Michael’s ability to draw you in with a vocal melody is present and it’s often not until you actually listen to the lyrics do you realise how harsh and attacking the song is.

Earth Song, whilst originally written for inclusion on Dangerous seems better suited here. As a moment of reprieve from his personal world, Michael turns his attention to the world at large and the plight we are leaving this earth in. With an epic arrangement that starts soft and simple and builds with every passing bar to a raucous gospel tinged plea for action, Earth Song has a truth to it that was lacking in a song like Heal The World. Rich and lush productions means that almost every time you listen to it you hear something new, it might be the trickling strings, it might be the weeping guitar, of the bed of vocal harmonies that surround you. Bombastic? Maybe. But there is a sense of urgency and power to the song that can’t be denied and makes it one of Michael’s most gifted musical arrangements.

D.S. is a curious song for a few reasons. One because of its subject matter; a thinly veiled attack on Tom Sneddon. And two, because it is potentially the weakest track on the album. Maybe it was a cathartic move for Michael to include it, and perhaps the music sample of “Owner of Lonely Heart” by YES was another jab. I remember listening to it and thinking Michael was playing with fire (and history might suggest he was) but more I kept wanting the song to take me somewhere, instead it just seems to follow the one attacking path with almost 2 minutes of continuous rants that “Tom Sneddon is a cold man”.

Thankfully Money brings the focus back on track, and is the soundtrack to all the people willing to make a quick buck and sell another out. No one escapes the wrath of Michael here, from those who use him for the money, those you preach one thing then do the other, to insurance companies that force settlements, to those who will betray you for a dime, or sell you out, and swear on a lie. Of course, Michael makes it all so irresistible with one of the catchiest chorus on the album especially in the way he teases out “money” and even tells those making a quick buck on his dime to actually go out an earn an honest living like people like “Trump, Morgan, Rockefeller, Getty”. For me, this was standout track on the album and should have been a single. It remains to this day a must have on any compilation.

Come Together was another odd inclusion of new material as it had already been featured in MoonWalker, featured as a bonus track on Jam (and in some countries on Remember the Time). So to see it here on HiStory was a little perplexing. There was a bit of sadness in it no longer being a rare collectible b-side. And whilst it is my favourite Beatles song it did feel out of place on the album for a long time. But as a cover version goes it’s pretty cool.

Despite You Are Not Alone going down in the history books as being the first single ever to debut at number 1, it was a song that just never really grabbed it. For some reason it seemed to be an R&B ballad done by the numbers and never really felt like an MJ song until he takes control of it during the last few minutes.

Following up You Are Not Alone with Childhood probably wasn’t the best sequencing of tracks. Part broadway musical, part sacharrine Disney ballad it just felt too soppy to really be taken seriously. Though over time the song has grown on me, it doesn’t captivate me in ways I hoped it would. What does wow me though, is that the vocal performance we hear is (minus a pickup line) a one take recording done whilst the orchestra played, which makes you appreciate Michael’s vocals even more.

Just when I felt like HiStory was fading at the mid point Tabloid Junkie came in to save the day. Once again Michael is in the role of media victim, but this time the is standing up against the machine. Starting with a role call of the weird stories that begam synonymous with his celebrity, the song shifts into a hard hitting, vocal spitting groove that mixes anger in the lead vocals with an alluring softness in the harmonies of the backing vocals. And once again showing his prowess in being able to meld a catchy pop melody with an attacking vocal the chorus lands its message of fact versus fiction where “just because you read in a magazine or see it on a tv screen don’t make factual”. Michael also cleverly layers in various pieces of gossip through the song around the typical speculation over him being homosexual, to a newsreport about Bubbles getting married. Again, this is a song that deserved to be a single, not just for it’s sure chart success but because it was convincing response to the media madness that revolved around him.

With a powerful 1-2 punch 2BAD kicks off with a Run DMC sample from King of Rock before launching into a blistering groove complete with bass and horn blast attacks. Once again Michael goes on the attack, targeting all those who scramble to get a piece of his fame and money and those who “tried to bring me to my knees”. One of the songs greatest features is the way Michael uses the backing vocals mixing both high notes with brooding low ones. This is perhaps the one song that has the most amount of backing vocals in all of Michael’s recordings, with them evening accompanying most verses. The only downside to the track is once the frenetic breakdown hits we have Shaq doing a rap which sadly doesn’t have the bite that Michael’s own lyrics have. The one saving grace in the rap is the way in which the live horns are treated and manipulated to have a sharper edge. Musically this song has so many elements in the mix that you need to listen to it over and over (and with headphones on) to truly appreciate the intricate layers in it.

With a symphonic introduction you just know that HiStory is going to verge on being overproduced, but somehow it holds under the weight of its ambition. Using samples from through out great moments in history (including his own “I don’t sing it if I don’t mean it” grab from an early Jackson 5 interview) the track acts in total duality mixing the hard and ready verses with almost Disneyesque sappy tendancies in the singalong style chorus. This mix of hard with oh so soft, makes History a song that has many loving and hating it simultaneously. Though once heard it is hard to get the hook of the chorus out of your head. And it’s only in the final few minutes do I normally give up wanting it to be harder and just go with the beautiful melody that is woven throughout it. Here Michael uses his own struggles to try and inspire while still pushing a focus on the struggles of the world. With it’s bombastic crescendo and historic moment role call it’s almost as if HiStory closes out the album.

The joyous climax of HiStory is undercut with the more sombre Little Susie which in composition borrows heavily from Sunrise Sunset yet has Michael reworking this beautiful arrangement to punctuate the sadness of tale contained in the lyrics. A bretheran to Childhood in its musical production for me Little Susie is more listenable as I am more drawn into the story unfolding and enjoy seeing the way Michael sings continuously as lead vocal and without the reliance of chorus refrain in the true sense of the word.

Like Little Susie, Smile feels a little like an afterthought on the whole concept of the album, as if they might have worked better as hidden or bonus tracks. That sad, his take on the Charlie Chaplin penned song is beautiful and even more impressive when you learn it is (for the most part) a one take recording, done live with orchestra present. It seemed fitting at the time for Michael to record this, as if to say in the face of all the world has thrown at me I am still going to smile and get on with things. Of course nowadays, it has become a song that many a fan finds comfort in, whilst others feel it strikes too strong a chord with his passing. But just hearing Michael whistle and laugh as the song closes makes me feel like the lyrics of the song have served their purpose.

On a whole HiStory was the album Michael needed to make. He couldn’t hide from what had been going on around him for fear that critics (and fans) would have claimed he was retreating more into a musical fantasy world. Of course, many feel this is Michael’s “angry” album, but I welcome it. The writing is honest and personal and in many instances more relatable than his bigger flashier hits. It is, for the most part, a cohesive and consistently great album packed with killer songs and the one or two filler tracks, and reminded us all of the genius Michael has when he enters the recording studio.

To this day HiStory remains a solid favourite album of mine.

Swa

Michael poured a WHOLE lot of emotion on that entire album. I agree that the album was necessary for him to put out because people were awaiting such a response. Like I said a page later, it took me about two hours to totally get the album but once I did, I commanded MJ for his courage to release this. He still had a LOT OF SOUL on this album as indicated by songs like "Stranger in Moscow", "Earth Song", "This Time Around" (angry soul but soul nonetheless), "D.S.", "Tabloid Junkie" and the like. Plus the videos were intriguing to me. Great album, great period.

EmeraldSkies said:

Timmy84 said:

You CAN'T accept death, BUT you have to learn to live with it and think positive that he's doing alright in the other side of the world. I don't believe the hoax.

Michael would'nt do that to his children.

Exactly.