bboy87 said:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/401331-robmix-tell-us-about-mj.html

I worked with Michael on many occasions...first in 1979 shortly following the release of "Off The Wall", which was recorded at my old studio, Image Recording, when it was owned by its former owner, Allen Zentz.

I then spent some time in 1980 (or 81?) with Michael recording demo's for Thriller. This was great, because it was just the two of us and whoever Michael had coming in. "John, we have Jonathan Moffit coming at 12:00, then Greg Phillinganes at 1:00...oh, and we're recording strings at 4:00!". Wow, what a great experience working so closely with him. I had him on the mic for some days recording vocals, and it was an amazing experience...he would be dancing up a storm while singing and doing all of those "grunts, oohs, ahhs" vocal sounds that would pepper his tracks. He asked me to take up the carpet so he could dance, and in between takes, he would sing other popular songs of the day just freestyle and acapella and we would talk about the music we liked.

Over the next year or two, I hosted the Jacksons many times, recording various tracks, claps (we had a jacuzzi room which they loved to use for the massive white-noise claps that people liked back then). I got to know all the brothers.

Bruce Swedien came back to Image Recording to record a song (or two?) for the Jackson's "Victory" record in about 1983. Another great experience, as Bruce did (as I recall) a string quartet and (perhaps) Michael's vocal at the same time. Bruce IS the best of all time, by the way. BEST.

I believe there were a couple of sundry Jacksons sessions over the next couple of years, but by that time, Michael was hugely popular and I didn't see him as much. The next time was really in 1995, when Robmix and I worked on the HIStory album. Rob worked on this for quite a long time (2 years?), while I worked on it for a few months. We were all holed up in Larrabee North, where Bruce had a room (or were you guys at Record One, Rob?)...Eddie Delena was recording quite a lot Michael's vocals at Larrabee in one room, and I was put in another room to engineer for whomever needed it...my most memorable session being some days with Dallas Austin and on one day, recording The Notorious B.I.G. for his rap on "This Time Around". There I was, standing in a room with Dallas, Biggie and Michael. I'll never forget it.

The final days of that album were made interesting, by Bruce giving me the task to sequence the album and edit it down to a size that we could fit onto a CD. This was no small undertaking, as about 7 minutes needed to be trimmed somewhere. I laid this all out in Sound Tools and came to know every bar of every song very intimately. I found places where songs could be tightened up and came up with many suggestions. On the night of mastering, I was put in a room at Bernie Grundman's with my Sound Tools rig, and in this room, I would have to "negotiate" with Michael about what to take out. I'll never forget this night...Michael came in, and Bruce told MJ that we would have to remove either 1) one whole song or 2) edit the others to fit onto a CD. We chose the latter...I started with song one and played Michael my edits, "Oh no, we can't take THAT out...it's my favorite part of the album!". OK. Let's try another, "Oh no, we MUST keep those four bars". OK...let's go to the vamp, which carries on for two minutes...how about removing these eight bars, "Oh no, that's my favorite part of the vamp!". Well, you get the picture. Meanwhile, Jimmy Jam was in with us, telling Michael that all these edits were killer and actually make things better. And over the course of about 5 hours, we got it down. By this time, it was probably 3:00am, and I was wiped out. Bruce walked in..."Okay, John, I want you to make all these edits on the 1/2" masters right now!". My first thought was, "You've GOT to be kidding!" I had used some crossfades in Tools and such, plus I was worn out from "bartering" with Michael. But, into Bernie's room we went, and with Bruce over my shoulder, I cut the 1/2" tapes. As I recall, this took a couple of hours, and we were done. By the way, video footage of my "bartering session" with Michael exists, although I was never able to get a copy. Perhaps someday!

One morning MJ came in with a new song he had written overnight. We called in a guitar player, and Michael sang every note of every chord to him. "here's the first chord first note, second note, third note. Here's the second chord first note, second note, third note", etc., etc. We then witnessed him giving the most heartfelt and profound vocal performance, live in the control room through an SM57.

He would sing us an entire string arrangement, every part. Steve Porcaro once told me he witnessed MJ doing that with the string section in the room. Had it all in his head, harmony and everything. Not just little eight bar loop ideas. he would actually sing the entire arrangement into a micro-cassette recorder complete with stops and fills.

At one point Michael was angry at one of the producers on the project because he was treating everyone terribly. Rather than create a scene or fire the guy, Michael called him to his office/lounge and one of the security guys threw a pie in his face. No further action was needed . . . . .

During the recording of "Smile" on HIStory, Bruce thought it would be great if Michael would sing live with the orchestra. But of course, we didn't tell the players that. We set him up in a vocal booth off to the side. They rehearsed a bit without vocals in, then during the first take Michael sang, just about knocked them out of their chairs.

His beatboxing was without parallel, and his time was ridiculous.

His sense of harmony was incredible. Never a bad note, no tuning, even his breathing was perfectly in time.

Once, while we were taking a break, I think we were actually watching the OJ chase on TV, there was a news program talking about him being in Europe with some little boy. I was sitting next to the guy while the news is making this crap up. He just looked at me and said this is what I have to deal with.

I spent close to 3 years working with him, and not once did I question his morals, or ever believe any of the allegations. I wasn't even a fan then. I saw him interact with his brothers kids, other people's children, and at one point my own girlfriend's kids. I got to spend a day at Neverland with them. A completely incredible human being, always looking for a way to make all children's lives better. Every weekend at Neverland was donated to a different children's group - children with AIDS, children cancer, etc., and most of the time he wasn't there.

He was simply living the childhood he never had. In many ways he never grew up.

I was assisting Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis while they recorded the background vocals for "Scream" with MJ and Janet. The two of them singing together was amazing. Super tight, no bad notes. One part after another. When they took a break they sang the showtunes they used to sing as kids. Again, perfect harmony. Mj refused to sing the "stop f*ckin' with me part" because he would NOT curse.

I was the tape op for the recording of the background vocals on "Stranger in Moscow". Scared the hell out me. Michael was dropping in and out on syllables, rearranging the notes and timing as he put it down. No Pro Tools at the time, just 2" tape, and my punches.

I erased a live keyboard overdub that he played one night. He came in the next morning, replaced it, and never uttered another word about it.

I was there when Lisa Marie was around. They acted like two kids in love. Held hands all the time, and she hung out at the studio for quite a while. I never questioned their love for each other.

We recorded a Christmas song during the summer of '94 that needed a children's choir. Michael insisted that the entire studio be decorated with xmas lights, tree, fake snow and a sled for their recording. And he bought presents for everyone.

The last weekend of recording on HIStory he came to me and Eddie Delena, and said "I'm sorry, but I don't think any of us are going to sleep this weekend. There's a lot to get done, and we have to go to Bernie on Monday morning". He stayed at the studio the entire time, singing, and mixing. I got to spend a couple quiet moments with him during that time. We talked about John Lennon one night as he was gearing up to sing the last vocal of the record - the huge ad libs at the end of "earth song". I told him the story of John singing "twist and shout" while being sick, and though most people think he was screaming for effect, it was actually his voice giving out. He loved it, and then went in to sing his heart out. . . .

Later that night, while mixing, everyone left the room so MJ could turn it up. This was a common occurrence during the mixes, and I was left in the room with ear plugs, and hands over my ears, in case he needed something. This particular night, all the lights were out and we noticed some blue flashes intermittently lighting up the room during playback. After a few moments we could see that one of the speakers (custom quad augspuergers) was shooting blue flames. Mj liked this and proceeded to push all the faders up . . . .

MJ liked hot water while he was singing. I mean really hot !!!!! It got to the point that I would melt plastic spoons to test it.

Bruce and I were talking about walking to the studio everyday in NYC, and what routes we took. Michael looked at us and said we were so lucky to be able to do that. He couldn't walk down the street without being harassed. It was a sad moment for all of us.

The studio crew got free tickets to the Janet show so we all went right from work one night. About halfway through the show we see this dude with a long beard, dressed in robes dancing in the aisle behind. I mean really dancing . . . it was Mj in disguise. Kind of like the costume Chevy Chase wears in Fletch while roller skating.

He got one of the first playstations from sony in his lounge . . . we snuck in late at night to play the games that hadn't been released yet.

A couple people on the session hadn't seen Jurassic Park while it was out, so MJ arranged a private screening for us at Sony.

He was a huge fan of Nine Inch Nails Downward Spiral . . . .

I was lucky enough over the course of 3 years to have access to the multitrack masters for tour prep, videos, and archive purposes. To be able to pull these tracks apart was a huge lesson in production, and songwriting. A chance to look into the minds of geniuses.

Of all the records I've worked on, MJJ was the only company to give platinum award records.

One day we just all sat in the studio listening to his catalog with him for inspiration. He loved the process, he loved the work.

Nice read. Thanks for posting.

Imaginative said:

Let me try to get this thread back on topic and in a positive light... A friend lent me his Blu-ray of THIS IS IT to watch over the weekend. Never saw it, so I'm really looking forward to hearing at least a few fully fleshed out live recordings of what the songs would have sounded like on the tour. With only three weeks to go before the first show when he died, I'm sure at least a few sound amazing. Wonder why they didn't release a live single. Anyway, I'll be sure to share my thoughts here once I've watched it. Smooth: KOP claimed to be official, I think. [Edited 7/7/11 10:28am]

That's odd, because there is no official fan forum, and if there is, it should be MJJC. They have the largest number of members.

MattyJam said:

Learn to read properly asshole. I don't engage in critical conversations about MJ or his career with people who aren't even fans.

What's the point in me discussing how I feel Invincible is a below par album with someone who dislikes almost everything he's done post-1982??

I don't call you a troll because you disagree with me. I call you a troll because it is blatantly obvious that you are only interested in discussing Michael Jackson in a negative light. He doesn't write enough of his own songs, he wasn't prolific, his fanbase is dwindling, his posthumous songs are terrible, he hasn't had as many Billboard number ones as The Beatles yada yada yada...

You are a troll. Now fuck off.

I also said that Thriller was a classic, Off the Wall even better. That I love the Jackson Five. That Jackson had amazing taste in music. And that he was an excellent illustrator. I'm sorry if it hurts you that I feel that Bad was a formulaic follow-up that tread no new musical gound, albeit one with some very memorable singles. And that IMO after that, his mental illness really got in the way of his artistic output. By the way, this is a pretty common observation.

I also mentioned earlier in the thread that I would LOVE to hear a new killer track on the level with his greatest work (or even his average work!). But given his sporadic output over the past 30 years, and the quality of material released on the first two posthumous albums, it just seems unlikely.

Go to "Fan Fiction" where you belong.

smoothcriminal12 said:

That's odd, because there is no official fan forum, and if there is, it should be MJJC. They have the largest number of members.

I googled "KOP Michael Jackson," got this result:

K.O.P | The Official Michael Jackson Site

It redirects to michaeljackson.com. Looks like Sony recently purchased the formally independed site. © 2011 Sony Music Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. at the bottom of the home page.

Imaginative said:

MattyJam said:

Learn to read properly asshole. I don't engage in critical conversations about MJ or his career with people who aren't even fans.

What's the point in me discussing how I feel Invincible is a below par album with someone who dislikes almost everything he's done post-1982??

I don't call you a troll because you disagree with me. I call you a troll because it is blatantly obvious that you are only interested in discussing Michael Jackson in a negative light. He doesn't write enough of his own songs, he wasn't prolific, his fanbase is dwindling, his posthumous songs are terrible, he hasn't had as many Billboard number ones as The Beatles yada yada yada...

You are a troll. Now fuck off.

I also said that Thriller was a classic, Off the Wall even better. That I love the Jackson Five. That Jackson had amazing taste in music. And that he was an excellent illustrator. I'm sorry if it hurts you that I feel that Bad was a formulaic follow-up that tread no new musical gound, albeit one with some very memorable singles. And that IMO after that, his mental illness really got in the way of his artistic output. By the way, this is a pretty common observation.

I also mentioned earlier in the thread that I would LOVE to hear a new killer track on the level with his greatest work (or even his average work!). But given his sporadic output over the past 30 years, and the quality of material released on the first two posthumous albums, it just seems unlikely.

Go to "Fan Fiction" where you belong.

You praising the fact that he liked The Beatles and that he was good at drawing is hardly evidence that you post on here out of any interest other than trolling.

For someone who likes to discuss Michael Jackson so much, you really know very little about him. There has been ONE posthumous album, not two. Want to hear a new killer track? Behind The Mask - a gem from the 80s which is argueably better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad. Practically every critics review of the album (even the scathing ones) praised this song.

MattyJam said:

For someone who likes to discuss Michael Jackson so much, you really know very little about him. There has been ONE posthumous album, not two. Want to hear a new killer track? Behind The Mask - a gem from the 80s which is argueably better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad. Practically every critics review of the album (even the scathing ones) praised this song.

Which word are you struggling with, "posthumous" or "album"? Or was one of these released before he died?

Imaginative said:

MattyJam said:

For someone who likes to discuss Michael Jackson so much, you really know very little about him. There has been ONE posthumous album, not two. Want to hear a new killer track? Behind The Mask - a gem from the 80s which is argueably better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad. Practically every critics review of the album (even the scathing ones) praised this song.

Which word are you struggling with, "posthumous" or "album"? Or was one of these released before he died?

Have you seen the tracklisting for This Is It? It's a greatest hits album you moron. Yes, it was released posthumously, but seeing as it consists almost entirely of previously released songs it can hardly be used as a measure of the quality of his unreleased material.

There has been ONE posthumous album, not two. Want to hear a new killer track? Behind The Mask - a gem from the 80s which is argueably better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad. Practically every critics review of the album (even the scathing ones) praised this song.

a.) THIS IS IT contains several previously unreleased tracks, does it not?

b.) Thanks for turning me on to the track “Behind the Mask." It’s a good song, I quite like it. As a cover version, it doesn’t qualify as a “new” song in the strict sense. But I do love that you admit a cover song is ”better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad!” Coming from a huge fan like yourself, it actually bolsters my position that he was not prolific.

c.) When will people here realize that they do not need to include the previous post , including images in their reponse? Annoying. So much easier to Select and Delete, and make threads so much easier to follow.

d.) You're cute.

MattyJam said:

Imaginative said:

And to my point, not a single one of these songs is compelling to anyone outside of the most die-hard fans

That's not true at all. Hollywood Tonight was MJ's biggest club track on the US Billboard dance charts since the early 90s and earnt him his first US club number 1 since Scream. Hold My Hand was a top ten hit in 16 countries.

"This Is It" also peaked at number 18 on both Billboard' Adult Contemporary and R&B/Hip-Hop song charts. The song wasn't available for individual download which hampered it's chance for charting on the Hot 100.

Imaginative said:

There has been ONE posthumous album, not two. Want to hear a new killer track? Behind The Mask - a gem from the 80s which is argueably better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad. Practically every critics review of the album (even the scathing ones) praised this song.

a.) THIS IS IT contains several previously unreleased tracks, does it not?

b.) Thanks for turning me on to the track “Behind the Mask." It’s a good song, I quite like it. As a cover version, it doesn’t qualify as a “new” song in the strict sense. But I do love that you admit a cover song is ”better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad!” Coming from a huge fan like yourself, it actually bolsters my position that he was not prolific.

c.) When will people here realize that they do not need to include the previous post , including images in their reponse? Annoying. So much easier to Select and Delete, and make threads so much easier to follow.

d.) You're cute.

LOL , that's really laughable .....

MJ was not VERY prolific in a sense because his motto was Quality over Quantity , he does NOT release Shitty music every year , He never did, , that's why he nearly had a perfect body of work , if you are comparing him to other artists then you Fail , every artist has a way or technique when it comes to deal with the music industry and how to produce timeless music ! he was the best at it....RIP

and of course I want a good album in four years NOT shitty lifeless four albums in four years ....And to even say that he was not prolific is wrong , he released enough material since he was young!

MattyJam said:

Imaginative said:

Again, disagreeing is NOT trolling. You ARE "engaging in conversations" with me! Here I said Jackson had great taste, but you still focus on the negative.

Learn to read properly asshole. I don't engage in critical conversations about MJ or his career with people who aren't even fans.

What's the point in me discussing how I feel Invincible is a below par album with someone who dislikes almost everything he's done post-1982??

I don't call you a troll because you disagree with me. I call you a troll because it is blatantly obvious that you are only interested in discussing Michael Jackson in a negative light. He doesn't write enough of his own songs, he wasn't prolific, his fanbase is dwindling, his posthumous songs are terrible, he hasn't had as many Billboard number ones as The Beatles yada yada yada...

You are a troll. Now fuck off.

Lawd , I didn't know that poster said all of that ! but the way he posts rewinds me with an ex-troll that was bothering the fans here, I could be wrong tho but anyways....

b.) Thanks for turning me on to the track “Behind the Mask." It’s a good song, I quite like it. As a cover version, it doesn’t qualify as a “new” song in the strict sense. But I do love that you admit a cover song is ”better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad!” Coming from a huge fan like yourself, it actually bolsters my position that he was not prolific.

It isn't a cover version. Michael is one of the co-writers as he wrote the words and the melody over the top of the Yellow Magic Orchestra instrumental.

[Edited 7/7/11 12:01pm]

mjforever said:

LOL....NOT MJ of course ....FAKE!

MattyJam said:

b.) Thanks for turning me on to the track “Behind the Mask." It’s a good song, I quite like it. As a cover version, it doesn’t qualify as a “new” song in the strict sense. But I do love that you admit a cover song is ”better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad!” Coming from a huge fan like yourself, it actually bolsters my position that he was not prolific.

It isn't a cover version. Michael is one of the co-writers as he wrote the words and the melody over the top of the Yellow Magic Orchestra instrumental.

[Edited 7/7/11 12:01pm]

I think that resonse was meant for that "MJ Fan Fiction" forum!

"Behind the Mask" was a track from Yellow Magic Orchestra's 1979 album Solid State Survivor, with English lyrics by Chris Mosdell sung by Ryuichi Sakamoto using a vocoder.

In actuality, Michael Jackson wrote, "an extra melody line and a few extra lyrics," probably in the hopes of slapping his name on the copyright credits to steal some of the publishing rights from the original authors, per his usual M.O.

In the wake of his death, I'm sure the authors were more than happy to capitalize, even if it meant reliquishing 1/3 of the publishing to Jackson's estate.

Go learn something...

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ask_(song)

I suspect that once you learn the true origins and Jackson's actual contribution (seek out the earlier versions, and it speaks for itself), you'll no longer run around claiming that it's ”better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad,” in true Wacko Jacko denial fashion.

[Edited 7/7/11 12:28pm]

Imaginative said:

MattyJam said:

I think that resonse was meant for that "MJ Fan Fiction" forum!

"Behind the Mask" was a track from Yellow Magic Orchestra's 1979 album Solid State Survivor, with English lyrics by Chris Mosdell sung by Ryuichi Sakamoto using a vocoder.

In actuality, Michael Jackson wrote, "an extra melody line and a few extra lyrics," probably in the hopes of slapping his name on the copyright credits to steal some of the publishing rights from the original authors, per his usual M.O.

In the wake of his death, I'm sure the authors were more than happy to capitalize, even if it meant reliquishing 1/3 of the publishing to Jackson's estate.

Go learn something...

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ask_(song)

I suspect that once you learn the true origins and Jackson's actual contribution (seek out the earlier versions, and it speaks for itself), you'll no longer run around claiming that it's ”better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad,” in true Wacko Jacko denial fashion.

[Edited 7/7/11 12:26pm]

Please just leave. You're ruining the thread. You've already been reported, and it's only a matter of time before the mods respond.

[Edited 7/7/11 12:30pm]

smoothcriminal12 said:

Imaginative said:

Please just leave. You're ruining the thread. You've already been reported, and it's only a matter of time before the mods respond.

[Edited 7/7/11 12:30pm]

Imaginative is not being rude to anyone. If anything, it's the opposite. He's just contributing to the thread. After all, this a sticky to discuss anything related to Jackson, not an appreciation thread. Therefore, he has as much right to be here as you do. You know what ruins this thing? The constant pictures and videos. Focus on that.

Imaginative said:

MattyJam said:

I think that resonse was meant for that "MJ Fan Fiction" forum!

"Behind the Mask" was a track from Yellow Magic Orchestra's 1979 album Solid State Survivor, with English lyrics by Chris Mosdell sung by Ryuichi Sakamoto using a vocoder.

In actuality, Michael Jackson wrote, "an extra melody line and a few extra lyrics," probably in the hopes of slapping his name on the copyright credits to steal some of the publishing rights from the original authors, per his usual M.O.

In the wake of his death, I'm sure the authors were more than happy to capitalize, even if it meant reliquishing 1/3 of the publishing to Jackson's estate.

Go learn something...

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ask_(song)

I suspect that once you learn the true origins and Jackson's actual contribution (seek out the earlier versions, and it speaks for itself), you'll no longer run around claiming that it's ”better than half of Thriller and 3/4 of Bad,” in true Wacko Jacko denial fashion.

Perhaps read your own fucking link. The extent of the vocoder part is minimal and the original Yellow Magic Orchestra version is considered an instrumental and always was until (and I quote from your own link):

"In the early 1980s, Michael Jackson wrote additional lyrics for the song with an accompanying melody, which has been recorded by himself and since covered by Greg Phillinganes, Eric Clapton, and Ryuichi Sakamoto (as a solo artist), among others."

The lyrics and the melody you hear on all the other versions of the song were written by Michael and covered by Eric Clapton etc.

You're really making a fool of yourself on this one asshole.

MOL said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Please just leave. You're ruining the thread. You've already been reported, and it's only a matter of time before the mods respond.

[Edited 7/7/11 12:30pm]

Imaginative is not being rude to anyone. If anything, it's the opposite. He's just contributing to the thread. After all, this a sticky to discuss anything related to Jackson, not an appreciation thread. Therefore, he has as much right to be here as you do. You know what ruins this thing? The constant pictures and videos. Focus on that.

Did I ask you? No? Thanks, bye.

MattyJam said:

Perhaps read your own fucking link...

You're really making a fool of yourself on this one asshole.

You are rude.

From the link...

Quincy Jones heard Yellow Magic Orchestra’s version during the Thriller sessions, and brought it to Michael Jackson, Michael had recorded the song, adding an extra melody line and a few extra lyrics. Legal battles prevented the song to be released on Jackson's sixth studio album, Thriller, and remained unreleased for over 25 years.

The "legal battles," revolved around Jackson's insistance on adding material to the already published and copyrighted song, so that he could essentially take 1/3 of the publishing away from the original authors. What a stand-up guy.

This was his M.O. with many of his so-called, "callaborations."

smoothcriminal12 said:

MOL said:

Imaginative is not being rude to anyone. If anything, it's the opposite. He's just contributing to the thread. After all, this a sticky to discuss anything related to Jackson, not an appreciation thread. Therefore, he has as much right to be here as you do. You know what ruins this thing? The constant pictures and videos. Focus on that.

Did I ask you? No? Thanks, bye.

Shut up.

Imaginative said:

Quincy Jones heard Yellow Magic Orchestra’s version during the Thriller sessions, and brought it to Michael Jackson, Michael had recorded the song, adding an extra melody line and a few extra lyrics. Legal battles prevented the song to be released on Jackson's sixth studio album, Thriller, and remained unreleased for over 25 years.

The "legal battles," revolved around Jackson's insistance on adding material to the already published and copyrighted song, so that he could essentially take 1/3 of the publishing away from the original authors. What a stand-up guy.

This was his M.O. with many of his so-called, "callaborations."

If you compare the MJ version to the YMO version you will hear for yourself that the comment "extra melody line and a few extra lyrics" is a gross under-statement.

MJ's "extra melody line and lyics" turn a pleasant but rather generic dance instrumental into a great track. He was more than deserving of being credited as a co-writer on that song. Anyone who listens to the two different versions will agree.

MOL said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Did I ask you? No? Thanks, bye.

Shut up.

Thanks, but no thanks.

You'd think the estate would release the original mix from 1982. Of course not.

Derek1984 said:

You'd think the estate would release the original mix from 1982. Of course not.

They were obviously looking for a huge hit.

smoothcriminal12 said:

Derek1984 said:

You'd think the estate would release the original mix from 1982. Of course not.

They were obviously looking for a huge hit.

But all the estate had to do was put the original mix on the single that was released. Original mix or new mix, it wasn't going to be a hit anyways. I'm sure the 1982 sounds much better and I would like it.

Derek1984 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

They were obviously looking for a huge hit.

But all the estate had to do was put the original mix on the single that was released. Original mix or new mix, it wasn't going to be a hit anyways. I'm sure the 1982 sounds much better and I would like it.

MJ's delivery on that song is so powerful and energetic that they could've used gregorian chant music in the background and it'd still sound amazing.

Well this is a "Discuss Anything and Everything MJ", meaning Anything and Everything about MJ can be discussed, both good and bad.

I can appreciate different points of views on Michael's life, be they favorable or critical. I'm all for a good, spirited debate or argument between posters every now and then because it livens up this thread and breaks up the monotony of the same stuff getting posted over and over again.

But when people start shooting off personal attacks, name calling, cussing others out, thats when the thread starts to go downhill, at least for me it does. Whats the point of all that? Why not agree to disagree and move on? No need to get personal. At the end of the day, its just some anonymous person putting their opinion out on the internet. Name calling or personally attacking someone over their viewpoint is ineffective because no matter what you say, they are not going to change their opinion just like you are not going to change yours. The best thing to do is to agree to disagree, keep it civil, and move on.

Now having said that, I have a question: What do you guys think Michael's life would have been like if he had never recorded Thriller? I've often wondered about how different his life would have been. I'm sure he'd still perform and record, but perhaps without the crushing, crazy, isolating fame it brought maybe he would've had a happier, free-er existence? Thriller was a tremendous blessing for him, but sometimes it seems like it was a kind of a curse for him as well. Thoughts?

[Edited 7/7/11 13:54pm]

NaughtyKitty said:

mjforever said:

Thats incredible!

What was that?

bboy87 said:

NaughtyKitty said:

Thats incredible!

What was that?

CLEARLY it was an unreleased Michael Jackson record! I hope that makes the final cut for the next album!

Oh. No Malachi. No Cascio. Impressed. The video snippet was real cool...