Anyhoo, our children are suddenly hearing us talk about this music icon and the music that we loved so much. And let’s be honest, we really haven’t talked about MJ for the last 15 years or so because of all the...how could we say it best…AWKWARDNESS. But now, we’re all reminiscing about days of hanging out at the Rolladium Skating Rink and getting our Billie Jean on. And the hours we spent trying to learn the Thriller dance. Notice I said “trying” because we all know that I’ve yet to master any “group” dance. (If you’ve seen me try to do the Electric Slide, then you are completely aware of this and if you haven’t seen me try to do the Electric Slide, then you should consider yourself one of the lucky ones.)
I have to say the one fact about death is this…someone dying makes you appreciate all the good times that you had and you try your best to just forget all the rest. So last week when all of the news stations were including a different MJ tune with every story, I was remembering all the good times we had in what we 80’s kids like to call the pre-Thriller days. It makes you realize that some of that music is totally awesome and that just hearing a bar or two is not gonna be enough. So what do you do? You have Lawnmower Man make you a mix tape.
Yes, a mix tape. (Except for it's really a mix CD but that just doesn't have the same ring to it.) I didn’t give any special requests for specific songs so it was a big surprise when I got in the car for the first time and listened to all 10 songs. I was happy with all of his choices except two and the Lil’Nanny was a little perturbed that he missed one of her favorites (Beat It) but here’s what he came up with…
1. Billie Jean
2. Bad (not one of my favorites because it’s post Thriller and I was so over him at this point.)
3. Human Nature
4. Thriller
5. ABC
6. Wanna be starting something
7. The way you make me feel (again, not a favorite because it’s post Thriller.)
8. Rock with you
9. Don’t stop til you get enough
10. PYT
But my all time favorite is this one and it’s even before my time…
What's your favorite? And yes, the Lil'Nanny is now a big fan and wants to listen everytime we get in the car.
8 comments:
I am more of a got on the band when Thriller came out in 4th grade kind of girl. I had a glove, leather skirt, skinny leather tie, JAZZ shoes... the whole get up (and a friend to match). BUT how could you forget We Are The World. I know it was more than MJ... but it was his masterpiece =). I personally tried out for the Cindi Lauper part... WELL WELL WELL WELL, LET'S REALIZE THAT CHANGE CAN ONLY COME... WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER AS ONE
Oh Ashley, I totally sang the solo part in my 4th grade musical "there's a choice we're makin' we're saving our own lives...it's true we make a better day just you and meeee." It was my vocal debut and I rocked it with a flourescent pink sweatshirt, jellies to match, and some funky flourescent pink and yellow parrot dangle earrings.
BUT, that's not my fave. I love all the Thriller songs, but my favorite video was the song with Paul McCartney...The Girl Is Mine....the doggone girl is mine. I'm with Lil Nanny, Beat It was my favorite to dance and moon walk to. And I really love the oldies too. My strawberry shortcake roller skates made many a lap to those songs!
~H
O.K., the funniest part of this blog post is that you only have two comments! I think all of your readers are too young to even know what we are talking about!!! SO FUNNY!
I was OBSESSED with We Are The World but have to say Billie Jean was my fav. I liked Thriller but I wasn't allowed to watch MTV so I would get frustrated when everyone was doing the dance and I didn't know it. I know you can completely understand that.
Michael Jackson
"Gone Too Soon"
Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon
Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon
Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night
Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon
Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon
Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon
Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night
Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon
This was played for
Caylee Anthony's memorial and now for MJ and Elvis and a mom this is where a life on drugs will take you.
I can remember sitting on the floor in my living room staring at our album cover for Thriller and listening to it over and over again. As far as favorite song goes, it was probably Beat It or Billie Jean. And I do remember doing a choral performance for We are the World...I'm sure I was rocking some jellies too, but I would have totally coveted Heather's parrot earrings.
I'm old school. I've always loved "I'll Be There" and "ABC". I have very vivid memories of listening to "Rock With You" in my best friend's bedroom. And I was always obsessed with the video to "Beat It". Too bad MJ went all freakazoid on us. He really was a gifted man.
I loved "Billie Jean" and "The Girl is Mine." I also owned the VHS "The Making of Thriller" with the video and riveting interviews with the actress that plays the scared girl! Even more sad is the fact that I remember vividly standing in Walm%rt begging for it (one aisle over from the fish tank- the most exciting thing in the old small town Franklin when I was little). Wish I had it now...
I think I might be liking Don't Stop 'til you get enough. ?
I was thinking of pulling out my thriller "album" and taking a picture of it to blog about him. It might require more effort than I am willing to put forth. You never know!
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