What a Life
My favorite Michael Jackson video is actually a Janet Jackson video. It's also my son Jackson's* favorite Jackson video.
* Despite some minor speculation on almost no one's part, Jackson wasn't named for the Jackson 5, or Reggie Jackson, or even Phil Jackson, despite their dearness to our hearts. No, here in California, as in ancient times, one names one's son for his father and just tacks "son" on the end, and prays he won't end up being named Larry Bird.
* Despite some minor speculation on almost no one's part, Jackson wasn't named for the Jackson 5, or Reggie Jackson, or even Phil Jackson, despite their dearness to our hearts. No, here in California, as in ancient times, one names one's son for his father and just tacks "son" on the end, and prays he won't end up being named Larry Bird.
26 Comments:
Re: the name - Yes! I keep pushing the name Matthewson for our son due in November - husband is not going for it.
What about Mattson?
You know, I'm sort of floored by how popular Michael and Janet are. I was never a fan of their music, and Michael's personal life was so screwed up that I couldn't separate it from his stage life. The only way I can relate to this, is that I'm a huge fan of Bob Dylan, who's had some personal problems that I'm willing to overlook because I believe he's so hugely talented. It's fascinating to watch the outpouring of affection for Jackson today.
I think the whole separation of life and work thing is worse for actors. For example, I can't watch Mel Gibson in anything anymore without thinking what a nutcase he is. The only case I can think of where it works to the actor's advantage is Klaus Kinski.
Bob Dylan is a genius, of course. The less I know about him, the better.
If I had a boy I would have named him Garrison, after my husband, Garrett.
And, not to get all MJ-historian on you, but technically Scream would be a Michael Jackson song, featuring Janet Jackson. As this was the first major single from his "HIStory, Vol. 1" album. At the time, I remember them saying it was the most expensive video ever made, because every single frame was digitized and altered to give it a "futuristic" appearance. Now, that's standard practice, but it was amazing in the '90's.
I believe you, Yolanda. iTunes files it under Janet Jackson, for some reason.
Dude, I ALWAYS loved this video.
I believe at the time that was the most expensive video ever made... And I've long had my suspicions that Janet played both herself and Michael in it.
Brilliant musician, but I'm a bit surprised by the 24/7 coverage we've been getting since last night...then again, they did the same when Anna Nicole Smith died. But can anyone explain why people want to go hang out at his star on the walk of fame? Is it a pilgramage? Or do they just want to get on tv?
For us it would have been Lancelet.
Good job we had girls.
Oh wow -- I'd totally forgotten about that video. Thank you for posting it. I sorta want that outfit now.
I had forgotten about that video, too. Holy shit, the dancing!
This video reminds me of the summer I was twenty. I packed my car full of all of my (meager) belongings and moved to Vancouver.
Small town girl in a Big City.
Sigh.
Unrelated:
I think jenijen and I should get matching outfits for BlogHer. Yes?
re: name - we just named our son (6 weeks today) Jackson, because both of our maternal grandfathers were Jack (not John called Jack, but Jack).
We had a grandfather named Jack (not John), too, and several named Roy. It was a tough decision.
Clearly I missed a golden opportunity to name my boy-child in this manner - with a husband named Danjohn, imagine the fun? DanJohnSon?
my 7 year old daughter just watched "scream", her first MJ video. i told her it was made in 1995 and she replies, "no wonder it's in black & white."
sigh.
thank you for posting an edited version of it, btw :)
Glad I didn't marry a Dick. On so many levels.
Jacquie
Jeez, was the really 14 years ago? Dang. That was my fave, too & I had wanted to see it again, so thanks for that. I wish they made more videos/songs together.
so, uh, Jackson's son will be named Jacksonson?
Names are important, and honoring a family member is sweet and age-old. Just pick one you can imagine yelling for the next 18 years.
(Says the girl named the same as 57% of all other girls born from 1969-1977.)
Jeni (for Jennifer)
I don't know if I am the only one who feels this way, but I think that Michael might have been the GenX's Elvis Presley. He revolutionized the pop world and brought music videos to a whole other level. Unfortunately, his prediliction for young children will forever taint his image.
Hello musical soul mate; Bossy has been playing this video and song for six solid days.
Back when this was out, I was rolling from alternative to grittier punk & goth around this time, so popchart music was "PTHEUuuh!!" about then for me. It's only been much later that I could appreciate the great dancing and high budget video numbers like this. My favorite will always be Thriller, accordingly. (How could I resist graveyard zombies.) But this is really pretty work; beautiful in its artifice, as his whole life has been, except for maybe the nose.
I have a theory about his weird life: What if: There really was no sexual attachment to children [as there clearly was none with anyone else in his experience]. What if: it was all that he himself really WAS a child in his mind, and couldn't separate them in his mind from himself?. What if he was completely a-sexual?. Just a thought.
I've always liked that video because it showed them being silly together.
Total thanks for reminding me of this video. It is Awesome!
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