Michael Jackson died

[Sammy Boy]

This is so sad. He had so much creativity, energy, and passion that he put into his music. He produced such meaningful songs (e.g. Man in the Mirrior, Heal the World, You are not Alone, etc.).

I hated the fact that the media always made him out to be a freak, calling him names such as "Jacko Wacko". I think he was probably quite lonely deep down.

Even my parents, who are not into pop music, liked his songs.

[Maokun]

I hate to be Mr. KillJoy but you've got to be kidding me.

It's starting to tick me off that kids all over facebook are mourning MJ like they knew him.

It's ridiculous how we've trashed on his life for the past two decades but then when he dies all of a sudden everyone loves him.

I'm not calling out anyone here, I'm just making a generalization.

You say you're not calling out anyone, but since you quoted my post, allow me a small reply: I'm afraid you misunderstood me when I said that. I hold no particular affection for Mr. Jackson beyond admiring his amazing music. I almost never approved of anything he did on his life, but the music kept being awesome. If you check the rest of my post, you'll note that I lamented his death more as the loss of an icon of the reality we live on, our Zeitgeist, than as anything else. I remember having made that same statment years before when Carl Sagan and Jacques Custeau died or when John Paul II did. I'll say it again when madonna or Pelé]Well, I managed to go 19 years without ever hearing a Michael Jackson song. Now that he is dead, though, I figured I would listen to one for kicks. I do not know what I was expecting, really, but the video for "Thriller" was unlike anything I was imagining.

MJ seriously broke out the dance moves with zombies? I still can hardly believe that the old Michael Jackson and the modern one were the same people.

I might have to revise my assessment of him. I mean, I hate pop music as a rule, and his court issues were not very pleasant, but still. Dancing with zombies is cool, especially if you are one of the first people to ever do it.[/quote]

He also danced with ancient egyptians, archtypical italian mafia, street gangsters and many other equally cool looking groups

[Nate]

I lamented his death more as the loss of an icon of the reality we live on, our Zeitgeist, than as anything else.

I just wanted to quote this and say, this is probably how most people view MJ's death, so I'm quoting Mao's post for truth.

Michael was truly one of the greatest celebrities of our lifetime, and whether you like or hate his music, the fact is it went beyond just his music. He's probably inspired thousands of people's musical careers, dancing careers, directing careers. There are a lot of musicians who were heavily inspired by his work, there's a lot of dancers who were in awe of his abilities.

Yeah, the people on Facebook didn't know him. So what? You don't have to know someone in person to be inspired by them. As Christians that should be insanely obvious, none of us have met anyone from the Bible personally, face-to-face. But we're inspired by them, aren't we? We get meaning and understanding from reading second, third, maybe even fifth-hand accounts of them.

Yeah, so people made fun of him. So what? I wasn't above telling the usual Michael Jackson joke. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy his music. That doesn't mean I didn't respect the man's talents. And people are still going to tell jokes, even after his death. I've heard a couple of good ones already.

But that's just human nature. Everybody didn't make fun of him. Everybody didn't hate him. And not everybody is mourning his death, I've seen a few people laughing, saying he deserved it, all sorts of things.

But again, the fact is is he was one of the greatest performers there ever was. To have his comeback concert literally sell out mere HOURS after tickets went on sale? That wouldn't be possible if "everyone trashed on his life." And even if they did, so what? A man's accomplishments can be separate from his personal life. Thomas Jefferson wasn't exactly a paragon of virtue or morality but I think most of us would agree he did a lot of good as one of the founders of this country.

So you'll excuse me if I take issue with someone thinking that everyone mourning MJ's death is some kind of hypocrite.

Though I'm not calling anyone out here, I'm just making a generalization.

[rocklobster]

Ugh, this is getting ugly. I was afraid this would happen. Please keep this civil dudes and dudettes.

[ShiroiHikari]

I'm with Nate.

[Lilac#18]

I heard Michael's oldest son Prince Michael I was going to perform with him which was supposed to be a surprise. Too bad it not going to happen now.

[HondaTooru]

Yeah, the people on Facebook didn't know him. So what? You don't have to know someone in person to be inspired by them. As Christians that should be insanely obvious, none of us have met anyone from the Bible personally, face-to-face. But we're inspired by them, aren't we?

Well said! Personally, I was a HUUUUUUGE Michael Jackson fan and it hit me like a ton of bricks when I heard the news. I may not have known him personally, but he made a great impression on me when I started listening to his music over 15 years ago. His music was as catchy as it was unique and he wrote some really inspiring lyrics! "Man in the Mirror", "Heal the World", "Keep the Faith", "Earth Song" - all such motivational stuff and no one else was making songs like that! As far as all the rumors and allegations go, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Since he was never proven guilty and so many of the rumors were so ridiculous, I just decided to ignore it. As a Christian, how can I judge someone I don't know based on unproven and vicious hearsay?

Fact is, he was one of God's children, just like me. Flawed, just like me. But he did have some beautiful things to say, didn't he? Of all the superstars I've ever heard or read about, MJ always seemed by far the most genuine, the most approachable. He was softspoken, kind, and incredibly talented. That's what I'm going to remember him by. And when I read lyrics like these, ya know, I think I might just get a chance to meet him after all.

"Speechless"

[size=84]Your love is magical, that's how I feel [/SIZE]
[size=84] But I have not the words here to explain [/SIZE]
[size=84] Gone is the grace for expressions of passion [/SIZE]
[size=84] But there are worlds and worlds of ways to explain [/SIZE]
[size=84] To tell you how I feel [/SIZE]

[size=84] But I am speechless, speechless [/SIZE]
[size=84] That's how you make me feel [/SIZE]
[size=84] Though I'm with you, I am far away and nothing is for real [/SIZE]
[size=84] When I'm with you I am lost for words, I don't know what to say [/SIZE]
[size=84] My head's spinning like a carousel, so silently I pray [/SIZE]

[size=84] Helpless and hopeless, that's how I feel inside [/SIZE]
[size=84] Nothing's real, but all is possible if God is on my side [/SIZE]
[size=84] When I'm with you I am in the light where I cannot be found [/SIZE]
[size=84] It's as though I am standing in the place called Hallowed Ground [/SIZE]

[size=84] Speechless, speechless, that's how you make me feel [/SIZE]
[size=84] Though I'm with you I am far away and nothing is for real [/SIZE]
[size=84] I'll go anywhere and do anything just to touch your face [/SIZE]
[size=84] There's no mountain high I cannot climb [/SIZE]
[size=84] I'm humbled in your grace [/SIZE]

[size=84] Speechless, speechless, that's how you make me feel [/SIZE]
[size=84] But in your presence I am lost for words [/SIZE]
[size=84] Words like, "I love you."[/SIZE]

[Fantasy Dreamer]

NOte: Please no uncouth remarks about this person. Let's just post positive stuff here, okay?

Well... I guess that means I have no comment. ^_^;

[Bobtheduck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5jNQq6ZFQQ&feature=player_embedded

This is an awesome tribute to MJ made with Rag Doll Kung fu...

[Tommy]

That looks like such a fun game...

[Lady Kenshin]

I am so sad... I only discovered how awesome he was about a year ago. *sigh*

[~darkelfgirl~]

Yeh, it was sudden =(. At first, I thought it was a rumor until I saw it on the news. His music is awesome (coincidentally, my sister is listening to him right now). I especially loved 'Beat It' (I sing it in the shower--TMI I know).

Like Nate said, I wasn't particularly innocent, either, and I'm sure a lot of us aren't. I still thought and do think he was/is awesome and unrivaled, though. I grew up with his music (my dad used to play his cassette in the car). My friends and I were trying to do the Thriller dance, but it was too cool to duplicate xD.

And I agree with Nate. MJ's a celebrity and he's a human, too. I will miss him.

RIP MJ

[thisiskris89]

i felt bad for the guy.what a poor lost soul.but don't you guys think he is being idolized too much?i mean congress had a moment of silence for him.am i doing that mood killing thing?(O_O)
please dun hurt me( >_< )

[ADXC]

Yeah, he is being idolized too much. It's been weeks since he passed and this happens. I dunno, Im just really tired of it all.

[minakichan]

With all the coverage, I just realized that I never really heard Michael Jackson's music before.

There was a concert on TV, I watched it.

Not really my thing.

[Fish and Chips]

At first when I saw this I thought, "Michael Jackson died again?"

But then I realized it'd just been bumped.

[Tommy]

He's a zombie now.

[Lilac#18]

i felt bad for the guy.what a poor lost soul.but don't you guys think he is being idolized too much?i mean congress had a moment of silence for him.am i doing that mood killing thing?(O_O)
please dun hurt me( >_< )

When someone's a big star, like a singer for many yrs and they pass they get more popular. I heard that happen to Elvis when he passed (I don't know how long the coverage). So, that happens whether we like it or not or the coverage. Don't worry, not trying to beat you up, just saying that's what happens. You have the absolute right to voice your opinion(s).

[minakichan]

He's a zombie now.

You say that as if it's a recent occurrence.