Michael Jackson - 'This Is It'
Posthumous releases are a strange phenomenon. They don't always work, sometimes you can see the join, and there's something a little icky about hearing the voice of someone you know is no longer with us, singing a song you've never heard before. And if it's a song they weren't keen to release in the first place, there's the voyeurism factor to overcome too.
This being Michael Jackson, all of the emotions mentioned above are amplified by the media tornado that surrounds any mention of his name ever, and serve to build a wall between his music and the listening ear.
Grisly tabloid reports? Part of the problem. People shouting the odds on Twitter? Part of the problem. This review? Part of the problem. A man, on his own, saying Michael's name out loud on a windy day? Part of the problem.
(. There will be a montage video along soon. And a DVD.)
With that in mind, here are some fragments of thoughts about the song, which will be tossed into the maelstrom like tiny fruit slices in a smoothie-maker the size of Brazil:
'This Is It' was written during Michael's artistic peak as a songwriter, at some point between 'Off The Wall' in 1979, and 'Dangerous' in 1991.
It's not a song which was deemed good enough to record properly at the time, and this recording is a piano and vocal demo which has been tarted up since it was first recorded, with the involvement of Michael's brothers and former Jacksons bandmates on velvet harmonies.
It is unclear when this tarting up occurred. Possibly even before Michael's death, according to some news reports, although this seems enormously unlikely.
This is probably not a reason to be suspicious: The list of things which are not quite good enough to sit with Michael Jackson in his prime include almost all pop music ever made, so its in good company.
On the other hand, it's fairly easy to spot why it was left on the shelf. Despite a solid gold verse, and a pleading bridge, it never quite finishes the job it begins. The bit of the song which serves as the chorus - "I never heard a single word about you, falling in love wasn't my plan" - turns out to be the weakest bit, if only because it should be the moment when everything takes off, turns you upside-down and then sets you back down, ruffled but happy.
As it is, the song arrives, sets a beautifully laid back mood, and then leaves.
It is also a song which contains a couple of mildly messianic, self-aggrandising lyrics, the like of which eventually led to a lot of people feeling distanced from Michael's music. 'Man In The Mirror' is a sentiment everyone can get behind: "I'm the light of the world" is less easy to swallow, even if it contained a grain of truth at the time (and could just as easily refer to feeling amazing because someone loves you).
And anyway, it's a demo: 'Thriller' wasn't called 'Thriller' until it was nearly finished. Who knows if the Biblical lyric would've made it to a final version?
Releasing this will possibly remind people that Michael Jackson was very good at his job.
And that is a good thing.
Download: Out now
CD Released: October 26th
91Èȱ¬ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 13th Oct 2009, ELCEEEM8837 wrote:C'MON GUYS
Give good ole M.J.a chance.It seems like that even after his death some people still take pleasure in hounding him.The single has not yet been released.Let the people hear it first, and see what their reaction to it is.It may even go to the top of the charts,that is because the music fans of today are so unpredictable.So Fraser and every one else of your ilk,hold your horses and don't jump the gun.YOU MAY HAVE TO EAT YOUR WORDS AND THAT WON'T BE VERY TASTY INDEED.Bye.
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Comment number 2.
At 13th Oct 2009, Alice_the_goldfish_ wrote:But Fraser has heard the song and this is just his opinion. He can't change that just based on how the public react. I'll admit, I'm not a MJ fan, but the little bit of this song I've heard does seem quite mediocre. Maybe my opinion will change when I've herd the whole thing.
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Comment number 3.
At 13th Oct 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Thanks Alice!
The other thing I think it's important to say is that I never make predictions about where things are going to chart - in life or on ChartBlog.
I don't think the chart position says a song is better or worse than it sounds in my ears, how could it? I also think that any music lover - if they stopped and thought about it for a second - would say the same thing.
So if this goes to No.1 for a year, brilliant! Good for Michael! And if it fails to scrape into the Top 100, that would be a shame, but I'd still like the song the same amount.
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Comment number 4.
At 13th Oct 2009, hackerjack wrote:A lot of people have already heard it and the general consensus is that it's a song that isn't good enough to get on most of his previous albums.
It WILL go to the top of the charts not because of music fans (who I agree can be unpredictable) but because of celebrity fans (who sadly are easily predicted)
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Comment number 5.
At 13th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:One of my favourite lyrics...
" Would we still be dancing the same
If Michael Jackson hadn't made music ? "
Wheel of Fortune - The Teenagers 2008
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Comment number 6.
At 14th Oct 2009, tj wrote:When is this out for download then? I do not think it one of the best MJ songs, far from it infact but as Frazer says just because it is not a MJ great doesn't mean it is that bad a song. Very valid point I think. So to download when?
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Comment number 7.
At 14th Oct 2009, MozFoz wrote:Nice one, spirit. People have the misconception that this was recorded not long ago, when it clearly wasn't. Which is why it sounds like a credible song from Michael's reportoire, not the drivel he released and dared to call Invincible.
Having said that it definitely doesn't hit you like any of his classics, but still a decent song.
Could have made more effort to make it sound less of a demo. Sometimes the raw quality is a good thing, but the instrumentation needs a little polishing. I love the fact that even though it's a demo, Michael's voice still rings clear. Shows the talent.
I mean, you could say that people will only buy cuz it's Michael Jackson, and that is basically the truth. But I would gladly have it at no. 1. mainly because I think music fans in the UK leave a lot to be desired. I mean, Chipmunk? ... Diamond Rings was miles better!
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Comment number 8.
At 14th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:It's been reported that "This is it " was written in 1983 by Michael and music legend Paul Anka .
Therefore it's 26 years old , and NOT a new song.
I need to hear it a few more times before commenting , but I will certainly be going to see the movie .
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Comment number 9.
At 14th Oct 2009, MeGa_DaN wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 10.
At 14th Oct 2009, RandomEnigma wrote:I completely agree with Fraser on his statement that Michael Jackson was a perfectionist and only allowed the best on his albums. While this is by no means a bad song, it is poor compared to all the MJ classics! I have a feeling that he wouldn't have wanted this released if he was still alive. That said he did allow Akon to kill "Gotta Be Startin' Somethin'" around 2 years ago...
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Comment number 11.
At 15th Oct 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Im debating the film. I wasnt going to bother but I saw it advertised before Fame (DONT SEE IT) and it sucked me in. Think a housemate wants to see it so Ill probably end up going.
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