Sunday Night Selections: King of Pop Edition

This was one of the few weeks where I actually had a SnS post ready to go ahead of time. Though due to recent events, I think everyone will understand my decision to just run that post next week...

I don't have many words to add here. And even if I did, they would be unnecessary. We all know who Michael Jackson was and what he became. We all know what he did and what he was accused of doing. This post isn't about any of that. This is a post about his music. No matter who you are or what your musical preferences may be, there's a Michael Jackson song (or three) that you enjoy. So if you do choose to leave a comment or wall post, please try to keep it music-related.

R&B/Rap
The Game ft Diddy, Chris Brown, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans & Boyz II Men - "Better On The Other Side" (Michael Jackson Tribute)
A little too soon? Possibly. I'm not questioning the motives of anyone involved with the track though -- especially Chris Brown. Mr. Brown probably owes 90% of his career to Michael Jackson.


R&B/Pop
The Jackson 5 - "Sugar Daddy"
My love for music probably stems from my mom. She was an avid collector of music and to this day still has crates, boxes, and containers full of old vinyl records. One day when she was cleaning up, I remember her calling me over and asking me to listen to a record. After the song was finished, she asked if I knew who the little boy singing was. Being all of 4 or 5 years old, I had no clue who. After a few unsuccessful guesses, she told me that it was Michael Jackson. I remember being a little dumbfounded, as it didn't sound like the Michael I knew, but she assured me that's who it was. She then told me about how he started out singing with his brothers back in the 60s when she was a little girl. Over the years, my sister and I have broken, scratched, and lost many of my mom's old records, but this the one I always keep an eye out for. It's kind of special to me -- I feel like it's my connection to my mom's youth.
Watch A Live Performance

Pop
Michael Jackson - "Dirty Diana"
If I was teenager in 1987, I'm almost certain that I would have worn out my cassette tape due to the amount of times I would have rewound "Dirty Diana." The guitar combined withMJ's vocals does something for me.
Watch The Video

Pop
Michael Jackson - "Leave Me Alone"
I find it odd that this song never got any love. Not only is it great, but I feel like it's one of the few times Mike spoke from the heart.
Watch The Video

Originally featured April 29, 2007
Retro
Rockwell featuring Michael Jackson - "Somebody's Watching Me"
The only song I know where Michael Jackson plays second banana.
Watch The Video

Song of the Summer 1992
Pop
Michael Jackson - "Jam"
I'll be honest, I've never been too fond of this song. I can't understand the lyrics, the premise of the video isn't my favorite, and it got waaaay too much radio airplay back in the day. Even so, it is the song I remember most from the summer of 1992 -- a summer that was fairly good to 9 year old Terence. I spent my days at the Boys and Girls Club, I got a Super Nintendo (along with Street Fighter II), and I went to Washington D.C. Like a few other songs after it, it may not be the greatest song, but it does warrant a special mention as it serves as a "mental reminder" for a particular time in my life.
Watch The Video

Pop
Michael Jackson - "Smooth Criminal"
I can't count how many times I tried to lean forward like Michael and wound up face first on the floor.
Watch The Video

Even though "Beat It" is my favorite song from Thriller, I'd be a bad fan if I didn't include this one here...

Pop
Michael Jackson - "Thriller"
Watch The Video

Gracias.