Wednesday, July 01, 2009

MJ and My BG

I was born in 1973. My parents were 25 and they were both very into music.

Now I was too little to really remember The Jackson 5 except from video clips and of course songs like “ABC” and “I Want You Back.” But for me, my love for Michael Jackson’s music started with the Off The Wall album.

I remember listening to lots of dance music when I was a kid in the late 70’s. Donna Summer, Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, and of course, Michael Jackson.

When I heard about his death last week I was surprised how much it affected me. I never thought of myself as a huge fan but when I started to listen to all the songs they were playing on the radio, and seeing the videos on TV, I got really upset.

So many life memories pop into my head when I hear many of his songs. Trips with my family when we all would be singing songs in the RV on our way camping. Dancing in my living room with my sisters to “Wanna Be Starting Something” and even at my sisters wedding last year that sparked a massive “Thriller” dance when the DJ played it.

Even my kids love his music.

There is one song in particular that is not a “hit” song of his but by far my favorite. It is off of his “Dangerous” album and it’s called “Keep the Faith.” The song is not a danceable one but rather like a song you would hear a Baptist church choir sing.

"'Cause you can climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest sea, all you need is the will to want it and a little self esteem. So keep the faith. Don’t let nobody turn you ‘round. You’ve gotta know when it’s good to go, to get your dreams up off the ground. So keep the faith. Because it’s just a matter of time before your confidence will win out. Believe in yourself no matter what it’s gonna take, you can be a winner but you’ve got to keep the faith."

At the end of the song is this amazing vocal breakdown with Michael and choir just working it and every time I hear it, I get chills.

I know this isn’t a diabetes post except to say that dancing to good music always brings down my blood sugar so I can do that and pay tribute to one of the greatest entertainers in my lifetime.

3 comments:

k2 said...

Your blog can be about anything that you want it to be- drelated or not!
This post is drelated, because his music helped lower your blood sugar.

I was sad when I heard about MJ,and many childhood memories flashed by as I listened to his music and watched the videos all weekend.

He was an amazing entertainer and he left to soon.
Kelly K

Araby62 (a.k.a. Kathy) said...

I remember 'Off the Wall' too and making up little dance routines in my best friend's bedroom. MJ was almost wallpaper back then, he was everywhere. It is weirdly sad, even though I was a Duranie in the '80s. I don't know what I'm going to do when they start dying off! {:-O

There's nothing like some crankin' New Wave to get the BGs down!

micksmom28 said...

I was so sad when I heard he died! I know he was a freak and all, but he was a musical genius and his music will forever be a part of my childhood also! He will be missed!