Michael Jackson was an incredible dancer.  Most of his later work is dazzlingly precise and mechanical though, so it’s nice to take a look back at his earlier looser style.  This video to Don’t Stop ‘Til you Get Enough, is pretty incredible… its restrained and simply bursting with energy at the same time.  You can feel it all… his joys and hopes and all his youthful energy just on the cusp about to break loose, but also his fears.  Yeah, there’s a real tension in this performance, and it’s exhilerating.

Michael Jackson died today, way too young.  But, on the other hand, I can’t even imagine an elderly Michael Jackson.  I read once that his music was the only outside music that had penetrated even to primitive tribes in the amazon rain forest.  Which I guess would only be possible if outsiders specifically brought recordings of Michael Jackson into the rain forest to play for these primitive tribes.  Which is amazing.  Like, some crazy jungle explorer dude was like, THIS MUSIC IS SO GOOD, I’VE GOT TO PLAY IT FOR THE RAIN FOREST PEOPLE!

Anyhow, way back when, I wrote a song that is the perfect expression of our wonderment and joy over Michael’s accomplishments, while at the same time not forgeting what a crazy, sick life he led:  Show Respect to Michael Jackson.  In fact, I’d say that probably only a deeply troubled personality could muster the strength of his performances.  So, we got to take both the freak show with the brilliance.  Together they make the man.  Show Respect to Michael Jackson.