I didn't find the introduction of Song from the Wall, only the introduction of this album. . . . Why not introduce some famous songs of Michael Jackson? Some of his songs have epoch-making significance. . .
1. Billie Jean
Text: Jody Rosen Translation: Keane
It was the summer of 1982. Jackson is on the Los Angeles Expressway 10 1. When he and producer Quincy Jones worked in the recording studio for a few days for the sequel of Beyond the Wall, he drove home. According to the memory in Jackson's autobiography of 1988, he was "deeply immersed in a melody lingering in his mind", so he didn't realize that the chassis of his luxury car began to smoke.
"When we drove off the highway, a young man rode a motorcycle and said to us,' You are on fire'! So we suddenly noticed the smoke and stopped the car quickly. The whole bottom of Rolls-Royce is on fire. That child really saved our lives. " However, even passing by death can't shake Jackson's obsession with what he is doing. "Even when we ask for help and find a new way to get to our destination, I am quietly writing more materials."
This song is probably the most self-centered work Jackson has ever written. This drama about the fear and anxiety of parent-child relationship is inspired by the experiences of singers and paranoid female fans. Jackson spent months on this song, and he was sure that he had something unusual in his hand.
"Musicians know what is the best-selling material. Everything needs to be in place. It makes you feel complete and feels good. " Jackson recalled, "This is how I felt about billie jean. I knew it would be a blockbuster when I wrote it. "
Jackson was right: At least, billie jean is a best seller. It was released in 1983 and 1 month, and won the first place in the billboard list for seven weeks, and was in R& D; List B won the championship for nine weeks in a row and sold 65.438+0 million single records, which made Thriller, the most successful commercial masterpiece in the history of pop music, soar to the sky, with global sales exceeding 65.438+0.4 billion, surpassing any other album, both before and after.
But the position of this song in history is far more than just a few numbers. Billie Jean broke the racial boundaries of MTV and destroyed the racial segregation of commercial radio stations for generations. When the modern music video era came, this single led the trendy pop music in the post-soul music era, and it still has far-reaching influence today. First of all, "Billie Jane" marks his coming of age. A former child star became a new generation of Elvis Presley and the Beatles, and became a super pop idol in the second half of the 20th century.
Such a song, which is still the strangest, can be ranked in the top 40 of the singles list, which is absolutely remarkable. Jackson's previous personal works were all luxurious discos, but Billie Jane was creepy, jumping between keyboard sounds and chord music with a pulsating bass, whip-like remake and grotesque multi-channel singing. Over the years, the audience has become accustomed to Jackson's special singing style-falsetto screaming, "gnome male-female" and james brown-style growling and wording-but in 1982, no one heard a Song Like, which only upgraded its uneasy influence and felt that "billie jean" actually collapsed in five minutes, in terms of rhythm.
This quirk is no accident. Bruce Switon, a recording engineer who worked in Quincy Jones for many years, recalled: "When we recorded Billie Jean, ... Quincy told me,' Well, this piece must have the most unique sound characteristics, if we had never recorded it.' Jones asked Jackson to put the recording of singing on the original tape through a six-foot cardboard tube; He also brought tom scott, a jazz saxophone player, to play a rare instrument-Lyricon, a wind instrument synthesizer. This instrument is sour, like a trumpet, and skillfully weaves the whole piece. Bassist Louis Johnson tried all kinds of guitars he owned, until Jackson decided to use Yamaha guitar as an instrument, which can play the ideal heavy and buzzing music. "
At the same time, Sveton also looks for the perfect beat through craft projects. He hired a carpenter to build a special drum stand, and ordered a special bass drum to design an isolated drum to capture the correct images of snare drum Jr. and the drum stand. "See if you can think of any other music so that you can know what it is when the first three drums sound?" Switon said, "This is what I call sound quality."
But the main component of this trait was almost left out in the final editing. Billie Jean rarely starts with long bass and drums-Jackson didn't start singing until the 29th second-so Jones wanted to trim it, but Jackson urged to keep it.
"I said,' Michael, we have to cut this hole,'" Jones recalled. "He said,' But that's jelly!' Jelly is Jackson's private jargon, and he uses "smelly jelly" to express crazy beats. "That makes me want to dance." Oh, if Michael Jackson tells you, "It makes me want to dance", the rest of us must shut up. "
It was Jackson's dance and his singing that contributed to the phenomenon of "Billie Jane". 1On May 6th, 983, more than 50 million people watched Jackson perform his fascinating famous spacewalk for the first time at the 25th anniversary party of Motown. In addition, in the music video of this song, Jackson is still crossing and spinning in the dreamlike urban landscape, and the sidewalk is constantly shining everywhere, just like stepping in a disco. MTV almost never shows videos of black performers. When they refused to play Billy Jean, Walter Yeni Cove, president of Columbia Records, lost his temper. "I said to MTV,' I will remove all our works from the TV station. I won't give you any new videos to play. I will publicly tell them the truth that you don't play black music. Billie Jean was quickly repeated, and neither Jackson nor MTV talked about the past.
These images are recorded in cultural memory forever. But it is Jackson's personal creation that makes billie jean such a fascinating psychological drama-it is the real thriller in his landmark album. Few songs can convey so many Freudian psychological materials: paranoia, delusion, sexual fear, temptation and shame, which are mixed in the lyrics, hovering between direct denial ("That child is not my son" is not mine) and superficial confession ("It all happened so fast that she called me to her room"). Today, Billie Jane looks more like a fable about the distorted relationship between celebrities and admirers. The theme was adapted into a video in which Jackson was followed by a detective in a military coat. This is the most famous person in the world-he has been torn by the audience since he was 10-and he made the greatest artistic declaration about idolize.
Billie Jane is still a dance music, whether it has greater autobiographical significance or historical significance. Numerous radio stations or MTV broadcasts have not weakened the power of this song to shock the speakers.
"'Billie Jean' is very popular at all levels," said Greg Fuehlingen, a legendary studio musician in Los Angeles who plays the keyboard instrument in this song. "It has a cool rhythm, a cool sound effect, a cool melody, a cool lyrics and a cool interpretation. It will affect your body, emotions and even spirit. " Twenty-three years later, Michael Jackson can be sure that no one can make a better "smelly jelly".
Step 2 walk away
Beat It, a famous American pop musician, is known as "King of Pop" Michael Jackson, and is one of the main songs included in his album Thriller from 65438 to 0982. This song is very popular with the public, and many stars, from Teresa Teng to the recent Fall Out Boy, have covered it.
This song was written, composed and sung by Jackson himself. Later, at the suggestion of then-US President Ronald Reagan, it was used in a public service advertisement to persuade people to return to drunk driving. Jackson himself was invited to the White House by President Reagan and personally awarded the "World Outstanding Youth Award" and "Special Contribution Award". At the same time, Jackson also won the 26th Grammy Award for Best Rock Male Singer for his song Beat It. The design and shooting of the music video of this song is cross-century and well received.
Beat it is a musical work against social violence. Through Beat It, young people are warned to avoid unnecessary troubles. Violence can't solve all problems, it will only hurt yourself. Michael gave good advice to the younger generation in America by singing. At that time, President Reagan suggested using his songs in a public service advertisement to warn young people not to drink and drive. Michael agreed to President Reagan's request. Therefore, Michael was invited by President Reagan to the White House, personally awarded him the "World Outstanding Youth Award" and "Special Contribution Award", and won the 26th Grammy Award for Best Rock Male Singer for Beat It.
This 4/4 beat dance music with non-disco style and hard rock style will definitely refresh you. After the sudden thump like a horn at first, the flowing melody poured out, and Michael sang passionately and combatively in it. The real theme of this song is different from its singing style, which may be more impressive.
One of the highlights of this song is Eddie van halen's horizontal knife performance, which is the soul of the van halen band. His skillful guitar skills are evident in his songs. That thrilling guitar solo has become a compulsory course for many guitar lovers in later generations. It is because of the Excellence of Beat It and other songs in the album that Thriller reached the peak of music.
Step 3 save the world
Song: Michael Jackson
Song: Michael Jackson
"Save the World" is known as "the most beautiful song in the world" and an excellent song calling for world peace. Lyrics advocate people to protect and cherish our environment, stay away from war and make the world peaceful. There is a place in our hearts, and that is love. Let's create a world without war and wasteland, full of vitality, warmth and joy everywhere.
Save the World was written in 199 1 year, and it was produced in cooperation with Michael Jackson's own charity organization of the same name "King of Pop".
A child's voice began to say:
Meditation ebbs and flows, and generations change.
Come on, say we want it.
Want to do something for the children
And their children and grandchildren
Create a better home
Let them know that they live in one place.
A better world than the past
Convince them that they can also build one
A better world.
Michael Jackson's
200 1 was released as a single in album history: hit Vol. 1. .
At that time, a children's fund was set up for children all over the world, and Michael wrote this beautiful song for these children.
In 2003, Michael was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, which was the second nomination after 1998, in order to reward his tireless charity and achievements in promoting world peace through music.
About: Saving the World Michael and the Children
1In February, 1996, a Mexican child ambassador of "Save the World Foundation/World Children's Annual Meeting" submitted a model proposal for creating a sustainable development environment to the second session of the United Nations Environment Preparatory Committee.
In April, 1996, the Children's Ambassador of Save the World Foundation/World Children's Congress attended the Children First: Global Forum held in Atlanta, Georgia, which was hosted by former US Presidents Jimmy Carter, Rosalyn Carter, Carter Center and Save the Children Task Force. Co-sponsored by Rockefeller Foundation, Anne Casey Foundation, World Bank and Save the World Foundation, the conference brought together 360 representatives from more than 65,438,000 countries to discuss strategic issues on how to improve children's quality of life.
1In April 1996, the ambassador of "Save the World Foundation/World Children's Annual Meeting" attended the "Light of Youth" meeting held in Washington, D.C., seeking more cooperative relations and calling for the establishment of an environmentally healthy society.
Founded in 199 1 year, saving the world is in cooperation with Jackson's own charity organization of the same name. Save the World is an excellent song calling for world peace. Lyrics advocate people to protect and cherish our environment, stay away from war and make the world peaceful. There is a place in our hearts, and that is love. Let's create a world without war, wasteland, vitality and everywhere.
This is an excellent work about children, the earth and love. The lyrics and songs are arranged by Michael Jackson. At the beginning of the song, the children laughed and cried ... this may be to let us realize the value and importance of innocence from the song. Michael Jackson sings from the heart. If you listen attentively, you can feel the emotion revealed in the song. Michael Jackson's singing is a bit like a female voice, but this is the uniqueness of his singing. His voice seems to come from another space, pure and full of innocence. In this way, he used this pure song to wash every heart and tap the beauty of people's hearts. After listening to Save the World, you may feel that there is love around you and that the task of improving the world is great. I think only if there is no war in the world can children be happy and the earth be beautiful.
This song can be regarded as an old song, but it gives people a lot of feelings and leaves people with a lot of thoughts …
4. We are the world
1985, the king of pop-Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote lyrics together, and Michael Jackson wrote lyrics alone to complete the golden song. The album "We Are the World", co-sung by 45 American singers and produced by Quincy Jones, was sold for charity to help the hungry people in Africa, and raised 50 million US dollars in donations for Africa, which solved the problems that politicians could not solve. Shocked the hearts of hundreds of millions of people and swept the world.
1984, British singer phil collins saw in the news that people in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa died for a long time due to famine and malnutrition, so he came up with the idea before Christmas, with bob geldof as the convener and dozens of popular artists recording a charity sale in the name of "Band-Aid" to help Africa. Do they know it's Christmas? ) Yu Yan was born. After the release of this single, it immediately aroused global repercussions, and sold about 3.2 million copies in Britain and the United States alone.
This kind of just behavior in English music is naturally imitated by American singers. It was put forward by Harry Belafonte, a black singer, and was supported by many famous singers. Quincy Jones is a producer. On February 28th, 1985, 45 popular singers gathered in the Los Angeles recording studio to record One World.
From 65438 to 0985, Michael Jackson performed an international charity feat. There was a famine in Africa at that time, and thousands of children were threatened by famine. What happened in Africa is that people began to give up trying to survive, because everything seemed to be in vain. In this context, Michael Jackson, as the initiator, called on American singers to record the song "We Are the World".
Harry Belafonte and kenny rogers organized the implementation, Michael Jackson and lionel richie wrote songs, Quincy Jones produced them, and 45 popular singers put down their bodies and cooperated sincerely, which should be regarded as the miracle of the music industry in that year. This song is included in the album America for Africa.
1985 July 13, a large-scale rock concert called "saving lives" was held in London, England and Philadelphia, USA. At noon on June 3rd, 65438, the concert was held for the first time in London's Mbour Stadium. 72,000 people attended the opening ceremony. Two hours later, the concert at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, USA, was also announced, and 90,000 people watched the performance. The performance lasted 16 hours and was broadcast live to more than 40 countries through the global communication satellite network. It is estimated that the total * * * has attracted nearly/kloc-0.5 billion TV viewers. More than 65,438+000 famous rock stars from all over the world participated in this charity performance, including Bob Dylan, paul mccartney, Bruce Springsteen, tina turner, elton john and Michael Jackson. ...
On this day, the whole world is full of selfless feelings. The organizer of this big rock concert, Irish singer Bob? Geldof said with infinite emotion, "This is not a pop concert, nor a TV performance, but a rescue for people." His sincerity touched other singers, you know, it is not easy to organize those wild and unruly singers together. Geldof later recalled: "A few nights before the benefit, I tossed and turned in bed and couldn't sleep. Extreme worries and all kinds of strange ideas tormented me, making me miserable and drenched in cold sweat. We have not signed a contract with any singer, all we have is their promise to come. " However, those rock stars who are generally regarded as decadent, dissolute and absurd (bob geldof himself was criticized as cynical) finally came, and they United closely to accomplish this historic feat. At the concert, the rock stars finally sang the theme song "We Are the World" to show their common wish-
"We are the world, we are the children of the world, we are the people who create light, let us lend a helping hand, we are saving our own lives ..."
This large-scale rock music benefit was a great success, raising more than 50 million dollars for African victims fighting famine. Rock stars have accomplished feats that politicians can't accomplish through endless speeches and discussions at international conferences.
1985 65438+ 10 month, Los Angeles, USA.
Fifty of America's most prestigious and richest singers gathered here. In order to save the African people struggling with hunger and death, they will have an unprecedented cooperation-recording a record as a fundraising. This record is the Four Seas, which later became a sensation in the world.
These pop stars are famous in America and the world. Each of them has a large audience, and among them, just like an old saying in China, peers are enemies. Apart from competing on the same stage in competitions, they rarely communicate with each other and will not cooperate in performances. Now, this catastrophe in Africa has brought them together, which in itself is enough to double the value of the four seas.
65438+1located at A &；; M record company is heavily guarded outside, but the studio is steaming. Blind singers Steve fandral and Quincy Jones are rehearsing the music that Michael just composed. They will complete the recording of the main melody part of the song, and Michael and Lionel will match the soundtrack of the leading part. Then record the music on 50 tapes and distribute it to 50 invited singers to familiarize them with the song in advance.
In the recording studio, in addition to these four singers, there are also organizers such as bands, electrical engineers and TV cameramen. After all, this is the first time to hold such a grand action.
After the fifth recording, all the accompanists gathered in the main control room to listen to the recording effect. Quincy said to everyone, "I think we should record it again." I seem to hear some noise. "
Lionel and Michael have been working hard for four nights to write this song well. When Lionel recorded two melodies on the tape and gave them to Michael to continue writing, Michael entered the recording studio that night.
Afterwards, Michael introduced the story and said, "I was too late, so I plunged into the recording studio." The whole song was finished when it came out. Quincy and Lionel were surprised when I handed the whole song to them. They didn't expect it to be so fast. "
On June 24th, 65438 10, Quincy sent 50 tapes to the future singer by express mail, and sent a notice with the tapes. The last paragraph of the notice reads, "If future generations ask their parents what they have done for the famine facing mankind, you can proudly answer them your contribution."
On October 25th, 65438/KLOC-0, the organizer of this activity was Ken Kerrigan, who was very experienced. He reluctantly said to Quincy, "The key question is where we will officially record. I dare say that if you are seen with Bob Dylan, you will never enter the recording studio again. " Finally, after careful consideration, I decided to record in Leon Schell's studio.
Quincy's assistant Tom Barr was very excited to accept the task of arranging solo orders. He promised Quincy, "I will arrange their different voices to be as harmonious as those in nature." Quincy warned Tom, "It's like putting watermelon in a Coca-Cola bottle."
65438+1October 26th At Leono's house, everyone decided where the singer should stand, and he should stand according to this position when recording.
65438+1October 28th This is an unforgettable night in the history of American pop music.
At 9 o'clock in the evening, Michael beat the others to it. He wants to record his solo first. At this moment, Steve Perry, the lead singer of the Tourism Choir, came in. He stared at Michael through the huge glass window and said excitedly, "am I dreaming or taking stimulants?"
Singers come one after another, and the first one always looks at each latecomer with a wonderful eye. They are artistic opponents, and they are really familiar and unfamiliar with each other.
When Quincy introduced Joel to Charles, Joel trembled with excitement in front of the talented blind musician.
In the main control room, all the singers watched Michael record through the glass.
"I love this song!" Diana Ross appeared at the door shouting and hugging Quincy tightly. The big stars who made a sensation all over the country seemed to know that they were shouldering heavy responsibilities and became very light-handed. Paul simon, who once attracted 700,000 viewers, sneaked in and whispered, "Is there room for my coat here?"
Main control room is crowded with people. Lionel, Cindy, Tina, Tina and others all came from the ceremony of 1985 American Music Awards Conference. People who were competing with each other a few hours ago now stand together and become collaborators. Quincy said afterwards: "That night, everyone gave up on themselves, which is the key to success."
In the afternoon 10: 30, everyone walked into the recording studio. Quincy said, "Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Bob first. He is the initiator of this activity. He has just returned from Ethiopia and would like to have a word with you. "
Standing on the podium, Bob said in a passionate voice, "The reason for launching this activity is to save millions of lives. This seven-inch plastic record is our complaint. In my opinion, what is happening in Africa now is a historic atrocity. There are hundreds of millions of tons of grain in the western world, but it is not sent to help people who are about to starve to death. But we must not turn a blind eye to those who are hungry and can't even drink water. In Africa, if you walk into a hut, you will see meningitis, malaria and typhoid fever, and you will see the dead and the living lying together. On any day, you can see 6.5438+0.2 million people dying slowly in front of you. Some places have to distribute 15 bags of flour to 27,500 people. That's why everyone is invited here today. I don't want to make everyone unhappy. Maybe you can feel the reason for coming here from this song to be recorded tonight and express your feelings through this song. "
Quincy said: "I am very honored to be the conductor of this choir and be accompanied by my band."
Quincy later admitted that these "imperial superstars" made him very nervous all night.
When the singers put on headphones and heard Michael's lead singer from the headphones, they sang along. In the solemn singing, the last minute of the day was sent away.
65438+1at 0: 00 am on October 29th, after recording the chorus several times, everyone began to have a short rest. Billy joel took the opportunity to squeeze into the studio next door to see his fiancee. In this studio, 500 guests were invited to watch the recording. Billy introduced his fiancee to Bob and Simon. She is very excited and intends to mobilize the fashion industry to do the same fundraising.
Ray charles, a blind musician, told people about his just-concluded trip to Africa during the break: "When I put my hand on those children, I felt their skin wrapped around their bones, just like cellophane. That's not skin at all. Anyone will think of his responsibility. "
At three o'clock in the morning, he began to record the solo. Sandy Lambert, who monopolized four of the top ten American pop songs, took Quincy aside and asked shyly, "Can I improvise while singing?" Quincy immediately agreed. Sandy Lambert is an American rock singer, and her new album "She is so extraordinary" has sold 4 million copies.
At 4 o'clock in the morning, all the singers who participated in the solo were already in their positions. At this time, the Vandals brought two women from Ethiopia. The room was suddenly silent, and a depressing atmosphere hung over everyone's mind. A woman just said, "I thank you on behalf of all the people in our country." He sobbed in a low voice. This scene infected all the people present, and all the singers burst into tears.
Quincy broke the silence and whispered, "Let's start!" " "
These big stars who used to roam freely on the stage like nobody's business have become cautious today. When Wanda played a solo melody on the piano for Bob to sing, Bob hesitated for 20 minutes before going to the microphone and humming softly. Bob asked Wanda to accompany him again, as if he was not sure about his singing skills. At this moment, Quincy rushed in and shouted happily, "Great! That's it! " Bob is still hesitating to record it again. Leonor begged Bob to say, "Please believe me!" Quincy gave Bob a big hug and shouted, "You sing so well!" Bob smiled helplessly and said, "Well, since you all think so."
Bruce finished singing the solo and asked Quincy carefully, "Is it okay to sing like this?" Quincy gave him a satisfactory answer, but Bruce insisted on listening to the recording in the main control room before nodding. Then, I was invited to sign Lionel's score as a souvenir. Quincy said of Bruce: "He is very serious. I have been waiting for him to sit down and rest when he is tired, but he has been asking to sing again. If someone asks you to sacrifice one night to save the starving people, you can't refuse. He is like this. "
Near dawn, although everyone was a little tired, the warm atmosphere reached its climax. After a night of interaction, strangers came together. They understood each other and hugged each other tightly, and everyone became fans and admirers of others. They rushed to take a group photo and signed each other's names for the first time. Everyone's music score was full of other people's names. Finally, all the singers signed 100 posters of American aid to Africa.
Jane fonda, a famous American movie star, hosted a live TV program. Finally, she said, "It's a great thing to record this record. This is not only a Starlight Glimmer night, but also the most sublime moment in the history of pop music. It shows that many singers produced by pop music in recent years have a sense of responsibility for the world. We still have a lot of work to do, and this is just the beginning. "
Since then, singers from Canada, Latin America and Africa have followed suit and recorded similar fund-raising records. Friday, April 5th, 1985 was the climax of disaster relief in Africa. On this day, more than 8,000 radio stations around the world simultaneously broadcast "Four Seas".
"We have made a choice. We are dedicated to mankind. We cannot sit idly by and watch what happens in Africa.
Otherwise, we will annihilate our conscience, which will be the most terrible death. "
The lyrics written by Michael and Lionel have influenced millions of people of different races and beliefs. They inspire people to save those people in Africa who are threatened with death because of hunger. Bob Codel's initiative has aroused great repercussions in the world. This young man is supported by people from all over the world. It is said that he was nominated as the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
5. earth song
Comment: earth song is regarded by many people as the best music video ever made in Michael Jackson. Michael
Jackson plays the image of a lost savior in this film. He wept for the environment destroyed by human beings, the wild animals slaughtered by innocent people, and the world destroyed by war. The most shocking and dramatic scene in the film appears at the end: there are heartbroken people everywhere, and Michael.
Jackson called for divine power together in an ancient and strange ceremony on the scorched earth. Mother Earth finally responded. In the howling wind, in the thunder and lightning, in Michael
In Jackson's almost desperate scream, the dead were resurrected and everything was reborn ... The music video was shot in reverse, and a dream that could never be realized in reality was completed on the screen. This childish and sensational short film has attracted the attention of the world. However, the real salvation of this already dangerous world lies in human's own awakening, immediate action and unremitting efforts.