Michael Jackson By: Shantel Brimley

Michael Jackson was born August 29, 1958 Michael joined a musical group at the young age of 5. (The Jackson 5). People across the country were amazed at young Michael’s talent. The Jackson 5 first record label was signed in Tracks like “ABC “and “I’ll be there” were hit singles of this time.

Biography Continued… At the age of 13 Michael began his solo career. In 1972, the song “Ben” became Michael Jackson’s 1 st solo No. 1 single. (click for audio)click for audio Hit albums like “Off the Wall” featured. Hits like “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” and “Rock With You” In 1975 the Jackson 5 broke most of their ties with Motown.

In 1982 Michael Produced his album Thriller. Michael broke many world records in his musical career. In 1994, he married Lisa Marie Presley (Elvis Presley’s daughter) and later divorced in 1996 Later he married Debbie Rowe. Debbie and Michael had two children together and divorced in Michael later had a third child with an unknown surrogate In the late 90’s to early 2000’s had multiple child molestation suits filed against him, but later dropped.

Biography Continued….. The child molestation allegations destroyed Michael’s bank. As a comeback he announced his last worldwide tour. On June 29, 2009 Michael Jackson was found dead in his home. Cause of death was determined as an acute propofol intoxication. Michael’s doctor was sentenced to four years in prison revoking his medical license. After death, Michael was given many more awards.

Composition History: Thriller Thriller was released in November of 1982 from Michael Jackson’s album titled “Thriller”. Thriller was composed by Rod Temperton, produced by Quincy Jones, and recorded by Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is the only performer in this song. This song contains multiple instruments (guitar, synthesizer, trumpet saxophone) Thriller consists of frightening themes and is well known during the Halloween season. Thriller became Michael Jackson’s seventh Billboard Hot 100 top ten single. Michael one a Grammy Award for, “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” along with other musical nominations. (Click for Audio)

Composition History: Man in the Mirror “Man in the Mirror” was recorded in May of 1987 and was released on January 9, This song is off Michael’s 7 th major solo album Bad. “Man in the Mirror” was composed by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. Produced by Quincy Jones and performed by Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett. “Man in the Mirror” was the only song off the Bad album to top the charts. When Michael Jackson died this song topped charts in the US and the UK. This song was nominated for a Grammy Award but did not win. Instruments used in this song include, guitar, piano, synthesizer, etc. (Click here for audio)

Composition History: Black or White “Black or White was released in November of “Black or White” is off of the album Dangerous “Black or White” was written and produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Botrell This song quickly became popular and reached the Billboard top 100 at number 35 Many instruments are heard in this composition. Including the electric guitar, keyboard, and even more synthesizers. Like many other Michael Jackson singles this song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal performance. Unfortunately, he did not win. (Click here for Audio)Click here for Audio)

Listening Guide: Thriller 0:00 Introduction: The song starts out differently than any other song of Michael Jackson’s and this is done by sound effects. Then the first synthesizer is introduced followed by some percussion provides a steady beat. The sound effects keep going, but then fade into a more musical and melodic sound. 0:59 Verse 1begins: Michael starts singing. It starts out as a slow and steady tempo and stays like this throughout the verse. Although the beat never really changes the harmony does, which leads into the Chorus 1:29 Chorus begins: Michael Jackson escalates his voice as the chorus begins. The guitar line gives way to another synthesizer, which varies in pitch. Other instruments like the horns accompany the chorus as it goes on. You can also hear the background singers harmonize with Michael’s voice. It sounds wonderful. 1:56 Verse 2: Horns, guitar, and synthesizer are the key instruments in this composition. Each instrument adds a different textural element. More sound effects are put in this verse (ie: the door slamming), which adds to the spooky theme this song is trying to create. 2:27 Chorus repeats: Like said above Michael’s voice escalates and the synthesizer resumes. The horns continue to participate actively in the second part of the chorus. 2:46 Bridge: Another new chord progression is introduced. Again sound effects, like the howling of the wolves, submerge. The melody is more calming then the melody in the chorus, considering the story that Michael is trying to tell. The aerophones are playing at different ranges and slowly come together which leads into the third verse. 3:06 Verse 3: Really the same as described in the verses above. More sound effects are added. You can hear the “demons” that Michael is trying to describe which again adds texture and form to the composition. Chorus: The chorus is performed and then repeated. By the end, mostly all musical elements have joined. Contributing to the multi-layer rhythmic and melodic texture. Epilogue: The beat shifts, with the bass now playing a single repeated note under howls, synthesizers and guitars. You hear the voice of Vincent Price who recites his “famous” epilogue. Throughout Michael is inserting commentary throughout this epilogue. Which is very different in contrast to his other songs. Ending: The song ends with Price’s evil laugh and the music dies out.

Listening Guide: Man in the Mirror 0:00 Introduction: The song out starts out with some sort of bell ensemble that gives it this uplifting and mysterious tone. 0:10 Verse 1: This verse sets up the story that Michael is trying to tell in regards to change that comes from within. The song is set in the major scale. Although the verse is slow in tempo it still has an upbeat feel. 1:05 Chorus: The tempo picks up and Michael’s voice escalates and the song goes through an abrupt crescendo. Throughout the chorus there is a ton of harmony to be heard from voices to bells and other instruments all accompanying Michael’s melody. 1:35 Verse 2: In this verse the tempo is faster than the first verse. It seems like Michael’s voice becomes more confident in the story that he is telling. More percussion was added emphasizing the confidence in Michael’s voice and describing the motif more in depth, which is making a change that starts with your self. 2:15 Chorus: Entering the chorus there was no abrupt crescendo because the meter of the song had already picked up. The chorus is continually being repeated. Each time the beat is getting stronger and stronger. Along with the beat getting stronger and stronger a gospel choir is added in which adds a beautiful contour to the harmony. 3:37 Ending: The instruments start to die down and there is a gradual diminuendo. Michael and the choir start to sing more A cappella with minor accompaniment of musical instruments. Michael repeats himself a lot in this last little bit of the song. Emphasizing his themes again on the importance of changing. At the end Michael and the choir go from a harmony into a melody and the song ends.

Listening Guide: Black or White 0:00 Introduction: The song starts out with an electric guitar and bass ensemble. The music is played in the major scale. The introduction is one of his longer one’s and lasts about 20 seconds before he actually goes into the first verse, bits of commentary are added off and on throughout the introduction, by Michael. 0:20 Verse 1: The tempo continues and he maintains the upbeat rhythm. This first verse is very allegro. Stating his enthusiasm for his theme, which is racial equality. It has a pleasant combination of timbre, and it alternates the combinations in considerable variety. 0:36 Chorus: The chorus is very short. It’s barely a sentence. The purpose of the chorus is to deliver the message of racial equality. 0:49 Verse 2: The tempo still continues. There is some harmony, but it is mostly melody sung by Michael. Percussion and the guitar are still important instruments used to give the song texture. 1:05 Chorus: Same as above. Still is delivering the main purpose of the song. 1:26 Bridge: The chords continue to progress, but here is a weird twist. Michael changes the whole style of the song in this bridge. He goes from the song having a dance along pop style to a rap about the problems the world is having with racial discrimination. The motif is really made clear in the bridge and song continues to stay in the major mode. 2:00 Chorus: No change other than the chorus continues to repeat. Still mostly melody, not a lot of harmony to pick up. Instruments are a big part this chorus. By the end all of the instruments combine in and contribute to the multi-layer rhythmic and melodic texture. 2:56 Coda: “It’s black, It’s white” is continuing to be repeated till the end of the song. 3:11 Ending: He ends it by saying it’s “black and white” again and the guitar plays it’s last and final note and the song ends.

Famous Albums

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