One can really grasp how influential a piece of music is by
how much it maintains appealing throughout various eras and fads of music. Many
artists are incapable of having a lasting impression because their music is
limited to merely a single slot of history. Michael Jackson had such a lasting
impression on music as a whole because his songs were universally catchy. I was
surprised when I browsed the track listing of this album before listening, as
to just how many of the songs I ALREADY knew! I never would’ve expected that I
would know these songs but sure enough they were very familiar. His talent as a
vocalist and entertainer sustained which made his music be embraced by consumers
of every generation.
So what exactly did Michael Jackson have that made him stand
out so much during this time period of music? Without even considering his very
showy performances and methods of entertainment during shows, we can easily see
how he became so popular. Even right now, as I listen to this album, I sit in
my chair and can’t help but bob my head and tap my foot to the beat. Even
though some of the songs sound fairly similar, this consistency connects all of
his songs and makes the album easier to digest as a whole. Usually, I have the
opposite philosophy, but Jackson was able to really transform his consistent
voice and countermelodies into versatile songs. His songs also seem to have
universal purpose. I feel that you could dance to all the music or simply easy
listening. While the lyrics don’t necessarily have a very deep meaning that
makes me challenge society, Jackson is still able to tell stories with each of
his songs. These stories are very interesting and serve their purpose to entertain.
Musically speaking, Jackson is able to forge a new strong
countermelody for each and every song that drives his music forward. I don’t
think I’ve ever heard such countermelodies that keep the listener so engaged.
They play such an instrumental (no pun intended) part of the music that I
cannot simply ignore it. This commanding presence makes Jackson’s music catchy
and appealing to the masses. The other main factor of Jackson’s music is his
distinct voice. Although he has a high vocal range, he is still able to have
many vocal fluctuations that add to the variety of his songs. Although you
might think he would get overpowered by his strong countermelody, the vocals
withstand this and surge ahead as a dominating aspect. If there was a less
talented and commanding lead vocalist, the songs would seem lopsided and
disfigured. Luckily for Jackson, his variety of vocal ticks and edgy voice
allows for his songs to thrive. He definitely adds a level of edginess to his
songs by building attitude throughout his music. This attitude is utilized as
another instrument because it sets the tone of each of Jackson’s songs.
A great example of how Jackson’s vocals take control and
bleed edginess would be in “Billie Jean”. This song has all of the components
that make Jackson’s songs to stand out in the abyss of 80s music. With a
captivating melody and harsh drum beats, the overall tone of the song (set by
the pent-up vocals) is greatly accentuated. This song is one of Michael
Jackson’s classic singles and embodies his younger singing days very well.
Check it out:
I can’t leave out the title song either! “Thriller” is much
different than anything else I’ve heard in a while because Michael Jackson
seemingly takes on an alternative ego/personality throughout the song. While it
is also famous for dance choreography during performances, merely a song,
“Thriller” has thrilled a variety of audiences for years. He tells a haunted
and dangerous story throughout the song that allows the listener to escape from
everyday life. And you've just have to watch the music videod! Check out what all the buzz was about:
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