MJ Dead

What a sad day this was! We lost the world's greatest musician. His songs touched so many and 20-30 years later - the bring up the same feelings, excitement and love for the songs - they don't sound dated - and if that's not the sign of some great pop songs - then what is?

I remember in 1983 when MJ hit with Thriller - the airwaves was for Michael - every song seemed to out do the other and there were simply no bad songs on this album. And how can we forget the infamous moonwalk at the Grammy's and also those amazing music videos.

Michael was one of the first black faces to appear on the then white-rock MTV. It was difficult to see anything but rock on MTV, but Michael seemed to break so many boundaries - and that was because of the magic of the man himself and the music.

From the news reports and over the last 25 - 30 years we have seen the happy, sad and turbulent times of Michael. It seemed that he was in so much pain - trying to be perfect. I always got the impression that he had a big heart and loved children with sincere happiness.

To conclude, I just want to list my ten favourite MJ/Jackson 5 tracks, and we will never forget that sweet, beautiful, innocent voice. There is no other one like MJ. 

RIP Michael - we love you! The world has truly lost an amazing icon.

Top 10 fave MJ/Jackson 5 songs:

1. PYT

2. Rock With You

3. Human Nature

4. Billie Jean

5. Beat It

6. Got To Be There (Jackson 5)

7. I'll be There (Jackson 5)

8. Wanna be Startin' Something

9. Remember the Time

10. Smooth Criminal.

So I was on my way to play golf today and just pressed play on my car CD player. What came on was a song called "Rats" by Pearl Jam (from their second album VS). I started to think and thought - wow - what a great song about Rats...the lyrics are pretty good.

"They don't sleep

They don't eat

Lick the dirts off the larger ones feet;

Fuck to procreate until they are dead"

So true about rats...such a simple song, and then I started to search the music library in my mind about other songs with "rats" in the title. Only two came to mind....

"Rat In Mi Kitchen" by UB 40; and

"Rat is Dead" by CSS

I know it's a bit boring, but if you do have that second great album by Pearl Jam, take a listen to this track and also carefully listen to the lyrics. I think it's a well crafted, dark song, which may not be one of Pearl Jam's greatest gems, but I think trying to write three verses about these dreaded creatures must be some sort of feat.

Rat In Mi Kitchen, is also another great track - from UB 40, I believe back in 1986. Whilst it did not chart in the US it was Top 40 in the UK. A rat in the kitchen is quite a common thing if you grow up in the Caribbean, so the song does hold some reminiscence whilst growing up in the Caribben.

So take a listen to these tracks (if you can).