Michael Jackson. Man in the mirror dead at 50.
Please read comment from producer Chuck Haifley below.
Almost everyone knows that Michael Jackson passed on yesterday, and most people have a judgment of him. My view is based on his song "Man In The Mirror," which I believe reflects his inner conflict.
Jackson really wanted to make changes as well as to stand up to make a difference in the world. He changed the world more than most people and mostly for the better. He pointed to the shadows in himself, and he was a mirror for many people's shadows.
I don't envy the life he led. It must have been very confusing being a child celebrity, having a father who regularly beat him, wanting to make a difference on this planet and being constantly hounded by an entourage that always wanted something from him
Now, he has made what many people consider the ultimate change. He is no longer occupying the physical body that so many came to either adore or criticize. He is no longer in the spotlight of human celebrity. He is no longer being judged by a loving or hateful public. He is free, and he is home.
Thank you Michael Jackson for being a mirror to so many and bringing songs of light to the dark corners of humankind. You will also find a profound comment below from Chuck Haifley
the producer of the Man in the Mirror video. It was posted after this article was published, and it moved me profoundly.
May Michael Jackson and all people enjoy the freedom and liberation of a graceful transition into the next evolution, and may we all forgive and recognize that we are each simple humans here to learn lessons, teach others and make that change.
"Man In The Mirror"
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favorite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go
That's Why I Want You To
Know
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)
What do you think about this? Write your comments below. I read them all.
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Comments
I hope that Michael finally finds peace in his heart.
I believe you are right. I used to think Michael Jackson was just a child molester and had absoulutely no talent. But when I came home last night and my mother told me that he had passed away, I almost cried. Michael Jackson did have talent and I believe his spirit will live on for a very long time.
"Man in the Mirror" is my favorite song of Michael Jackson's. At age 65, I freely admit to being a fan. Yes, he was strange, and his actions at times, & his lifestyle, very bizarre, as were the various awful changes he made to his physical appearance through the years. However, he was an original, energizing, gifted, talented person as reflected in his song-writing, singing, dancing, recordings,and his video and live performances. There is so much mediocrity in the world of pop music today -- the present culture appears to make a star out of almost anyone who wants to be one, whether they
are uniquely talented or not. Michael Jackson, along with only a mere handful of other truly gifted performers, will always shine above them.
So glad I came across your comments on Michael Jackson. I couldn't agree with you more. A truly gifted artist with a kind heart and soul. "Man in the Mirror" is and always will be an inspiration to me and hopefully for generations to come.
I Produced Man in The Mirror for Michael Jackson I believe its still the most important thing I have done in my career. My best friend Don Wilson Directed it we knew it was very important at the time. We knew we had a responsibility and the effect it would have on the world. We cried for 30 days strait making it. Michael watched the first half with us but did not see the finished Video until it played while he was singing it live for the first time on the Grammys and they helped him off stage overcome with his emotions. I just watched it again and I’m still crying. I was making phone calls to Michael for the last 3 weeks about updating and releasing it every 5 years. If you look at it you will see the trail we have followed since 1988 from Nelson Mandela in prison to President of South Africa as well as Lech Walensa in prison to President of Poland and Gaddafi from Crazy to Civil and now we have Obama as our President its time for all of us to look in the Mirror and Make That Change.
If everyone would take the words to that song seriously, the world would be a better place. We have lost a gifted artist, but his work will live on forever.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I believe you hit the nail on the head, :)! I believe that song has SO much more meaning than the topcoat! I believe he basically described the change he desired to make and people make in themselves. I loved Michael. I just hate that even with all that fame and fortune, he never seemed to find peace, but I guess if any of us had lived the childhood he did, we might have been found "bizarre" to others. I think he spent his life looking for himself, trying to make that change through his physical appearance as well. I believe he thought if he could change his physical appearance and alter his state of mind, he could as well change the horrible past of his childhood. I think he tried to go back in the past as far as loving the children and doing for them, thinking even though he didn't have the dream childhood, he could give children that dream childhood through NeverLand. I believe his honest quest was to make a difference in that which was not pleasing to him in the world!
One of my favorite songs of Michael Jackson. I'll forever cherish him in my heart & soul. He was ahead of his time, like all of our great teachers that have come in the physical to teach us wonderful things. I see him as a soul master in music, who came to share with us his talents and teach us that there is so much more in music, videos, and dance that we had no idea existed. He also reminded us to be kids at heart, and that innocence is beautiful. Unfortunately, the dark side of our existence that is not ready to change, repels things that are very different from what we are conditioned to, and we essentially "attack" these wonderful teachers, until we finally "look in the mirror" and realize what wrong we have done. Maybe some of us are now becoming "aware" of it as Michael Jackson's life is summarized on TV everywhere, and many more people are realizing the full greatness of his talented heart and soul. Michael, I know your soul is now rejoicing in full peace, love and freedom
Many artists reflect their lives in their work, Michael J did this spectacularly. My daughter is four and does not understand the gravitas of this man, she calls him uncle Michael, he was there for everyone, his life he gave to us selflessly at an ultimate price. His death.....how many of us could be so selfless?.......
A perfect summation of Michael Jackson, so I won't attempt to do better! "Man In The Mirror" came out when I was a teen struggling for acceptance. The song came on when I was standing in a dress shop admiring a beautiful size 4 prom dress that I could not fit into.
The words to the song just clicked with me and I realized it was up to me to make the changes I so much desired. I turned and looked into the mirror and I promised that young girl change!
Looking back, I didn't lie. No, I didn't wear a size 4 prom dress (I wore a size 8) but I did become a happier and more responsible person. When I want a better way, I look at myself first. I ask myself "How can I help?" or "what can I do to improve this situation?"
"Man In The Mirror" is more than a great song. It never fails to inspire me. I feel that Michael did put a lot of himself in the song. Truly, only a great soul can touch the world as Michael Jackson has.
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