Image thanks to Beat Trend.

This morning when I reached the gym, the first thing I saw on the news was the demise of Michael Jackson. To most of the younger generation nowadays, all they probably remember of him are the court battles he faced as well as the charges brought against him. But to those of us who remember what it was like during his era, to that era and to him and his music, I dedicate this short post.

Back in the 80’s, MJ was all the rage, being touted as the King of Pop. He still lived up to that name all the way to the early 90’s, and most of his hits back then still stay with me today. Songs such as Beat It!, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal and You Are Not Alone still turn up regularly in my English songs playlist, and others that he did well for that one would remember include Man in the Mirror, Heal The World, Black and White, and arguably his most famous hit single, Thriller.

Still, by the time I could truly appreciate his music, his career was already somewhat on the decline. But, by that time as well, MJ’s legend as a pop star (it is so hard to delineate what is pop and rock, so you can call him a rock star as well) had been cemented. Even today, as the news of his passing spreads, few can believe that the man himself is gone, having lost to a cardiac arrest out of the blue.

I for one, am not in as much shock as I should be. Maybe the reality has yet to sink in. But truly, his songs will be missed for sure, and there will be many that will turn up for his funeral no doubt, mourning the loss of a music legend.

Rest in peace, Michael Jackson. It may not be a nice touch, but like the music in the following piece represents, I hope you have made your way to a better place. “To Zanarkand”, from Final Fantasy X, as a song for your parting. May you find your own Zanarkand in the world that the living shall never see.

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4. Song of the Week – Far Away by Nickelback