Latest on MJJC

Public and Radio Reaction to "This Is It"

The song was shown on all three morning shows this morning: CBS's Early Morning, ABC's Good Morning America and NBC's Today show.

The song is being use to promote the movie...and it is doing just that.

I agree Sony oversold the song, they should have mentioned it was a demo in order to control expectations.

But MJ's career has so far gone into the stratosphere, I don't think the fact that some people are disappointed will hurt his legacy & his reputation. Actually, it underlines how much of a perfectionist he was, when a demo is creating quite a bit of positive buzz. His voice is really the main attraction...and it is indeed sublime.
 
The most annoying part of this whole thing is that the song doesn't make Sony look bad, it makes Michael look bad.

Michael had not planned to release this song. We all knew him, he was such a perfectionist, he wasn't even completley satisfied with Thriller - the biggest selling album of all time. Do we really think he would have wanted his come back single to be something he only recorded a demo for ten years ago? This song was never meant to be on any of his albums, it was for another artist.

I think it's a beautiful song and Michael sounds great but it's not a Michael song really, it doesn't have that special touch that he would have given it. He was very hands on in every aspect of his music..writing, producing, recording etc. Even the songs he didn't write he aranged, for example You Are Not Alone. We all know R.Kelly wrote that song but Michael made it what it was, he added structure to the song, made it flow, made it so it built exitment in the middle.
He would have never released a song that fades out pathetically at the end. I think that's my main problem with the song. The singing is beautiful, the lyrics are beautiful but the song doesn't work like other Michael songs, because he wasn't there to over see what's going on. He probably would have added a choir and a great bridge in the middle so that the song ended in the right way.
That's why people are saying it's boring, because it goes nowhere. The beginning is fantastic, but the rest of the song is just a repeat of the first few sentances.

I'm not saying I knew Michael personally but I have been a fan of his since I was 5 years old and listened to every song he's ever released and read/watched pretty much every interview he's ever given, I know he wouldn't have wanted this and that's the saddest thing of all. I don't particularly give a crap what the public have to say, they didn't support Michael or his music while he was alive so I don't expect them to now, but Michael loved his fans and he always wanted to give them the best.

I'll support the album to support Michael. Because again, if this album doesn't do well it won't be Sony that gets critizied for not giving it enough promotion it will be Michael's named dragged through the press yet again. Both the album and the film come out in a couple of weeks and I have not seen adverstising for either at all on british TV. Not one single advert.

Before I have people saying I'm not being supportive of Michael, I am. I'm saying this because I love Michael and I HATE the fact he's not here to defend himself properly.
 
MJsPYT90 said:
The most annoying part of this whole thing is that the song doesn't make Sony look bad, it makes Michael look bad.

Michael had not planned to release this song. We all knew him, he was such a perfectionist, he wasn't even completley satisfied with Thriller - the biggest selling album of all time. Do we really think he would have wanted his come back single to be something he only recorded a demo for ten years ago? This song was never meant to be on any of his albums, it was for another artist.

I think it's a beautiful song and Michael sounds great but it's not a Michael song really, it doesn't have that special touch that he would have given it. He was very hands on in every aspect of his music..writing, producing, recording etc. Even the songs he didn't write he aranged, for example You Are Not Alone. We all know R.Kelly wrote that song but Michael made it what it was, he added structure to the song, made it flow, made it so it built exitment in the middle.
He would have never released a song that fades out pathetically at the end. I think that's my main problem with the song. The singing is beautiful, the lyrics are beautiful but the song doesn't work like other Michael songs, because he wasn't there to over see what's going on. He probably would have added a choir and a great bridge in the middle so that the song ended in the right way.
That's why people are saying it's boring, because it goes nowhere. The beginning is fantastic, but the rest of the song is just a repeat of the first few sentances.

I'm not saying I knew Michael personally but I have been a fan of his since I was 5 years old and listened to every song he's ever released and read/watched pretty much every interview he's ever given, I know he wouldn't have wanted this and that's the saddest thing of all. I don't particularly give a crap what the public have to say, they didn't support Michael or his music while he was alive so I don't expect them to now, but Michael loved his fans and he always wanted to give them the best.

I'll support the album to support Michael. Because again, if this album doesn't do well it won't be Sony that gets critizied for not giving it enough promotion it will be Michael's named dragged through the press yet again. Both the album and the film come out in a couple of weeks and I have not seen adverstising for either at all on british TV. Not one single advert.

Before I have people saying I'm not being supportive of Michael, I am. I'm saying this because I love Michael and I HATE the fact he's not here to defend himself properly.
Click to expand...

why do you think that?

I haven't notice that at all...actually, it seems quite the contrary.
 
i was just watching 'live from studio 5' and ian wright said he loved the song (they played it ) and it made his belly feel funny lol so sweet of him so say such nice things about michael. he also was convinced it was recorded during the invincible era.
 
Memefan, thanks for posting that article it's great. The best thing about this song is Michael's breath-taking voice, I'm glad people have noticed how extraordinarily talanted he was as a singer.
 
Memefan said:
why do you think that?

I haven't notice that at all...actually, it seems quite the contrary.
Click to expand...

Obviously people who like the song don't think that, but the people who think it's boring or anticlimatic do you think they're going to think "This was Sony's fault, they didn't finish the song properly" or do you think they're going to think "Michael lost his touch"

I'm not talking about fans by the way, we know where the song came from, we know it was only a demo and that Michael didn't finish it, but some of the people listening to this song don't know that and will therefore think it was Michael who didn't finish this song in the right way.

I'm sounding so negative and I hate being negative lol so I'm just gonna stop there, I'm only saying any of this because it's so sad that from now on we might be getting stuff that Michael wasn't ready for us to hear yet.
 
I'm playing the track now as I type so loud can't stop crying I love the shit out this song for some reason he gave me a old school Michael Jackson fee.l the lyrics speak for its self this man a serious problem. P.S I swear for the love of god sony needs to be gunned down so damn sicken
 
MJsPYT90 said:
The most annoying part of this whole thing is that the song doesn't make Sony look bad, it makes Michael look bad.

Michael had not planned to release this song. We all knew him, he was such a perfectionist, he wasn't even completley satisfied with Thriller - the biggest selling album of all time. Do we really think he would have wanted his come back single to be something he only recorded a demo for ten years ago? This song was never meant to be on any of his albums, it was for another artist.

I think it's a beautiful song and Michael sounds great but it's not a Michael song really, it doesn't have that special touch that he would have given it. He was very hands on in every aspect of his music..writing, producing, recording etc. Even the songs he didn't write he aranged, for example You Are Not Alone. We all know R.Kelly wrote that song but Michael made it what it was, he added structure to the song, made it flow, made it so it built exitment in the middle.
He would have never released a song that fades out pathetically at the end. I think that's my main problem with the song. The singing is beautiful, the lyrics are beautiful but the song doesn't work like other Michael songs, because he wasn't there to over see what's going on. He probably would have added a choir and a great bridge in the middle so that the song ended in the right way.
That's why people are saying it's boring, because it goes nowhere. The beginning is fantastic, but the rest of the song is just a repeat of the first few sentances.

I'm not saying I knew Michael personally but I have been a fan of his since I was 5 years old and listened to every song he's ever released and read/watched pretty much every interview he's ever given, I know he wouldn't have wanted this and that's the saddest thing of all. I don't particularly give a crap what the public have to say, they didn't support Michael or his music while he was alive so I don't expect them to now, but Michael loved his fans and he always wanted to give them the best.

I'll support the album to support Michael. Because again, if this album doesn't do well it won't be Sony that gets critizied for not giving it enough promotion it will be Michael's named dragged through the press yet again. Both the album and the film come out in a couple of weeks and I have not seen adverstising for either at all on british TV. Not one single advert.

Before I have people saying I'm not being supportive of Michael, I am. I'm saying this because I love Michael and I HATE the fact he's not here to defend himself properly.
Click to expand...
I really respect you're opinion and I see where you're coming from and I really like you're post mostly coz you said you're opinion in a mature way that allows us to have a healthy discussion about the subject in respectful way its not like what others on this board are saying like "this song is crap F*ck Sony"
I don't think you sound like you're not supporting Micheal not at all you shouldn't feel that way I would love to see more members try to say there opinion the way you did :)
 
I really like this song :) I only heard it twice this morning and already I was singing it for half the day. His voice is awesome.. and the public in general have been supportive (from what I've heard).
 
Carinemjj said:
I'm glad about the MTV review of the song, wow, didn't expect that!
Click to expand...

there has just been someone on the bbc who has made me cry, he kept calling michael a freak, someone who needs to be locked up, a delusionist, a messiah wannabe, and he said the record was the worst song hes ever heard, what a twat, that made me so bad, id probably attack him if i was in that room, he needs some sense slapping into his thick head
 
MJultimatemusiclegen said:
there has just been someone on the bbc who has made me cry, he kept calling michael a freak, someone who needs to be locked up, a delusionist, a messiah wannabe, and he said the record was the worst song hes ever heard, what a twat, that made me so bad, id probably attack him if i was in that room, he needs some sense slapping into his thick head
Click to expand...

He's the FREAK! Who the hell does he think he is?

If this is the worst song he ever heard, then I'm sure he never heard of the garbage we call music nowadays. Damn, What a effin loser! I hope he loses his job...
 
On the first hearing it I fell in love straight away with it. I love it, his voice is truly beautiful :wub: I mean this is a demo, that just goes to show how amazing Michael is, he's able to create a fantastic demo, imagine what it would sound like if he had finished it off and everything, it would have sounded incredible! I don't people who say they get don't like it I mean what's not to like!!
 
MJsPYT90 said:
Obviously people who like the song don't think that, but the people who think it's boring or anticlimatic do you think they're going to think "This was Sony's fault, they didn't finish the song properly" or do you think they're going to think "Michael lost his touch"

I'm not talking about fans by the way, we know where the song came from, we know it was only a demo and that Michael didn't finish it, but some of the people listening to this song don't know that and will therefore think it was Michael who didn't finish this song in the right way.

I'm sounding so negative and I hate being negative lol so I'm just gonna stop there, I'm only saying any of this because it's so sad that from now on we might be getting stuff that Michael wasn't ready for us to hear yet.
Click to expand...


you wrote something as fact, and you did not substantiate it. I wasn't referring to fans either. Most fans like the song for what it is.

I just posted an item from MTV.com that actually does not support your previous statement. I have also posted a critic from yahoo music....there are several critics who have acknowledged that the lack of tricks on the song allow them to really appreciate his raw vocal talent.

if it is YOUR opinion, it is best to state it as such and not present it as fact.

People take this way too seriously. As I have stated before i much rather Sony releases the songs as they were the last time MJ worked on them, instead of hiring a producer of the moment to fcuk them & remove the essence of MJ's work.

Mj's artistry & his talent are most important to me. Of course I want him to sell but it is not at the expense of his vision, incomplete or not.
 
Memefan said:
Song showcases MJ's often-overlooked talent as a singer.

By James Montgomery
Michael Jackson was a hell of a singer.
I only say this because to the casual music fan, it might not be apparent. Whether it was because so much about him — his dance moves, his style, his swagger — was so dynamic, or because he rarely spoke above a whisper, or even because he frequently peppered his verses with vocal ticks (like those oft-imitated "Hee-hee's"), Jackson remains one of the most underrated vocal artists in music history.


And that's a shame, because his voice was a wondrous thing, capable of reaching both towering heights (the final verse of "Rock With You") and depths ("Childhood"). It was technical, but it was also decidedly human, too, full of pump-priming rage ("Man in the Mirror") one minute, tethered tenderness the next ("She's Out of My Life"). It was a finely tuned instrument that, when unfurled, revealed all the pain and frustration and joy of Jackson's life ... a window inside the man's soul. It could stop you in your tracks and raise the hair on the back of your neck. It was something to behold.
But don't take my word for it. Just listen to "This Is It," the title track to Jackson's posthumous concert-film/double album that premiered at midnight on Monday (October 12). Because if anything, it's reinforcement of my original point: Jackson was a powerhouse vocalist.
The origins of the song may remain cloudy — it was reportedly written in 1980, in the fertile period between Jackson's Off the Wall and Thriller albums, and recorded in the mid-to-late '80s, in between the Bad and Dangerous albums — but really, none of that really matters: "This Is It" is a prime showcase for Jackson's prodigious pipes, which means that the best way to experience it — indeed, the best way to pay tribute to the man and his music — is to turn the volume up, sit back, and just listen.
Ignore the trilling strings, and the soft-jazz/light-funk backing track (which sort of make the song sound like Off the Wall's "I Can't Help It.") Block out the hype surrounding the song's release and the drama surrounding Jackson's death. Focus on those vocals — the way Jackson counts it in with a boyish "one, two, three, four," the way he glides from verse to verse with breathless, effortless phrasing, the lean-yet-heavy falsetto, the hint of gravel (and gravitas) is the verses, the soaring choruses — it's all there, untarnished by time or tabloids. And it's all wonderful.
In a lot of ways, "This Is It" might be the perfect Michael Jackson tune. And by that I mean, while it's by no means his best, or his most memorable, it might be his most representative. It's a mixture of his yearning early years and his messianic later period, and it shines a light on the best aspects of both: His voice.
Because, just in case you weren't aware, Michael Jackson was a hell of a singer.



http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623610/20091012/jackson_michael.jhtml
Click to expand...

wow, MTV finally sucking up to their biggest booster, huh!

thanks for the article. good to read :)
 
I have just played it to my parents; they like MJ, but mostly as a proxy through me, lol, they were going to the tour and have tickets to the film, but they aren't massive fans in the sense that I, and fellow mjjcommunity members, are, they just like his music, dance and artistry. I must also point out that they are not music critics, just members of the public who like what they like.

I didn't tell them about when it was recorded, but my main worry before playing it to them was that the 'demo-like' quality would put them off... Their reaction pleasantly surprised me.

They both LOVED it. My mother said it was "beautiful" and that it proved he had so much more to give. My Dad fully agreed, and they both said that the sound quality sounded great to them... Mum even said she liked the "count in" over the intro!!

EDIT to add: Wow that MTV review was a further pleasant surprise - what a truly amazing and uplifting read.
 
Review: Michael Jackson single, 'This Is It'

http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo...91012michaeljacksonsinglereview.html#comments by Ed Masley - Oct. 12, 2009 10:36 AM
The Arizona Republic
Michael Jackson's first posthumous single, "This is It," made its official premiere on Jackson's Web site at midnight. And as easy-listening throwbacks to the early '80s go, it's really pretty, with a schmaltzy Broadway intro giving way to slinky R&B guitar, a comfy bed of doo-wop-flavored backing vocals from his brothers and a silky smooth lead vocal from the man himself. He's ready to take back his Kingdom of Pop with a heartfelt vow of "This is it, here I stand/I'm the light of the world, I feel grand."
icon_new_audio.png
Listen to 'This Is It' Michael Jackson: 'This Is It'
Rating:
ttd-stars3half.png





He apparently wrote the song in 1980 and it shows.
That's not too say it's bad, because it isn't. But it's clearly out of step enough with anything remotely current that there's no way its release would be a media event had Jackson lived to see it through, a modest effort from a man not known for modesty.
In fact, he more than likely would have wanted something more contemporary sounding for a comeback single - not a 1991 recording of a track that didn't make the grade for "Thriller."
Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495.
 
Memefan said:
you wrote something as fact, and you did not substantiate it. I wasn't referring to fans either. Most fans like the song for what it is.

I just posted an item from MTV.com that actually does not support your previous statement. I have also posted a critic from yahoo music....there are several critics who have acknowledged that the lack of tricks on the song allow them to really appreciate his raw vocal talent.

if it is YOUR opinion, it is best to state it as such and not present it as fact.

People take this way too seriously. As I have stated before i much rather Sony releases the songs as they were the last time MJ worked on them, instead of hiring a producer of the moment to fcuk them & remove the essence of MJ's work.

Mj's artistry & his talent are most important to me. Of course I want him to sell but it is not at the expense of his vision, incomplete or not.
Click to expand...


Oh I totally understand what you mean now. I appoligize I didn't mean it to come across as if I was stating a fact, I was just giving my opinon. I should have said In my opinion people who don't like this song (which I have heard a few people say whether it was on radio/TV or to me personally) will think the reason it's bad is down to Michael instead of knowing the real reason - Sony. All I was trying to say is if this song does badly (which I doubt again as the This Is It album is already in the pre-order album chart) but if it DID do badly, people whether in a year or ten years time looking back on it will think it's because Michael didn't release a very good song, when really it had nothing to do with Michael. That's the only reason I said it would make Michael look bad.


Edit to add:

When you said this:

"People take this way too seriously. As I have stated before i much rather Sony releases the songs as they were the last time MJ worked on them, instead of hiring a producer of the moment to fcuk them & remove the essence of MJ's work
Mj's artistry & his talent are most important to me. Of course I want him to sell but it is not at the expense of his vision, incomplete or not."

I really hope you won't refferring to something I had said, because like I stated in my earlier post, the very reason I'm not as keen on this song as some of his others is because Michael didn't produce it, like you said some "prouder of the moment" did and made it into something that Michael probably would not have done. I would have MUCH prefferred if they had just released the original demo Michael did of just his vocals and piano - Michael in it's rawest form, showcasing his incredibly real talant.
 
Last edited:
I really like it. It's just as good as all of his others. Even though it's an old song, I'm happy to hear a new song by him.
 
MJultimatemusiclegen said:
there has just been someone on the bbc who has made me cry, he kept calling michael a freak, someone who needs to be locked up, a delusionist, a messiah wannabe, and he said the record was the worst song hes ever heard, what a twat, that made me so bad, id probably attack him if i was in that room, he needs some sense slapping into his thick head
Click to expand...

Who was that? and where did you hear it? Was it The One Show by any chance?

There was a guy on there and he was making horrible remarks about the appearance of a famous old lady (cant remember who it was).. but he was nasty and I thought, oh no, if they mention Michael's new song I wonder what horrible stuff this idiot will say..I switched it over, so I don't know if they ever mentioned the song.

Is that where you heard it? I can't believe someone said that on TV. It so not true! Why carry on spreading lies!
 
Apart from the "I'm the light of the world" line I don't think it's a "messianistic" song or even another "Heal the world". It's a love song, as far as I am concerned. Yes, that one line "I'm the light of the world" is a little odd, but if it's a love song it could be meant like "I'm in love, I'm so happy I feel like the light of the world" or something. Not to mention it's not a finished song. Have you heard the demo version of Billie Jean? Totally meaningless lyrics. If that had been released first people would have tought MJ was crazy. LOL.

I can see why this didn't make it on Dangerous though. He had lot stronger songs for that album.
 
MJultimatemusiclegen said:
there has just been someone on the bbc who has made me cry, he kept calling michael a freak, someone who needs to be locked up, a delusionist, a messiah wannabe, and he said the record was the worst song hes ever heard, what a twat, that made me so bad, id probably attack him if i was in that room, he needs some sense slapping into his thick head
Click to expand...

and thats why u dont watch listen to anything in the media when it comes to ppl talking about mj.how do u lock up a dead person by the way?
 
MJsPYT90 said:
Oh I totally understand what you mean now. I appoligize I didn't mean it to come across as if I was stating a fact, I was just giving my opinon. I should have said In my opinion people who don't like this song (which I have heard a few people say whether it was on radio/TV or to me personally) will think the reason it's bad is down to Michael instead of knowing the real reason - Sony. All I was trying to say is if this song does badly (which I doubt again as the This Is It album is already in the pre-order album chart) but if it DID do badly, people whether in a year or ten years time looking back on it will think it's because Michael didn't release a very good song, when really it had nothing to do with Michael. That's the only reason I said it would make Michael look bad.


Edit to add:

When you said this:

"People take this way too seriously. As I have stated before i much rather Sony releases the songs as they were the last time MJ worked on them, instead of hiring a producer of the moment to fcuk them & remove the essence of MJ's work
Mj's artistry & his talent are most important to me. Of course I want him to sell but it is not at the expense of his vision, incomplete or not."

I really hope you won't refferring to something I had said, because like I stated in my earlier post, the very reason I'm not as keen on this song as some of his others is because Michael didn't produce it, like you said some "prouder of the moment" did and made it into something that Michael probably would not have done. I would have MUCH prefferred if they had just released the original demo Michael did of just his vocals and piano - Michael in it's rawest form, showcasing his incredibly real talant.
Click to expand...

you don't have to apologize for this. I think everyone (myself included) is being very sensitive about MJ and his legacy...and we tend to make a mountain out of a mole.

The song is not being as a single, it will be playing over the credits...so take it for what it is in the grand scheme of Michael Jackson's career.

There is nothing wrong with not liking the song, I am sure there are many more that will be release in the future.

That was my last piece on this.
 
I would recommend everyone to listen to the "regular" (without orchestra) version on YouTube as posted above. It's a lot more raw and I think most will like it quite a bit more :)
 
Herrie said:
I would recommend everyone to listen to the "regular" (without orchestra) version on YouTube as posted above. It's a lot more raw and I think most will like it quite a bit more :)
Click to expand...

So the radio and streaming version is definately the "Orchestra Version"? I was kinda hoping it was the raw version and the 2009 edit would be 'cleaner'. Think I will wait til album release day to hear the original version, be a nice surprise :)
 
From what I've been able to observe the general reaction has been very positive :) it's gotten some really great reviews, so I don't really undertsand some of the complaining here. :scratch:
 
for the first time ever I am actually going to log out and cannot be bothered ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top