Hot topic What unreleased demos and remixes do you think will be on Thriller 40 Disc 2?

[Themidwestcowboy]

Because LNFSG demo is trash?

What’s trash about the demo?

 

[AlwaysThere]

I don’t think that every song needs to be finished or reworked, but there are some that absolutely need some polishing. The original LNFSG demo just isn’t good at all in my opinion; John McClain and Timbaland made it listenable.

 

[AdeZ]

now it might just be me looking into it too much, but if the leaks are real, this is the setlist of thriller 40 so far.

the fact it seems to alternate between leaked and new every second song is interesting, maybe they are planning on two new demos?

I noticed this too

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I don’t think that every song needs to be finished or reworked, but there are some that absolutely need some polishing. The original LNFSG demo just isn’t good at all in my opinion; John McClain and Timbaland made it listenable.

Songs are how they are when MJ left them. If they are not good then they're not good (I don't agree that LNFSG demo is bad at all) No reason to change them or allow others to rewrite history really. It's always seemed a strange desire within the fanbase to me if I'm honest, to actively want things changed for seemingly no reason.

Remixes can be a fun side thing but they shouldn't be the main way MJ's stuff is presented.

 

[OnirMJ]

But MJ’s Estate, they’re re-releasing Thriller with two extra demos. Let that sink in

That is just FALSE. There will be AT LEAST 6 unreleased, new demos/songs. Let that sink in.

10 tracks minus Got The Hots, Sunset Driver, Carousel + probably CGOOTR.

All other tracks are UNRELEASED. Let that sink in once more!

The thing that someone stole the tapes from the studio, illegally sold them on the black market, then the buyer re-sold them and illegally leaked them to the internet is not that song's fault. It's not Michael Jackson's fault. It's not the Estate's fault. It's the fault of the thieves, black market re-sellers, "collectors" and fans spreading that stuff online. Let that sink in.

 

[ChanceToDance]

now it might just be me looking into it too much, but if the leaks are real, this is the setlist of thriller 40 so far.

the fact it seems to alternate between leaked and new every second song is interesting, maybe they are planning on two new demos?

When was the Carousel reveal leaked? And also Starlight was also deleted from Youtube so we can count on that one being put on the album, that means there's room for only 1 unheard song.

 

[AlwaysThere]

Songs are how they are when MJ left them. If they are not good then they're not good (I don't agree that LNFSG demo is bad at all) No reason to change them or allow others to rewrite history really. It's always seemed a strange desire within the fanbase to me if I'm honest, to actively want things changed for seemingly no reason.

Remixes can be a fun side thing but they shouldn't be the main way MJ's stuff is presented.

I think that, given MJ’s position on releasing his music in an unfinished state, some demos are absolutely in need of a final polish before they’re published. I’m not necessarily a believer of change for the sake of change, but songs like “Hollywood Tonight” and “Do You Know Where Your Children Are,” which are clearly unfinished, absolutely need to be spruced up beforehand. Songs like “Escape” or “Blue Gangsta,” though, which could fairly be called complete, don’t need to be touched.

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I think that, given MJ’s position on releasing his music in an unfinished state, some demos are absolutely in need of a final polish before they’re published. I’m not necessarily a believer of change for the sake of change, but songs like “Hollywood Tonight” and “Do You Know Where Your Children Are,” which are clearly unfinished, absolutely need to be spruced up beforehand. Songs like “Escape” or “Blue Gangsta,” though, which could fairly be called complete, don’t need to be touched.

I'm still not understanding where this desire for changing MJ's music is coming from. I guess I just don't get it, seems exactly like change for the sake of change to me.

Are we really trying to imply it's likely that MJ would rather someone else totally change his songs than they be released as he left them?

Anyway, I guess it's just something I'm not gonna understand.

 

[AlwaysThere]

I'm still not understanding where this desire for changing MJ's music is coming from. I guess I just don't get it, seems exactly like change for the sake of change to me.

Are we really trying to imply it's likely that MJ would rather someone else totally change his songs than they be released as he left them?

Anyway, I guess it's just something I'm not gonna understand.

“Totally changing” is more akin to the contemporization on Xscape, which I agree isn’t the way of doing things. But I think it’s fair to say that MJ would rather see his songs released in a fleshed-out, finished state, than as half-baked demos. Reworking songs and keeping true to their original recordings is, in my opinion, the best way to handle the vault while maintaining respect for MJ as an artist.

I just can’t imagine MJ being okay with the public hearing his original, rudimentary demos of “Do You Know Where Your Children Are” or “Free.” I can, however, imagine him being okay with them getting the final versions of “Behind the Mask” or “Best of Joy,” even if he would have misgivings over those songs being finished without his participation.

 

[Nite Line]

Why do many of you think every unreleased song should be "contemporized"? *smh*

Did I say that it should be contemporized?

 

[kreen]

That is just FALSE. There will be AT LEAST 6 unreleased, new demos/songs. Let that sink in.

10 tracks minus Got The Hots, Sunset Driver, Carousel + probably CGOOTR.

All other tracks are UNRELEASED. Let that sink in once more!

The thing that someone stole the tapes from the studio, illegally sold them on the black market, then the buyer re-sold them and illegally leaked them to the internet is not that song's fault. It's not Michael Jackson's fault. It's not the Estate's fault. It's the fault of the thieves, black market re-sellers, "collectors" and fans spreading that stuff online. Let that sink in.

The Toy is just the demo to Best of Joy. The kind of thing you listen to once. How often do you listen to, say, the Beat It demo or the Shake Your Body demo? They’re interesting historically, but that’s it.

Same with Behind the Mask.

As for the previously leaked songs, the Estate is right to release them, so they can finally be monetized. And I’m right not to be excited, considering I’ve known them by heart for TWENTY YEARS.

I only care about my perspective, as a customer and as a fan. Am I excited? Am I interested? Do I want to pay for this? The answer is no. Just like it was for the TII soundtrack, or that ridiculous Halloween compilation.

 

[Ekans]

That is just FALSE. There will be AT LEAST 6 unreleased, new demos/songs. Let that sink in.

10 tracks minus Got The Hots, Sunset Driver, Carousel + probably CGOOTR.

All other tracks are UNRELEASED. Let that sink in once more!

The thing that someone stole the tapes from the studio, illegally sold them on the black market, then the buyer re-sold them and illegally leaked them to the internet is not that song's fault. It's not Michael Jackson's fault. It's not the Estate's fault. It's the fault of the thieves, black market re-sellers, "collectors" and fans spreading that stuff online. Let that sink in.

You can't pretend the songs never leaked just to "blame" someone for the inclusion of those tracks in a proper release. I as a customer am not happy at all with the inclusion of already known songs in T40. Releasing HS and NL on it for example would be just dumb.

 

[Nite Line]

You can't pretend the songs never leaked just to "blame" someone for the inclusion of those tracks in a proper release. I as a customer am not happy at all with the inclusion of already known songs in T40. Releasing HS and NL on it for example would be just dumb.

Don't listen to leaked songs. Despite my username, I haven't listened to Nite Line for over a decade.

And where exactly should songs like Hot Street and Nite Line be released if not an anniversary edition? Should they never be released? Should fans like you get to listen those songs for free on youtube forever? Is that morally right?

 

[AlwaysThere]

The Toy is just the demo to Best of Joy. The kind of thing you listen to once. How often do you listen to, say, the Beat It demo or the Shake Your Body demo? They’re interesting historically, but that’s it.

Same with Behind the Mask.

You say this having never listened to either.

A version of a song with completely different production and vocals is not the same as a demo. These versions will become the definitive ones for some fans.

I as a customer am not happy at all with the inclusion of already known songs in T40.

Already known to you. The general public and more casual fans (at least those who interact with the social media posts) have been commenting their excitement for these songs. Hell, I stumbled across a fan page who had never even heard “She’s Trouble”!

It’s fine to be disappointed that you’re already familiar with the material, but it’s absolutely foolish to act as though that means it shouldn’t be released. We chose to listen to the leaks, so the disappointment is on us.

 

[Themidwestcowboy]

Songs are how they are when MJ left them. If they are not good then they're not good (I don't agree that LNFSG demo is bad at all) No reason to change them or allow others to rewrite history really. It's always seemed a strange desire within the fanbase to me if I'm honest, to actively want things changed for seemingly no reason.

Remixes can be a fun side thing but they shouldn't be the main way MJ's stuff is presented.

I know that all people are entitled to their opinion and all that but I am honestly, honestly trying to wrap my head around the notion that LNFSG demo is “trash” or not good. I don’t understand what’s bad about it? It’s MJ singing to a piano accompaniment with beautiful vocals and a great melody. I understand that it was in a rough state and could be improved upon if they recorded a full fledged song with full instrumentation but trash? That’s going overboard.

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I'll personally never understand thinking leaked tracks being released is wrong. I get not being interested in them (I'm not either, unless it's a different mix or significantly higher quality) but it's not something to criticise either in my opinion. We all listened to them because we wanted to.

It's not the Estate's fault the tracks leaked and they should include them if they want to.

 

[Nite Line]

I know that all people are entitled to their opinion and all that but I am honestly, honestly trying to wrap my head around the notion that LNFSG demo is “trash” or not good. I don’t understand what’s bad about it? It’s MJ singing to a piano accompaniment with beautiful vocals and a great melody. I understand that it was in a rough state and could be improved upon if they recorded a full fledged song with full instrumentation but trash? That’s going overboard.

LNFSG demo isn't trash, but I personally find it incredibly boring. Both Michael's solo reworked version and Timberlake version are significantly more enjoyable to listen to.

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I know that all people are entitled to their opinion and all that but I am honestly, honestly trying to wrap my head around the notion that LNFSG demo is “trash” or not good. I don’t understand what’s bad about it? It’s MJ singing to a piano accompaniment with beautiful vocals and a great melody. I understand that it was in a rough state and could be improved upon if they recorded a full fledged song with full instrumentation but trash? That’s going overboard.

Yeah, it's really nice in my opinion.

 

[Ekans]

Should they never be released?

Of course not. The best they could do would be to put songs like that in some kind of collection of demos and outtakes, where they'd not take up the place of some other rarity in a very limited anniversary tracklist.

The estate couldn't care less about MJ's ART, they care about the money. If a songs leaks we'll obviously go listen to them because if we're to wait for some decent official release, we'd have to wait YEARS for something good to come from them. The problem is a bit wider here. You shouldn't blame the fans for listening to leaks.

 

[Themidwestcowboy]

LNFSG demo isn't trash, but I personally find it incredibly boring. Both Michael's solo reworked version and Timberlake version are significantly more enjoyable to listen to.

Of course they are as they are full fledged songs with instrumentation. LNFSG was never meant to be a piano ballad but even in that state it’s good song and you can hear it’s potential. For a song to be as great as those remixes were the original song has to be good to start with.

 

[Nite Line]

Of course not. The best they could do would be to put songs like that in some kind of collection of demos and outtakes, where they'd not take up the place of some other rarity in a very limited anniversary tracklist.

Lol speak for yourself. Most people are glad that leaked songs are getting released on Thriller 40. Like I said, don't listen to leaked songs and they will be like never heard before songs for you.

 

[Nite Line]

Of course they are as they are full fledged songs with instrumentation. LNFSG was never meant to be a piano ballad but even in that state it’s good song and you can hear it’s potential. For a song to be as great as those remixes were the original song has to be good to start with.

I can agree with that. LNFSG demo does have potential even if I don't care much about it.

 

[kreen]

Already known to you. The general public and more casual fans (at least those who interact with the social media posts) have been commenting their excitement for these songs. Hell, I stumbled across a fan page who had never even heard “She’s Trouble”!

Fine, let them be excited, let them pay for material they already own or could not even be bothered to listen to on Youtube when it was readily available for free for 20 years. I don’t care. I’m only interested in me. Am I supposed to praise a product even though it’s of no interest to me, because it’s of interest to others? It would be like praising political party A, even though I disagree with their policies, because they are favored by others.

 

[Ekans]

Lol speak for yourself. Most people are glad that leaked songs are getting released on Thriller 40. Like I said, don't listen to leaked songs and they will be like never heard before songs for you.

Aren't we all speaking for ourselves? That's my opinion and I stand by it. lol

 

[MJJuniorSinceMW]

1. „You shouldn't blame the fans for listening to leaks.“

Nobody blames fans for listening to leaks as long as they are able to live with the consequences. You seem to not be able.

You guys are the ones blaming the estate for releasing leaked material.


2. „I don’t care. I’m only interested in me.“

Speaks for itself. Nothing to add.

 

[OnirMJ]

Damien is really annoying.

No, he is not. We need evidence that songs belong to certain albums. We can't just blindly believe their words considering their shady past, ignorance, laziness, etc.

 

[filmandmusic]

The LNFSG demo is one of my fave MJ recordings. Im talking personal top 40. The sparse instrumentation elevates Michaels incredibly joyous feel good vocal performance, it becomes the focal point because of the piano as the sole instrument. Often MJ’s finished songs have so much sounds and instruments that his songs get overproduced. Michaels voice is more than enough to carry a song and LNFSG is as good an example as any for that.

 

[AlwaysThere]

No, he is not. We need evidence that songs belong to certain albums. We can't just blindly believe their words considering their shady past, ignorance, laziness, etc.

Except it’s not “their” word. It’s a whittle-down process based on the credits that have been available since 2004. What we actually need is evidence from everyone who insists that it wasn’t recorded in 1982.

Normally I agree that the estate should put their money where their mouth is, but this isn’t a case.

 

[Themidwestcowboy]

The LNFSG demo is one of my fave MJ recordings. Im talking personal top 40. The sparse instrumentation elevates Michaels incredibly joyous feel good vocal performance, it becomes the focal point because of the piano as the sole instrument. Often MJ’s finished songs have so much sounds and instruments that his songs get overproduced. Michaels voice is more than enough to carry a song and LNFSG is as good an example as any for that.

Wholeheartedly agree! May I add that I feel the exact same way about MJ’s solo demo of ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’

 

[Nite Line]

Fine, let them be excited, let them pay for material they already own or could not even be bothered to listen to on Youtube when it was readily available for free for 20 years. I don’t care. I’m only interested in me. Am I supposed to praise a product even though it’s of no interest to me, because it’s of interest to others? It would be like praising political party A, even though I disagree with their policies, because they are favored by others.

I am not going to pay for Thriller 40. I am going to listen to Thriller 40 in spotify. That is how I consume my music. And yes, I am very excited about Thriller 40.