S3x1: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"

Though we have covered a number of amazing songs already, "Black or White" is the first of Michael's 13 number 1 hits that we are deep-diving into this season. As a mixed-genre song with rock and rap elements and a controversial short film, "Black or White" is a song with a number of themes and deeper references to uncover, wrapped up in an explosive pop hit. In this discussion, I make several references to Joe Vogel's fantastic book analyzing "Black or White," as well as offer some helpful context for understanding Michael's relationship to Bill Bottrell, the song's co-writer and producer. This episode also contains a discussion and excerpt of Elizabeth Taylor's speech at the United Negro College Fund Ceremony in 1988. Link to Elizabeth Taylor's speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkXVHsGAiS4&t=19sLink to Joseph Vogel's book: https://michaeljacksontheartist.com/products/black-or-white-inside-michael-jacksons-most-controversial-short-filmFor questions and comments email [email protected].

Michael Jackson's adult solo career is inarguably one of the greatest discographies of all time. However, his musical contributions extend far beyond those six iconic albums. In 1978, The Jacksons released their first self-produced and nearly entirely self-written album "Destiny." Michael had a few clear favorite songs from that album, adding them to live set lists through the Bad era. One of the funkier ones, "Things I Do for You" is an energetic, highly percussive song with lyrics that feel almost uncomfortably prophetic for the many issues he would face just a few years later, and through the rest of his life. With themes of exploitation, mistrust, and a desire to avoid those looking to use him, this song served as an excellent contribution to his live performances, while also offering some interesting perspectives on the battle for authentic relationships he sought through most of his life. This episode includes clips of the studio recording, as well as Michael's 1987 Bad tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiYFgBftFVE&list=RDJiYFgBftFVE&start_radio=1For questions or comments email [email protected]

Though Michael Jackson has long been associated with Halloween due to the popularity of "Thriller," he actually recorded several songs throughout his career that have a distinctly "scary" feeling. One of these lesser known gems is the song "Is it Scary?" released on the 1997 remix album "Blood on the Dance Floor." This gothic-inspired song featured briefly in his short film "Ghosts" has lyrics fit for Halloween, with mention of ghouls, ghosts, and trickery. But beneath that, these lyrics tell a much more frightening story of Michael Jackson's painful emotional response to the relentless media scrutiny and abuse he faced throughout most of his adult life. Join me for this emotional discussion diving deeply into the lyrics of this song and sitting with the agony Michael was expressing. We will even spend some time discussing the critical response to the song and how much of it reflected the very reality he was describing in the storytelling. For questions or comments feel free to email me at [email protected].

According to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, Michael wrote over 200 songs in his lifetime. However, so many of those songs have never been, and never will be heard. The rare unreleased that have leaked online over the years offer amazing insight into Michael's creative process and level of perfection, especially when those he kept in the vault are as good as "Chicago 1945!" Join me in this episode as we read and discuss the lyrics of this high-energy, but darkly-themed song about missing girls and a lack of accountability from the authorities. If you are unfamiliar with the song, please give it a listen (link included below). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUkvA-NCV1E&list=RDBUkvA-NCV1E&start_radio=1For questions and comments email [email protected].

As one of Michael Jackson's most spiritual songs, the deep meaning of "Another Part of Me" can easily overlooked given its inaugural debut in Captain E.O. Though it's meaning certainly aligned with the storyline of the short film, this high energy pop song may often be cast aside as just another great dance hit. However, in this episode we take a slowed down approach, reading the lyrics and analyzing them line-by-line. Though this episode kicks off with a reflection on attending Spike Lee's birthday block party for Michael on August 29 in Brooklyn, NY, the majority of the discussion centers not only on the themes within the lyrics of "Another Part of Me", but also the choices Michael made to alter the lyrics in his live performance of the song. I also touch upon how the unity Michael strives for in these lyrics lives on today in his fandom around the world. For questions or comments please email [email protected]

Kicking off our first episode of Season 3 is a deep-dive into arguably one of Michael's strongest album opener's: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin.'" This high-energy song with it's uplifting and much-sampled outro is undeniably beloved. But how well understood is it? Join me for a slowed down and deeply thoughtful conversation about the meaning in these lyrics and the many messages Michael is conveying to his audience even now, nearly 50 years since it was first released. For questions or comments email [email protected].

After a post-biopic summer hiatus, "Reading Michael Jackson" is back with Season 3! Having already covered Michael's books in Seasons 1 and 2, this season we will focus on Michael's most well-known, yet routinely under-appreciated writing: his lyrics. As a songwriter and lyricist Michael tackled themes of inspiration, heartbreak, global unity, humanitarianism, media, social commentary, sex, violence, spirituality, systemic racism, personal growth, love, vulnerability, and more. Yet as an artist, the shine of his aura and his talents as a singer and dancer often lend to his strengths as a songwriter being overlooked, if not entirely ignored. As the premiere of Season 3, this episode will cover my reasoning and decision for choosing Michael's lyrics as our focus this season, as well as my general parameters for picking songs to cover. Next week we will kick off with episode 1, with a full reading and analysis of the lyrics to one of Michael' greatest songs. If you have requests for specific songs to be covered this season, please leave a comment or send an email to [email protected].

In this special bonus episode of Reading Michael Jackson, we celebrate Michael's 68th birthday with a deep dive into the true meaning behind the creation of his Neverland Ranch, as well as his humanitarian legacy. Featuring interview clips from Neverland's Head of Security Violet Gaitan Booker, Amusement Park Manager Al Scanlan, and Audio support Brad Sundberg, as well as clips from Michael Jackson's own interviews, this episode focuses on the true heart of Neverland, and honoring Michael Jackson's dream of healing the world. Links and resources referenced in episode: Paris Jackson on Call Her Daddy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR8-dzLECUE&t=562sPaul Dwyer's Humanitarian Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW2YG8HjZxE&t=584sHumanitarian Book: https://www.humanitarianmj.com/"Big Al" Interview, Humanitarian Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHddfdVHMZE&t=2567sBrand Sundberg Interview, MJCast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Jh7jNbA7k&t=5018sViolent Gaitan Booker, MJCast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUP60S9I-JM&t=1460sSteve Harvey Interview, Michael Jackson, 2001: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW5poJgHXU4Rabbi Shmuley Boteach Transcripts with Michael Jackson: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-michael-jackson-tapes-a-tragic-icon-reveals-his-soul-in-intimate-conversation/734582/#edition=5556084&idiq=1723326Jennifer Love Hewitt on Jimmy Kimmel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCWnQ0vE5d4Humanitarian fan initiative: https://www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org/

Seventeen years ago today Michael Jackson passed away and the world descended into a collective grief. Renowned poet Maya Angelou composed the poem "We Had Him" to honor Michael's life, legacy, and the gift of his presence on earth. In today's special June 25th episode of Reading Michael Jackson, join me for a reading and discussion of Angelou's beautiful tribute to Michael, as well as a segment on the many ways we may honor Michael, and his impact, in our own lives. For questions or comments email [email protected]"We Had Him" - https://allpoetry.com/poem/14326539-We-Had-Him-by-Maya-AngelouJune 25th, 2025 Episode of RMJ: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6oKjtR8PKoCBT7LqfqpX0T?si=SX6PWtx5S8qXSzl4je40nw

As June 13th marks the anniversary of Michael Jackson being acquitted of all charges in his 2005 trial, this bonus episode of Reading Michael Jackson explores the ongoing media campaign to discredit the jury's findings. With a PhD in Rhetoric, host and former college professor Lena uses rhetorical theories of persuasion and manipulation, to identify specific tactics the media uses in misrepresenting the allegations against Michael Jackson. The episode concludes with a guide for where to begin your research journey into the allegations, citing reputable books, podcasts, and documentaries grounded in court transcripts, depositions, and the FBI's multi-year investigation into Michael Jackson. Sources mentioned in this episode: Documentary Square One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxNDb2PVcoMMary Fischer's 1994 GQ Article, "Was Michael Jackson Framed?" https://mjjjusticeproject.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/was-micheal-jackson-framed-gq-mary-fisher-oct-1994/Geraldine Hughes' Book, "Redemption": https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001K8FNI0?ccs_id=08e8339e-d453-4220-bebc-f400c5d63baaAphrodite Jones' Book "Conspiracy" https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-Conspiracy-Aphrodite-Jones-ebook/dp/B00LIBDZPC?crid=1VDRDQEL5QRMR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PUIqdIM8-xo6XVaKfJsXRyEEaf8Fu0jplYzgOUK0DAfGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.8l-Qh9wb6hPlmnsxOHI9dwiaGN5QKIACpHTPfdCCVUw&dib_tag=se&keywords=aphrodite+jones+conspiracy&qid=1781114425&s=digital-text&sprefix=aphrodite+jones+conspiracy%2Cdigital-text%2C111&sr=1-1Joe Vogel, "What You Should Know About the New Michael Jackson Documentary" https://www.forbes.com/sites/joevogel/2019/01/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-new-michael-jackson-documentary/Jin Chohan's Documentary, "Leaving Neverland: The Aftermath"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hkNPmpudpc Jin Chohan's GO FUND ME for Documentary, "Trial By Media: The Michael Jackson Story" https://www.gofundme.com/f/themjstorydocThe MJCast Leaving Neverland Roundtable Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpdvL1OrLxQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIqkam3MGgIThe Cast for Innocence Podcast: https://www.michaeljacksoncaseforinnocence.com/Michael Jackson's Rebuttal to 'Living with Michael Jackson' - "The Footage You Were Never Meant to See" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpaIWbfqDxwFor questions or comments email [email protected]