Showin' how funky, strong is your fight

It’s no surprise that I would post a Friday Five Fave post about Michael Jackson. Our history goes way back. I grew up on MTV. I can remember watching the Go-Go’s sing My Lips Are Sealed while my grandma prepared pancakes for me. Since I can remember MTV has been a part of my life.

It was not uncommon for me to watch at home, in the evenings. I liked having a little DIVO and WHAM! on in the background while I cut my Barbie’s hair. Didn’t everyone?

In December of 1983 the biggest thing to EVER happen to MTV occurred: Michael’s Jackson’s debut of his video epic Thriller. You cannot even imagine my excitement that I would get to witness music history like this. 14 minutes of history to be exact.

We had just bought our Christmas tree and we were going to decorate it, while watching history in the making.

There was promise of drama and lots of dancing, plus a new Michael Jackson song. Honestly it was like Christmas came early that year.

We had got the tree mostly decorated when Thriller started to play. I was loving the dialogue, the dancing, the suspense of Thriller’s greatness.

My mom had left the living room to put away some of the decorations. I was circling the tree placing just a few strands of tinsel on each branch, dancing to the beat.

Then I saw the screen. It was the exact same moment that Michael Jackson brought his head up.

AS. A. ZOMBIE.

I dropped my tinsel, ran from the room and began to cry.

The only real movie I can remember from my childhood was Grease. I didn’t even like Goonies because of the fire surrounding the entrance to the jail at the beginning. That could totally happen if some bad guys came into my house, stole my teddy bear and then wanted to get away.

Now, now we have Michael Jackson turning into a zombie.

It was too much for my 6 year old mind to fathom.

For years I had an odd fear of Michael Jackson the zombie coming into my room. Which actually prepared me for later in life when the zombie look was a better look for him. In honor of Michael Jackson and his contribution in music, a Top 5 of my favorite songs:

1) Billie Jean – I loved this song. Mainly because he could totally walk on a sidewalk and it would light up. If only we could all experience that when we walked to school.

2) Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough – What’s not to love. A sequined outfit, disco lights coming from behind him. I could never get enough.

3) Smooth Criminal – The beginning bass line is so smooth you can listen to it again and again.

4) Scream – At the height of Janet’s career and as HIStory was being released, we got to witness two of the younger Jackson’s collaborate. I love this. I would watch MTV for hours just trying to see this video.

5) Unbreakable – This track collaborated with Notorious B.I.G. and Brandy. It’s from his last album and a song I listened to over and over and over again.

I could name more, but it’s a Top 5, so I’ll limit my list.

However, while Jackson struggled to deal with fame, there is no doubt he made significant contributions both in music and in choreography. He even has a patent on a move in the video for Smooth Criminal.

For a girl who grew up on MTV and hoped to be a dancer, Michael Jackson will forever be remember as the zombie who scared the tar out of me before Christmas 1983.