Jacksonology

Just when you think you can't stomach even one more reference to Michael Jackson, I'm gonna hit you with my top 20 songs list. I'm not one of the devout followers that cried at his passing (although I know two women at work that did). It was unexpected, it sucked that it happened right before a supposed comeback, but the biggest tragedy is that there won't be any new music (unless he's still recording from the same studio as 2Pac and Elvis Presley). I think people are saddened not just by the death of a man, but by the end of an era and a possible realization that, if you grew up with Michael, you really are THAT old now. His music represents not one age group or time period, but four very different decades. "Wanna Be Startin' Something" reminds me of one of my first sleepovers when I finally heard the entire Thriller cassette tape for the first time. Nothing makes me remember hitting puberty more than Janet and her song, "Miss You Much." My high school youth group had a leader that introduced us to Michael's Dangerous album. When I went out of state for a week-long summer camp, the HIStory compilation had just come out and those were the CDs I listened to the most. I may have called this post "Jacksonology" but don't expect to see Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon or La Toya featured below:

1. "The Love You Save" (1970) - The Jackson 5; from the album, ABC
2. "Got to Be There" (1971) - Michael Jackson; from the album of the same name
3. "Shake Your Body (Down To the Ground)" (1978) - The Jacksons; from the album, Destiny
4. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1979) - Michael Jackson; from the album, Off the Wall
5. "Can You Feel It?" (1980) - The Jacksons; from the album, Triumph
6. "Young Love" (1982) - Janet Jackson; from her debut album of the same name
7. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (1983) - Michael Jackson; from the album, Thriller
8. "Human Nature" (1983) - Michael Jackson; from the album, Thriller
9. "One More Chance" (1984) - The Jacksons; from the album, Victory
10. "Don't Stand Another Chance" (1984) - Janet Jackson; from the album, Dream Street
11. "When I Think of You" (1986) - Janet Jackson; from the album, Control
12. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (1987) - Michael Jackson; from the album, Bad
13. "Dirty Diana" (1987) - Michael Jackson; from the album, Bad
14. "Miss You Much" (1989) - Janet Jackson; from the album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
15. "In the Closet" (1991)" - Michael Jackson; from the album, Dangerous
16. "Stranger in Moscow" (1995) - Michael Jackson; from the compilation album, HIStory
17. "Scream Louder (Flyte Tyme Remix)" (1997) - Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson; from the remix album, Blood on the Dancefloor/HIStory in the Mix
18. "Got 'til It's Gone (feat. Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip)" (1997) - Janet Jackson; from the album, The Velvet Rope
19. "Break of Dawn" (2001) - Michael Jackson; from the album, Invincible
20. "Truly" (2004) - Janet Jackson; from the album, Damita Jo

OUT TODAY ON DVD: PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE SEASON ONE