Originally Posted by ben willis
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Yes, the question still stands in my own mind. Where is his "Hey Jude" moment. As Big Jim would say (and I'm not speaking for BJ), I find his songs mediocre and not near the level of The Beatles or even Elvis. The early 80's brought in mediocre songs that have lasted to this day.

Heidi, you have kept this thread on subject about the media and MJ. Thanks for that. Now, where are the pictures?


I haven't read every single post in this thread, just most of the first page, so if any of this is repeated, please forgive...

I would personally count "We Are The World" as at least on par with "Hey Jude". Most of the people (with radios) on this planet have heard that one. It was written by MJ and Lionel Ritchie.

"Man in the Mirror" is another one right up there with anything by the Beatles.

I didn't like some of his stuff, and some of the Beatles stuff was simply fluff, too - "She Loves You, yeah, yeah, yeah" for example, but MJ did have some brilliant songs and brilliant innovations such as using heavy metal guitarists in R&B tunes: Eddie Van Halen in Billie Jean, and Slash in Black or White.

You're comparing his writing to Elvis? Not to dis Elvis' influence as an entertainer, but he was NOT a songwriter. Elvis sang songs written by others, so it's apples and oranges for songwriting skills.

BTW, RIAA statistics only cover U.S. sales, not worldwide sales. A couple of different "unofficial" sources ('cause there isn't an "official" one) estimate his worldwide sales between 750 million and 1 billion - right up there with the Beatles and Elvis. The post-humous sales may put him well over a billion. He will no doubt be one of the top 3 or 4 artists in worldwide record sales for a long time.

Back on topic regarding the media, yeah, the media will sensationalize anything to make a buck. They lie repeatedly by using "undisclosed sources" as their scapegoat. Oh, you BELIEVE everything you read in the paper, right?

Other media: As far as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, they are planning a candlelight vigil for him tonight outside the Hall of Fame building in Ohio. He was inducted in 2001 at the same time as Steely Dan, Aerosmith, Paul Simon and a few others.


Larry
http://www.audibleresponse.com
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