Willie Simpson

Category: Michael Jackson

  • The Jackson 5, The Love You Save

    This was the third killer single (I Want You Back, ABC) from the Jackson 5 after they made their killer debut on Motown.  It’s a song with a crazy soaring melody and complex vocal arrangement that came from the hit making geniuses “The Corporation,” the Los Angeles wing of Motown’s machine.  This performance, from Ed…

  • Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, Say Say Say, The Girl is Mine

    The year was 1981.  Michael Jackson was staying over Paul and Linda McCartney’s house.  The pair of ultra stars were recording songs with Quincy Jones and George Martin for their respective albums.  For Thriller, MJ and Macca were laying down “The Girl is Mine,” a horrendous piece of saccharine pop.  For McCartney’s equally successful album…

  • Michael Jackson, Leave Me Alone

    Soul week comes to a close with part 87 of my ever expanding youtube countdown.  Today, I have my favorite Michael Jackson cut of all time, “Leave Me Alone,” from Bad. Released in 1987, “Leave Me Alone” was actually left off the American version of Bad, but was later added as a bonus track.  This,…

  • Michael Jackson, Pepsi Commericals

    We’re the Pepsi Generation in part 79 of my youtube countdown.  I’ve got Michael, Marlon, Jackie, Randy, Tito, and Jermaine all pitching soft drinks in the height of the 80s soda craze.  These 3 awesome videos to take you back in time to a more magical place where if you were drinking a Pepsi and…

  • Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Prince

    Part 39 of my youtube countdown is loaded with star power.  In it, you’ll see a Prince, a King, and a Godfather, the Holy Trinity of R&B, dance, funk, and soul.  In 1983, at a James Brown concert, we have the Godfather calling to stage the King of Pop in all his pre-insane person glory. …

  • We are the World, and the Rest of You Can Watch…

    Continuing the journey down my youtube favorites list, I give you the infamous “We Are the World.”  This tune was written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson sometime in 1985, as a response to the horrendous Ethiopian famine which killed over a million people.  I guess it did some good as it raised between 50-60…

  • The Jackson 5 Singing I'll Be There and Rockin Robin, Acapella!

    Welcome to Part 2 of all the youtube videos I’ve favorited in the past 3 years.  And because its part 2, I’m giving you a double dip of J5.  I must have favorited these right after Michael Jackson died a few summers ago.  A little cheesy, but still an incredible display of raw talent.  Michael…