The Night Shift

“Thriller-ites” just don’t understand.

Those who knew Michael Jackson only as the ‘King of Pop’ have no idea how important he was to those of us who were growing up during the Motown years; when “I Want You Back” could breathe life into the deadest party; when “Who’s Loving You” became his song long after Smokey penned and sang it; when we argued endlessly about whether Jermaine was a better singer or Marlon a better dancer; when we raced each other to the record store for the latest release; or when every garage band played at least one Jackson 5 song at local talent shows.  Those early years were the foundation of why we loved him so much and so faithfully later; through the craziness, the surgeries, the tabloid garbage and the trial.

It’s been more than a year since Michael Jackson passed away.  I’ve avoided including the Jackson boys from all but (I think) two of my mixes.  The truth is, I still have a hard time listening to the old stuff without shedding a tear or two; and converting my favorites from vinyl to mp3 is quite a task.  However, Michael’s birthday is approaching…it’s time.

When I heard about the memorial service at the Staples Center, I cringed at the thought of the media spectacle it might be.   Instead, it was a going home service reminiscent of those I’d grown up attending.  I sat among the Thriller-ites at work, and I was proud of those Jackson boys, the Jackson family and all who gave our boy that wonderful send-off.  But, I didn’t cry…not at work.

The service was rebroadcast later that night, when I was at home with my kids.  We sat and watched; and talked about the songs, the concerts, the records and the music.  We sang along with the performers. All the time, I kept my eyes on that gold coffin, trying to process that it held boy, laying inside, never to come back to us and sing “Who’ s Loving You” again.  We talked about the four concerts I attended: with my brother, Larry, in ‘72; with Todd, Curt and some friends from ‘the block’ in ‘73; with a group of girlfriends senior year; and with my husband and infant daughter (you could take a baby to a concert back then) in 1979.  We talked about how Curt and I used to race to be the first to buy the newest single.  Whoever was first would call and play it over the phone.  (I was first when “Sugar Daddy” hit the stores.)

After the rebroadcast was over, and the kids had gone back to their Xbox 360; and after I had let in the dog and put out the cat; I closed myself in the living room with a bottle of my favorite wine, my Crossley Stack-O-Matic, and a few stacks of Jackson vinyl.  It was mostly pre-Thriller stuff – the group hits and the solo albums from the Motown years that blasted in the basements of my house and Todd’s, and from the window of Curt’s living room to us on the porch.  I sang and I danced.  And, finally, I cried a while.

For a sweet-voiced little boy from the soundtrack of my life.

For Michael.

For Michael

Song – Artist – Album

1. Intro – TGrundy
2. This is For Michael –  JBethune
3. With a Child’s Heart – Michael Jackson – Music And Me
4. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5 – Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5
5. Who’s Loving You – The Jackson 5 – Love Songs
6. Ain’t No Sunshine – Michael Jackson – Got To Be There
7. Sugar Daddy – The Jackson 5 – Greatest Hits
8. Honey Chile – The Jackson 5 – Maybe Tomorrow
9. One More Chance – The Jackson 5 – ABC
10. I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5 – Third Album
11. Got To Be There – Michael Jackson – Got To Be There
12. Promo – TGrundy
13. Who’s Loving You (Live) – The Jackson 5 – Goin’ Back To Indiana
14. Walk On (Live) – The Jackson 5 - Goin’ Back To Indiana
15. Wings Of My Love – Michael Jackson – Got To Be There
16. Ben – Michael Jackson – Ben
17. We’ve Got A Good Thing Going – Ben
18. To Know – The Jackson 5 – Lookin’ Through The Windows
19. Get It Together – The Jackson 5 – Get It Together
20. Dapper Dan – Michael Jackson – Forever, Michael
21. Push Me Away – The Jacksons – Destiny
22. One Day In Your Life – Michael Jackson – Forever, Michael
23. We’ve Got Forever – Michael Jackson – Forever, Michael
24. Music And Me – Michael Jackson – Music And Me