don't stop 'til you get enough

i know i already wrote about Michael Jackson but he's still on my mind, probably because the news and every other channel has yet to stop talking about his life. i don't mind it. actually, it's been making me feel very nostalgic so i spent some time looking back at his old music videos. to this day i think they are some of the best videos ever made. Jackson set the precedent for everyone after him. if it wasn't for him, music videos would probably still comprise of musicians dancing in bad lighting in front of disco balls (watch Gloria by Laura Branigan for reference). i remember watching satellite TV in Iran where some channels would spend days just marathoning his videos. this meant i only left the television when i was dragged away from it. to be honest, i think Michael Jackson had a hand in shaping who i am now and what i'm interested in (cartoons had a supporting role). so i've listed a few of my favorite MJ videos and what they taught me.

Billie Jean

a sneaky photographer follows Michael around, trying to catch him in compromising positions. also, it showcases Jackson's ability to create electricity with the flick of a toe.

lesson learned: Michael is MAGIC. furthermore, BITCH he ain't yo baby daddy!

Beat It

Freddy Mercury and George Michael are rival gang leaders who get into a dangerous yet graceful knife fight. Michael Jackson steps in before someone gets hurt.

lesson learned: good choreography settles all disputes.

Thriller

the music video so epic, it came with a disclaimer. lasting over thirteen minutes, it combines two of my favorite movie genres--horror and musicals.

lesson learned: ......i still can't get through the first two minutes without shitting my pants.

Say Say Say with Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney and MJ scam town members (most of whom are old as hell) for money that they then use to fund their back alley orphanage.

lesson learned: the elderly are easily swindled.

Leave Me Alone

the video tours a Michael Jackson theme park where the only patron is Michael Jackson. yes, in case you were wondering, that is a bust of Elizabeth Taylor.

lesson learned: LEAVE MICHAEL ALONE

Black or White

Macaulay Culkin uses the power of his guitar to blast his father (the guy from Cheers) across the Earth where he learns about other cultures by watching Michael Jackson dance. in the end it turns out Michael is an animorph. he wrecks racist shit. awesome.

lesson learned: Macaulay Culkin is one hell of a rapper. oh yeah and racial discrimination is wrong.

this ended up being longer than i intended. i guess the moral of the story is: i love all of Michael Jackson's music videos. go watch them. all of them are incredibly entertaining. here are a few others to note:
Jam- MJ teaches the other MJ (Michael Jordan) to dance and in return learns basketball.
Remember the Time- pharaoh Eddie Murphy's wife is promiscuous and Michael has Alex Mack powers
Earth Song- what have we done to the world?
Bad- watch your mouth, Michael has a gang.
Smooth Criminal- straight up gangsta shit. children, avert your eyes.