Can I just say that writing Musical Thursday feels almost odd today given that Michael Jackson has died? I haven’t been a devoted fan in many years but I once was and still recall running around my bedroom listening to my Off The Wall vinyl on my little orange and white record player… you know the kind that you could close like a little suitcase? I remember the day my mother and father took me out to buy it, I couldn’t believe it and how the music made me so happy — dancing around like a little jumping bean in my bedroom. “Get on the floor, and dance with me…” That disco sound was new to my ears, it was 1980 and I was so little. Though his life changed a lot over the years, no one can deny how much his music influenced the world and changed the face of music forever. And you certainly can’t deny his innovation and talent – the man was no copycat but a trendmaker – a genuine creator of the next wave. I think it’s sad that fame got the best of him and his health and though after Beat It I started to feel disconnected to his music, I still think there was undeniable magic in the early years that I will never forget. Me, Off The Wall (She’s Out Of My Life…. what a song – what lyrics) and my little orange record player.
The set where the next Room Eleven was shot by Berlin Productions.
Room Eleven on Tour in Berlin.
Room Eleven shooting their Early Morning video in the Netherlands where they are from.
So what am I listening to this week? I’ve been playing Pokerface by Lady Gaga a lot, I think with all the stupid tech problems I had I just needed to zone out and listen to lyrics that don’t allow me to think. If I dedicate myself to a project I can block out emotion and surroundings quite well. Music helps with that, especially pop music because it’s superfical and fluffy. I think I listened to Rihanna, Good Girl Gone Bad, like 3 times today alone. I listened to Lady Sovereign, Public Warning, a few times too. It was one of those weeks let me tell you. But it’s nearly over and though I still have a lot of rebuilding to do on this blog but the light is showing at the end of the tunnel so I’m over the initial frustration & even anger I felt for those who let me down on the technical side not abiding by our terms of service. It’s upsetting when you pay people a lot of money and trust them to take good care of your data only to find out that they “accidentially deleted” 400 posts and 1,800 comments! But now that I’m starting to feel better about things, I’m chilling with a cup of Lavender Earl Grey, listening to the frogs sing in the pond outside of my window and have Room Eleven playing softly to a flickering candle in the window. It’s nice.
Room Eleven is my suggested band of the week. Dutch band, jazzy smooth, lovely. I’m listening to “One of these days” right now which seems absolutely fitting… And check this out. My cutie friend Enna came across Sia’s tour bus in Hannover recently. If you are a Sia fan like Enna and I are, you’d understand the excitement I guess. But this is such a cool random find.
And to Michael Jackson all I can say is that you truly were larger than life and I’ll never forget the impact you had on my childhood, all the first crushes I skated with to your songs, and the way I felt as I danced with my friends at my slumber parties to your music. Few leave such an impact on the world as you have.
(image: room eleven)
Tags: music
June 25th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Michael Jackson died?!!? Holy Moley! I am really out of the loop today. Wow. Such a sad ending. He really was incredibly talented.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
So much sadness today. I remember so well when thriller came out – it was electrifying. Such a vivid memory from my childhood. And Farrah! – always loved her hair.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I’ve been surprised by how sad/shocked I am by MJ’s death. I wasn’t really a kid of the 80s (born in ‘88) so it’s not like my childhood was marked by his songs. I guess it still has an impact because he is so… omnipresent in our pop culture and had such an influence on pop music.
oh, and I’m so glad that you listen to music like “Pokerface” too. Sometimes I let myself get caught up in the indie-artsy music scene righteousness and feel almost ashamed for liking it but you need the fun songs too! I’ve been listening to “So What” by Pink and “Just Dance” along with “Pokerface” almost every day lately :)
June 26th, 2009 at 5:22 am
Hi Holly, musical Thursday… whowsa.
It was already midnight over here when I read about MJ and “Rock with you” has been in my head nonstop.
About Room Eleven, do you have their CDs, “Six white Russians…” + “Mmmm… Gumbo?”? My favourite is “Swimmer” (Gumbo).
I know them pretty well actually; Janne is a gifted painter too – she painted my portrait a couple of years ago!
(www.oehlala.com)
June 26th, 2009 at 7:02 am
it’s so funny, since i was just slightly younger (and much more sheltered as a child) than those who “grew up with” michael jackson, my education of him was a little backward: i knew him first as a weird character, then got to know his music a little better. yesterday was so strange! but i guess days like that always are since we don’t expect deaths like that. . . .
i really like this post and the music you have been listening to! i have been playing god help the girl on repeat for the last few days. i hope your weekend is restful after such a frustrating week!
June 26th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Long live the King of Pop – for those not familiar, go out and buy ‘Off The Wall’ and ‘Thriller’ -two of the best albums ever created. His talent and innovation have never been seen since – he changed the face of music as we knew it in the 70’s. I will never forget this little kid with the tremendous voice and dance ability on Ed Sullivan – no one had ever seen anyone like him and likely won’t again.
June 26th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I just wanted to say that you write so wonderfully and summed up exactly how I feel about MJ passing away. You story fits exactly for me…except I was more in the Thriller and Bad era and I stopped/rewound/stopped/rewound my cassette of that album a million times to learn the words and dance to my favourite tunes. He was SUCH a part of my childhood more than I remembered until I started thinking about it today. Such a sad day, to see the life of such a influential person end. Despite the drama and his ever changing looks and life…he will firmly be a part of my childhood – for all the good memories I have that included his music.
On a more upbeat note…YAY that you were listening to Lady Sovereign – her honest lyrics are so refreshing.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Glad to hear that you listen to some of those songs too! I enjoy such a wide range of music and try appreciate what each offers. I sometimes feel a little guilty for enjoying some some of the pop or even rap songs that I don’t necessarily agree with the message they represent, but still sing along. Sometimes I just need to not be serious and let go of that and enjoy singing along, you know? And as far as MJ, wow..I will never forget him and his music. Thanks for writing about his influence. Have a great weekend!
June 26th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Thank you for the introduction to such a lovely sound in Room Eleven! I love it!
June 26th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Carly you’re welcome! I hope that you enjoy them.
Sia – When I listen to them I think of you since you told me last year I think that you were friends with the lead singer, right? I noticed they’re in Germany touring in the Fall so I’ll have to go see them. Tell them to play in Hannover and to have their manager contact Theater am Aegi. Fine Frenzy was there last year and had a packed house. These types of bands do really well in Hannover but unfortunately most small/midsize acts skip Hannover but I’m hoping to change that. Sia was just in Hannover so there’s hope! :) http://www.theater-am-aegi.de/
June 26th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I relate to your comments about Michael Jackson. It is so sad when anyone passes but this mixed up kid is hopefully at peace now. The first 45 (now I’m showing my age) I bought was “Ben” and I followed Michael until the mid 80’s when I was over my disco phase. I loved watching the Jackson 5 cartoon on TV of an afternoon and my favourite album was also Off The Wall. I had to go an put on the CD now and crank it loud.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Entrancing and Enticing
June 26th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Holly you have to listen to Adele….uk singer. She is Kate Nash meets Amy Winehouse. Think you might like. ;)
June 27th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Holly, just wanted to say thank you for these Musical Thursdays. I am always looking for new, different music. I am loving all that you are posting, especially the European artists that I wouldn’t normally know about. Keep it up!
CK´s last blog ..NEW WARDROBE PLEASE.
June 28th, 2009 at 12:22 am
All I have to say is that I adored that JACKSON 5….some of the best music ever….especially at parties. Whenever any of their songs played everyone got up and started to sing or dance….it was great. It’s all still so surreal…I woke up the morning after he died and the first thing I thought of was “Wow, I can’t believe MJ is gone.” I am such a music fanatic and I believe it brings people of all ages & races together…and Michael’s music will always live on. People from all over the world knew of him..and listened to his music….it was crazy…
My FAVORITE JACKSON 5 song was ” Who’s Lovin you?”.(Quincy Jones) ….so BEAUTIFUL…you can hear the version that Terence Trent D’Arby sang….it’s like a tribute now….I am so in L-O-V-E with this version as well- take a listen when you can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV7YqR4FtUg
Jen Ramos
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
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jennifer ramos´s last blog ..Oh so pretty…& coming soon!