Nostalgic Music Month Day 30

Micheal Jackson/The Jackson 5 by Jon Hilton

One of the lessons I have learned in life is that the people that you grew up with have some of the biggest impacts on your life experience. That can be said for the life and music of Micheal Jackson. We watched him grow up from his beginnings in the Jackson 5 to becoming an iconic megastar of the 1980’s.  His talent is undeniable and his songs have punctuated many lives. In fact, the release of the thriller video on December 2, 1983 was an event.  It happened and now generations are blessed with the Thriller Dance.  His music is full of memories and people from the past. Even if you didn’t really like his music you still know the songs. They are woven into the fabric of our society.

1. Never Can Say Goodbye– The Jackson Five was a part of my childhood. That childhood ended the day I moved from Greenville, Maine on June 15,

   

   1979. this song reminds me of that time and what a hard time I had with the transition to a new town, school, and life. It was ultimately a good experience but at the time one of the most difficult experiences I faced. Leaving behind all of the people that I knew was tough. Life went on and I met plenty of wonderful people and had great experiences.  This song always reminds me of that time and those thoughts. Even though the pain and heartache. Seem to follow me wherever I go. Though I try and try to hide my feelings. They always seem to show, Then you try to say you’re leaving me, And I always have to say no. Tell me why is it so?

2. Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough– To this day when I need a boost in my cardio workout, this song by Micheal Jackson puts some movement in my

   

   body. It is a reminder of those awkward junior high days. When half of you thought you were cool and the other half knew how lost you were.  We never knew how much we didn’t know, and through a process of trial and error we kind of figured it out. It was a long and intense struggle to win the affections of the fairer sex. All else was secondary to that.  Junior high dances were the places much of this took place.  Touch me and I feel on fire. Ain’t nothing like a love desire.  I’m melting I’m melting like hot candle wax. Sensation ah sensation, lovely where we’re at ooh So let love. take us through the hours, I won’t be complaining aw Cause this is love power.

3. Billie Jean– This is the song that introduced the moonwalk to rural America. I could never do that, but it wasn’t a real priority for me.  Billie Jean was also one of the videos on MTV that I remember being played all the time and since it was played all the time was always present. In the culture of the early 80’s, what was being played on MTV influenced us in the things we thought were cool, the behavior that was acceptable, really in every way. It is hard to imagine today what an icon Micheal Jackson had become but he was probably the biggest star of the era.  She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene. Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one. Who will dance on the floor in the round.
4. Thriller– As I mentioned before this video was a cultural happening in the lives of everyone alive in 1983. From the warning at the beginning that Micheal Jackson does not support or believe in the occult to the “Thriller Dance”, it was a video with a story. A silly story, but one just the same. It makes me laugh still today watching it. When MJ turns into a werewolf and then a zombie, it is a busy night for him.  If you have 13 spare minutes, give it a watch, it is very appropriate for the day before Halloween.  Vincent Price’s lines have become iconic in and of themselves. A cultural phenomenon for sure and any child of the 80’s knows it to be true. Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood. To terrorize y’all’s neighborhood
   And whosoever shall be found. Without the soul for getting down. Must stand and face the hounds of hell. And rot inside a corpse’s shell. 
5. Man in the Mirror– Change is a constant factor in life. It is an inevitable force that occurs constantly. People spend their lives in denial of this,

   

   because change can be scary. Since it is going to happen anyway, you had better learn how to deal with it. This song urges you to start by making positive changes within yourself and to make the world a better place from the changes that you undergo. Our attitudes of the judgment of others and constantly putting people into simple groups of “us” and “them” causes hate, prejudice, and conflict across the globe. Look at yourself and the thoughts that you entertain every day in an honest way and see what kind of changes you can make for the positive. I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer. If you wanna make the world a better place, (If you wanna make the world a better place). Take a look at yourself, and then make a change. 

   Van Halen by Mike Martin

   There is no argument-Eddie Van Halen can play the guitar.

   I bought my first stereo in 1981 from a local Greenville, Maine pilot who was downsizing. It had a turntable, two cassette players, and a radio. The sound it produced was life-changing.

   The first cassette that I listened to the stereo play was Van Halen, a debut studio album from Van Halen, an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972.

   From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony. The band is one of the most successful rock acts of all time.

   The song that I most identified with, as a fifteen old Northern Maine boy with an Ego bigger the Mount Katahdin, was Runnin’ With the Devil 

   Yeah, yeah, ah, yeah
   I live my life like there’s no tomorrow
   And all I’ve got, I had to steal
   Least I don’t need to beg or borrow
   Yes I’m livin’ at a pace that kills
   Ooh, yeah
   (Ahh)
   Runnin’ with the devil
   (Ahh-hah, yeah)
   (Woo-hoo-oo)
   Runnin’ with the devil
   Yes I’m, yeah, hoo

   I graduated from high school in 1984. Van Halen produced a popular studio Album in 1984, called 1984. It was their most successful album.

   The signature was Jump Van Halen’s most successful single.
   I get up, and nothing gets me down.
   You got it tough. I’ve seen the toughest all around.
   And I know, baby, just how you feel.
   You’ve got to roll with the punches to get to what’s real

   My favorite song from 1984: Van Halen – “Hot For Teacher”

   Oh wow, man
   Wait a second man Whaddaya think the teacher’s gonna look like this year? (my butt, man)
   Oh yeah T-T-Teacher stop that screaming, teacher don’t you see?
   Don’t want to be no uptown fool
   Maybe I should go to hell, but I’m doin’ well,
   Teacher needs to see me after school

   In 1986, I spent a majority of my life at sea on the USS Jouett. The Jolly J was preparing for a West Pac cruise and we expended most of our time going through sea trials, inspections and eventually sailing around the

   

   Pacific.

   I bought a “Walkman” (a music listening device that will always remind me of Joel Wortman) to help me escape while serving aboard the Jolly J. The first cassette I bought was Van Halen’s OU812, released in 1986.

   Van Halen and Diamond Dave had broken up. Eddie met Valerie Bertinelli, hired Sammy Hagar, and Van Halen started producing love songs. I didn’t like Van Halen’s new sound a first, but it was the only cassette that I had so I eventually learned to appreciate the strange new Van Halen songs.

   Hey only fools rush in and only time will tell
   If we stand the test of time (FYI-they didn’t)

   Why Can’t This Be Love

   Please, have a great day, and if you have any questions, drop us a line and please partake in #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth and while you are at it take a trip to Greenville, Maine-I understand the foliage is majestic this time of year! #visitGreenville

   #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth #visitGreenville