Michael Jackson: Such Aching Loneliness
Michael Jackson's passing fills me with sadness - he always seemed a tragic figure to me. His talent was colossal, almost overwhelming to consider.
A couple months ago, I was surfing the web and came across the video below, and watching it, and knowing what I knew about his [lack of a] childhood, the cruelty of his father, the distortions that early superstardom imposed on his personality, and so on -- I found the video almost impossibly moving.
Maybe it is just that I know the story of his life, but as I watched him sing this song, I got a glimpse at a frightened, lonely, bewildered child, aching in vain for the kind of friend he was rhapsodizing about in this song. I didn't know him personally of course, but I got the sense that he lived (and died, now) carrying an immense burden of harrowing pain and isolation.
This country can be cruel indeed to its idols.
I hope he has found some peace.
The Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqo17o2a1w
A couple months ago, I was surfing the web and came across the video below, and watching it, and knowing what I knew about his [lack of a] childhood, the cruelty of his father, the distortions that early superstardom imposed on his personality, and so on -- I found the video almost impossibly moving.
Maybe it is just that I know the story of his life, but as I watched him sing this song, I got a glimpse at a frightened, lonely, bewildered child, aching in vain for the kind of friend he was rhapsodizing about in this song. I didn't know him personally of course, but I got the sense that he lived (and died, now) carrying an immense burden of harrowing pain and isolation.
This country can be cruel indeed to its idols.
I hope he has found some peace.
The Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqo17o2a1w
Advertisement
America and Americans get so attached to their cultural icons. It is almost like we feel we know them. I am sad for fans of his music, which I am not one of, but his passing hasn't filled me with sadness. He struck me as a tortured soul, a la Howard Hughes, someone who had everything one could ever want in material wealth but was never really able to fully enjoy life.
June 25, 2009 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, I don't have any illusions of having known the man. The evidence of his pain was pellucid in the wreckage of his life.
Andrew Sullivan posted similar thoughts to mine today:
June 26, 2009 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also worth mentioning: Hunter at Daily Kos has a eulogy that just floored me:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/25/746950/-A-Dismembered-Soul
June 26, 2009 12:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know of many artists who aren't lonely. That level of creativity and artistry is lonely, there are few others who have that genius and the single mindedness to create a great work of art.
June 26, 2009 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed, Bev. From what I know of his life, MJ was particularly isolated because almost from his first awareness he was being trained and prepped for stardom; he never got a chance to form friendships outside the bubbles of his family (first) and his fame (later).
June 26, 2009 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink