Pretty Young Things

The following was originally posted June 26, 2009, at http://www.parentclick.com/BlogPost.html?id=1196:

The first few heroes of my life were the Incredible Hulk, Bo and Luke Duke, Ponch and John, and Michael Jackson. The first album I ever remember buying of my very own, when I was 5 years old, was "Thriller," and I never got tired of listening to it. I still remember the premiere of the "Thriller" video, the most amazing thing I'd ever seen, and maybe a record that stands still today.

I was with my kids, and my niece and nephew, when I heard that Michael Jackson had died. It had been awhile (months, not years) since I'd listened to anything from "Thriller," and I decided today that it was time for me to reassemble the album and listen to it the way it was intended.

I downloaded the songs I didn't have, put them into order, and got "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" as we started eating dinner. Crystal, who is maybe a year or two too young to remember the mania of "Thriller," danced along as we ate.

It had been years since I heard "Baby Be Mine," and when "The Girl Is Mine" started, I looked at Jenna and had visions of dancing to this song at her wedding, handing her off to her husband half way through MJ's duet with Paul McCartney, where they argue over the affections of a girl.

It was Vincent Price's "Rap" at the end of "Thriller" that prompted Riley to stop in his tracks, and his signature creepy laugh was scary enough for him to sneak into the office to turn the radio all the way down.

By the time I got the radio turned up, "Beat It" was half over, and by the time "Human Nature" started, Riley was asking to listen to "Dust da dust da dust" again, which is of course his approximation of the opening hook of "Billie Jean." I insisted we finish the rest of songs first.

I sat down with Mason and a jar of baby food when "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)" started, and Jenna danced along while I "fed" our youngest, which is to say smearing most on his cheeks, nose and lips.

I was finishing as "Lady of my Life" started. Crystal walked by and went into the computer room.

I know they'll never know the effect that album had on me, and for all I know they'll know Michael Jackson more for the sad things that marred his life after "Bad," but it was a nice little bit of catharsis for me, who hadn't really been able to enjoy his music since he stopped being the King of Pop and started becoming that freak who dangled his babies off of balconies and took little boys into his bedroom.

But somehow I don't feel bad for bringing his music into their lives, and why should I? It was a huge part of my life, and I'm only too glad to introduce my children to it. He forever changed popular music, was the king of the music video, and affected my life in ways I didn't even realize until he died.

And he's doing it again. MTV is suddenly playing his videos again, and everyone's talking about MJ again. It's a conspiracy theory for sure, but there are grumblings that this is just too perfect a coincidence that he dies just months before his big comeback tour. It's just crazy enough a stunt for Jacko to do. But that's crazy, right?

Now, if only I can catch MTV playing the "Thriller" video. Think Riley's ready?

Naah, me either. Of course, that's the perfect time.