Michael Jackson, Framed
We have some pretty cheesy videos in this blog, so this week we've decided to make amends by bringing in one of the most famous videos of all time: Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."
Jackson's best-selling single of all time was also an historic video: at the time of its release in 1983, MTV wasn't showing many videos by black artists. CBS Records, Mike's label, told MTV that--if they didn't play "Billie Jean"--CBS would deny them videos from their white stars and denounce MTV as racist.
The vid channel caved, and "Billie Jean" debuted on March 10, 1983. It was a smash hit, and both MTV and Michael Jackson went on to massive success. Thriller, the album on which "Billie Jean" appeared, became the best-selling album of all time, and Jackson became the biggest pop star of the late 20th century. MTV, of course, went on to do whatever it is MTV does.
Even in this, the modern era, "Billie Jean" holds up incredibly well--as both a video and a song. So sit back and enjoy one of the great, great moments in pop history, and post your undying gratitude to Framed, The Blog That Likes You!
1 - Fluffy finally decided that her people, the cats, would take no more guff from wind-blown leaves!
2 - "Wow. It appears that moving that rubber tree plant may well require cross-species cooperation!"
3 - Outsiders have rarely seen the Framed video queue!
4 -"A variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming would be a great idea!" dreamed the drunken Yahoo! executive.
5 - Was it the cameo appearance of Gummo, The Sentient Bubble, that cemented "Billie Jean's" legendary status? Discuss.
6 - Michael: Light on his feet! Do you get it?!
7 - "Ants! Become the rubber tree plant!"
8 - "If only I could petrify George Herbert Walker Bush by wishing it to be! Then life'd be good!"
9 - "Why, how did this seemingly-artificial ‘border' simply appear in two-dimensional space?"
10 - "Boy, if that's not the girl I asked, ‘What do you mean I am the one? Who will dance on the floor in the round?,' it sure looks like her."
11 - McCain's second choice for vice president, seen here, would've also been ready on Day One!
12 - "The new Framed featuring readers in their underpants will surely become an internet sensation!"
There is no one else who even COMES CLOSE to Michael as a performer!
He is the best!