Michael Jackson Remembered

Listen to In The Back

Written in 1994, puts it in context ~

~ a lesser known track from The Ultimate Collection

You’re just preaching the Bible and they still speakin you’re a lier
And you still deal with the fires
That they made…

dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah, you
dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah

Why you wanna get me?
Dreams don’t last forever
Why you wanna fix me?
See, if the police don’t take it
God forsake it
I can’t take it

Why you stab me in the back?

We’re so gonna loose
And she, knows they got this to be
She… I dah dah dah dah dah

dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah people
dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah
dah dah dah dah dah

Why you wanna get me?
This dude won’t last forever
Why you wanna hit me?
See, if the police don’t take it
God forsake it
I’ll fell breaking

Why you stab me in the back?

Empty spaces – what are we living for?
Abandoned places – I guess we know the score..
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are looking for?

Another hero – another mindless crime.
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime.
Hold the line!
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!Yeah!
Inside my heart is breaking,
My make-up may be flaking,
But my smile, still, stays on!

Whatever happens, I’ll leave it all to chance.
Another heartache – another failed romance.
On and on…
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess i’m learning
I must be warmer now..
I’ll soon be turning, round the corner now.
Outside the dawn is breaking,
But inside in the dark I’m aching to be free!

The Show must go on!
The Show must go on! Yeah, yeah!
Ooh! Inside my heart is breaking!
My make-up may be flaking…
But my smile, still, stays on!
Yeah! oh oh oh

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies,
Fairy tales of yesterday, will grow but never die,
I can fly, my friends!

The Show must go on! Yeah!
The Show must go on!
I’ll face it with a grin!
I’m never giving in!
On with the show!

I’ll top the bill!
I’ll overkill!
I have to find the will to carry on!
On with the,
On with the show!

The Show must go on.

~Written by Queen
Sung by Freddie Mercury
Released 14th October, 1991

…and I’ll give you a big surprise!

It is truly amazing that the tribute single, “Better on the Other Side,” was written, recorded and released on Diddy’s Twitter account within 24 hours after Michael’s death. Wow! The ‘GameBoyz’ got on it with no time to spare! Deeply saddened, and still in a state of shock, inspiration welled up from deep within rappers DJs Skee and Khalil.  Even though MJ’s style of music was not rap, these artists had just lost their mentor and “king” forever. MJ’s influence crossed music genre boundaries. A tribute was quickly in the making. Featured on the song are rapper recording artists, The Game, Chris Brown, Diddy, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans, Usher and Boyz II Men who pooled their talents for the impromptu project.

Read the deeply personal lyrics as the song plays:

These Rap artists totally respected and admired Michael, not only as a mentor, but as a friend. As mentioned in the song, Michael encouraged Game and 50Cent to make amends in their relationship, and “stop the beef.” According to The Game, Jackson had tried to end the feuding and tension between rapper 50 Cent and The Game in 2005.

“I was on tour in Canada, sitting in my room, cutting my hair…Then my road manager knocks on my door. Boom, boom, boom. He told me, I got MJ on the phone. I ran and snatched up the phone.” The Game said Jackson started the conversation by talking about music and complimenting him on his records. Then [Jackson] said, ‘I don’t know how you’re gonna feel about this, but I want to ask you something. I don’t want you to judge me, but I don’t really know everything that’s going on between you and 50. But I want to be the middleman behind you putting this situation to bed.”

This gives us greater insight into Michael, the peacemaker.

Everything about this song is impressive. It is a powerful testimony to the profound influence that MJ had on a wide range of artists, both professionally and personally.