Stranger in Moscow: Michael Jackson, the fallen angel
I don't really have a message to convey here. It's only that I saw the movie Michael a few weeks ago with my wife and daughters. It got me playing his music again and thinking about him. Michael Jackson was my first musical idol, after Bad came out. He was the ultimate pop icon at the time (I discovered Prince not long after). I grew up and my musical tasted changed quickly. By the time Dangerous was released, I already had gone through a Queen and Guns n Roses phase, and around that time I got blown away by Smells like teen spirit, grunge and much more alternative music. Michael was a thing of the past for me.
These days, I still LOVE the albums Off the Wall and Thriller, the happier Michael with classic dance pop songs. I think after that, his life and his music took a turn for the worse. His music and his voice became angrier, more mechanical, the lyrics more paranoid, his vocal tics and mannerism increasing. The joy left his voice. Is there a song from Dangerous onwards where he sounds joyful or carefree? The way you make me feel might be the last of the mohicans. He seems to have only two default modes: the angry, paranoid, defensive songs (Leave me alone, Scream, Ghost, They don't care about us (great song btw)) and sappy/mournful songs. Imho Michael Jackson got stuck, in his private life and in his music.
In his 90s and 00s output, there is one song that really stands out for its heartfelt emotion and musical power, and that is Stranger in Moscow. Here, the musical accompaniment is not overwhelming or overbearing, but subtle, giving his voice space to shine. The song and the lyrics are very emotional, heartfelt and relatable. His voice beautiful and vulnerable. For me, it conveys the essence of Michael's later years, a ray of light of simplicity and honesty through all the musical bluster and the 30 meter high Michael Jackson statue on a boat on the Thames (portrayed on the HIStory album sleeve). It's a portrait of loneliness and loss, maybe he mourns his lost childhood and/or his lost innocence (the abuse allegiations against him started in 1993. Outwardly, he always played the victim, but if he really did those things, he might feel some inner guilt about it).
In short, I think it's a beautiful, devastating and relatable song and the only classic song he made after Smooth Criminal eight years prior.
Interested to hear your views on this song and on Michael's post-Thriller musical career.