Michael Jackson, Earth Song | Throwback Thursday

This Throwback Thursday, we travel back to 1995 for Michael Jackson and the socially conscious, environmentally savvy gem, “Earth Song.” 

Throwback Thursday (TBT) looks back at songs that have truly captivated or stuck with me for whatever reason.  In some cases, there’s a compelling story or memorable happening behind the fan-girling.  For the fifth Throwback Thursday, dated April 30, 2020, we look to Michael Jackson and his compelling, multi-genre 1995 classic, “Earth Song.” “Earth Song” hails from The King of Pop’s most controversial album, HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK I. Even so, that doesn’t stop this ballad from being among the most powerful of his career.

On “Earth Song,” Michael Jackson gives listeners a bit of everything – pop, rock, R&B, and gospel.  Throw in the music video, and you’ve totally checked off the boxes of Gesamtkunstwerk. No, “Earth Song” isn’t nearly as beloved as those untouchable gems from Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), or Bad (1987), but in my opinion, the way that this seven-minute single is assembled is nothing short of EPIC. 

What makes this captivating song about the earth so awesome?  Michael Jackson, first and foremost – duh. Jackson absolutely sings the hell out it.  He shows incredible emotion whether he’s singing more coolly and plaintively on the verses, or when he ratchets things up on my favorite section, the breakdown. On the breakdown, Jackson gets a marvelous assist from Andrae Crouch’s Choir.  Between the two, we get stunning, high-powered call and response bridging the spirit of rock and the soulful, uplifting sensibilities of gospel.

“What about yesterday? (What about us?)
What about the seas? (What about us?)
The heavens are falling down (What about us?)
I can’t even breathe (What about us?).”

Adding to the epic nature of “Earth Song” is how WOKE it was, and still is today. Jackson speaks on the treatment of the earth, as well as issues of humanity (“What about killing fields? Is there a time?”), and faith (“What about all the peace that you pledge your only son?”). Sigh, this is just one of many great throwback classics with Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson • HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK I • Epic • 1995

Michael Jackson, “Earth Song” | Throwback Thursday [Photo Credits: Brent Faulkner, Epic, kalhh, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, Prettysleepy]