Michael Jackson, Heal the World | Music Lifts

In the 63^rd edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by the late, great Michael Jackson performing, “Heal the World.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 63^rd edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Heal the World” as performed by Michael Jackson.

“Heal the world / Make it a better place / For you and for me and the entire human race.” Amen, Michael Jackson, amen! In a crazy world, with ample ails, we should heed the late King of Pop’s powerful lyrics.  He continues singing in the chorus of   “Heal the World” ( Dangerous), “There are people dying / If you care enough for the living / Make a better place for you and for me.”  “Heal the World” didn’t achieve the same level of success of Jackson’s top-tier pop singles, but it did reach no. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993.

Beyond the chorus, the centerpiece of “Heal the World,” there are plenty of inspiring, thoughtful moments. Take the first verse for example, where Jackson asserts, “There’s a place in your heart / And I know that it is love / And this place could be much brighter than tomorrow.” Similarly, in the second, Jackson states, “There’s a love that cannot lie / Love is strong, it only cares for joyful giving.” The pre-choruses are also thoughtful, with MJ singing, positively, “There are ways to get there / If you care enough for the living / Make a little space / Make a better place.”  The human race has good in them, but can be selfish, only thinking about their own. On the gorgeous “Heal the World”, Jackson encourages us to be more selfless, for the greater good.  The grandest section of this ballad – the repeated choruses supported by choir and featuring modulations.  It’s impossible to listen to this underrated MJ gem and not experience chills.

Michael Jackson • Dangerous  • MJJ Productions Inc.  • 1991

Michael Jackson, Heal The World: Music Lifts No. 63 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; MJJ Productions Inc.; Hamid Tajik, Qamar Rehman, vansh mehta, Viridiana Rivera via Pexels]