Michael Jackson, Morphine | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

On the 18^th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, “Morphine” by Michael Jackson. 

B

ring on the controversy, won’t you? Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  On the 18^th edition of Controversial Tunes, we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Morphine” by 🎙 Michael Jackson. 

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Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“Your every lick, baby / Your dog’s a bitch, baby.” Well, yes, a bitch is a female dog, but that’s not where 🎙 Michael Jackson seems to be taking with things…  It should be noted, this isn’t the first time that Jackson has appeared on Controversial Tunes 😈🎶. The King of Pop previously earned some raised eyebrows for 😈🎶 “They Don’t Care About Us”. The thing is his second entry on Controversial Tunes is more troubling given Jackson’s early death at age 50 in 2009.  🎵 “Morphine,” which appears on his 1997 remix album, 💿 Blood on the Dance Floor, is controversial because it references drugs throughout (“You just sit around just talkin’ about it / You’re takin’ morphine”).  While the bitch and morphine references to substances are troubling, it’s Demerol, an opioid, which used improperly, can lead to overdose or death, that’s most controversial.  Jackson, who became addicted to the opioid, died from a fatal overdose…

The eyebrow-raising ‘Demerol’ portion of “Morphine” occurs on the bridge, a stark departure from the rest of the song.  Much of “Morphine” is styled in the prevalent New Jack Swing of the 90s.  The bridge is dreamier, a perfect soundtrack to the effects of the drug which Michael sings about.  “Relax / This won’t hurt you / Before I put it in / Close your eyes and count to ten,” he sings, later adding, “Close your eyes and drift away / Demerol / Demerol / Oh God, he’s taking Demerol.” Of course, ‘going under’ a drug like Demerol is a bad choice.  It certainly ended the life of an icon far too soon. 

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Final Thoughts 💭

As a song itself, “Morphine” is an intriguing listen from Michael Jackson.  This song earned more attention post-mortem.  Sadly, I wish somebody had been able to help Jackson from his own demons.  Knowing the result was premature death, “Morphine” is that much more controversial – a warning sign that sadly, went unseen. 

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🎙 Michael Jackson • 💿 Blood on the Dancefloor • 🏷 MJJ Productions, Inc.  • 🗓 1997

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Michael Jackson , “Morphine”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 18 [📷: Aidan Feddersen on Unsplash, Brent Faulkner, MJJ Productions, Inc.,The Musical Hype]

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