Michael Jackson's 'This Is It': A glossy, finger-snap-enhanced ballad, but where's the groove?
The last Michael Jackson album was released in 2001. Yet with the singer's passing this summer, it's a safe bet that one will not have to go years before hearing a bounty of as-yet-unheard Jackson songs again. The music industry is more than adept at exploring an artist's unreleased back catalog, and the first of what promises to be an onslaught of posthumous releases from the star hit the Web late Sunday/early Monday.
Few details were released on "This Is It," but the song bears the same name as what would have been Jackson's comeback concerts at London's 02 Arena this year. It will now serve as the title track to the concert film and accompanying album. The film arrives for a limited two-week run on Oct. 28, and the album will be released in North America on Oct. 27.
There's been little information as to what exactly lies in the Jackson vaults, although it's been reported and speculated that enough material for multiple albums exists. Though officially released as a single, and carrying backing vocals from Jackson's brothers, "This Is It," at least, sounds like a demo. Jackson's initial count-off feels raw and distant, but this isn't an intimate peek at the singer in the studio.
An orchestra sweeps in and brushes the song into the safe and comfortable territory of many of the slower songs on 2001's "Invincible." Yet though Jackson's voice sounds crisp, the lushness of the "Invincible" ballads is lost. It saves "This Is It" from some of the latter's schmaltz, but doesn't help its repetitiveness. Elastic, slow-dance guitar notes fill the spaces between the finger-snaps, but if the song sways, it never quite hits a groove.
"I'm the light of the world, this is real," Jackson sings to a generic lover, and the backing "oohs" ensure the sentiment goes down easy. But it's a trifle, and while it's one that certainly won't embarrass Jackson's legacy or break the hearts of fans eager to hear Jackson's voice again, it does bring the fallen pop icon a little back down to earth.
-- Todd Martens
Related: Robert Hilburn on Michael Jackson: the wounds, the broken heart
I LOVE IT! I have been listening to it all morning. I can see this song being played at every wedding. BEAUTIFUL!!!
I miss you Michael,
love,
me
Posted by: lisa | October 12, 2009 at 07:30 AM
I never heard, written by Michael performed by Safire!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCV1h40oS0o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCV1h40oS0o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCV1h40oS0o
Sony is desperate for dollars! THis is PATHETIC!!!!
Michael must be furious!!
Posted by: disgusted | October 12, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Everybodys looking for the grooove... and I feel pretty fine, finger-snapping, and singing soflty while you STILL keep looking for any missing thing.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Posted by: Paula Stewart | October 12, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Michael Jackson can not win with the critics. You are saying more or less that you wish this song was more like of the content on Invincible. However, in 2001 when that album came out the album was panned as being too different, some critics even going so far as to say, "it is a widget." That being said, your review for this song seems silly. Yes it is a demo and yes, who to know, for sure what music Michael himself would have recorded and released if he was still alive, so trying to tarnish his image by calling this song, lacking a groove, will prove to show how foolish your review is. The same way Invincible was called a failure, yet debuted at number one all over the world, including America and went on to sell millions, the soundtrack, "This Is It" that will include this song will probably do the same.
The King of Pop's sales will continue to be a much better review then this sad excuse for a review you piled together, having probably only listened to the song once. Sillyness.
Posted by: Jason Tyson | October 12, 2009 at 07:52 AM
This is a great song. Absolutley LOVE IT!! Miss you MJ! You live on inside all of us! Beautiful Song! Can't wait to see you on film! Sending HUGS!
Posted by: MJLIVES | October 12, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Sony could have chosen so many great recordings that fans have been crying out for release for years - the BAD tour recordings at wembley for instance - take a listen to a snippet at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvdGMrv8PLM
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdvg9AqWxzU
Posted by: DavidD_D | October 12, 2009 at 08:41 AM
it's a very good song that could still be remixed into great....8 bar instrumental break (horn?) after verse 2, use "this is it" as a repeated chorus hook after verse 3 (yea, with drums), build song more 3/4 way through toward "hey Jude-ish" end, "this is it, this is it..." correct vocal pitch here and there....
I actually think this is one of his best. I predict a better version will emerge...
Posted by: jojo | October 12, 2009 at 09:05 AM
This was a song Michael and Paul Anka wrote for the singer Safire in 1991
Posted by: Ty | October 12, 2009 at 10:20 AM
IMO-The only joke I see is that the Jackson brothers, LaToya & Joe are all trying to make more money using Michael more now that when he was alive. The all need to be sent to a far away planet like Neptune on a express one way rocket.
But the are all trying to make all the money they can before Prince, Paris and Prince II/Blanket reach the age they reach the legal age where they will be able to make buisness decisions.
I love the song but could do without the background vocals from the brothers. This is a great case that the should not be seen or heard. ***(IMO)*** Michael lived in pain at the hands of his family including brothers, LaToya, Joe and yes Mrs. Jackson because she could and should have done more to help Michael starting when he was a child.
Posted by: Liz | October 12, 2009 at 11:29 AM
MJ LOVED THE WORLD WITH ALL HIS HEART, it was an UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and he really wanted to HEAL IT, STOP WARS and DESTRUCTION and have people find a common ground IN LOVE and GOODNESS and SHARING !
He was a great man.
People he cared for abused his trust & deceived him, his father abused him verbally and physically; and, worst of all the media/press raped and stripped him of his dignity publicly and hounded him mercilessly.
And through it all he SMILED!
I wonder how many of us would withstand the same introspection into our lives and how we would handle the pain. Before we cast stones at MJ, we should imagine ourselves in his life and ask ourselves how would we manage it?
Only THOSE WITH NO SIN CAN JUDGE him, not us.
Michael, you were too good for this world, for the people here, for the decadence of the community around us. You are finally up with the angels, where you belong, may you RIP ! We will do our best to CARRY ON YOUR LOVE and SELFLESSNESS and teach it to our little ones.
Posted by: CRISTINA | October 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Who wrote this review? I suggest you listen to the song again. It's actually very good and makes me sorry that this is really it....
His poor family.
Posted by: Antonio | October 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM
trust me michael is not singing to a generic lover you media people claim to know everything but all you do is turn something beautiful into something negative i cant believe it michael needed the media to make things right when he was living and you still cant do it the song was lovely I LOOVED IT I WILL BUY IT AND I WILL AWAIT MORE
WHY DONT YOU ASK LAPD why they havent arrested his killer what is the delay on that they have what they need are they helping a killer stay free cause there is other involved with money, and power dont you wonder how a broke man is paying for his attorney when he dont pay nothing else well it makes alot of Michael Jackson Fans wonder what is really going on why and who really is all involved in Michael Jackson Murder......?????
Posted by: evej41 | October 12, 2009 at 12:31 PM
i am really heartbroken that the media still put their feet in trashing michael jackson it is sad i am very dismayed by this, media and government go hand in hand they talk alot of bull crap. We Love You Michael Jackson We Miss You
want dont you ask LAPD why his killer/s are still free, who is protected who is all involved...... ask that instead of always having negative to say about MJ....someone of money and power is keeping murray out of jail how is he paying for an attorney when he cant even pay child support nor other legal and state debts....MICHAEL JACKSON FANS WANT JUSTICE... WE WANT ANSWERS.... WHO WAS MURRAY WORKING FOR REALLY WHO PAID HIM TO KILL MICHAEL SHAMEFUL TO LAPD SHAMEFUL TO THE MEDIA TELL US WHEN MURRAY IS ARRESTED....
Posted by: evej41 | October 12, 2009 at 12:48 PM
justice for michael jackson.....no justice no peace.... why is his killer free ...... report that why LAPD making up excuses to make an arrest why are they not asking more question of who else is involved in this killing michael jackson was murdered by murray but who hired him who is paying his legal fees he doesnt have money is LAPD helping a cover up is the people involved buying off LAPD Michael jackson fans want to know when justice will be done and why it hasnt been done is very questionable
Posted by: evej41 | October 12, 2009 at 12:59 PM
MICHAEL JACKSON WILL ALWAYS BE THE KING
WE LOVE YOU MJ
MICHAEL JACKSON
THE KING OF POP
REST IN PEACE KING NO ONE CAN TAKE THE TITLE AND NO ONE CAN HURT YOU ANYMORE SO THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS OF THE MEDIA DONT MATTER ANYMORE THEY NEED TO REPORT ON WHY YOUR KILLER IS STILL FREE AND WHO IS KEEPING HIM FREE HE IS BROKE WHY IS HE NOT IN JAIL WHO IS PAYING HIS LEGAL FEES
Posted by: evej41 | October 12, 2009 at 01:06 PM
This song rocks and anybody who doesn't agree is not a real Michael Jackson fan.
Posted by: Paul | October 12, 2009 at 01:09 PM
ther well alway's be haters out there,who cares anyway what u haters think or thought about mj he wont ever have to hear your bad comments he's at peace,rest now. SOWthink about someone else you haters wont to hate on. i fell so sorry for people like u.
Posted by: best friend | October 12, 2009 at 01:38 PM
I listen to both versions and it is no doubt MJ version fits better to the lyrics and the melody. I absolutely love the way he interpreted and emoted the song. His voice is exquisite and only MJ could interpret songs in such a way that moves you to tears. Personally I think MJ (being such a perfectionist as he was) would not be very happy knowing this unfinished recording being released this way. And yet though the way Sony promoted this single release is deceiving, I know this song will be heard on the radio for a long time.
Posted by: YANA | October 12, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Agree with earlier post by Jason Tyson. The critics and the media can say what they will; MJs millions of fans worldwide have always and will continue to vote with their devotion and their dollars. Critics' comments are pretty irrelevent in light of the fact that comments from all corners of the world are still being posted hourly on MJ's youtube videos over 3 months after his death.
Posted by: yanagirl | October 12, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Someone has to figure out a way to pay for all that Las Vegas garbage he blew his fortune on.
Posted by: El Guapo de la ciudad de los angeles | October 12, 2009 at 06:55 PM
micheal
Posted by: reem | October 12, 2009 at 11:50 PM
well, i see some of your points, but to me, in my opinion, it doesn't somewhat bring Jackson down to earth, i think his major and real fans, you also, very likely, might consider that if MJ were here . . . he'd have made certain this went up a notch or two when it comes to being gripping. this feels like it was intended to be palatable, marketable, and hit the stands at the exact time it was intended to, by the "whoever is in charge" . . . so, it doesn't bring MJ down to earth for me, more so makes it seem really apparent that those profiting from this were like, "APPROVE" . . . but it's really great to hear MJ's voice, and at the beginning, I love the counting out
Posted by: Marian | October 12, 2009 at 06:54 PM
Posted by: Marian | October 13, 2009 at 01:22 AM
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted by: kami | October 13, 2009 at 05:52 AM
Beautiful song! Michael é único, insubstituível, neste mundo não existirá outro igual. Escuto suas músicas TODOS OS DIAS, Adormeço e acordo ouvindo Através de suas canções pedidos de amor e paz, também entendo como um pedido de ajuda, sinto isso quando escuto uma melodia Morphine! E não endendo por que as pessoas mais próximas dele não fizeram nada para ajuda-lo a se Livrar desse vício em medicamentos. Isso me incomoda bastante, porque eu também poderia de alguma forma ajuda-lo, será? Será que do outro lado do mundo eu poderia te-lo ajudado? Me sinto impotente como pessoa. Mas sei que algum dia nos encontraremos e poderei conversar bastante e quem sabe tirar essa dúvida que me consome a cada dia que passa. Por favor! A vocês que fazem a mídia, por favor considerem uma trégua para Michael e sua família. Já fizeram o bastante estragando a vida deles. Pensem no bem estar dos filhos do Michael, eles são apenas crianças e isso não merecem. Eles estão sofrendo com a ausencia do pai. Por favor Respeitem. Espero que Deus os ajude e dê muita força para continuarem. "Ninguém morre enquanto permanece vivo no coração de alguém" E com certeza você Michael estará vivo para sempre em nossos corações.
I love you forever MICHAEL JACKSON VOCÊ NÃO ESTARÁ SOZINHO NUNCA.
Posted by: Enailec BRASIL | October 13, 2009 at 07:51 AM
I would like to say that MICHEAL JACKSON will always be the king of pop he is truly missed and loved and if MICHEAL JACKSON screams i just melt so what ever he sings is indeed awesome he will forever shine and I know heaven is truly jammin
Posted by: KERENSA BROWN | October 16, 2009 at 07:33 PM