Jackson's musical career began in 1967 as lead singer of The Jackson 5, when the group made their first recording with a local label before signing up with Motown Records in 1968. He made his first solo recordings in 1971 while still a member of the group. But it was Off the Wall (1979) which marked the start of his full-fledged solo career, and he formally parted with his siblings in 1984. In his solo career, Jackson recorded and co-produced the best-selling album of all time, Thriller (with worldwide sales over 100 million), received thirteen Grammy awards and charted thirteen #1 singles in the U.S. Throughout his four-decade career, Michael Jackson has been awarded numerous honors, including the World Music Awards Best-selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium. He is also a double-inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997, and in 2002 as a solo artist. He is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In the mid-1980s, TIME magazine described Jackson as "the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley". He has had a notable impact on music and culture throughout the world while also tearing down racial barriers and paving the way for modern pop music.
From 1988 to 2005, Jackson lived on his Neverland Ranch property, on which he built an amusement park and private zoo for the enjoyment of economically disadvantaged and terminally ill children. In 1993 and 2003, separate accusations of child molestation that allegedly occurred in Neverland were made against Jackson, which drew intensely negative media coverage. While he was never charged for the first case, Jackson was tried and vindicated in 2005 of the latter allegation, but moved out of the US shortly thereafter. He later returned to Las Vegas in early 2007.
In the years following his acquittal, (2005-2009) Jackson made numerous public appearances including MTV Japan's VMA awards where he accepted the legends award; the World Music Awards where he accepted the Diamond Award for selling over 100 million records; James Brown's funeral where he paid tribute and delivered a sermon; and a fan appreciation event in Tokyo, Japan, where he greeted troops at US Army base Camp Zama. In early 2008, Jackson issued Thriller 25th Anniversary, a critical and commercial success that was the second-biggest selling album of 2008 with over 2.1 million copies sold worldwide.
On June 25, 2009, Jackson collapsed at a rented home in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death is currently believed to be cardiac arrest. At the time of his death, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people, at London's O2 arena, from July 13, 2009, to March 6, 2010. During a press conference, Jackson made suggestions of possible retirement.
In the hours following Jackson's death, his record sales increased dramatically. His seminal album Thriller climbed to number one on the American iTunes music chart, while another eight made it into the top 40. In the UK, where Jackson would have performed less than three weeks after his death, fifteen of his albums occupied the top 15 spots on the Amazon music chart. Social music network website Last.fm also saw a dramatic increase in Michael Jackson plays per hour after the announcement of his death.
On December 10, 2010, a compilation album of previously unreleased material, simply entitled Michael, was released posthumously. Featuring guest performances by Akon, 50 Cent and Lenny Kravitz, the album was certified Platinum in 18 countries but received mixed reviews from most critics. This was followed in November 2011 by Immortal, a remix album; in September 2012 by Bad 25, a 25th anniversary reissue of Jackson's 1987 hit album Bad; and by Xscape, a second compilation album released in May 2014.
Official Website: http://www.michaeljackson.com
Ease On Down the Road
Michael Jackson Lyrics
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Ease on down, ease on down the road
Come on, ease on down
Ease on down the road
Don't you carry nothing
That might be a load
Come on, ease on down
Come on, ease on down, ease on down the road
Come on, ease on down, ease on down the road
Don't you carry nothing
That might be a load
Come on, ease on down, ease on down, down the road
Pick your left foot up
When your right foot's down
Come on legs keep movin'
Don't you lose no ground
You just keep on keepin'
On the road that you choose
Don't you give up walkin'
Cause you gave up shoes, no
Ease on down, ease on down the road
Come on, ease on down
Ease on down the road
Don't you carry nothing
That might be a load
Come on, ease on down
Ease on down the road
Cause there maybe times
When you think you lost your mind
And the steps you're takin'
Leave you three, four steps behind
But the road you're walking
Might be long sometimes
You just keep on steppin'
And you'll just be fine, yeah
Ease on down, ease on down the road
Come on, ease on down
Ease on down the road
Don't you carry nothing
That might be a load
Come on, ease on down
Ease on down the road
Well there maybe times
When you wish you wasn't born
And you wake one morning
Just to find your courage's gone
But just know that feeling
Only last a little while
You stick with us
And we'll show you how to smile, yeah
Get 'em up, goin' down, ease on down
Get 'em up, goin' down, ease on down
Get 'em up, goin' down, ease on down
Get 'em up, get 'em up ease on down
Michael Jackson's song "Ease On Down the Road" is about not letting the obstacles of life weigh one down and to keep moving forward despite the difficulties that may arise. The lyrics use walking as a metaphor for life's journey, emphasizing the importance of persevering and not giving up. The recurring chorus "Ease on down, ease on down the road" encourages the listener to keep going, with the phrase "Don't you carry nothing that might be a load" reminding the listener to let go of any emotional or psychological baggage that may slow them down.
The first verse sets the tone for the song by urging the listener to "ease on down the road" and not let any burdens hold them back. In the second verse, the lyrics encourage the listener to keep their feet moving, emphasizing the importance of persistence and not giving up. The bridge acknowledges that there may be times when one feels lost or lacking in courage, but encourages the listener to persevere and to remember that difficult feelings only last a while.
The song carries a message of encouragement, urging the listener to keep moving forward and to not let life's difficulties hold them back. By using the metaphor of walking and the phrase "ease on down the road," the song encourages the listener to take life's journey one step at a time and to not give up in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on and Ease on down, ease on down the road
Let's move forward on our journey, without hesitation or fear
Come on, ease on down Ease on down the road
Let's keep moving forward, taking each step with confidence and purpose
Don't you carry nothing That might be a load
Let go of anything that weighs you down or hinders your progress
Pick your left foot up When your right foot's down
Keep alternating your steps, maintaining your balance and rhythm
Come on legs keep movin' Don't you lose no ground
Keep pushing forward, with determination and persistence, without letting obstacles or setbacks hold you back
You just keep on keepin' On the road that you choose
Stay true to your goals and dreams, no matter what distractions or temptations arise
Don't you give up walkin' Cause you gave up shoes, no
Keep making progress, even if you don't have all the resources or comforts you'd like
Cause there may be times When you think you lost your mind
You may face challenges, doubts, or fears that threaten to derail you or make you question yourself
And the steps you're takin' Leave you three four steps behind
You may experience setbacks or slow progress, but don't let them discourage you
But the road you're walking Might be long sometimes
Your journey may be a lengthy or difficult one that requires patience and strength
You just keep on steppin' And you'll just be fine, yeah
Just keep moving forward, and you will eventually succeed and overcome your challenges
Well there may be times When you wish you wasn't born
You may feel like giving up or regretted your life choices
And you wake one morning Just to find your courage's gone
You may experience moments of doubt or insecurity that rob you of your confidence or motivation
But just know that feeling Only last a little while
Remember that those feelings are temporary and will eventually pass
You stick with us And we'll show you how to smile, yeah
Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who can encourage and inspire you to stay optimistic and hopeful
Get 'em up, goin' down, ease on down Get 'em up, goin' down, ease on down Get 'em up, goin' down, ease on down Get 'em up, get 'em up ease on down
This chorus repeats the earlier message to keep moving forward, maintain your rhythm and balance, and let go of anything that hinders your progress.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES EMANUEL SMALLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ordinary G33K
Michael Jackson & Diana Ross dancing on the Yellow Brick Road is one of the defining visuals of the 70's for me. Great tune, too.
Antonio Murphy
Eric Hope it defines life, in real time
ScribbleLive
Yellow Brick Road??? That Reminds Me Of Something...Well Goodbye
Andrew Smart
funny that cos the movie came out in 1984
Kendall Pittman
@Andrew Smart no it came out in 78
bridght hopkins
@Andrew Smart bphkpo
The Elder
Out of all of the 40 years that I watched Michael Jackson, this is by far, his most joyful and happiest period....I wish that we could have seen this side of him more..
Srushti Mishra
He said this was his saddest period.
The Elder
He was tormented by acne problems. However the evidence is clear, he loved doing this movie and it lead to the most creative period of his career. It rejuvenated him.
Srushti Mishra
one of the most creative