Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 Gary, Indiana—June 25, 2009 in Los… Read Full Bio ↴Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 Gary, Indiana—June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California), was an American singer, songwriter and dancer. Dubbed the King of Pop, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest entertainers of all time. He was also known for his philanthropy, charitable fundraising, and lifestyle, residing in a private amusement park he called Neverland Ranch and often becoming the focus of tabloid scrutiny. Jackson's contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. Through his group, solo, and family work, he became one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame as the first (and currently only) dancer from the world of pop and rock 'n' roll. Jackson's other achievements include 39 Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards as well as the Grammy Legend Award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 26 American Music Awards, 16 World Music Awards and the estimated sale of up 750 million units worldwide. Winning countless awards for his humanitarian endeavors, the singer has been honored by two Presidents of the United States. He has also been named as the artist of "the Decade", "Generation", "Century", and "Millennium" and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. Jackson has also won hundreds of other awards, making him the most awarded recording artist in the history of popular music. He is also credited for popularizing many physically complicated dance moves, such as the robot and the moonwalk, and has influenced and spawned a whole generation of a wide variety of artists including Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, and The Weeknd, among others.

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

If I Don't Love You This Way
Michael Jackson Lyrics

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(Just be yourself)

Oh, stop, don't change that smile, honey
That you wear up on your face
Don't have take it up with makeup, girl
Got to let me know you're in the place
When I look at you
All my dreams come true

My future, girl, in you I see
You've always been for real
And that's good enough for me (ho)

I like you the way you are, girl
Baby, don't change your love on me
I like you the way you are, girl
Baby, don't change your love on me
Don't change
Don't change
Don't change, ooh, baby
Just be yourself

Oh, stop, don't change that recipe, honey
Or the sweet, sweet love you make
Oh, believe me, girl, the thought of losing you
Would be much than I could take
Your loving I got used to, I need it bad
Don't give me, girl, no substitute
I'm begging you, please, don't change your love on me (oh)

I like you the way you are, girl
Baby, don't change your love on me
I like you the way you are, girl
Baby, don't change your love on me
Don't change
Baby, don't change it
Don't change
Baby, don't change it
Don't change
Baby, don't change it
Don't change
Baby, don't change it
Don't change
Baby, don't change it
Don't change
Baby, don't change it
Don't change
Baby, don't change it
Don't change
Baby, don't change it

(Just be yourself)

Oh, I like you the way you are, girl
Baby, don't change your love on me
I like you the way you are, girl
Baby, don't change your love on me

Baby, don't change it
Baby, don't change it

Overall Meaning

In "I Love Japan," Michael Jackson sings about his intense love and adoration for someone. The lyrics suggest that even if he didn't love this person as strongly as he does, he would still speak and act as if he does, as he cannot help his feelings. The song is about how this person makes Michael feel complete and happy, and how their connection makes him feel like he can reach the stars and achieve his wildest dreams.

The lines "With you it seems, I can reach the stars, with reckless hopes and dreams" portrays how this person encourages Michael to pursue his dreams without fear of failure. Despite this, the person still doesn't believe how important and valuable they are to Michael. The chorus repeats the question "If I don't love you this way, why do I say what I say?" and states that even when the person is not physically present, he is always thinking of them and longing for their touch. The song ends on a sweet note, with Michael stating that the person's smile makes his life worth living.

Overall, "I Love Japan" is a song about expressing deep affection despite any doubts or obstacles. Michael Jackson's voice conveys his love and passion for this person in a moving and powerful way.

Line by Line Meaning

If I don't love you this way
If my love for you is not as sincere and intense as it is now

Why do I say what I say, yeah
Why do I express such strong feelings and emotions towards you?

If I don't need you this much
If I don't feel like I can't live without you

Why do I ache for your touch, yeah
Why do I feel such a strong physical longing for you?

With you it seems I can reach the stars With reckless hopes and dreams But you it seems Still don't believe How valuable you are
Being with you makes me feel like I can achieve anything, but you still don't realize how amazing you are

I'm really loving you Not pretending to
My love for you is genuine and not fake

Why do I beg to belong, yeah How can you doubt that I care When I'm with you everywhere, yeah
Why do I feel the need to prove my love to you? When I'm always by your side?

With you I find I can close my eyes To the world surrounding me And you create The sweetest things That I could ever be
Being with you makes me feel like I'm in my own world, and you bring out the best version of myself

You just have to smile To make my life worth while Doesn't that explain That I'm playin' no games
Your smile alone brings me happiness and contentment, and this proves that I'm being completely genuine

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Willie Hutch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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