After time in the Army Reserves, Paxton moved to New York City where he frequented the city's Greenwich Village coffeehouse circuit. His early success in Greenwich Village coffeehouses led to an ever-increasing circle of work. He made his professional debut at the Gaslight, the renowned folk haunt that also issued the singer's first album. In 1962 Gaslight Records would press 2,000 copies of his debut album, I'm The Man Who Built The Bridges.
Paxton also auditioned to join the Chad Mitchell Trio, but although he failed, the group enjoyed a 1963 hit with "The Marvelous Toy," one of Paxton's early songs. Paxton performed at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, a performance that would be recorded-and released-by Vanguard Records. Paxton would go on to record a second album with Vanguard-at the Newport Folk Festival the following year - but his association with that record company lapsed, and it would not be until the year 2000 that Vanguard once again released a Tom Paxton album, Tom Paxton: Best of the Vanguard Years. In 1964 Paxton was signed to Elektra Records for whom he recorded his best-known work. Then in 1965 he made his first tour of the United Kingdom - the beginning of a still-thriving professional relationship that has included at least one tour in each of the succeeding years.
He and his wife Midge have been married since 1963 and have two daughters, Jennifer and Kate. All three women have served as inspiration for many of Paxton's songs. He now has three grandsons, Christopher, Sean, and Peter.
In addition to songwriting, Tom Paxton has written many critically acclaimed children's books, some of which were inspired by his songs for children.
He has performed thousands of concerts around the world in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Paxton enjoys a strong relationship with fans throughout the world. His songs have experienced enduring appeal, including modern standards such as "The Last Thing on My Mind" (perhaps Paxton's best-known song, it has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner), "Ramblin' Boy", "Bottle of Wine", "Whose Garden Was This", "The Marvelous Toy", and "The Hostage" (which recounts the 1971 uprising at Attica State Prison).
In February 2002, Tom Paxton was honored with the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award in Folk Music. A few days later, he received three Wammies (Washington, DC, Area Music Awards); as Best Male Vocalist in the "traditional folk" and "children's music" categories, and for Best Traditional Folk Recording of the Year for Under American Skies (the duo album he made with Anne Hills in 2001). This was the first Paxton album to receive an award of any kind.
Paxton has been nominated four times for Grammy Awards in his career, all since 2002.
In 2004, the Martin Guitar Company introduced the HD-40LSH Tom Paxton Signature Edition acoustic guitar in his honor.
In 2005, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards at London's Brewery Arts Centre.
In 2006, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance.
On January 22, 2007, Paxton was honored with an official UK Parliamentary tribute at the British House of Commons at the start of his 2007 United Kingdom tour.
On May 3, 2008, Paxton was honored with a special lifetime tribute from the World Folk Music Association, and a concert was held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Let's Go To Michael Jackson's House
Tom Paxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The party never stops
Be sure to bring your jammies
Well, really, just the tops!
Tom Paxton's song "Let's Go To Michael Jackson's House" sheds light on the extravagance of Michael Jackson's lifestyle, and invites listeners to a party at his house. The lyrics suggest that the party never stops, indicating that Jackson's lavish lifestyle of constant festivities and entertainment was a regular occurrence within his home. The line "Be sure to bring your jammies, well, really, just the tops!" suggests that the partygoers will not be expected to keep up with the fashion trend but rather expect to spend the whole night partying and end up sleeping over at the mansion.
The lyrics also suggest that Michael Jackson's house was a place where friends would go to unwind and let loose. It portrays Jackson as a generous host who opens his home to everyone, making sure everyone feels comfortable enough to stay. It highlights Jackson's ability to transcend race and socioeconomic barriers, bringing people together to celebrate life.
In conclusion, Tom Paxton's "Let's Go To Michael Jackson's House" is a tribute to the pop icon's extravagant lifestyle, his generosity, and his unique ability to bring people together. The song portrays Michael Jackson's house as a place where you could let your hair down and party, making friends with different backgrounds and celebrating life.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's go Michael Jackson's house
Come join me to visit Michael Jackson's house.
The party never stops
There is always something exciting going on.
Be sure to bring your jammies
Pack your pajamas.
Well, really, just the tops!
Actually, only bring the shirts (not the full pajama set).
Contributed by Muhammad P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Kimbergarten
I found out my mother was dying from cancer. My girlfriend at the time, and I went to the Ellen show to smile and get my mind off things. Before the show we were instructed (as an audience) that no one was allowed to speak to "Ms Degeneres". (Oooo, so untouchable, important.) As the show went on, we all applauded like good little minions when her staff held up signs instructing us to. ( I guess she didn't want to leave it up to an actual earned applause.) We stood when told to stand, and danced when instructed to dance. All the while I'm thinking, what a joke. I actually thought this would be fun. I'd watched her show many times and was naive to think that the audience was actually doing all that they do of their own volition. It was just free labor for her. Finally, during a break one of her staff tapped me on the shoulder and said that Ellen had asked that I be moved to the back of the audience because I wasn't active and excited enough to remain where I was seated near the center of the room and walkway. Mind you, the woman who replaced me in my seat never stood or danced even once. It changed everything for me in reference to her in an instant. So all these years later I for one am happy to see that she is finally being seen for who she is. Arrogant, pompous, self righteous, self-important, and a bully. Ellen didn't make me smile that day. On that day... she felt like a bully. It actually felt as though she sensed I was weak in that moment and went ahead and gave me a good kick. She just added insult to an already hard time in my life. So yes, finally after all these years, in reference to Ellen... I smile.
@pattiwaseta1672
She sounds like a malignant narcissist. Thank you for sharing your story.
@MoonmanSpacejam
Wow. I hope more
People see this comment. That is disturbing and absolutely horrifying.
What a witch 🧙♀️
@Angelina6518
This sounds truly demonic. Poor Ellen is lost. Pray for her. I do.
@user-wx8uj4xr2q
One thing I will never say. I went to an Ellen show to feel good.
@UncommonLtd.
@@Angelina6518 demonic 😂 hardly, just a rude person
@mikecr4916
Fame, money, power does not change people,, it reveals them.
@MajorBuzzKill
@MOHAMED HASSAN Money and power lets you be yourself, the OP is right.
@MajorBuzzKill
@MOHAMED HASSAN Agree to disagree, money and power amplifies who you are when you have no options you can't completely be yourself.
@arsnole3942
That’s fact for 99% of the world