FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED! When Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" was released in in the mid-90s, critics had a difficult time understanding it. It didn't fit into conventional frames. Its unusual fusion of blues, opera, gospel, and rock, sounded like nothing on the radio. It defied the cynicism of Generation X. It subverted expectations for traditional anthems. In place of nationalism, it envisioned a world without borders or hierarchies. In place of dogma or anthropocentric humanism, it yearned for a broader vision of ...
Read More
FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED! When Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" was released in in the mid-90s, critics had a difficult time understanding it. It didn't fit into conventional frames. Its unusual fusion of blues, opera, gospel, and rock, sounded like nothing on the radio. It defied the cynicism of Generation X. It subverted expectations for traditional anthems. In place of nationalism, it envisioned a world without borders or hierarchies. In place of dogma or anthropocentric humanism, it yearned for a broader vision of ecological harmony and sustainability. In place of simplistic propaganda for a cause, it was a genuine artistic expression. A massive hit around the world (reaching #1 in over fifteen countries), "Earth Song" was not even offered as a single in the United States. Yet nearly twenty years later, this six-and-a-half minute lamentation stands as one of Jackson s greatest artistic achievements. In this groundbreaking monograph, Joseph Vogel details the song's evolution from its inception in Vienna in 1988, to never-before-heard stories from the recording studio, to its controversial release and reception. Based on original research, including interviews with the song's key participants, Earth Song: Inside Michael Jackson s Magnum Opus offers a fascinating reassessment of one of Jackson's most powerful works.
Read Less
