audio review : The Lady In My Life ( song ) … Michael Jackson

The Lady In most people’s lives, at least at the beginning, is their mother, but Michael Jackson isn’t singing about Katherine. This is a song about a girlfriend. “Lay your body close to mine,” he croons with strong sexual undertones, “I can make you feel alright.”

It’s mostly about “love” though; the romantic kind that can make a gentleman resort to bombastic schoolyard poetry in order to express his true feelings. He and she become not just a couple but “two hearts in a beat of ecstasy”, whatever that’s supposed to mean.

Sweet nothings can be awwfully charming though, especially when they’re winter-blanketed in funky grooves and gorgeous melodies like these. Most popular songs are “love” songs and Michael Jackson’s are no exception, but this one may very well be his best.

my rating : 5 of 5

1982

audio review : Thriller ( album ) ... Michael Jackson

audio review : PYT [ Pretty Young Thing ] ( song ) … Michael Jackson

Feminists may object to the term, but I don’t think Michael Jackson gives a damn. He’s too enthralled with the girl he just met. The setting isn’t clear; it’s nighttime in what seems to be a big city with lots of lights; but the crooner has already fallen in love.

In lust is probably more like it. It’s her Pretty face he’s mostly focused on as strong sexual overtones fill the air. Even more pungent is the funk of the disco groove, which sounds suspiciously like Carl Carlton’s Bad Mama Jama, banging away in the background.

my rating : 4 of 5

1982

audio review : Thriller ( album ) … Michael Jackson