bobmoo79

I was having this discussion about music videos the other day and came to the conclusion that the MV no longer provides the benefits that it used to and so budgets are getting smaller and smaller. It’s a shame because I remember the heyday of the music video. Michael Jackson single headedly reinvented the music video format with epic videos for songs like Thriller, Beat it and BAD in the 80s. One of my favourite videos of all time is his ‘Smooth Criminal’ video (there are 2 versions – I don’t like the sped up one). When his video for Black or White came out in the 90s it was broadcast around the world at the same time and was a major event. Even his later videos like ‘Scream’ (with Janet) and Earth Song were impressive. Other artists were putting out incredible videos by then, but Jacko paved the way for them to do so. I have stopped watching music channels almost completely because they just don’t play enough music. I use the radio TV channels instead. I got fed up with constant pointless chart run downs and brainless programmes. I know other people think the same. I just rembered another MV by jacko that impressed me called ‘Ghosts’. I don’t think it’s well known, but the story was written by Stephen King and special effects were by Stan Winston (Jurassic Park, Terminator 2 and 3). Incredible effects that still look great now. Check it out if you haven’t already. The full version is very long (40minutes I think) but there is a shorter version. You can download the Ghosts film for free from this Stephen King website: http://www.stephenkingshortmovies.com/goto...vies/ghosts.php

Does anyone know what position Fall Out Boy's cover of 'Beat It' is in the top 20? thanks. I'm surprised by the gradual increase in chart position, this is it's 10th or 11th week on the chart isn't it and still hasn't peaked. I haven't watched the chart properly for ages, but isn't that unusual? I don't think it's had a physical release either.

Thank God Madonna is falling. Can't stand the way she keeps releasing videos looking like a geriatric p*ssy Cat Doll, and her desperation really winds me up. When she quits relying on the current batch of 15 minute famers to try to sustain her career I'll give her another chance.

Rhianna 'Don't stop the music' - Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Starting Something Akon 'Wanna be startin somethin 08 - Michael Jackson's Wanna Be Starting Something Fall Out Boy 'Beat It' - Michael Jackson's 'Beat It' Mary J Blige 'Just Fine' - Michael Jackson's 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough' Anything by Justin Timberlake - Anything by Michael Jackson or Prince Anything By Ne-Yo - Anything by Michael Jackson or Prince

I'm not a Fall Out Boy fan, but I think the original Beat It is a classic. The video is full of MJ references, similar to the Alien Ant Farm version of Smooth Criminal was, so the video is ok by me. Good to see the boys recognising a legend. By the way, is it me or is Mike everywhere lately? the other night I heard MJ and Akon (Wanna Be Startin Somethin 08) on KISS. 2 Songs later they played Rhianna (Don't Stop The Music). I switched channels and then heard FOB (Beat It) followed by Estelle anbd Kanye (Mike Jack reference in the song and video) and went into the supermarket and heard MJ (Don't Stop Till You Get Enough). PS When is box breakers shown?

She's had the ability to choose great people to do great things with her career at the right time. She uses current stars to bolster her own lack of natural talent. That's a good skill in itself, but it doesn't make a great artist in my opinion. I prefer artists that have great voices (nobody can say Madge is one the best singers can they?), can play instruments (weak guitar skils don't count LOL), can dance, produce, write songs, compose etc. And I'm not talking about the current trend of mickey mouse "let's give the artist some credit for changing a lyric or adding an instrument to artificially add to their credibility" kind of credits. I'm not knocking her longevity or success (christ knows she's had planty of that), but she is far from being successful because she is a 'true artist'. Not like the Beatles were, or Dylan, or Prince. She is more like Elvis. I mean, what did Elvis actually do, really? Sure he had a great voice, but he didn't write music, produce music, he didn't compose music. He wasn't really a greta dancer (tho the hip swing thing was popular at the time). Not nearly as talented as thousands of other stars. As far as lasting a long time or cultural impact, I believe Jacko holds the award for that. The man started in the 60s and his last studio album was successful in 2001,plus he's had successful projects since then. His 'Number Ones' hits album was the 5th best selling album in the world the year it was released and Thriller 25 has performed very well globally. Yes, Invincible was called a flop at the time, and by his standards it was, but it still sold very well when it was released despite a lack of promotion from him and his record company. If you say his career stopped in 2001 because he hasn't released a full album since then he has certainly had more longevity. If you say his career is still going (new album in production and very successful Thriller 25 project still going) then that proves the point even more. As far as cultural impact goes, again, I think Jacko has Madonna pegged. If you look out there over recent years there have been more and more Jacko samples and covers than there have been Madonna's. There have been more MJ mentions in song lyrics and raps than there have been about Madonna. Just look at Rhianna's 'Don't stop the music'. That samples Jacko wholesale. Fall Out Boy started playing 'Beat It' at shows for a bit of fun and it got so successful they added to their DVD. It ended up being successful on itunes that they have now had to put their new album on hold to create a video for it. In terms of career sales Jacko has Madonna beat again. Thriller is the world's biggest selling album with (some say just over 100million copies sold). Others say it's nearer 60 million, but that would still make it the largest selling album worldwide. I'm not saying Madonna isn't successful or that she's not influential. Both MJ and Madonna are legends in their own ways, but I do tend to think that in terms of talent Jacko wins hands down. BTW Can anyone tell me where Thriller 25 is this week? (so far).