“Leave Me Alone, I Need My Privacy” – An Analysis Of Michael Jackson’s ‘Media-Critical’ Songs
The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies | ISSN: 2452-0497
Dynamic, Influential, Inclusive, Cultural, Explorative, Unique
Posted By: Karin Merx Analysis Media Critical Songs, Andreas Ardanic, Communication, MA thesis, media, Michael Jackson
Abstract: With the release of Off The Wall and Thriller, the best-selling album in the entire history of music, Michael Jackson made history as the most successful entertainer of all time. MJ broke record after record and achieved worldwide fame that has been unparalleled so far. Nevertheless, for a long time, Michael Jacksons creative works have been dismissed by critics and academics alike, mainly due to Jacksons negative public image as constructed by the media. A great number of scandals, such as the child molestation allegations of the Chandlers in 1993 or the Arvizos in 2003, eclipsed his artistry and initiated his professional decline. Since his death in 2009, however, the significance of the King of Pops music, dance and videos has slowly been acknowledged. This thesis examines Michael Jacksons counterattack against the destructive speculations and rumors of the media by way of his music. It scrutinizes the lyrics of five of his ‘media-critical songs, namely “Leave Me Alone”, “Why You Wanna Trip On Me”, “Scream”, “Tabloid Junkie” and “Privacy”. In the analyses of these highly autobiographical songs, the focus is always on the respective songs speaker. An examination of the communicative situation, the rhyme scheme, rhetorical devices and musical aspects of the five songs reveals how the (still fictive or fictionalized) speaker progresses from a powerless victim power position in “Leave Me Alone” to a more or less self-empowered being in “Privacy”. This, in turn, potentially gives us interesting insights into Jacksons state of mind over the years with regard to his relationship with the media. Prior to the analytical part, biographical information provides the reader with crucial knowledge about Michael Jacksons rise as a pop artist and his gradual fall because of the constant, biased and sensational media reports. This biographical information is required in order to fully understand the meaning of Jacksons ‘media-critical songs.
BIO: Andreas Ardanic has completed a master’s degree in English and French language teaching at the University of Graz in Austria and is currently in his teacher training year. In the course of his studies, he became extremely interested in Literary Studies and dealt with various forms of anglophone and francophone literature. He has also been a hobby guitarist and songwriter as well as an avid explorer of music for over ten years now...
The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies | ISSN: 2452-0497
