by Joseph Vogel
“Most of the people involved”: Quincy Jones, Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones (New York: Doubleday, 2001), p. 230.
“humiliation and helplessness”: Michael Jackson, Moonwalk (New York: Doubleday, 1988), p. 140.
“funky and loose”: Renée Graham, “The Thriller Is Back with ‘Ultimate Collection,’ ” Boston Globe, November 16, 2004.
“They’re both so much better”: T. Cole Rachel, “Q&A: Super-Producer Glen Ballard on Jagged Little Pill, ‘Man in the Mirror,’ & His Other Classic Recordings,” Stereogum.com, September 29, 2015.
“to create a live-action version”: Douglas Brode, The Films of Steven Spielberg (New York: Citadel, 2429), p. 199.
“He had a depth of instinct”: Author interview, Buz Kohan.
“I performed it about eight”: Jason Newman, “Inside Rockwell’s Paranoid Pop Classic,” Rolling Stone, December 7, 2016.
“He and I are alike”: Jay Cocks, “Why He’s a Thriller,” Time, March 13, 1984.
“We had three tracks in the can”: Lesley-Ann Jones, Mercury: An Intimate Biography (New York: Touchstone, 2011), p. 239.
“He was a fan and friend”: Queen, Absolute Greatest, Parlophone, 2009, compact disc. Liner notes.
“Quick. He had the two of us”: Robert Palmer, “Jagger Finishes First Solo Album, “She’s the Boss,’ ” New York Times, January 28, 1985.
“The moment I started humming”: Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother’s Eyes (New York: Touchstone, 2011), p. 235.
“I laid down my verse”: Ibid.
“I have to do it in a way”: Note from the Michael Jackson Estate.
“ ‘Buffalo Bill’ could’ve been spectacular”: Author interview, John Barnes.
“I hate to say”: PommeTete, “Michael Jackson Unauthorized Interview [1983/1984],” YouTube video, 24:27, July 11, 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he5nO3ccAv8.
“a big symphonic opening”: Author interview, Bruce Swedien.
“It went through such contortions”: Author interview, Matt Forger.
“I did the music and Michael did the lyrics”: Morinen, “Meeting Steve Porcaro and Hearing ‘Chicago 1945,’ ” Michaeljackson.ru, April 7, 2014.
“Song is about kids being raised”: Note from the Michael Jackson Estate.
“It’s just beautiful”: Mark Coleman, “Michael Jackson’s Unreleased Song His ‘Greatest Ever Work,’ ” Telegraph, July 4, 2009.
“It’s such a catchy underlying”: Author interview, Matt Forger.
“You can just hear him”: Ibid.
“Michael just shines through”: Ibid.
“kind of a rainy-day song”: Ibid.
“very driving, terrific hook”: Ibid.
“He did a reference vocal”: Author interview, John Barnes.
“It came together very quickly”: Author interview, Bill Bottrell.
According to Kohan: Author interview, Buz Kohan.
It was originally called: Session calendar from Bill Bottrell.
“That song is country”: Author interview, Bill Bottrell.
“MJ eventually came to like it”: Ibid.
“It had some crazy sound combinations”: Author interview, John Barnes.
“one of Michael’s edgier experiments”: Author interview, Matt Forger.
Porcaro said the chords: Morinen, “Meeting Steve Porcaro and Hearing ‘Chicago 1945.’ ”
“MJ loved it”: Author interview, Bill Bottrell.
“He finally brought them”: Ibid.
“It was in my mind”: Ibid.
“Teddy loved it”: Crystal Cartier v. Michael Jackson, 59 F. 3d 1046 (10th Cir. 1995), Music Copyright Infringement Resource, February 16, 1994.
“unbelievable and it proves”: Author interview, Brad Buxer.
“Michael came in one day”: “Post Here If You Worked on Michael Jackson’s DANGEROUS Album,” Gearslutz, June 27, 2009.
“a kind of escape”: Elliot Straite, interview with Quagmire, “Meeting Michael Was Like Meeting Captain Kirk,” MJFrance, January 2011.
“I absolutely loved”: Author interview, Brad Buxer.
“The song was just awesome”: Damien Shields, Michael Jackson: Songs & Stories from the Vault (Sydney: Modegy, 2018), p. 112.
“Wait ’til the world hears ‘Escape’ ”: Author interview, Rodney Jerkins.
“MJ loved everything about it”: Ibid.
“We sat down and talked”: Ibid.
“It was a great pleasure”: “Interview with Walter Afanasieff,” OK, April 5, 2013.
“Do smooth muted bass on ‘Hollywood’ ”: Handwritten note from Michael Jackson.
“Keep the loop drums going”: Author interview, Brad Buxer.
“It pains me to watch”: Sarah Hall, “Michael Sings for Katrina Relief,” E! News, September 6, 2005.
“magic in the room”: Shields, Michael Jackson: Songs & Stories from the Vault, pp. 37–38.
“Boy did I need it”: Shmuley Boteach, The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul in Intimate Conversation (New York: Vanguard, 2009), p. 99.
“I remember how deeply dark”: Ibid.
Off the Wall, 1979
(see chapter 1, this page)
Thriller, 1982
(see chapter 2, this page)
Bad, 1987
(see chapter 3, this page)
Dangerous, 1991
(see chapter 4, this page)
HIStory, 1995
(see chapter 5, this page)
Blood on the Dance Floor, 1997
(see chapter 6, this page)
Invincible, 2001
(see chapter 7, this page)
Jackson at Westlake Audio Studio
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