Keep Your Head Up

 This is obviously unfinished and not up to Michael Jackson's standards. My theory is that MJ did a rough demo and for some reason never got around to finishing it(2 Seas fiasco?). After his death someone might've sang over his weak spots. Thereby patching it up. Another theory would be overproduction of a track that should not have been selected in the first place. Either way we shall(hopefully) find out when(if) the demos get leaked.

 Had Michael only been alive to complete this track this would've been another anthmic masterpiece! Just listen to the lyrics...

Lyrics

She's lookin for a job and a finer place to stay,
She's lookin for the hope in the empty promising,
She's workin two jobs, keepin alive,
She works in a restaurant night and day
She waits her life away
She wipes the tears away

She cries inside every time she feels this way,
And she’s dying inside every time her baby cries, no

Keepin your head up to the sky,
Keepin your mind just stay alive,
Keepin your wings so we can fly,
(Keep your head up tonight)

Keepin your head up to the sky,
And we can just rise up tell me now,
Gimme your wings so we can fly,

Giving up the life of the birds in the trees
And we’re sucking up the air in the earth from under me,
(It’s never too late)
I can’t even breathe (to see) I can’t even see,
(Oh keep) Keep your head up don’t give up today,
How long can we wait?
I wish that love would come today

All you need is love, tell you I'm always coming soon,
And all you need is just a moment, won’t it do,
Keep your head up

Keepin your head up to the sky,
Keepin your mind just stay alive
Gimme your wings so we can fly, (fly away, fly away, fly away)
(Keep your head up tonight)

Keepin your head up to the sky,
And we can just rise up tell me now,
Gimme your wings so we can fly,
(Oh why)

Everybody say the time is borrowed
And hanging down your head just ain’t no good
And if you dance and rise above tomorrow
(Give it a chance)
Just give yourself a chance, find the circumstance,
Rise and do it again,

Keepin your head up to the sky (Oh God)
Keepin’ your mind just stay alive (Oh no)
Gimme your wings so we can fly
(Yeah, yeah!)
Keepin’ your head up to the sky,
And we can just rise up tell me now
Gimme your wings so we can fly

(I needed you know, I needed you now
I needed you night right through the day
I needed you now)
Keepin’ your head up to the sky
Keepin’ your mind just stay alive
Keepin’ your wings so we can fly, (Woo! woo!)
(Yeah!)
(repeat)

What about love again
What about love again
.....

(Gonna shine, must fly, gonna rise gonna rise today! today!)

[From the album "Michael"]




Michael Jackson – Keep Your Head Up (Produced By Tricky) found on Pop

Hollywood Tonight

 Originally Michael wrote this during The Invincible Sessions. And started recording sessions around 2008. Unfortunately though it never got finished in time.

 Recently Teddy Riley combed through the archives and completed the track. Using Melodyne and auto-tone to bring it up to date for his first post-humorous release "Michael".

 I have a feeling had Jackson completed this track, you would've heard sharper horns, stronger(more melodious) backups, and more raw passion(with much more lyrics)!

But as it stands, here's "Hollywood Tonight" love it or hate it.:)

Lyrics

Lipstick in hand
Tahitian tanned
in her painted on jeans

She dreams of fame
She changed her name
To one that fits the movie screen
She's headed for the big time, that means

She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
It's true, that you, may never ever have that chance again

West bound Greyhound
To tinsel town
Just to pursue her movie star dreams
She's giving hot tricks to men
just to get in
When she was taught that that's not clean
She's headed for the big time, that means

She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
It's true, that you, may never ever have that chance again (that chance again)

[Spoken words:]
She gave up her life, to follow her dreams
Left behind everything, for the movie scene
Nothing more she could want, she was determined to follow her plan
She wanted Hollywood, she wanted it bad
Now that she got her dream, she became a star
It all looked so good, but only good from afar
Imprisoned in every paparazzi's camera, every guy wished they could

[From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/hollywood-tonight-lyrics-michael-jackson.html ]

Lyrics

Now it's back to reality, for Ms. Hollywood

Lipstick in hand
Tahitian tanned
in her painted on jeans

She dreams of fame
She changed her name
To one that fits the movie screen
She's headed for the big time, that means

She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
She's going Hollywood
She's going Hollywood tonight
It's true, that you, may never ever have that chance again (that chance again)

(You know it baby)
West bound Greyhound
To tinsel town
Just to pursue her movie star dreams

West bound Greyhound
To tinsel town
Just to pursue her movie star dreams

(You know it baby)
West bound Greyhound
To tinsel town
Just to pursue her movie star dreams

West bound Greyhound
To tinsel town
Just to pursue her movie star dreams

(She's Hollywood x 10)


Michael Jackson – Hollywood Tonight found on Pop

"Michael"-A Critical Review

 As promised here is my in depth review of Michael Jackson's post-humorous release "Michael".

Hold My Hand

 The album opens up on an Akon-sque note-and a fairly good one I might add. Towards the end, Michael does his signature hum and whisper we've all grown fond off through the years. All throughout the track, you can sense MJ's hand guiding the melody-especially upon the Demo. The choral work was a definite step in the right direction.

 Though I felt Akon's Konvict signature intro wasn't needed. Plus I wished he didn't change the lyrics from "Sweet music" to "They called him MJ"(too referential). Personal, I wasn't too fond of the added Hip-Hop synths as I thought more of it as an R&B Ballad/Love song with an anthmic twist.

 However despite my little quibbles, I find "Hold My Hand opens "Michael" on a catchy note!

8/10

Hollywood Tonight

 Now this track rocks! The Gregorian Chant just gives it an ethereal start! Yet I have a feeling this one was left unfinished. So they had to work with what they had. The storyline is interesting and Tyryll's bridge adds some insight to the mix.

 However, I felt it a bit over-produced with a few of unnecessary fillers and unnatural tones(perhaps auto-toned to fit the tracks pitch). Plus I wish the back-ups had more room to breath. But unlike those three infamous Casio tracks, I can live with a little Melodyne now and then. Click Here to have a listen for yourself.

6/10

Keep Your Head Up

 The song has a nice concept accompanied by a vigorous choir towards the end. However, the track has been compressed and layered to the point that there's no magic nor melody to the lyrics. Click Here and judge for yourselves.

1/10

I Like The Way You Love Me

 Now this is what I like to call a work of art! First you hear Jackson spontaneously composing the tune over the phone. Followed by an alternate mix to the Original version found on the Ultimate Collection Box Set.

 Unlike the other selection upon this album, Melodyne was rightly chosen for the backups! It gives an automatronic feel to the chorus. A classical tough has now replaced the heavy keyboard so prominent on the last version. Neff-U has certainly contributed a nice flavor to an already sensational track! Go check out the new version Over Here!

10/10

Monster

 This track had so much potential and they blew it! First off, the lead vocals don't sound authentic. Second of all, the track is so over processed and and manipulated beyond recovery(something no doubt Jackson is rolling over in his grave about). Plus I thought 50 Cent's Rap segment was a bit too long and interwoven with unnecessary ab-libs.

 However, I do have a few compliments left. You can tell from the chorus of where Jackson would've taken this track amidst the over-production. But do to his untimely death we may never know. You can check it out Over Here.

2/10

Best of Joy

 Although obviously unfinished, "Best of Joy" will grow on you like a tender shoot. The song is reminiscent of Michael's past sentimentalism's like "Speechless" and "For All Time". One can only imagine the affect had he completed it between gigs over at the O2 Arena. Click Here and enjoy the last taste of Michael Jackson!

10/10

Breaking News

 Another example of an over-synthesized caricature! You could almost swear an impersonator is singing over the rough draft! Be it Michael or not, I know he would never resort to repetitive self-referential lines.

 But even so, the background chorus is livable and catchy. The track was obviously a work in progress. I could only dream of how this potential gem would've been. But for now, we'll just have to settle for This(I know).

2/10

I Can't Wait Another Day

 Now I call this the Magnum Otis of this compilation! The raw passion, energetic riffs, and Hard Rock energy exposes a new dimension to Michael Jackson's taste for music!

 Some say the demo that leaked earlier this year was better(minus that rubber ducky). I haven't heard the full version of that. However, you can Click Here to listen to the snippet. Now check out the newer version Here!

10/10

Behind The Mask

 "Behind The Mask" is more retrospective of Mr. Jackson in his mid-twenties-the epitome of his career! I could see a lot of potential with this track had it not been for copyright. Maybe not for Thriller but more Victory. Click Here and feel him as he infuses new life into a quasi-instrumental.

9/10

Much Too Soon

 We slow things down upon another retro gem archived from 1985. The great thing about this track-The instruments are real throughout! The soothing accordion and harmonica will sooth your composure as it has depth and a story to tell.

All in all, I give this a 9/10.

Go Here to have a listen.

 I am not at all flattered by the way they manipulated Michael's voice to the extent of drowning the melody out! However amidst the turmoil, there are a few diamonds within the rough(Lenny, Akon, and Neff-U come to mind). Even though John McClain dusted a few tracks from the vault, his insistence upon antiquity has actually rescued the compilation from total failure(quite the contrary to what we once thought)! Click below to purchase your copy of "Michael" now!

Hold My Hand Akon Duet

 On November 15th(when my PC was down), "Michael's debut single "Hold My Hand" made airwaves across the globe. Receiving generally raving reviews(but with few exceptions).

 While some were trumping it as an anthmic reminiscent of "You Are Not Alone". Others felt it a bit over-produced and auto-tuned by Akon. However unlike those infamous Casio tracks, I'm thrilled to say these are Michael's unaltered vocals!

 Personally, I'd prefer the demo take. But there are a few places worth noting on the new version. For one, Michael's famous ad-lib upon the songs resolution. A crisp "mnnn-mmnnn" followed by a whispering theme very much like "Man In The Mirror" and "Cry". Also the climax has a chorus-Something MJ has always utilized in his compositions.

 As for the music video I thought it was O.K. Although I was hoping for recent never-before-scene-footage, the film still went fairly well with the songs theme. Below I've got the video in it's entirety. Click Here to purchase your copy of the single!

EU CD single

1. "Hold My Hand" - 3:32
2. "Hold My Hand" (vocals & orchestra) - 3:45
3. "Hold My Hand" (alternate mix) - 3:40
4. "Hold My Hand" (instrumental) - 3:31