來源：mjjcn.com ROSEMARY整理
October 26, 2001 Michael answers questions from his fans during a live hour-long online Internet audio chat with Anthony DeCurtis
Presented by GetMusic.com and RollingStone.com.
Presented by GetMusic.com and RollingStone.com.
2001年10月26日，Get Music和RollingStone.com 兩大網站聯手推出特別節目，邁克爾·傑克遜於當天晚上7：00中便坐鎮網上聊天室，用了一個小時與全世界歌迷進行了近距離接觸。支持人，著名的音樂評論家安東尼·德·柯帝士在這個小時內把歌迷最想知道的一些問題向邁克爾·傑克遜逐一提出，邁克爾非常輕松、自然、自信、幽默而深思熟慮地在這次網絡訪談中向世界真實地展示了自己。
安東尼：先生們，女士們，我是安東尼·德·柯帝士。你現在正在Getmusic.com上收聽我們為你們準備的特別節目。“流行音樂之王”，流行音樂歷史上最偉大的藝人之一，邁克爾·傑克遜,今晚將和我們在一起。他的新專輯《Invincible》將於10月30日 問世。
安東尼：邁克爾, 很高興能和你談話。
邁克爾：我也很高興和你談話。
安東尼：能給我們談談你的新專輯《Invincible》嗎？這是你6年來第一張新專輯。啊，當你又發表新作品時，你感到興奮嗎？很明顯，你熟知這一行已經多年了。你明白我的意思嗎，你是否感到，“噢，我想知道人們將怎麼看它”或者作出各種預料？ 邁克爾：在做這張新專輯的過程感覺，我想把它比作，呃，就像是孕育一個新生的小孩一樣，親自把它生出來，撫養它長大，再讓它獨自面對全世界。這非常令人興奮，就好象你從來沒有經歷過的感覺！哦，這是一個令人難以置信的過程。新專輯經由上帝之手自然地完成，就像你有了孩子的感覺一樣！
安東尼：是的. 現在，我們已經開始大量收到你的歌迷發來的問題了。歌迷Electric Eyes, 想對你說：“邁克爾, 你是，在我心中，永遠最偉大的藝人。真正的流行、搖滾和靈歌之王。”他想知道：“新專輯中，你最喜歡的歌是哪一首？”
邁克爾：我最喜歡的歌曲？ 我能選兩首嗎?
安東尼：啊，當然，行的。我認為你想怎樣就怎樣。
邁克爾：呃,是《Unbreakable》……我要選3首。《Unbreakable》, 《Speechless》,和《The Lost Children》。
安東尼：給我們談談這些歌曲好嗎？談談你為這些歌曲工作時的情況。我的意思是，有特殊客人加入嗎，或者你是否和新製作人一起工作，或者你怎麼寫出這些歌曲的？你知道，這些可以讓我們對你的作品更加瞭解一些。
邁克爾：呃，寫歌的過程是很難解釋的，因為整個過程全是與精神層面感受有關的。這張專輯的創作來源可說都是經由上帝之手，一切音樂靈感就這樣跑了出來。這是真的--好象它們早早就已經被寫好了似的，你根本不用做什麼，也不用特別去想，新的音樂靈感就自然湧出，所以有時候我會覺得把我的名字印在上面是一種罪惡。不過終究這些新歌還是透過我把它們寫出來的--由我譜曲、填詞、編曲，但是我依然要特別強調，它們的確是上帝所賜。
安東尼：加拿大的Samantha想問，“你如何形容《Invincible》上的音樂，你是否將其他一些風格的音樂加入進了這新專輯？”
邁克爾：啊，新專輯上的聲音是非常棒的。我們在製作專輯時，總會先確信我們有最精準、最清晰的聲音，所以我們使用了最好的錄音聲效、技術師、器材師，為的就是做出最好的聲音。當然，我盡力把專輯做成一次包含任何風格的美妙音樂的大會餐。因為我不認同只是以最新流行音樂的同樣模式來做出新歌。我認為一個成功的藝人能夠創造出任意的風格，任意的模式，任意……從搖滾到流行，到民謠，到福音，到靈歌，再到無論誰--哪怕是愛爾蘭的農民或紐約Harlem區刷洗廁所的婦人都能隨之演唱的美妙音樂。如果隨時你們都能吹起口哨或哼唱出我的歌，對我來說，便是最最重要的了。
安東尼：那，在你工作時，你是否發現你能聽許多其他形式的音樂，或者你是否收聽電臺並也許購買別人的唱片呢？或者你就把一切關在門外，只非常專注在自己的音樂上？
邁克爾：我總是知道在發生一些什麼，我隨時都在留意電臺、俱樂部裏大家在聽的音樂，縱使大家都認為我生活在自己的Neverland國度裏--我在精神上永遠生活在裏面--但其實我與大眾還是有連結的。我總是知道現在歌壇上發生了什麼，不只是在美國，全世界的各地的事我都有在看。當我在做這張新專輯時，我認為我並沒有受到今天的音樂的太多影響。我盡可能從自己身上寫出原創性的音樂。我要盡力做到原創。我不會說：“好啊，我準備做一首絕好的R&B歌曲, 或一首流行歌曲……”我只是想做出一首絕好的歌曲。
安東尼：就像歌曲自然天成一樣？
邁克爾：對，對。
安東尼：好的，呃，歌迷Amber在此向你表達了無盡的愛意。他想知道，拍攝《 You Rock
My World 》 這只音樂錄影是否很有趣？
邁克爾：是的，很有趣的！我和所有的演員在拍攝現場耗了一整晚，很開心地完成所有鏡頭（咯咯笑）。那天晚上我們在現場把這首歌放得超大聲，因為我一向就喜歡把音樂放到最大聲聽，那會讓你聽到截然不同的音樂效果！
安東尼：很好（笑）。噢，加拿大的Michael Mathew想知道：“我在MTV電視臺上看到了《Ghosts》的音樂電影，就像以往一樣，你太棒了！你是否打算在美國發行這部片的DVD呢？”
邁克爾：是的，這部片以後會在全美完整發行為DVD，而且還包括其的製作花絮。能夠拍出《Ghost》這部片可說是完成了我心中長久以來的夢想，因為我一直都很希望能拍出一部既驚悚又富有喜劇效果的電影。很好玩，我並不想拍出讓人覺得恐怖的感覺，而是拍出幽默風趣的劇情。含著淚水的笑，明白我的意思嗎？那很有趣，電影裏那些幽靈，他們並不嚇人，他們很好玩，他們在天花板上行走，小孩子看著他們哈哈大笑。我們不想嚇人，但我們作弄了那個肥佬鎮長，因為他闖進了我的屋子--我的私人財產，並審問我。這些你都在電影裏看到了。
安東尼：是的。現在Cloudlee2000想問，“你為何要將專輯命名為《Invincible》？”
邁克爾：“invincible”是一個很合適的主題。同時《Invincible》也是這張專輯裏的一首新歌。《吉尼斯世界記錄》裏記載著我，我是一個擁有最長的成功藝術生涯的藝人。我曾經回想我從一個一無所有的小孩，一直演變到現在擁有數張全世界最棒的專輯的超級巨星。我非常自豪也非常榮幸，上帝選擇了我，讓我“不可戰勝”，並繼續成長，前行……為人們效勞--用我絕好的音樂。
安東尼：你知道，按音樂工業的常理來看，觀眾不會真的對一個歌星有長時間的熱情。如果一個藝人好幾年沒有新發行的情況下，也就將失去了許多忠實的樂迷和觀眾。在新專輯推出之際或在你為它工作時，你是否想過這個問題？還是說你堅信你的歌迷群仍舊會在並和以前一樣堅強？
邁克爾：這點我從沒想過。我只知道當一部電影或一首歌，它真是好的，大家就會想要看或是想要聽它，不管你離開樂壇多久或是在什麼前提之下，好就是好，如果你做得很好，大家就會想要來聽聽或看看。但重點是你必須要是個創新者，一個先鋒，那才是最重要的。能給大家他們想要聽的東西。
安東尼： 現在美國的Slimslady420想問，“在新專輯中，哪首歌和你個人有最直接的關聯？” 邁克爾：《Unbreakable》。你知道，我是在表演業裏為數不多的幾個經歷了風風雨雨，穿過地獄回返人間的藝人之一。我依然能繼續做著我想要做的事而且沒有什麼能阻止我。不管怎樣，沒有人能阻擋我前進的步伐。只有當我準備好停下來時我才會停止。無論怎麼樣，我都會繼續前進的。
安東尼：現在Warful想問，“在新專輯中的一些快歌，特別是《Unbreakable》、《2000Watts》、《Heartbreaker》和《Invincible》這幾首，有沒有計劃拍攝它們的音樂短篇電影呢？”
邁克爾：當然，她說……無論誰說出“短篇電影”這個詞，他就用對了。我們正在打算拍攝。音樂短篇電影：有開端，有過程，有結尾的故事。我們會完全使這種媒體傳播方式達到一個新的水準上去！我們將為這張專輯中的歌曲拍攝新鮮絕佳的短篇電影，就像做一部短篇電影的百科全書一樣。真讓人興奮。我等不及想拍攝《Threatened》的短篇電影。這首歌裏面還有“Twilight Zone”節目創辦人Rod Serling的獨白。我真是等不及想拍它了。
安東尼：歌迷Nepolian3（真名George）問道：“邁克爾,我認為這張專輯是你自《Thriller》和《Off The Wall》以來最吸引人的。你在錄制這張專輯過程中是否有一些讓你難忘的瞬間啊？”
邁克爾：在我錄制的所有專輯中，這一張是最艱難的。我對自己也要求十分嚴格。我寫了好多的歌，都快要數不清了，算算大概只有這最後選入的16首是我認為可以接受的。這張新專輯也是我有小孩後的第一張專輯，我在寫歌的這段期間常被小孩傳染到感冒，所以很多過程要不斷重頭開始，變得有點艱巨，不過我還是很樂在寫其中的。
安東尼：在錄制這張專輯的過程中，你如何導引出你要的聲音和整體的效果？
邁克爾：如果我老老實實告訴你，我不知道我的歌迷是否會再喜歡我了（咯咯笑）。這次與我合作的工作人員之前都非常生我的氣，因為我會要求他們為了修改一個小地方重復做上千百次直到我滿意為止。然後，在休工回家之後，他們打電話給我，跟我道歉說：“你的判斷的確是對的，我並沒有做得比你說的還要好。”而我就對他們說：“事實就是這個樣子，我過去做音樂的經驗告訴我該怎麼走。這將是永恆的，就像時間存儲的膠囊一樣；就像米開朗基羅西斯廷教堂的作品一樣，是永恆的。我們所做的一切一定得按這條路子走。”
安東尼：現在Sweetpea4286想知道, “這張新專輯會帶給大家什麼樣的驚奇嗎？”
邁克爾：什麼樣的驚奇？小夥子，我想專輯本身就是個驚奇吧。我還要說，我們會在未來發行一些令人驚喜的CD單曲的，就在不久後。
安東尼：很好。我想問，在前一陣子你在自己的30周年群星致敬演唱會和華盛頓911慈善演唱會中再度現場表演，在你的音樂生涯中，舞臺現場表演是你的最閃亮的光點之一。你已經離開舞臺很長一段時間了，現在能否談談你多年過後再度踏上舞臺的心情？
邁克爾：啊，真是很難說清楚。我的內心感到很興奮能再度接觸到現場群眾，讓他們感到溫暖，這種感覺是很不可思議的！我站在上面唱出他們很想聽到的歌，看到他們還是很愛我的熱情響應，那種感覺是很好的，讓我忍不住想要哭出來。
安東尼：我記得你在自傳裏寫到當你站在舞臺上時，你才感覺到最有生機。我想那些時間對你來說是最高興的時候了。
邁克爾：是的。離開舞臺對我來說是極其痛苦的。站在臺上表演……寫歌或者寫詩和看卡通片是我在這個世界上最喜歡做的事情。它們讓我生氣勃勃，激勵著我去做我要做的事業。
安東尼：一個自稱為“最佳舞者”的朋友想問你，“Michaeljackson.com網站上說JayZ會出現在你的新專輯中，是真的嗎？”
邁克爾：不。但我們將來會合作。他十分優秀，他算是當今藝人裏我非常欣賞的一位，他非常有才華。
安東尼：瑞典的Tony想問你，“你好，邁克爾。你是讓人永遠驚奇的藝術家。我喜愛你的音樂。你會再次舉辦世界或歐洲巡迴演唱會嗎？”
邁克爾：目前還沒有很確定的計劃，但我不能說它不在計劃中。因為現在有許多事情要處理計劃還在進行，我暫時不能確定。但我向你保證不久你就會看到一些事情發生。
安東尼：在未來，《Invincible》有沒有可能會錄制西班牙文版或其他語言的版本？
邁克爾：現在沒有這個計劃，不過我想那會是個很好的建議，因為過去我還沒有嘗試過，而且也是個很大的機會讓我的音樂接觸到更多的樂迷。
安東尼：啊，今年Alien Ant Farm樂隊翻唱你經典的《Smooth Criminal》這首歌. 我想知道你是否注意過這件事?你喜歡嗎?你的感覺是什麼?
邁克爾：我一看到它就愛了上它。我說了，一定得讓它與觀眾見面。他們樂隊要求得到我的允許，我同意了，還給了他們3個A，並告訴說“好好幹！”這是一種對我的肯定和贊揚，證明我的音樂已經深入到了各個年齡層，我真的很高興。
安東尼：來自加拿大的19歲的Gary想知道，“在新專輯中，你有與哪些藝人合作？”
邁克爾：啊，有Calos Santana。他以吉他伴奏為我錄制了一首新歌（《Whatever Happens》）。這首歌很不錯。我們之前就見過面，不過在最近我們通了不少電話，他說從他贏得了葛萊美獎後，他就已經準備好要與我合作，而我後來也邀請他來參與新歌的錄制，他很興奮地說，這簡直就像是美夢成真。我想他真的是一個很好的人，既親切又富有情感。就因為他是如此的謙遜，所以我也告訴自己，“我們一定要把這首歌做到最好！”
安東尼：好的，現在Anicia問道，“你是Chris Tucker的影迷嗎？”他最近在你的 《YOU
ROCK MY WORLD》 的音樂錄影裏扮演了角色。
邁克爾：我是他最忠實的歌迷之一。他讓我笑個不停。我看了他拍的所有的影片，他真是個有趣的人。我喜歡那種不粗俗不說臟話卻能逗你笑的人，這樣所有的人，所有的孩子們都會喜歡，而他正是這樣一個風趣的人。
安東尼：美國的Vernay想問你，“我很喜歡新專輯，尤其為《Speechless》這首歌所感動，你對它的靈感是從何而來的？”
邁克爾：平時我常會到森林中尋求靈感，我很喜歡爬到樹頂上看著樹叢，每當我站在樹上就會激發出寫歌的靈感。我會感覺仿佛看到兩個甜美的小孩站在眼前，一個女孩和一個男孩，他們是如此的純真，我會變得說不出話來，只感受到上帝的恩典。他們激發了我寫這首歌的靈感。
安東尼： 你寫歌的靈感會在不同的地方出現嗎？
邁克爾：唔，最好的歌曲都是自然天成的。 我不會在特定的場所寫出歌，旋律它會在不需控制的情況下自然產生，當然有時候我會刻意去想靈感，而且也得到了響應。我不相信作家的思維障礙說，當你想到了你就創造了它。像任何一個畫家或雕塑家一樣……他們最好的作品一般產生於他們六七十歲的時候，舞王Fred Astaire 70歲時跳出了他最完美的舞蹈，米開朗基羅在他六、七十歲時獻出了最傑出的作品。我一直認為所有偉大的藝人，都是在最自然的情況下創作出完美的作品，但有些藝人到最後卻因為濫用藥物而毀了一切，我想那真的是很不好的。我們應該多注意自己的身心健康。
安東尼：和製作人Rodney Jerkin一起工作的感覺怎麼樣?你們是怎麼認識的?怎麼合作的?
邁克爾：Rodney告訴幾乎在好萊塢和唱片界裏的每個人說,他夢想和我合作，那天在著名寫歌人、奧斯卡音樂獎得主Carol Bayer Sager家裏,我被主人告知：“有個以前和我一起工作的傢伙,他叫Rodney Jerkins,他哭著要求我安排一次和你的會面。我的意思是：你為什麼不給他打個電話問聲好呢？” 後來他過來找我，求我給他兩個禮拜的時間，讓他為我做歌，完成他的夢想。最後我們就一起工作了。他和我的思維方式一致，就是愛好創新，但我覺得還不夠，就不斷地催促他去革新，去開拓。他是個真正的音樂家。他非常專注和忠誠，也十分有毅力，我從沒見過有誰像他那樣愛工作。而且即使你不斷催促他，他也絕不會生氣。他真是一個不錯的傢伙！我的另外一個製作人Teddy Riely也很棒，非常有創新意識，我喜歡和他一起工作。對了，Rodney也是個很風趣的人，跟他一起會讓你笑一整天！他常常在錄音棚裏放他的歌，然後繞著房間跳舞，十分好笑。
安東尼：現在美國的Rachel問道，“你在錄制新專輯的同時是否創造出了新的舞步？”
邁克爾：從最早每張專輯中，除了做音樂外，我都會花上一半的時間全神貫注在舞蹈的部份。只要音樂一出來，我就會開始跟著跳舞，這時新的舞步也將自然而成。在未來我新的MTV中，大家會看到前所未見的舞步，那會是獨創而且相當前衛的。現在很多hip-hop舞步都有些像健美操了，不太好，我要作出改變。
安東尼：（笑）Simon想知道，你最喜歡與哪些藝人對唱，老牌的還是現在的？
邁克爾：啊，老牌的話，我想應該是Sarah Vaughn（著名Jazz女歌手）和Nat King Cole。現在的，我想Whitney Houston和Barbara Streisand是我不錯的選擇。他們是很棒的藝人。
安東尼：你對Britney Speares 和Christina Aguilera這些目前最紅的流行偶像有什麼看法？這些年輕人真的很受歡迎。Britney還參加了你的30周年致敬演唱會，你對她有什麼感覺嗎？
邁克爾：我想他們是一股新生的力量，幹的不錯。我很贊賞他們做事情的決心，像Britney Speares 和Christina Aguilera，她們為了練好一個舞步，不惜花好幾個月的時間。之前我見過Britney幾次，她和我私底下聊了幾個小時，我覺得她真的是很可愛又謙虛，簡直就像個芭比娃娃！
安東尼：我認為你對她是一個永遠有意義並十分重要的學習之源。你那麼小就成為了明星，人們並不總是瞭解現實情況，其實名氣，焦點和輿論對一個孩子來說是多麼的沉重。對嗎？根據你的經歷來說。
邁克爾：是的。以前無論我去哪兒，我都戴面具。人們為你而瘋狂，他們非常高興看到你，他們甚至認為他們和你有私交。因為我的照片掛在他們墻上，我的音樂在他們家裏播放。所以他們想要趕來拽住你擁抱你觸摸你……而我也同樣予以回報，因為我真心實意地從心底裏愛著我的歌迷們。當我在旅遊的時候，總是會有歌迷守在飯店外，甚至睡在街上。我總會叫人給他們送去被子和食物，這樣我才能安心。因為他們是那樣的友好和忠誠！
安東尼：美國的Sam問，“會發行《Butterflies》單曲嗎？它是我最喜歡的歌曲！”
邁克爾：是的，它已經發行了（電臺發行），謝謝你！
安東尼：好。作為一個音樂錄影界的先鋒人物，你還有什麼計劃嗎？在拍攝一隻短篇音樂電影時，你是在拍攝前就成竹在胸，還是從基礎一步步走來？
邁克爾：我會讓歌曲自身來告訴我故事。然後我會進房間記下一些東西。接著和某個作家商議，比如Stephen King，我倆曾經合作過《Ghosts》, 我們在電話上開始寫它，慢慢讓它自己自由發展，最終自然地被創作出來。不過你在創作時，還得考慮是否在時間上能配合單曲的發行，這樣時間有時就不允許，拖長了，唱片公司就會著急的，他們會不斷催促你。所以我們盡力在最短時間內做到最好！
安東尼：蘇格蘭的Helen問：“如果在你的餘生中只被允許唱一首歌，你會選擇哪一首，為什麼？”
邁克爾：噢，我能多選兩首嗎？大概會是《Heal The World》, 《Speechless》,和，啊，《You Are My Life》。因為這幾首歌的旋律都很美，而且有著存在於任何時空的深涵意義。
安東尼：你知道，紐約和華盛頓前不久遭到了恐怖襲擊，你為此參加了慈善演出。在這次事件中，你覺得你扮演的角色是什麼呢？藝術家能幫助人們度過這次難關嗎？
邁克爾：是的。你要奉獻自己和上帝賜給你的天賦和才華。如果你是作家，你就寫；你是舞者，你就跳；你是歌者，你就唱……你獻出了自我，給予人們遠離殘酷現實的精神靈感，這就是藝人能夠為現實悲劇所做的幫助。從內心為所有人表達出你的關懷！沒有什麼距離，我們應該隨時來到大家身邊支持他們。這就是我和那些藝術家們一直在做的事。這無比重要。
安東尼：Chili Boy 想知道，“你如何想出新的舞步？歌舞最終結合要花你多少時間？”
邁克爾：通常只要我走進練舞室，我就會跟著音樂自然地跳起來。並不是我創造出新的舞步，而是它自然天成。當然鼓的節奏會很有幫助，不過依我的經驗，歌曲本身就會告訴你怎麼做，那是一種自發性的動作。當年我在舞臺上表演《Billie Jean》時，動作就是這麼產生的。
安東尼：當年我看到你的那場表演時，激動得從椅子上跳起來了！
邁克爾：謝謝，但那些動作都是自然形成的，我並沒想一定要把太空步怎麼怎麼加入進去。一切都是即興的發揮，真的。
安東尼：SJ Chams問，“你還會和你妹妹珍妮合作嗎？”
邁克爾：我很願意啊！不過要依時間和歌曲而定。我和珍妮目前都分隔兩地，比較難抽出時間。當然如果能再有機會，那會是很好的，她是個很專業又很好的妹妹！
安東尼：很好，啊，Sheik 33想知道，“誰是你從小的偶像？” 邁克爾：James Brown、Davis Jr.、Gene Kelly。每當我看到他們的電影，就會像小孩子一樣看得出神，他們的作品我有一系列的收藏。在我做任何事之前，我喜歡回顧這些舊作，然後再創造出新的東西。我很喜愛歌舞劇巨星Jacky Gleason、Jacky Wilson、所有迪士尼的片子。小時候當我在看到《James Brown and the Famous Flames》裏的James Brown時，我激動得哭了，他真是不可思議！等到我長大成名後，一些我的偶像老演員像Fred Astaire、Gene Kelly和Frank Sinatra親口對我說，我將擁有一個令人驚奇的未來並取得非凡的成就！我覺得能聽到這些傳奇人物這樣贊揚我比得到任何獎項都重要！
安東尼：這對你來說一定是了不起的經歷，你一定非常受鼓舞吧？
邁克爾：是的，非常。
安東尼：荷蘭的Mhagrice女士問道，“你最近是否真的參加了電影《M.I.B.2》的演出？你會為它做電影原聲帶嗎？”
邁克爾：噢，我想我不會做這部電影的原聲帶。但我確實在其中客串了一個小角色。接下來我還會再拍三個鏡頭。我覺得非常好玩和興奮。這部電影是我的最愛之一！
安東尼：那，你是否還在為你自己的電影計劃《The Nightmare of Edgar Allen Poe》工作呢？能談談嗎？
邁克爾：是的，它還在計劃中。它講的是恐怖作家愛倫坡的故事。他是個惡魔般黑暗的人物，但他又是個天才。他的私生活很有趣，他是怎樣一個人，他是怎麼創作出那些偉大的故事的--這就是電影將要講到的。這是個了不起的故事。但……隨便說一句，不要相信小報，我們應該把它們都燒掉！
安東尼：伊利諾州的Jason說：“邁克爾,你是世界音樂歷史上最偉大的藝術家。你是怎麼走太空步的？那是我看到過的最酷的舞步！”
邁克爾：呀，現在在線上很難解釋出來。它看起來就像你同時向前又向後移動，但不僅僅是走，而是像站在傳送帶上一樣。唉，如果Jason在我家裏，我就會親自演示給他看看。也許他可以去看單曲《Jam》的音樂電影的結尾部分，那裏我在教喬丹怎麼走太空步。
安東尼：現在Mark the Shark提問，“在《Smooth Criminal》的MTV中，你們又是如何做出那個向下45度的傾斜動作的？”
邁克爾：哦，當時我們花了1個小時排舞，才做出那個特效。首先我們先盡可能傾斜到極限，再利用帶子支撐輔助。
安東尼：Charlie發來問題道，“你最為之驕傲的成就是什麼？”
邁克爾：我很小很小，大約七歲時，我就常常買《吉尼斯世界記錄大全》（咯咯笑），你猜我的想法是什麼？我對自己說：“我愛唱歌跳舞。希望有一天我能被記載在這本書裏。”當《Thriller》成為史上最暢銷的唱片時--現在其中還有關於我的其他不少記錄--這便是我生命中最快樂的時光了！
安東尼：你最想把成就獻給誰呢？
邁克爾：我要特別將所有的勝利致獻給我的父母。他們總是教我無論做什麼都要持之以恆並堅信自己。哪怕你只是掃地的或漆墻的，你也要做得比任何人都好！尊重別人，也要有自己的尊嚴。你知道，尊敬別人，才能被別人尊敬。
安東尼：完全正確。你做了這麼多年的唱片，並作為了一個音樂史上的巨人，以你的觀點，音樂歷史上最大改變是什麼？
邁克爾：呃，我認為即使是現在最流行的Rap歌曲也無法永遠流行，現在它就已經溶入了不少旋律進去，這樣才更讓人能接受一些。旋律是永遠不會消亡的。因為人們想要舞蹈，所以歌曲中也充滿了節奏。這是由我們人類的天性決定的。當我們聽到節拍時，我們每一個細胞都在跳舞。你注意到了嗎……一歲的嬰兒聽到音樂都會動起來。這是生命裏的天性。不僅僅是耳朵的聽覺，而是一種感覺。當音樂響起時，每一棵草、每一株樹、每一朵花……都會受到影響。它們會長得更加美麗並生機勃勃。音樂是一種無比重要而強大元素。宇宙中所有的行星都創作著音樂。它們書寫著不同的音階，但卻萬分的和諧。
安東尼：荷蘭的Femka寫道，“ 為什麼新專輯會還有四種不同顏色的版本？”
邁克爾：因為我希望歌迷在買CD時能有收藏的樂趣。如果我真的十分愛這張專輯，我就會買5張，盡管封面一樣。如果有不同的顏色，那他們就會再買5次！我們只是想讓歌迷從中獲得樂趣，試著做了一點改變。這就是我們這麼做的原因。
安東尼；澳大利亞的TJ問道，“你怎樣解釋你鼓舞世界人民的感召力？”
邁克爾：我只是做了我應該做的事，我也喜歡這樣做！我愛藝術。我愛一切和一切藝術形式。如果他們能為我所鼓舞，我會感到……我祈禱我能作好我在這個星球上應做的工作。因為我愛歌迷們，我愛孩子們，我愛嬰兒們，他們給了我力量和鼓勵。我無比地愛著他們！
安東尼：Michaela問道，“如果你可以改變你生命裏的一件事，那會是什?？”
邁克爾：我希望可以像一般人走在路上，沒有人認得出我是誰，做一個平常人，去看看他們怎麼工作的，去瞭解他們平常都談論著什麼。每當人們看到是邁克爾·傑克遜出現在大眾場合，他們總是會改變他們的舉止，在那一瞬間的改變，就因為我的出現而變得不自然。
安東尼：這有個很有意思的問題，蘇格蘭的Greg問道：“你計劃什麼時候發行色《What More Can I Give》 這首慈善單曲？”
邁克爾：我們正在完成最後的錄音工作。這只單曲很快就會與大家見面的。我們正在把明星們的聲音合成到一起。這是首對世界十分重要的歌曲。它將帶給那些突然失去親人的人們慰籍、愛和關懷。
安東尼；明年是否有什麼新計劃呢？
邁克爾：明年我想多拍點電影，做一些配樂歌曲，再發明新的舞步。另外，我永遠都祈求和平，最希望的就是所有孩子都能夠得到最大的關注和愛，而且受到保護。我期盼他們能獲得更多的權利，並擁有一個自己的節日，讓全世界可以在那一天把更多的注意力和愛投向他們！
安東尼：俄國的Sergei要求，“邁克爾,給我們清唱一段吧！”
邁克爾：（笑）我很願意。但無論你相信與否，我得說對不起了，因為我正感冒著。前幾天，我的孩子們傳染了感冒給我，今天我又發喉炎。所以，當我以後到她家鄉開演唱會時，我會為她演唱。哦，新專輯上的《Speechless》就是以清唱開頭並結尾的，它是我最喜歡的一首歌。
安東尼：Karen說當她還是小孩時，你的音樂就給了她莫大的幫助，她想知道，身為你的歌迷可以為你做些什麼？
邁克爾：平常當我進城時，我最喜歡看到孩子們的遊行慶典或合唱表演。有父親節，有母親節，但沒有一個真正意義上的兒童節。我們應該立一個國際兒童節，一個小孩被尊重的日子。在那一天，孩子們可以自由自在的慶祝，歌唱，遊行。我希望看到這樣。
安東尼：邁克爾,最後一個問題，很高興和你談話。美國的Emanuel問：“傑克遜先生,你將對夢想著成為與你一樣的巨星的歌迷說些什麼？”
邁克爾：無論如何，世界上最強大的東西就是人類的心靈和祈禱。要有自信，持之以恆直到達到自己的目標為止。失敗了，就再次站起來。不論你身邊的人怎樣消極地看待你，你都永遠要相信自己。因為只要你堅持你的信仰，你就會實現你的目標。最重要的一點：謙虛謹慎！像孩子，像新生兒那樣謙卑，哪怕有一天你因為你的天賦而變得強大並能左右人民。像米開朗基羅做雕塑的態度那樣，謙虛謹慎，友好並奉獻著愛心。
安東尼：讓我們再偷偷多問一個問題，Invincible103問你道，“萬聖節近了，到時你有舉行派對之類的計劃嗎？”
邁克爾：啊，不會。我會走上街頭玩Trick or Treat的遊戲。我很喜歡這個遊戲。我會打扮成怪物的樣子讓別人認不出我，然後沿街敲門要糖吃。
安東尼：大家準備好哦，邁克爾·傑克遜會在你們門口出現的喲！
邁克爾：（咯咯笑）
安東尼：當然，這難道不好嗎？啊，邁克爾，能和你談話真是太棒了。很有趣，還有，大家都為你和你的新專輯獻上最美好的祝福！我們都期盼著它的成功。
邁克爾：非常感謝你們！上帝保佑你們！謝謝！
安東尼：非常感謝！
Online Audio Chat
On October 26, 2001 Michael took part in an online audio chat, answering fans' questions via the telephone through moderator Anthony. The interview was sponsored by GetMusic.com and RollingStone.com and has been archived online at GetMusic.com.
Anthony Hello Ladies and Gentleman, this is Anthony. You're on Getmusic.com and we're here tonight for a very special event. The King of Pop, one of the greatest artists in the history of popular music, Michael Jackson, is going to be joining us. He has a new record coming out on Oct. 30, it's called Invisible [interviewer's error]. You can check it out at Michaeljackson.com, you can preorder it at getmusic.com.
Anthony Michael, it's a pleasure to talk to you man.
Michael
Pleasure to talk with you.
Anthony Tell us a little bit about the new album. It's your first new record in 6 years. Uh, do you still get exited when you have something come out? Obviously you've accomplished so much over the years. You know, do you still feel that, like, "Wow, I wonder what people are gonna think" or, you know, feel all of that kind of anticipation?
Michael
I kinda parallel it to a, uh, you know... It's like the gestation process of, uh, birth. You know, it's a... You know, it's like having children, and having to raise them and bring them out into the world, and once they get into the world they're on their own. So, it's, it's, very exciting. I mean, you never get too used to it, ever. It's, uh, an incredible process. But you leave it in the hands of God, like you do when you're having a child.
Anthony Absolutely. We've got questions already beginning to pour in from your fans on the Internet. We've got Electric Eyes, male, writing in. Says, "Michael, you are, in my mind, the greatest artist of all time. The true King of pop, rock, and soul." And he wants to know, "What is your favorite song on the new album?"
Michael
My favorite song on the new album. Can I pick two?
Anthony Uh, yeah, I think you can do that. You can pretty much do whatever you like.
Michael
Uh, it would probably be Unbreakable... I'll pick three. Unbreakable, Speechless, and The Lost Children.
Anthony Tell us about a couple of those tracks. You know, what was it like work... I mean, were there special guests, or were you working with new producers, or how you wrote them. You know, something that gives us some flavor.
Michael
Well, the songwriting process is something very difficult to explain because it's very spiritual. It's, uh...You really have it in the hands of God, and it's as if its been written already - that's the real truth. As if its been written in its entirety before were born and you're just really the source through which the songs come. Really. Because there is...they just fall right into your lap in it's entirety. You don't have to do much thinking about it. And I feel guilty having to put my name, sometimes, on the songs that I - I do write them - I compose them, I write them, I do the scoring, I do the lyrics, I do the melodies but still, it's a...it's a work of God.
Anthony Samantha from Canada just sent us in a question. She would like to know, "How would you describe the sound on Invincible and have you incorporated any other genres into the album?"
Michael
Well, the sound is...sonically, we always try to make sure we have, you know, pristine, detailed, uh, you know, the best sound, the best engineers, the best technicians available. And of course, I tried to make the album a potpourri of just wonderful melodies of any style. Because I don't believe in stylizing or branding any type of music. I think a great artist should be able to just create any style, any form, any...any thing from rock to pop to folk to gospel to spiritual to just, just wonderful music where every, uh, anybody can sing it, from the Irish farmer to a lady who scrubs toilets in Harlem. If you can whistle it and hum it, that's the most important thing.
Anthony Now, when you're working do you find, are you in a mode where you like to listen to a lot of other music, or you're listening to the radio and maybe picking up people's CDs. Or when you're working do you like to just kinda shut it all out and concentrate, you know, intently on what you're doing?
Michael
I pretty much... I always know what's going on, on the radio and in clubs, that people are listening to. Even though people think I live at Neverland -- mentally I'm in Never Never land all the time -- I'm always connected. I always know what's going on in the music world, all the time. Not just in America but Internationally. You know, all over the world. And uh, when I'm working though, I don't... I'm not in... I don't think I'm influenced by a lot of the music today. Uh, I pretty much create what I think is in my heart. Very original. I try to be as original as possible. I don't say, 'OK, I'm gonna make this a great R&B song, a great pop... I just want to make a great song.
Anthony Like the song takes it's own form.
Michael
Yeah. Yes.
Anthony Well, uh, Amber here on the Internet offers you lots of love and wonders if, um, it was fun for you to make the rock... the You Rock My World video.
Michael
Yes, that was a lot of fun. Uh, it was... We stayed up all night, which was very hard [giggling]. We, uh, it was fun hearing it blasted on the set on really good speakers. That's one of my favorite things, hearing the music really loud. 'Cause I like to play music loud. I mean, it's, uh... If you play something over the Internet or small speakers, it doesn't have the same punch. That's why you have to buy it. You have to buy that CD to really hear that punch. It makes a huge difference. Huge difference. There's no comparison. Buying the CD is the best thing. There's no comparison. [Interruption from host]... You can't hear all those sounds if you do it on a smaller system.
Anthony And when you're, uh... So when you're out on the video set, uh, you're able to just kinda crank it up as loud as you want?
Michael
As loud as I want.
Anthony Very good [laughing]. Well, we have Michael Mathew from Canada . He says, "I just saw Ghosts on MTV. As always, you are awesome, Michael. Do you have any plans of releasing it as a DVD in America ?"
Michael
Yes, it will be released as a DVD in America in it's entirety, and some of the making of Ghosts. And that was one of my most favorite things I've ever done because it's been a dream of mine for a long time to do something like, you know, scary but comical at the same time, and, uh, it's all the elements, just fun. 'Cause I don't want to scare people to the point where they're afraid to go to sleep. I want it to have a little twist of humor. And within the laugher there is a tear, you know? It's fun, you know. These ghosts, they weren't really scary, they were fun. They walked up the ceilings. Little kids were laughing at them. They were fun. You know, we don't want to horrify them. But we gave this fat man, this Mayor, his justice, for coming into my house, which was private property, judging me. You know.
Anthony Absolutely. We have Cloudlee2000 who writes in and wonders, "Why did you name the album Invincible?"
Michael
Well, invincible is something of... I think it's a proper name. It's one of the cuts on the album and I've been an artist.. uh, not to pat myself on the back but the Guinness Book of World Records just listed me, uh, another time, as the artist who's had the longest stretch career 'cause since I was a little, little kid to this point with still hit records from number one records, and uh, I'm so proud and honored that I've been chosen from the Heavens, or whatever it is, to be Invincible, and to just continue to grow and to be, you know... serve the people. It serves the people with wonderful entertainment.
Anthony Now, one of the, you know, the kind of conventional wisdom in the music industry is, you know, audiences don't really have an attention span any more, you know. If an artist stays away for too long the audience wanders off and goes somewhere else. Was that a concern of yours with coming out with a record and taking a while to work on Invincible or do you, uh, are you convinced your fan base is still there and will be as strong as ever?
Michael
I'm, I'm ... No, the answer to your question is that has never concerned me once and I've never thought of it. Because I've always known if music is truly great or if a movie is truly great, people want to see it or hear it. No matter where you, how long you've been away, or whatever the situation is. You know, greatness is greatness and if you really do a great job on what you're doing, people want to hear it. Or they want to see it. You know, it doesn't matter, It really doesn't. Long as you're an innovator and a pioneer, you know. And that's the most important thing. Give them what they want to hear.
Anthony Now Slimslady420US sends in a question and wonders "which song on the Invincible album do you think you personally relate to the most?"
Michael
Ummm, Unbreakable.
Anthony Talk a bit about that track. Now you mentioned it a couple of times, I'm getting really curious about it. Could you... What could you tell us about it?
Michael
'Cause, uh, I' m one of the few people, probably in show business, that have been through the ins and outs, you know, of so many different things. Um, I've been through hell and back. I have, to be honest, and uh, and still I'm able to do what I do and nothing can stop me. No one can stop me, no matter what. I stop when I'm ready to stop. You know, and uh, I'm just saying, you know, I will continue to move forward no matter what.
Anthony Now we have Warful writes in, "Are you working or planning to do any more short films for Invincible, specifically for the really fast tracks such as 2000 Watts, Heartbreaker, Unbreakable, and Invincible?"
Michael
Absolutely, and she said... Whoever said that said the right word when they said said "short films." And uh, that's what we try to make them, short films: a beginning and middle and a ending of a story. Uh, to take the medium to a new level but absolutely. There's like a an array of, an encyclopedia of just great short films to make from the album. It's very exciting. I can't wait to do Threatened. It's a kind of scary one with Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.
Anthony We have a question here from Nepolian3, says his name is George really, and it says, "Michael, I think this is your most cohesive and impressive album since Thriller. Or, really, Off The Wall. What are some of your most memorable moments while recording the tracks for this album?"
Michael
Most memorable moments were, it was... of all my albums I would say this one was the toughest. 'Cause I was hardest on myself. Uh, I wrote so many songs, I don't want to say the number, just to get to uh, how many are on there, 16? Just to get to the 16 that I think are acceptable. And, um, it's the album where... I didn't have children before other albums, so I caught a lot of colds; I was sick a lot. Cause my children got [interruption from host]. So we had to stop and start again and stop and start and... constantly. But I enjoyed it very, very much.
Anthony Now, when you describe yourself as being tough on yourself during the recording process. How does that, you know... what is the process that you go to. If you think something isn't quite what it ought to be or maybe you could do better or you know, maybe you want to move something in a new direction. You know, what is that like?
Michael
If I truly told you, I don't know if the fans would like me anymore [giggles]. I've had musicians who really get angry with me because I'll make them do something literally several hundred to a thousand times till it's what I want it to be. Um, but then afterwards, they call me back on the phone and they'll apologize and say, "you were absolutely right. I've never played better, I've done better work, I out-did myself," is what they'll say. And I say, "That's the way it should be because you've immortalized yourself. This is here forever. It's a time capsule." It's like Michelangelo's work. You know, it's like the Sistine Chapel, it's here forever. Everything we do should be that way, you know?
Anthony To try to bring it to the best possible standard that it can be.
Michael
Absolutely.
Anthony Now Sweetpea4286 wonders, "Are there any surprises on the new album?"
Michael
Any surprises? Boy. I think it is what it is, and you can interpret it the way you want to interpret it. Um, but uh, that's all I can say about that. Other than some ... we will be releasing some surprise CD singles at some point -- something like that, yeah. In the future, though. That's coming up.
Anthony Very good. I wanted to ask you, just as... in performing... and recently you've done a couple of shows, you did a couple at Madison Square Garden and you did a show at RFK stadium, a benefit concert, and you know, obviously, you know, you.... live performance has been one of the things that has distinguished you throughout your career. You've been offstage for a while. I wonder if you could talk a little bit about what it was like to be out there again in front of an audience and, you know, getting that opportunity to perform again.
Michael
It was, um, it's hard to explain. It was quite exciting, to feel the audience and to see them and to be accepted so warmly by them. Um, it's just an incredible feeling. It really is. They're there to support you and to love you and to hear their favorite songs and you're just standing there and they're just giving you so much adulation and love and the sprit is just full of love, it's wonderful. It's very emotional. It, uh, brings me to tears. It's wonderful.
Anthony I remember in your book you describe that like sometime on stage is when you feel the most alive, that those are the moments that, you know, really are the whole -- kind of the most transporting for you.
Michael
It is. It's being offstage that's difficult for me. Uh, being on stage ... either writing music or writing poetry, and being on stage, and watching cartoons are my favorite things to do in the entire world. Um, that's what brings me to life. I love that. That's what inspires me to do what I do, you know?
Anthony Excellent. We have a question from someone calling themself The best dancer in the world. Well, we've got you on the line, I'm not sure that uh, we might have to contest that a little bit. But anyway, the best dancer in the world wants to know, "Michaeljackson.com said that JayZ will appear with you on the new album. Is that true?"
Michael
No, but we are talking about doing something in the future together.
Anthony Is JayZ an artist who's worked you've liked, is ah.. as a person, have you spent time with him? What's your impression of him?
Michael
I think he's excellent. He has incredible rhythms, counter-rhythms. And he's just one of the newer contemporary artists that the kids really love. He's really, really great.
Anthony We have a question here from Sweden . Tony from Sweden writes in and says, "Hi Michael. You're the most amazing artist of all time. I just love your music. Do you want to tour, and will you do a world tour or a European tour?"
Michael
Um, gee, we haven't thought about it much right now, but uh, I don't want to say it's not in the works. Um, we're concentrating on a lot of different things right now. But I can't quite say.
Anthony Fine. I wanted to ask...
Michael
You know what, in the near future I'm sure there'll be something that'll come up. In the near future.
Anthony People should, ah, keep their eyes open for announcements on that front. We have a question from Noria, describes him or herself as a 32 year old Spanish fan, writing from Los Angeles, would like to know if you have any plans to release any of your songs in Invincible in Spanish or any other language besides English.
Michael
Uh, as of now we haven't but that would be a great thing to do. We haven't written that off. We think it's a big market, so that's a great possibility.
Anthony Especially for someone like your self who has a big International following -- you know, for many people, their following is in England or in the US , but your following is very International obviously.
Michael
Thank you.
Anthony Um, talk a bit... One of the things that was of kind of a little bit of a sensation this year was Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal. I wanted to see if you'd paid attention it, if you... Do you enjoy it, or how you felt about it.
Michael
I saw it and fell in love with it. I loved it. I said, I just gotta have this come out. So, they wanted my permission; I saw it and I approved it and gave it a triple A, and said "go right ahead."
Anthony Fantastic. It must be interesting, as a songwriter, to have other people do your songs and come up with another interpretation. What is that like?
Michael
It's a great compliment. It's a wonderful compliment. It makes you feel worthy and that your music is reaching all the different generations. You know, and all the different, uh... I mean, everybody's out there listening and that makes me very happy.
Anthony Now we have a question from Canada . Gary, who is 19, writes in, "What other artists did you collaborate with on Invincible?"
Michael
What other artists did I collaborate with on Invincible...
Anthony Do you have any special guests ?
Michael
Umm, oh yeah, Carlos Santana. He and I have done, like, a duet. He plays the guitar and I sing and it's something that, uh, we've written. And it's really, really a nice song.
Anthony Now had you known him from over time or did you meet him recently?
Michael
I've met him before, but we've been talking a lot on the phone recently. After winning his Grammy award he said to the press that he would like to meet me and he's ready to work with me. So everybody's been telling me that, and uh, I called him up and he said he really would, it would be his dream come true. And he was the nicest man. He's so kind and so spiritual. I found him to be so humble, so I said to myself, "We have to make this work."
Anthony And so you wrote a song together?
Michael
Well, there's a song that myself and two other people wrote and he was a part of it, and uh, Whatever Happens.
Anthony Ok.. We have a question from Anicia. Says, "Michael are you a fan of Chris Tucker." Describes him being in your recent video.
Michael
I am a huge, huge fan Chris Tucker. He makes me laugh so hard. um, I uh, I've seen all of his films, and he's just a funny guy. I like people who can make you laugh without using vulgarity, or bad words. For the kids, they're for all different demographics, all the corners of the earth and he's just a funny guy.
Anthony We have another question from Canada . Tony, who's 17 from Canada, writes and wonders, "How long does it take you to produce a song from the initial conception to the final recording?"
Michael
Well....
Anthony [laughing] I guess it probably varies from...
Michael
Yeah, it does vary. And for me it's really different than most artists because I'll do a couple of songs, they'll be 5, 6, 7 or 8 or 10 of them; I'll throw them all away and start over. So, that's a difficult question to ask me.
Anthony I wonder if... is there a specific song on the album -- say Invincible -- you know, how long... when... Do you remember getting the first inspiration for that song and then maybe the day when you finally said, "This is it, I've got it exactly the way I want it?"
Michael
On Invincible itself?
Anthony umhum.
Michael
Ummm, yes. Yes. I remember having the guys go back in and create more innovative... 'Cause we don't... um, this is our thing, we don't, uh, a lot of sounds on the album that aren't sounds from keyboards, uh, that are, you know, pretty much programmed into the machines. We go out and make our own sounds. We hit on things, we beat on things, so nobody can duplicate what we do. We make them with our own hands, we find things and we create things. And uh, that's the most important thing, to be a pioneer. To be an innovator.
Anthony Absolutely. Now we have Vernay who writes to us from Newark , Delaware , the good ole USA , and Vernay says, "I'm so pleased with the new album but I was particularly touched by Speechless. What was your inspiration for this song?"
Michael
Speechless was inspired to me by, um, I spend a lot of time in the forest. I like to go into the forest and I like to climb trees. My favorite thing is to climb trees, go all the way up to the top of a tree and I look down on the branches. Whenever I do that it inspires me for music. There are these two sweet little kids, a girl and a boy, and they're so innocent; they're the quintessential form of innocence, and just being in their presence I felt completely speechless, 'cause I felt I was looking in the face of God whenever I saw them. They inspired me to write Speechless.
Anthony Well, that answer actually might touch on this next question which we have, which wonders, "Where do you look for inspiration when you write your songs. Does inspiration come from a variety of different places?
Michael
Well, the best songs that are written write themselves. You don't ask for them, they just drop into your lap. Then there are those songs that, you know, you kind of uh, incubate. You know, you plant the seed, let the subconscious take its course, and within time you hope something comes, and most the time it does. I don't believe in the concept of writer's block -- that is a bad word. You create it when you say it. There's no such thing. Um, like any painter or sculptor, they paint... they do their best work when they're in the 60s and their 70s. Fred Astaire did his best dancing when he was in his 70s. Angelo [Michelangelo] sculpted late into his 60s and 70s, doing brilliant ingenious work. But in the music business some of these great artists have become stumped because they self-abuse themselves at a young age, with all these crazy things they drink and pills and things, and uh, that's just not good -- just not a good thing. I hate to say that to hurt anybody, but we should take care of our bodies a little more.
Anthony Naw, I think a lot of people have realized they've damaged themselves. You know, many people have talked about it in recent years, you know.
Michael
Yeah.
Anthony We have a question from Allen here who asks if you think that Rodney Jerkins and you have created a new sound for 2001.
Michael
For the song 2000 Watts?
Anthony He says, "Do you feel that you and Rodney Jerkins, of course the producer, have created a new sound for 2001?"
Michael
2001?
Anthony Yes
Michael
Oh. Um, that would be a nice thought, yes.
Anthony What was it like working with him. How did you guys meet and, you know, how did your collaboration go?
Michael
He was this guy who went around Hollywood and around the industry saying his dream was to work with me to everybody. Then at Carol Bayer Sager's house, who's this great song writer; won several academy awards for her songwriting, said, "There's a guy I used to work with. His name is Rodney Jerkins, he's been crying to me begging to meet you. I mean, why don't you pick up the phone and say 'hi' to him." And he came over that day and he said, "Please, my dream is to work with you. Will you give me two weeks and I'll see what I can come up with." And uh, we ended up working together.
Anthony And what were your impressions of him, like as just somebody... What did he bring; what did you feel that his contribution was?
Michael
His contribution was he loves to create in the same kind of way that I like to create. But I pushed Rodney. And pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed him to create... uh, to innovate more. To pioneer more. He's a real musician. He's a real musician and he's very dedicated and he's real loyal. He has perseverance. I don't think I've seen perseverance like his in anyone. Because you can push him and push him and he doesn't get angry. Yeah, I think he's a great guy, he really is.
Anthony That is a great compliment.
Michael
And um, and Teddy Riley is just incredible. He's innovative too. I love working with him.
Anthony And you had worked with him in the past, of course.
Michael
Yeah, he's one of my favorite... as a human being, he's one of my favorite people in the world. He's just a really sweet, kind guy. You know. And Rodney's very funny. You laugh all day when you're with him. He turns his music up in the studio and he starts dancing around the room. He's fun.
Anthony We'd like to remind everyone, you're on Getmusic. We're here talking with Michael Jackson, whose new album Invincible is out on Oct. 30th. You can check it out at Michaeljackson.com. You can preorder it on Getmusic. Now we have a question from ItsJackson who is really named Rachel from Connecticut , wonders "Do you have any new dance moves that you've invented while you were making your album?"
Michael
For the first time working on any album, I put a halt to dancing. Because I was just so engrossed and so infatuated with what I was doing um, I did something that was very unusual. But once the music started playing, of course, I started to dance. But um, uh, it's starting to now create itself and, uh, with the music playing I'm coming up with some new things. But that's coming in the future with the newer short films. They'll be seeing... they'll be seeing all kinds of innovative things and movements that have never been seen before. We'll go places where we've never gone in dance before. Cause all the hiphop things that are happening now are beginning to look like aerobics, it's kinda getting annoying.
Anthony [laughs] We have a question from Simon who, you know, you've obviously mentioned you know, all the people who have wanted to work with you. He wonders, "Michael who wold you love to do a duet with, past or present?"
Michael
Uh, if it's past, it'd be somebody like, uh, I would say Sarah Vaughn [*] or Nat King Cole. Present, I think, uh, Whitney Houston is brilliant and Barbara Striesand has a beautiful voice. You know, those kinds of artists, they're just wonderful.
Anthony What's your impression of some of the artists who've come on the scene just in recent years, you know, people like Britney Speares and Christina Aguilara. You know, young pop stars who are obviously hugely popular. You know, obviously, Britney participated in your show at the Garden, You know, what was your sense about her?
Michael
I think they're a new breed that are coming out. They're doing a very good job. And what impressed me more about any of these artists, like Speares and Christina, they're so determined. I've heard about the way they work. They'll work on a dance step, I mean, like, for months, and, uh.. to get it right, you know. Uh, they're just so determined. And I've met... I've met Britney several times and she was very sweet and humble. She came to my room. We quietly talked for couple hours, and she was just, uh, like a Barbie doll. She was very sweet, she was very kind.
Anthony I imagine that someone like you would be a kind of interesting and important resource for her, you know. As someone who was a star when you were so young, and then when... I don't think people necessarily understand what a kind of strange reality that is, you know, within all the acclaim and the fame and the excitement, you know, to be a kid and have all that attention focused on you must be kind of scary also. Did you find it that way, uh, in your own experience?
Michael
Yeah, because where ever I go, um, I disguise myself, now -- but now I can't with, 'cause, you know, with what's going on in the world -- so I don't wear a disguise. And uh, people they just go... They really go crazy. They're very happy to see you. They feel as if they know you. You have to respond back to them like you know them. They feel they personally know you. My picture's on their walls, you know, my music is playing in their house, so they grab you and they hug you and they touch you and they... So I usually respond back with hugs and loves and kisses. Cause I love... I love... I truly love my fans. Truly, truly from the heart. That's the real truth. I love them. And the ones who are, um.... Like when we go to a certain country and they're outside, and outside they're sleeping on the street and I throw them pillows and cover and everything. And I have my security guards buy them pizza so they can all eat, and get the candles and, you know, we really take care of them. They're very, very, very sweet and supportive.
Anthony Sam who is 20 years old and from Texas here in the US wonders, "Will you release Butterflies as a single? That's one of your best songs."
Michael
Butterflies is, uh, is a single that's released now. It's a single now. Tell him thank you very much.
Anthony Great. What other plans do you have, you know, when you... As somebody who's been a kind of innovator in terms of making short films to accompany your songs, do you conceptualize all that ahead of time or, you know, do you decide, on a kinda step by step basis, you know, this is gonna be the next single and I want to make a, you know, a kind of visual statement to accompany it. You know, how does that all proceed?
Michael
All right, the short film itself?
Anthony Yeah.
Michael
Well, I let the song pretty much speak to me and I get in a room and I pretty much start making notes... You know, I'll speak to a writer -- like Stephen King and myself, both of us wrote Ghosts, the short film Ghosts, and we just on the telephone started writing it and let it create itself and go where it wants to go. But we try to do things that are very unusual. And it's... it's not an easy thing to do because you have to time it with the song, and you can't spend too much time, and the special effects can take 5 months sometimes to execute. So, it's just .. .it's kinda difficult thing and the record company's saying, "Come on, come on, come on, we have to go, we have to go." So, I understand. So we try to do the best we can in the amount of time that we can execute it in.
Anthony We have a question now, uh, Helen from Scotland says, "If you could only perform one of your songs for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?"
Michael
Ooh, it would probably be... if I could pick more than one, up to two or three?
Anthony yeah, I think we can go that far.
Michael
Heal The World, Speechless, um, and that's a difficult one... I think, uh.. huh... ummm, You Are My Life.
Anthony So, you went for the ones that are the... the kind of, uh, the biggest statements, in a way, it seems to me.
Michael
Yeah, because, uh, the point is that they're very melodic and if they have a great important message that's kinda immortal, that can relate to any time and space, you know.
Anthony One of the things, actually, I wanted to ask you is, you know, we've had these, you know, horrible terrorist attacks here in New York City and in Washington , DC . What is the role that you feel, you know, artists can play in the wake of something like that. You know, I mean, you did that benefits show in Washington . You know, is there... In music and in... you know, can artists do something to help people get through what for many of us has been a very difficult time?
Michael
Yeah, you give of yourself. You give of your talent, of your ability... The talent that was given you by the Heavens. That's why we're here, to bring a sense of escapism in time of need. And, uh, if you're a painter you paint; if you're a sculptor, you sculpt; if you're a writer, you write; if you're a songwriter, you give songs; if you're a dancer, you give dance. You give people some love and some... some bliss and some escapism, and to show that you truly care from the heart, and be there for them. Not just from a distance, but show you really care. You know, take the long mile and be there for them. And that's what I did, and many others who cared and helped. And it's an important thing.
Anthony We have a question now from Chili Boy who wonders, "I've always wanted to know, how do you come up with a dance move, and how long does it take for you to put the choreography for a song together?"
Michael
I pretty much just get in a room and I start to dance, and uh, I don't create the dance, the dance creates itself, really. You know, I'll do something and I'll look back... I'll look back on tape and I'll go, "Wow," I didn't realize I had done that. It came out of the drums. You become.... Dancing is about interpretation. You become.... You become the accompaniment of the music. So when you become the bass of Billie Jean, I couldn't help but do the step that I was doing when the song first starts, because, uh, that's what it told me to do. You know, if I turn around, spin, stop, move my legs to the side and then lift up the collar of my shirt, that's for that moment is an accompaniment.
Anthony I remember watching that moment on television and just leaping out of my chair. It's so extraordinary.
Michael
Thank you very much.
Anthony That was really one of the great, great moments.
Michael
It's all spontaneous movement. Nothing in that piece was, on, uh, Billie Jean, was planned but the Moonwalk. Everything else was just, you know, improvising, really.
Anthony We have a question from SJ Chams who wonders, "Do you think you'll do another duet with Janet?"
Michael
I would love to! It depends on the song, the time. When she's in one corner of the Earth, I'm in another place. It's very rare that our ships pass in the night. So it's not easy to do 'cause we're both very busy. But that would be very nice. I love working with her. She's a true real professional and a wonderful sister.
Anthony Excellent. Ah, we have Sheik 33 who wonders, "Who was your idol when you were a child?"
Michael
I always went nuts for.... I mean, I could be asleep... In Indiana , at like 5 years old, I'd be asleep and it'd be late at night, like 1 in the morning, some show on, I remember seeing my mother run to my room, "wake up , wake up! James Brown is on! James Brown is on!" Or "Sammy Davis Jr.'s playing" or "Fred Astaire! They got a good Fred Astaire movie on." "Gene Kelly's on right now!" And I'd sit there with my eyes just... I'd be awe-struck, just watching. So when videos came out, I had a collection. [giggles]
Anthony Yeah, I understand that you have a, an extraordinary collection of a kind of old movies of all of the performers that you like and, oh, the music performances of the artists that you admire. You know, talk about some of those, and some of the stuff that you've got that you like to watch.
Michael
Well, I .. I like to, um, before I do anything, it could be any situation, I love studying the whole history of it before I take the first step to innovate. So, um, I love studying any Vaudevillian, you know, who came from that era, even though they didn't have T.V. Uh, but they, uh, they transcended into television later on. I love people like Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, I'm crazy about the 3 Stooges, uh, anything Walt Disney... And far as performers, uh, I love Anthony Newley, you know, like I said, Jackie Wilson, James Brown. So.. They're incredible! I mean, when James Brown was "James Brown and the Famous Flames" he was so incredible. I would watch him and cry. I'd be crying and watching. I've never seen a person perform like that, ever.
Anthony You know, it must have been extraordinary for you, as a ... you know, when you were young and making records and getting to meet some of your idols, you know, that must have been such a powerful experience.
Michael
Oh, it wa... It truly was. And to have them tell me that they ... they thought I was incredible, and all my life I thought they were, like, the best. It was the best...I mean, it was the best compliment I could get, and no award could be given to me that could top that. You know. When Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, who I knew very well, or Frank Sinatra, told me I .. they think I'm amazing and I have an amazing career ahead of me.. As a child they would tell me this. 'Cause they were my neighbors. They lived by me. And uh, I felt very honored and happy to hear those kind of words from these legends.
Anthony That must have been very encouraging.
Michael
Yes, very.
Anthony Now we have Mhagrice who is actually Margaret from the Netherlands , a 26 year old woman, says, "Is it true that you'll star in Men In Black II, and will you record a soundtrack for that film?"
Michael
Uh, I don't think we're doing a soundtrack, but I did a .. a guest appearance, like a Cameo, for Men In Black, uh, 2, and we're expecting to do part 3 as well. And it was a lot of fun, and exciting. Um, and it's one of my favorite films of all time. Uh, I'm a big Men In Black fan. I love it very much.
Anthony Well, weren't you .. Now, I understand you're also doing The Nightmare of Edgar Allen Poe. Could you tell us a little bit about that?
Michael
Yes, that one's coming up. It's about the great prolific American writer, Edgar Allen Poe.
Anthony Kind of a scary guy himself, too.
Michael
He's very diabolical, and very dark, and .. But he was a genius and it's... But his own personal life was very interesting, and that's what it's about, you know. How he was, you know... What he had to go through to create such ingenious work. It's a great story. But... and by the way, make sure the fans know, all tabloids should be out. Do not believe anything you read in a tabloid. It's garbage and it's junk. We should have a tabloid burning, like a big mountain -- just set it afire.
Anthony You heard it first here from Michael Jackson.
Michael
Don't waste your time with it. It's stupid.
Anthony Now we have Rapmaster JA writes in, who is actually Jason from Illinois . He says, "Michael, you are undoubtedly the greatest artist in the history of the world. How do you do the Moonwalk. It's the coolest move I've ever seen?"
Michael
Gee, it's hard to explain on the phone [interruption from host]. I love moves and dancing. I's like walking forward and backward at the same time, but not just walking, but as if you're on a conveyer belt. And it's, uh, it's hard to explain. If he was in the room with me, I could show him how to do it with my fingers, or with my feet, but. Maybe he could see at the end of the Jam video where I'm trying to show Michael Jordan how to do it. Only time I think I showed it.
Anthony Now we have a Mark the Shark, uh, who asks, "How do you do that lean on the video to Smooth Criminal?"
Michael
Oh, Smooth Criminal, well. That one happened ... it was in the middle of the shoot and it wasn't .. I choreographed it right at the moment. Took us an hour to execute it. It's a special effect that we kind of lean as far as we can and, uh, we let the conveyor belt do the rest.
Anthony Now Glenn from Toronto Canada asks, "Do you feel a special spiritual energy when you're performing; do you feel you are connected to a higher force? Cause this is what you make many feel when they see you live?"
Michael
That's exactly what it is, you're connected to a higher source and you just go with the moment and you become one with, you know, the spirit. Not to sound religious or anything, but it's a very spiritual... very much like religion, and it's a God-given gift and you just go with it. And I'm honored to have been given it. And, uh, as fun to become one with the audience. It's a one-ness, you know?
Anthony I was reminded of, ah, some of that when you were talking about the way you would work out your moves, you know, listening to ... just listening to the music and kind of disappearing into it. You know, it has like a really mystical feel.
Michael
Thank you.
Anthony Now Charlie sends in a question and says, "What achievements in your life are you the most proud of?"
Michael
Boy, uh, one of my biggest dreams since I was really, really little... I think around 7 years old, I use to always buy the Guinness World Book of Records. [Giggles] You know what the answer's gonna be right? I said, "Hmmm, I love to dance and sing. Hopefully one day I can be in this book." And I believed that it was possible. So when Thriller became the biggest selling album of all time, and it was enlisted in the Guinness Book Of World Records, and, uh, there's so many other lists... You know, they've enlisted me in there like 7 different times now. It was my happiest time of my life. I was so happy.
Anthony To what do you attribute that level of ambition and possibility you felt when you were a kid. You know, I think it's sometimes hard for people to feel... You know, you weren't, obviously, rich as a kid or from some kind of fancy background, but still somehow you were able to envision a life of success. What do you attribute that to?
Michael
I attribute that to my parents who always taught us to persevere and believe in yourself, have confidence, no matter what you do. Even if you're sweeping floors or painting ceilings, do it better than anybody in the world, no matter what it is that you do. Be the best at it, and have a respect for others, and be proud of yourself.. and to honor; be honorable, you know.
Anthony Absolutely. Now, you've been making records for a long time, you've been a force on the music scene for many years. What do you think are the biggest changes in music that you've seen?
Michael
Biggest changes?
Anthony Yeah, what's changed about the music industry or about, you know, the music that's out there. What do you think is different?
Michael
Well, I think.. Ah, I don't think people thought the Rap music would last as long as it has. And it has gone through evolutional stages -- there's more melody in it now, it's more acceptable, because melody will never die. Will never die. And the rhythm-- things are a little more rhythmic now. Because people want to dance. It's part of the human condition; it's part of our biological makeup. Our cells dance when we hear beats. You notice a.. a one year old child will start moving hearing music. How do they know to move? 'Cause it's biological. It's not just hearing of the ear, it's feeling, you know. And playing music, the grass and the trees and the flowers... They're all influenced by music. They become more beautiful and more vibrant in how they grow. Music is a very important and powerful substance, and all the planets in the universe make music. It's called music of the spheres. They all make a different note; they make harmony. So there's harmony even in the universe as we speak.
Anthony Now we have a question from Holland , uh, Femka from Holland writes, "I love the special editions from Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous." She loves you. And asks, "Why does Invincible... Why will Invincible be coming out in different colors?
Michael
Because we wanted the fans to have some fun with it and collect them and, uh... It's a, uh, a Limited Edition, I think. And, uh, there's albums that I love and I will buy them 5 times, even though I have the same cover. Like, 5 times 'cause I love that album so much. So, imagine if they did a different color or just changed the color, I would buy it 5 more times. We just wanted the fans to have some fun with the pictures and with the colors and... Just to try something a little different. That's why we did it.
Anthony Now we have TJ who's 17 and from Australia , wants to tell you that, "You are still my hero," and says, "How do you explain your ability to inspire so many people all around the world?"
Michael
I just do what I do and I love doing it. And, uh, I love art. I love anything, any art. And, uh, if they're inspired by it, I feel I'm ... I pray that I'm doing my job; what I'm here to do on Earth. Because I love the fans, I love the kids, I love the babies, and that's what give me my inspiration, the children, the babies, the fans. I love them very much.
Anthony Now Michaela from Pennsylvania , who is 14, writes, "Michael, I'm only 14 but I've been a fan since I was 10. You've accomplished so much more than any artist ever. I was just wondering if you could change one thing about your life, what would you change?"
Michael
I would like to be able to go out in public and just be normal sometime, without people recognizing who I am, and to get a little bit of a feeling of what it's like to, you know, be of the regular norm. To see how things are done; to learn what people speak about when they're just casually talking. Cause soon as they see it's Michael Jackson, the conversation changes; it all becomes about me and not about the situation -- the moment, that's happening at the moment. That would... I would learn a lot from that. I don't get to see that unless I disguise myself and put on a lot of things, and then they stare at me, then it's even different; it's not the same even then. So, it's a difficult thing to pull off. Tell him that's a very great question he asked.
Anthony That's a really interesting question, actually. We have an interesting answer, as well. We have Greg from Glasgow , Scotland , wants to know, "When do you plan to release the charity song What More Can I Give?"
Michael
Well, it's being, uh.. We're putting the final voices on and, uh, it's coming very, very soon. We're putting it together now; the final touches. It's a very important song for the world. To give some feeling and some loving and some caring to those people who were thrust into orphanage, uh, or just within a matter of seconds they lost their parents and their loved ones, you know?
Anthony Absolutely. Um, what are some of the things you are looking forward to; what are your hopes for you know, the new year. You know, we're coming down to the end of the year, you have this album coming out, we've had a lot of tragedies and crisis that we've all faced. Everybody's trying to keep their spirit up. When you start thinking about 2002, what .. what kind of things come to mind for you?
Michael
Um, film. I love movies. To do more movies; to integrate the songs with the film. Dancing. And more peace into the world. I pray for peace all the time. And the most important thing I pray for is protection for children and babies. That's the thing that concerns me the most, I like them to be protected and to have more children's rights in the world, where children, you know, where there's a day for children; a celebration for children. Give them a little more attention and love.
Anthony Now Sergei from Russia writes in, says, "Michael, sing a cappella for us."
Michael
[laughs] You know what, I would love to do it. But believe it or not, I've been sniffling since this interview, I woke up with laryngitis, I caught a cold from the children the other day. My children were sick and I caught their cold. So, tell her I'd love to do it when I visit their town in concert. And Speechless opens a cappella, on the album, the song Speechless. It's one of my favorites.
Anthony Opens in an a cappella part?
Michael
It opens and closes a cappella.
Anthony Now we have a question here from Karen who says that you've helped her since she was a little kid. You've always been one to think about other people; to care for children around the world. "What could we do for you," she wonders. "We give you all our love, but what more could we give to you?" Obviously one of your great fans here.
Michael
When I come to town, I would love to see a children's festival, to hear children's choirs, uh, you know, pretty much present when I come to different countries, singing some of their favorite songs of mine. Uh, we should forge and create a children's day, a celebration Internationally, where children are honored. Where parents can take their children to the movies or to the toy store or to the park. And that, alone, will create a bonding. Because the family bond has been broken. They don't eat with their children or speak to their children much anymore, or mother their children. And I would love to see a celebration for children. Children's Day; a holiday. We have Mothers Day, Fathers Day -- no Children's day. And, uh, I would love when I come to town just to see them sing songs, or a parade or something. I would love that.
Anthony Michael, we have one last question. It was a great pleasure talking with you. We have Emanuel, who is 16, from the US . Says, "Mr. Jackson, what would say to all your fans that have dreams and goals of being a star like you?"
Michael
No matter what, the most powerful thing in the world is the human mind and prayer, and belief in your self and confidence and perseverance. No matter how many times you do it, you do it again until it's right. And always believe in your self. And not matter who's around you that's being negative or thrusting negative energy at you, totally block it off. Because whatever you believe, you become.
Anthony They say that the thing that most affects people, or the way that you can really tell someone's had a successful life is the way that they deal with success or the way they deal with failure or challenges. That sounds like what you're saying.
Michael
Yes, and after all that, the most important -- most important: Stay humble. The humbleness that a child, like a new born baby has. Even though you become powerful or have power with people, with your talent .. like with what Michelangelo did with sculpting, you know, underneath all that be as humble as a child, as a baby, and be as kind and as giving and loving. They don't become puffed up with pride.
Anthony I think we're gonna sneak in one last question here from someone called Invincible103, "Halloween is coming up. Do you have plans to, uh, kind of dress up; do you have plans for a Halloween party?"
Michael
Uh, no. I was going to just go trick or treating. Go out, knock on some doors and get some candy. I love trick or treat. It's one of my favorite ones. I love dressing up like some kind of monster or something and knocking on the doors. No body knows it's me, and I get candy.
Anthony Now if Michael Jackson turns up at your door, people.
Michael
[giggles]
Anthony Sure, wouldn't it be nice to have some nice things on hand for him. Well, Michael it was great, great pleasure talking to you. A lot of fun, and uh, everybody wishes you the best with your new record. We're all looking forward to it.
Michael
Thank you so much and God bless you. Thank you.
Anthony Thank you very much.
沒有留言:
張貼留言