MJ in my life

先月7月2日、映画『Michael』観てきました。

彼が亡くなってから17年。

いろんな意味で、感慨深い時間でした。

マイケルの日本での最初のヒット曲は

彼のファミリーグループ・ジャクソン５の

「I want you back」や「ベンのテーマ」などで、

ちょうど私が生まれたころ。

ラジオではぼんやりと耳にしていたあのハイトーン・ボイスを

意識的に聞き出したのは、やはり1982年のアルバム

「スリラー」の世界的大ヒットの時でした。

洋楽への目覚めと相まって、

「FMステーション」でのエアーチェック、

「ベストヒットUSA」のビデオ録画が

当時の自分にとって何よりの栄養剤でした。

生徒のみなさん、お気づきでしたでしょうか…

教室のあちこちにマイケル関連のお宝が…✨✨

東窓際下↓

廊下の椅子

本棚

And more

日本語で語ると熱が入りすぎるので、ここからはがんばって英語で書いてみます。

When you talk about what was so amazing about Michael, of course, the first things that come to mind are his singing, dancing, and his striking looks and magnetic presence. 

But what really drew me to him the most was what was inside him. His unwavering individuality came through in everything he did.

His songs, especially those rooted in his faith and centered on themes of “salvation” and “our connection with all things,” take on an even deeper meaning when heard in the context of the many hardships he endured throughout his life.

Of all those songs, this is the one that came to mind today, almost as if it were calling to me.

"Be Not Always”

(written by Michael and Marlon Jackson, and was produced by Michael)

Always

Be not always

And if always

Bow our heads in shame

Always

Please be not always

And if always

Bow our heads in blame

'Cause time has made promises

Just promises

Faces

Did you see their faces?

Did they touch you?

Have you felt such pain?

To have nothing

To dream something

Then lose hoping

Is not life but lame?

But time has made promises

Just promises

Mothers cry, babies die

Helplessly in arms

While rockets fly and research lies

In progress to become

But what of men of flesh and blood?

We turn our backs on life

How can we claim to stand for peace

When the race is armed in strife

Destroying life?

Always

Please be not always

But if always

Bow our heads in shame

Always

Please, please be not always

'Cause if always

Bow our heads in blame

'Cause time, time has made promises

Death promises