The circumstances surrounding the death of Michael Jackson are still unclear, but prescription drugs are the most likely cause.
Michael has had a complicated history with prescription drug addiction. In 1993, the singer went into rehab after he became dependent on painkillers to fight the stress of his worldwide tour and the child molestation allegations against him. Then again, in 2005, rumors of Michael's self-medicating resurfaced as fought another wave of allegations and a trial.
Now, it has been revealed that in the last six months of his life, powerful drugs that treat chronic pain have been involved in Michal's daily routine. One of them was Demerol, the first drug name cited in Michael's death. However, it is not the first time that drug and the King of Pop have crossed paths.
"Demerol, Demerol, oh God, he's taking Demerol..."
Those are the words in Michael Jackson's 1997 song "Morphine", off the remix album Blood on the Dance Fllor: HIStory in the Mix. The album was largely ignored in the United States, just selling one million domestically. For the first time, he directly refers to his history painkiller abuse, dedicating the song title to morphine, a highly potent painkiller that hits the central nervous system. The song is broken into three parts; the first part features a hard-driving, screeching beat. While his post-allegation music was edgier than his earlier music, this song features Michael at his most harsh. Words of razor blades and buzzes, combined with this industrial-sounding beat combine to represent the chronic pain that Michael suffered. That fades in the second part, as a tender melody takes its place with Michael's soothing voice. Singing "Relax, this won't hurt you, before I put it in, close your eyes and count to ten", Michael sings as the morphine, eerily comforting its patient/victim. What's interesting, and even troubling, is in the background is the sound of beeping hospital equipment. Th third and final part crashes through the peace, bringing back the sharp slamming beat and the quick yells from Jackson. When the singer, who is known for his emotionally-filling vocal delivery, screams the word "morphine", it has a bite that can send chills down your back.
It's hard to tell whether "Morphine" was a reflection, a cry for help, or even a premonition. The haunting sound of Michael singing "Demerol" repeatedly is so disarming when current events are taken into account, and lends a sense of tragedy to this surprisingly great piece. You almost wish that someone repeated the above lyrics to Michael in the months leading to his shocking death.
Michael Jackson will be remembered for his brilliant pop masterpieces like "Billie Jean" and "Beat It", when he was in his supposed prime. Songs like "Morphine", "Stranger in Moscow", and "Childhood" from his more difficult years paint a deeper, richer, and more troubling picture of this man's true genius: his ability to turn personal struggles into universal themes.
Too bad no one listened; maybe then he wouldn't be where was today.
Listen to "Morphine" below, or download it on iTunes:
No comments:
Post a Comment