Posted on 07/08/2009 7:30:41 PM PDT by nickcarraway
In addition to the members of his own family, Michael Jackson collaborated with a number of top performers like Paul McCartney and the cast of “We Are the World”. But one of his better (and stranger) guest spots was on the hit single “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell (currently heard in remix form on those Geico commercials).
Rockwell was born Kennedy Gordy, the son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Though he was signed to his father’s label, he supposedly managed to secure a deal without Berry’s knowledge.
Jackson (who was a childhood friend of Rockwell’s) sang the hook for “Somebody’s Watching Me” but doesn’t appear in the video. That clip, however, is legendarily strange. It features a paranoid Rockwell wandering through his house, hallucinating animals, watching footage of his own kidnapping and, uh, taking a shower.
Enough of the MJ Crap
Rockwell wanted MJ to do the backup vocals so that his song would get airplay and popularity. I believe that’s how he secured a record deal without his dad knowing.
Did not know Jackson sang the hook. Excellent trivia!
The secret autopsy was released today.
He actually died of food poisoning.
Just before he died he ate a couple of 8 yr old wieners.
And then there were the Michael Jackson Memorial Day sales...boys’ pants half off.
Don’t like it, don’t read it. It’s not rocket science.
I remember this video from around ‘83. Back when MTV played clever videos. I always thought Rockwell was one of Michael Jackson’s older brothers.
Our culture’s real “art” has been in marketing and self-promotion these last 40 some years. So, who can blame Rockwell?
Rockwell’s tune wasn’t so bad. Certainly no more or less original than any number of tech-funk combos.
I like the video, too.
If you watch the set-up as he is coming into the kitchen, you can see the bird handler reflected in the glass just before he releases the crow.
Typical of the early 80’s MTV couture; you can actually do a lot with an hour and a half of creative concepting and a $2,000 budget of one camera, rubber horror store gags and a couple friends.
That video put the cheese in cheesey and I’m giving it 4 and a half cheeseballs.
Looks like Rockwell is trying to avoid the Census taker!!
That video put the cheese in cheesey and I’m giving it 4 and a half cheeseballs.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu1RP34FLXU
“Looks like Rockwell is trying to avoid the Census taker!!”
Or the community organizers.
I like this line toward the end;
“Who’s watching me now? The IRS?”
You don’t understand. There’s a .44 revolver pointed at FReepers’ temple to force them click on MJ threads (Cue raspy Eastwood voice)
I love that album and when I tried to get a copy of it I found that it was never liscensed for reproduction. The cost of the CD’s were in the range of $80 a pop. I did get it as a Christmas gift and still enjoy it today...
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