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Michael Jackson

88 quotes

“I wake up from dreams and go, 'Wow, put this down on paper.' The whole thing is strange. You hear the words, everything is right there in front of your face. And you say to yourself, 'I'm sorry, I just didn't write this. It's there already.' That's why I hate to take credit for the songs I've written. I feel that somewhere, someplace, it's been done and I'm just a courier bringing it into the world. I really believe that. I love what I do. I'm happy at what I do. It's escapism.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 17 February 1983 "Michael Jackson - Life in the magical kingdom" - Rolling Stone
“Why not just tell people I'm an alien from Mars. Tell them I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight. They'll believe anything you say, because you're a reporter. But if I, Michael Jackson, were to say, "I'm an alien from Mars and I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight," people would say, "Oh, man, that Michael Jackson is nuts. He's cracked up. You can't believe a damn word that comes out of his mouth.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: quoted 14 March 2013 by Jos Borsboom in his book Michael Jackson: The Icon on page 83, in response to negative press after Jackson acquired Bubbles the Chimp in 1984
“I am not prejudiced, it's just time for the first Black King now.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Own personal handwritten note. Quoted in "Michael Jackson rails against The Beatles and Elvis Presley in resurfaced letter on racism" in The News International (23 August 2020)
“I feel fortunate for being that instrument through which music flows. I'm just the source through which it comes. I can't take credit for it because it's God's work. He's just using me as the messenger.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: May 1992 Ebony/Jet interview with Robert E. Johnson
“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Dancing the Dream (1992), also used in his funeral invitation. Quoted in "Dead stars and classic art will surround Michael Jackson" in CNN.com/entertainment (3 July 2009)
“Michael Jackson: There's a time for this, and this you should not do. You should not go out and say, 'Oh he's Jacko'. I'm not a "Jacko". I'm "Jackson". Walters: How do you feel when people call you... Jackson: Yeah, "Wacko Jacko". Where'd that come from? Some English tabloid. I have a heart and I have feelings, I feel that, when you do that to me. It's not nice. Don't do it. I'm not a wacko.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 1997 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 7 September 1997 televised interview with Barbara Walters, referring to the media, tabloids, and his reputation
“I have no problem with them imitating [me]. It's a compliment. Everybody has to start out looking up to someone. For me it was James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On pop groups like N'Sync, as quoted in interview in TV Guide (1 November 2001)
“I have begun to see that even my father's harshness was a kind of love. An imperfect love, to be sure, but love nonetheless. He pushed me because he loved me, because he wanted no man to ever look down at his offspring. Now with time, rather than bitterness I feel blessing.… My initial fury has slowly given way to forgiveness.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Heal the Kids" speech at the Oxford Union (2001)
“The record companies really do conspire against the artists. They steal. They cheat. They do whatever they can, especially the black artists.… Sony's Tommy Mottola is the president of the record division. He is mean. He is a racist, and he's very, very, very devilish.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 6 July 2002 remarks at National Action Network headquarters
“I know my race. I just look in the mirror. I know I'm black.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 9 July 2002 remarks at National Action Network headquarters
“Not only were we practicing, we were nervous rehearsing, because he would sit in a chair with a belt in his hand, and if you didn't do it the right way, he would tear you up. Really get you...We were terrified of him. So terrified, I can't tell you. I don't think he realized how scared...scared...I mean SCARED. So scared that I would regurgitate. (with emphasis) Mmm-hmm. (reporter asks Michael what caused the reaction) His presence, just seeing him...And I was so fast, he wouldn't catch me half the time, but when he did, oh my God, it was bad.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 3 February 2003 in Living with Michael Jackson documentary, published interviews by Martin Bashir conducted from May 2002 to January 2003 interviews with Martin Bashir
“I put a lot of mannequins in my room in the past, and I still have mannequins in my room, because I used to be very lonely, painfully lonely. You have no idea. I used to walk the streets looking for people to talk to. I'm talking about the height of one's career…. I would walk up to them, strangers, and say, "will you be my friend?" They'd go, "my god, Michael Jackson!" and that's not what I wanted.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 23 February 2003 in The Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See, a response documentary by Brad Lachman showing additional footage from the Bashir interviews of May02-Jan03
“I'm just like anyone. I cut and I bleed. And I embarrass easily. I am speechless about the idea of putting music fans in jail for downloading music. It is wrong to illegally download, but the answer cannot be jail. Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws, and we should look to new technologies like Apple's new Music Store for solutions. This way, innovation continues to be the hallmark of America. It is the fans that drive the success of the music business.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Press statement (21 July 2003), quoted in "Jackson attacks music piracy bill" in BBC News (22 July 2003)
“Lies run sprints but the truth runs marathons.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Press statement (November 2003); quoted in "Michael Jackson Calls Child Molestation Charges 'Lies'" (8 December 2003) Jet
“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Also used at his funeral (3 Sep. 2009) invitation. Quoted in "Dead stars and classic art will surround Michael Jackson " in CNN.com/entertainment (03 July 2009)
“I always wanted to do music that influences and inspires each generation. Lets face it, who wants mortality?”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's all for love... With the love, L.O.V.E.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Love lives forever.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I love you. That'll be the ending of this under the words.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People all over the world Are the same everywhere I go, I give in to this, I give in to that, Every day it bothers me so, Am I in a bad situation? People taking me to the extreme, Am I being used? I just need a clue, I don't know which way to go.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don't know what's gonna happen to you, baby, But I do know that I love you, You walk around this town with your head all up in the sky, And I do know that I want you.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Let's dance, let's shout! Shake your body down to the ground.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I try to do what's right for me, But no-one sees the way I see, And then I try to please them so, But how far can this pleasing go?”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sometimes I cry cause I'm confused, Is this a fact of being used? There is no life for me at all, 'Cause I give myself at beck and call.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lovely is the feeling now, Fever, temperature's rising now, Power is the force, the vow, That makes it happen, It asks no questions how.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So let love take us through the hours, I won't be complainin' 'Cause this is love power.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Keep on with the force, don't stop Don't stop 'til you get enough.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“She got me workin' day and night, And I've been workin' From sun-up to midnight.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You say that workin is what a man's supposed to do. But I say you ain't right if I can't give sweet love to you.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How could you leave, girl? 'Cause love for us was meant to be, Then you must be seein' Some other guy instead of me.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Get on the floor and dance with me, I love the way you shake your thing especially.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All the colors of the world should be Loving each other wholeheartedly, Yes, it's alright, Take my message to your brother and tell him twice, Spread the word and try to teach the man Who's hating his brother when hate won't do, When we're all the same, 'Cause the blood inside me is inside of you.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As we walked into the room There were faces staring, glaring, tearing through me, Someone said, 'Welcome to your doom,' Then they smiled with eyes that looked as if they knew me, This is scaring me.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I said, you wanna be startin' somethin', You got to be startin' somethin', I said, you wanna be startin' somethin', You got to be startin' somethin', It's too high to get over, It's too low to get under, You're stuck in the middle, And the pain is thunder.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable, Still they hate you, you're a vegetable, You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable, They eat off you, you're a vegetable.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mama se, Mama sa, Mama coo sa.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Night creatures call. The dead start to walk in their masquerade. There's no escapin' the jaws of the alien this time (they're open wide). This is the end of your life. lyrics”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Beat it, beat it, No-one wants to be defeated, Showin' how funky and strong is your fight, It doesn't matter who's wrong or right. Just beat it.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You wanna show them that you're really not scared, You're playing with your life, this ain't no truth or dare, They'll kick you then they'll beat you then they'll tell you it's fair, So beat it.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene, I said, 'Don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one, Who will dance, on the floor, in the round?'”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People always told me, 'Be careful what you do, Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts,' And momma always told me, 'Be careful who you love, Be careful what you do, 'cause a lie becomes the truth.'”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Billie Jean is not my lover, She's just a girl who claims that I am the one, But the kid is not my son.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Your butt is mine Gonna tell you right Just show your face In broad daylight”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm telling you On what I feel Gonna catch your mind Dont shoot to kill Well, they say the sky's the limit, And to me that's really true, But, my friend you have seen nothing, Just wait 'til I get through.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Im giving you On a count three Just show your stuff Or let it be Im telling you Just watch your mouth I know your game What you're about! Well, they say the sky's the limit, And to me that's really true, But, my friend you have seen nothing, Just wait 'til I get through.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We can change the world tomorrow. This could be a better place. If you don't like what I'm sayin', Then won't you slap my face.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Well, they say the sky's the limit, And to me that's really true, But, my friend you have seen nothing, Just wait 'til I get through.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And the whole world has to answer right now, Just to tell you once again, 'Who's bad!'”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The way you make me feel, You really turn me on, You knock me off my feet, My lonely days are gone.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I just can't stop loving you, I just can't stop loving you, And if I stop, then tell me just what will I do? 'Cause I just can't stop loving you.”
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source