Today is onetime King of Pop Michael Jackson's 50th birthday. How did we ever get to the day in age where we'd see him and Madonna turn half a century old? (And Morrissey, who'll be 50 next year, is just behind them!)I don't really have the strength to get all philosophical about Jacko again, so instead I'll redirect you to a piece I wrote for Towleroad back in February, when Thriller was re-released for its 25th anniversary.
What I can say is this: When you boil down Jackson's catalog, it leaves two standout masterpieces—"Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal." (I'm not including the Jackson 5 years, because then we'd have to throw in "Maybe Tomorrow" and "The Love You Save.")
And so, like the age-old Rick Astley debate on which is better—"Never Gonna Give You Up" or "Together Forever"—which is the better Michael Jackson classic? "Beat It" or "Smooth Criminal"?
Eee-heeeeeeeeee!!!