Is it important for MJ to have another hit?

[Bee.]

2) Get the right team behind him to help with the record. Not only find the best collaborations and create good songs, but if they are going to be 15 minute wonders, make sure that the damn record is released BEFORE their 15 minutes are up!!
3) Get out and promote the hell out of the record to make sure that people can't ignore that it's out. He should go on TV and radio to do interviews about the music! Radio will have to play the song if they want him on their stations. Get on the awards shows and perform!! There are several big shows every year and he should appear on some. In fact, even between albums he should keep a higher profile than he has in the past. Do magazine interviews and shoots. Give exclusives to newspapers.
4) Tour!! You have to not only promote the album and singles with music videos, but he has to tour to generate an ongoing buzz.
5) Get a great team running the album from behind the scenes. From what I have seen from Sony ever since HIStory, they are notoriously bad at releasing things. Just look at the release of WBSS as a recent example. Many fans didn't even know when it was coming out and it was near impossible to find the information. There is still confusion in some peoples minds about whether it willbe released physically in the UK or not. The only reason for that is lack of clear advice from Sony on the lead up to the release.

You know something, I agree with everything that you stated on here. On point. You broke it down very well and you didn't hold back. I really liked what you stated.

Anyway i'm sure Michael is capable of doing all this, and he will do it - if he really wants it. He has already done so much that he will be remembered for and so we fans should stand by him whatever he chooses to do in the future

Exactly. I know that we will all support Mickey no matter what he does.

 

[KJ777]

Just to clarify, when I said "I haven't heard one (a hit) in awhile"...I wasn't referring to Michael, but radio in general...record companies can't be bothered to support artists like they used to. They don't hone anyone's talent or try to cultivate it to the fullest. Michael doesn't really have that problem as he has plenty of talent...years of being in the biz. One still needs full backing of the record company they signed with to fully promote their project for it's commercial success. Especially these days when everything is so costly. While they can promote themselves somewhat, they can't do it alone. Radio get paid by record companies...they don't play them for free. So yeah, he'll need proper promotion from whoever he signed with...and yes the fans have a role to play in his success as well.

 

[PurdyYungThang84]

Do I think it's "important" for him to have another hit? In all honesty, no. He's already achieved the things that are important in the music biz SEVERAL times over. I'll say another hit is a good thing, a GREAT thing, but not important.

Right now, in my opinion, it's not about "success" so to speak, it's more about Michael following his heart and him doing what he believes he was put on this earth to do; entertain the masses. He's already had a bagillion Grammys and done the top notch world tours, and magazine covers, and ruled the music charts album after album, hell he did it for almost 30 years straight. So he doesn't have to prove anything to anybody, cuz he's unmistakably made his mark already. Not saying that being no.1 on the charts again isn't a good thing, obviously it is. I just personally believe that he's in it for more than just the accolades now.

On top of that, the biz has changed. Good music, sadly isn't appreciated anymore. It's more about this revolving door of who record companies can make the next "big thing"; people adore them for 7 minutes, give em a reality tv show, and move on to the next one in line. To an extent, it's always been the revolving door, but nowadays you don't even have to have TALENT to be famous, people just love you because your name is out there, not because you've actually done anything worth praising. And truthfully, trying to have Michael "compete" for a top spot against the likes of Paris Hilton and Tila Tequila is like throwing pearls before swine. Right now, the music business doesn't deserve an artist like Michael, frankly he's too good for it lol.

I hope, with all my heart that Michael continues to make amazing music, and give heart-stopping performances, not to prove that he can still do it, but because he loves to see his fans enjoying his work, and most importantly because that's what he loves to do.

As I said before, this is only my opinion. So take it as you like. :flowers:

 

[fredastaire]

the whole 'team' behind him thing ???? that is bunk. Michael's 'team' has never been a 'team'. dude need to handle his bidnizz himself. lose the 'yes' people, they are only working for him to be near him and take what they can, whenever they can. it has been proven time and time again. they get sick of telling him what they think he wants to hear, just so they can remain close to him and they eventually get fed up and turn on him. no delusional OMG types should be working for any artists. any artist that employs such people, is only stroking his/her own ego. and it appears, he has already begun doing this. karen is gone, looks like raymone is gone --- that is a start.

the whole 'hi i'm Michael Jackson and i am a child at heart' is cute for the image or whatever but when it comes to the brand 'michael jackson' and the deals are on the table --- lose the kid inside along with all those that once babysat for him and do your thing, adult style.

to put it in mike's own words ---
'just stop fuckin' around'

 

[KJ777]

Do I think it's "important" for him to have another hit? In all honesty, no. He's already achieved the things that are important in the music biz SEVERAL times over. I'll say another hit is a good thing, a GREAT thing, but not important.

Right now, in my opinion, it's not about "success" so to speak, it's more about Michael following his heart and him doing what he believes he was put on this earth to do; entertain the masses. He's already had a bagillion Grammys and done the top notch world tours, and magazine covers, and ruled the music charts album after album, hell he did it for almost 30 years straight. So he doesn't have to prove anything to anybody, cuz he's unmistakably made his mark already. Not saying that being no.1 on the charts again isn't a good thing, obviously it is. I just personally believe that he's in it for more than just the accolades now.

On top of that, the biz has changed. Good music, sadly isn't appreciated anymore. It's more about this revolving door of who record companies can make the next "big thing"; people adore them for 7 minutes, give em a reality tv show, and move on to the next one in line. To an extent, it's always been the revolving door, but nowadays you don't even have to have TALENT to be famous, people just love you because your name is out there, not because you've actually done anything worth praising. And truthfully, trying to have Michael "compete" for a top spot against the likes of Paris Hilton and Tila Tequila is like throwing pearls before swine. Right now, the music business doesn't deserve an artist like Michael, frankly he's too good for it lol.

I hope, with all my heart that Michael continues to make amazing music, and give heart-stopping performances, not to prove that he can still do it, but because he loves to see his fans enjoying his work, and most importantly because that's what he loves to do.

As I said before, this is only my opinion. So take it as you like. :flowers:

Purdy is right on the money with this one. It's true...He could have bowed out long ago, but he does it because he loves it...that I know. The biz is very phoney that way and filled lots of shady peeps...I doubt whether HE cares much about the commercial aspect of having a "hit" as long as he is doing what he wants and loves at this point in his life and others enjoy it. Not that it wouldn't be great, I just don't think it's his #1 priority. I'm just thankful he's still in it and I get to play a part.

 

[Datsymay]

Do I think it's "important" for him to have another hit? In all honesty, no. He's already achieved the things that are important in the music biz SEVERAL times over. I'll say another hit is a good thing, a GREAT thing, but not important.

Right now, in my opinion, it's not about "success" so to speak, it's more about Michael following his heart and him doing what he believes he was put on this earth to do; entertain the masses. He's already had a bagillion Grammys and done the top notch world tours, and magazine covers, and ruled the music charts album after album, hell he did it for almost 30 years straight. So he doesn't have to prove anything to anybody, cuz he's unmistakably made his mark already. Not saying that being no.1 on the charts again isn't a good thing, obviously it is. I just personally believe that he's in it for more than just the accolades now.

On top of that, the biz has changed. Good music, sadly isn't appreciated anymore. It's more about this revolving door of who record companies can make the next "big thing"; people adore them for 7 minutes, give em a reality tv show, and move on to the next one in line. To an extent, it's always been the revolving door, but nowadays you don't even have to have TALENT to be famous, people just love you because your name is out there, not because you've actually done anything worth praising. And truthfully, trying to have Michael "compete" for a top spot against the likes of Paris Hilton and Tila Tequila is like throwing pearls before swine. Right now, the music business doesn't deserve an artist like Michael, frankly he's too good for it lol.

I hope, with all my heart that Michael continues to make amazing music, and give heart-stopping performances, not to prove that he can still do it, but because he loves to see his fans enjoying his work, and most importantly because that's what he loves to do.

As I said before, this is only my opinion. So take it as you like. :flowers:

Thiks is my opinion too, but I was too lazy to write it, so thank you:clapping:

 

[Datsymay]

Purdy is right on the money with this one. It's true...He could have bowed out long ago, but he does it because he loves it...that I know. The biz is very phoney that way and filled lots of shady peeps...I doubt whether HE cares much about the commercial aspect of having a "hit" as long as he is doing what he wants and loves at this point in his life and others enjoy it. Not that it wouldn't be great, I just don't think it's his #1 priority. I'm just thankful he's still in it and I get to play a part.

Exactly.:clapping:

 

[Anyway]

The only important thing for mj is to make people talking about his talent and his music and not about his life. That is, and if there are no big hits but a fantastic album, or some amazing shows around the world, or a nightshow on tv, or an artistic video more than a commercial one whatever that would work as well.

 

[andythemisfit]

Not only does the single need to be a hit to generate good initial sales of the album, but the album (and single) absolutely MUST get good reviews in the music papers/magazines.
If the reviewers say that it is good, the general public will be interested in giving the album a listen, therefore generating more sales, even if the single isn't all that. BUT if the reviewers say the album is bad then alot of people will just switch off to the album and won't give it a chance even with a hit single.
Also, lets not forget the massive role radio play will have in the chance of success. The only reason Madonna has been doing fairly well recently is because for some reason radio has stood behind her firmly. In the UK atleast, Michael Jackson has not had that luxury in years.

You Rock My World wasn't getting as much airplay as many other singles of the time, but was fairly well supported by regional radio.

Cry was pretty much ignored (I heard it once on Chris Moyles' show on Radio 1 who played it right to the end and then started ripping it out of the bit where Mike says 'save the world'(Or was it heal the world I can't remember? - I hated that song) at the end.
One More Chance was pretty much ignored by everyone, despite doing fairly well on request shows)
The Girls IS Mine 2008 was pretty much ignored
Wanna Be Startin Somethin 08 is being pretty much ignored.

None of those songs (with the slight exception of YRMW) were particularly hit song material anyway, so I can understand why radio wouldn't latch onto them properly, but if Mike does recapture the magic with some hit songs can you see radio adding them to their A-list and playing them once an hour? I can't.
Radio1 certainly won't play Michael Jackson. No chance.
Radio 2 might play the songs a few times, but knowing Mikehe will aim at Radio 1s demographic, which means it won't be popular among Radio 2 listeners.

The only stations I can see supporting the single fully are KISS FM and Capital FM in London because they have consistently supported new MJ singles but they cover a relatively small area of the UK.



So, I think it IS important for Mike to have a hit, but I think there are so many odds stacked against that I don't know if it's really possible without a substatial effort being put in by fans to request the songs and make sure they are played, because to be honest the fans these days just cannot be bothered. On the old MJNI board you coudl set up a support thread and literally hundreds would vote, or reply but these days barely any show any interest at all. You could send a link to a poll and hundreds would vote and influence the final outcome. Not any more. You could post a negative story or negative thread on another board and hundreds would stand up. There were many times when standing up for Mike resulted in changes being made to stories printed in the press, radio presenters changed their attitude while on air to be more neutral or positive, and radios would start playing songs that they did ot play previously. Now, because nobody can be bothered I can't see anything changing. It's sad really, but I partly put this down Mike's own inactivity. Between each album, fan base shrinks and Mike's is shrinking quicker and quicker with every year that passes because more peope are becoming fed up with waiting. A strong fan base can do wonders and help propel a song to the top 10, but these days Mike's fan base seems to be lucky to get a new single into the top 40. WBSS was released this week as a download single and isn't even in the itunes top100!! In contrast, Madonna's fan base has shrunk significantly less becasuse of her frequent album releases, promotion, and less reclusive lifestyle so she has a much better chance of success than Mike.

If Mike wants a hit he's going to have to do several things;

1) Record a record capable of being a hit. A song that people will want to hear time and again on the radio, so it must be less personal or aggresive than some of the tracks he has recorded over the years. Stay away from the cheesy songs like Cry or Heal The World or Lost Children. They will never chart.
2) Get the right team behind him to help with the record. Not only find the best collaborations and create good songs, but if they are going to be 15 minute wonders, make sure that the damn record is released BEFORE their 15 minutes are up!!
3) Get out and promote the hell out of the record to make sure that people can't ignore that it's out. He should go on TV and radio to do interviews about the music! Radio will have to play the song if they want him on their stations. Get on the awards shows and perform!! There are several big shows every year and he should appear on some. In fact, even between albums he should keep a higher profile than he has in the past. Do magazine interviews and shoots. Give exclusives to newspapers.
4) Tour!! You have to not only promote the album and singles with music videos, but he has to tour to generate an ongoing buzz.
5) Get a great team running the album from behind the scenes. From what I have seen from Sony ever since HIStory, they are notoriously bad at releasing things. Just look at the release of WBSS as a recent example. Many fans didn't even know when it was coming out and it was near impossible to find the information. There is still confusion in some peoples minds about whether it willbe released physically in the UK or not. The only reason for that is lack of clear advice from Sony on the lead up to the release.

You don't happen to be red devil from MJJF do you? The one who's always talking about MJ like he's some worthless piece of sh*t who's done nothing for the music industry and who's always looking for an excuse to put him down? Get out of here Madonna lover! uke: :evil:

 

[PurdyYungThang84]

The only reason Madonna has been doing fairly well recently is because for some reason radio has stood behind her firmly. In the UK atleast, Michael Jackson has not had that luxury in years.

Yeah, that's because Madonna makes more dance (almost borderline trance-techno) type music, with a few pop or r&b tidbits sprinkled in. While Michael is more r&b flavored pop music, with occasional hiphop and rock flare. Which has more WORLDWIDE chart appeal??? That's why Madonna has lasted so long, she has a sound that's nightclub-friendly. Have you noticed how dance/trance/techno is more readily acceptable worldwide, while pop and r&b are usually more regional?

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Madonna fan, I think she's an amazing, innovative artist. But she's not the greatest singer I've ever heard, and her dancing is cool, but she can't hold a candle to Michael.

Cry was pretty much ignored

True. I thought it was a sweet song, as I'm sure most MJ fans do. I know MJ has been trying to recapture that "We Are the World" feeling, but the rest of the world is sadly not interested. Most non-fans thought it was hokey ::shrugs::, the world doesn't want to hear positive uplifting songs; they want to shake their -sses, or rock out to contemporary power ballads.

One More Chance was pretty much ignored by everyone, despite doing fairly well on request shows)

Got moderate airplay, mostly top 40 radio, type stuff. Not ignored.

The Girls IS Mine 2008 was pretty much ignored

Wasn't released here as a single (that I know of). You can't relate what's going on in one region to the rest of the world; a lot of times things aren't the same.

Wanna Be Startin Somethin 08 is being pretty much ignored.

Funny, that song was on fire here. It was on heavy rotation for a few months on hiphop/r&b radio stations and night clubs here in Cali. People were requesting to hear it played on the regular; average, not-super-MJ fanatic people lol. But I guess those radio stations don't count.:doh:

Radio1 certainly won't play Michael Jackson. No chance.
Radio 2 might play the songs a few times, but knowing Mikehe will aim at Radio 1s demographic, which means it won't be popular among Radio 2 listeners.

What is radio 1 & 2?

The only stations I can see supporting the single fully are KISS FM and Capital FM in London because they have consistently supported new MJ singles but they cover a relatively small area of the UK.

I can't say that what's going on the the US music scene is a worldwide phenomena, cuz that'd be arrogant. If you're going to generalize, at least generalize the different opinions around the world, not just the UK.

Now, because nobody can be bothered I can't see anything changing. It's sad really, but I partly put this down Mike's own inactivity. Between each album, fan base shrinks and Mike's is shrinking quicker and quicker with every year that passes because more peope are becoming fed up with waiting.

I partly agree, I wouldn't say the fanbase "shrank" as opposed to going into hybernation lol. Michael starts doing more public stuff, and the "fans" start coming out of the woodwork. I don't think they're leaving all together, they're just easily distracted lol.

In contrast, Madonna's fan base has shrunk significantly less becasuse of her frequent album releases, promotion, and less reclusive lifestyle so she has a much better chance of success than Mike.

As I said earlier, other than the dance scene, Madonna isn't as huge as she used to be either. Other then jumping on a track with the hot producer of the moment along with one of the front-runners of pop/r&b music, Madonna's not hitting THAT hard to be able to compare successes.

 

[mistermaxxx]

not important for his legacy or place in music history, but important to the run and longevity aingle to say yeah I did it again,but he man has nothing left to Prove and I could have said the same thing after "thriller" to be honest about it. he did it all and conquered it all before he was 30.

 

[Dr.Feelgood]

Do I think it's "important" for him to have another hit? In all honesty, no. He's already achieved the things that are important in the music biz SEVERAL times over. I'll say another hit is a good thing, a GREAT thing, but not important.

Right now, in my opinion, it's not about "success" so to speak, it's more about Michael following his heart and him doing what he believes he was put on this earth to do; entertain the masses. He's already had a bagillion Grammys and done the top notch world tours, and magazine covers, and ruled the music charts album after album, hell he did it for almost 30 years straight. So he doesn't have to prove anything to anybody, cuz he's unmistakably made his mark already. Not saying that being no.1 on the charts again isn't a good thing, obviously it is. I just personally believe that he's in it for more than just the accolades now.

On top of that, the biz has changed. Good music, sadly isn't appreciated anymore. It's more about this revolving door of who record companies can make the next "big thing"; people adore them for 7 minutes, give em a reality tv show, and move on to the next one in line. To an extent, it's always been the revolving door, but nowadays you don't even have to have TALENT to be famous, people just love you because your name is out there, not because you've actually done anything worth praising. And truthfully, trying to have Michael "compete" for a top spot against the likes of Paris Hilton and Tila Tequila is like throwing pearls before swine. Right now, the music business doesn't deserve an artist like Michael, frankly he's too good for it lol.

I hope, with all my heart that Michael continues to make amazing music, and give heart-stopping performances, not to prove that he can still do it, but because he loves to see his fans enjoying his work, and most importantly because that's what he loves to do.

As I said before, this is only my opinion. So take it as you like. :flowers:

Indeed, indeed. Great posting.
I think it Is more important for his fans than for Michael. Cause Michael has done it all. On the other hand, Michael was always very very ambitious and I'm sure he -still- wants be the very best.

And bobmoo79: It is not a problem if Michael's fanbase would be shrinking. That's a natural thing. Stars become old and their fans do the same (they've got their own families, their own lives). So they (have to) go their own ways, but never forget who makes the best music. Don't worry, they will come back to Michael, sooner than they think... they will - as soon as Michael releases his new album - come back. There is nothing to fear about.
We all will be surprised who's suddenly a Jackson fan. And that has nothing to do with being a 24 hours-a-day-Michael Jackson fan. Not every person who claims to be a big fan of Michael is a real daily active fan. There is a difference. Some do just buy his music. They are not waiting, not like many of us do. They come and go and come and go. Always the same procudure.

 

[Topflux]

It's important for every pop star to have a hit. Michael is doing it right away...