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MJ about creativity

Some Monday motivation from Michael: “In the end, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and those you love and work hard. I mean, work like there’s no tomorrow. Train. Strive. I mean, really train and cultivate your talent to the highest degree. Be the best at what you do. Get to know more about your field than anybody alive. Use the tools of your trade, if it’s books or a floor to dance on or a body of water to swim in. Whatever it is, it’s yours. That’s what I’ve always tried to remember.”
www.michaeljackson.com

Michael Jackson On Hard Work & Being True To Yourself

Some Monday motivation from Michael: “In the end, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and those you love and work hard. I mean, work like there’s no tomorrow. Train. Strive. I mean, really train and cultivate your talent to the highest degree. Be the best at what you do. Get to...
www.michaeljackson.com www.michaeljackson.com
 
“I want to go beyond the latest thing. And then we go ahead make the best record we can. We don’t ever pander to the fans. We just try to play on the quality of the song.” – Michael on the creation process that went into the production of the Bad album.
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www.michaeljackson.com

Michael Jackson On The Production Of ‘Bad’ Album

“I want to go beyond the latest thing. And then we go ahead make the best record we can. We don’t ever pander to the fans. We just try to play on the quality of the song.” – Michael on the creation process that went into the production of the Bad album.
www.michaeljackson.com www.michaeljackson.com
 
Hot_Street said:
www.michaeljackson.com

Michael Jackson On The Production Of ‘Bad’ Album

“I want to go beyond the latest thing. And then we go ahead make the best record we can. We don’t ever pander to the fans. We just try to play on the quality of the song.” – Michael on the creation process that went into the production of the Bad album.
www.michaeljackson.com www.michaeljackson.com
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I love that quote and the pic of MJ, I'd never seen either before
 
Michael Jackson Talked About His Songwriting Inspiration
June 20, 2024
Michael on songwriting inspiration: “It always surprises me when people assume that something an artist has created is based on a true experience or reflects his or her own lifestyle. Often nothing could be farther from the truth. I know I draw on my experiences at times, but I also hear and read things that trigger an idea for a song. An artist’s imagination is his greatest tool.”
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www.michaeljackson.com

Michael Jackson Talked About His Songwriting Inspiration

Michael on songwriting inspiration: “It always surprises me when people assume that something an artist has created is based on a true experience or reflects his or her own lifestyle. Often nothing could be farther from the truth. I know I draw on my experiences at times, but I also hear and...
www.michaeljackson.com www.michaeljackson.com
 
Hot_Street said:
thanks @zinniabooklover
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The science behind why the solitude at the top of the Giving Tree contributed to Michael's creativity:
A study published in the December 2020 issue of Nature Communications found while people thrive on being social, they also have neural circuits that increase their imagination when they’re lonely to fill that social void. Essentially, the study is saying when you get super lonely, that’s when you become incredibly creative. In fact, the default network in your brain—the part involved in memory and social cognition—actually goes through changes when it’s lonely, and the area linked with imagination strengthens.
“By nature, we human beings crave a sense of belonging,” says Nancy Irwin, an L.A.-based clinical psychologist who works with creative artists. “When forced to be alone, a creative person can forge a connection with others through their feelings in paint, sculpture, written word, song, dance, etc."
It doesn’t happen automatically. But think about when you’re surrounded by others: You’re constantly looking for approval, trying to fit in, and are avoiding criticism for your thoughts or actions. That’s part of being in society. When you’re alone, you’re more easily able to tap into your intuition, unique perspective, or vision, says Shrein Bahrami, a therapist and author of The Loneliness Companion. "We are less concerned about others’ viewpoints or potential criticisms that often prohibit or creative license,” she says. “This allows for more freedom and out-of-the-box thinking that creativity thrives on.”
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www.byrdie.com

"Giving Up" Isn't Always Bad—Here's How to Lose the Shame

There's no shame in giving up, but how do you know when it's time to move on? Read all about it here.
www.byrdie.com www.byrdie.com
 
bluemoon7 said:
Really interesting, but also sad ...
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:(

No judgement but I'm somewhat disheartened that you find this sad. I mean, it's not a new idea, not really. Writers and artists in particular spend a huge part of their creative life alone and probably couldn't create anything if they didn't have that much solitude. Songwriting is a bit different, obviously, bc that is often done in tandem with other people. But novelists, journalists, poets and fine artists - almost their entire creative life is a solitary one.

I might be misunderstanding something (it wouldn't be the first time) and I'm def not criticising.

I think of the hours Michael spent practising his dance moves. Yes, he practised with his dancers and choreographers but we know he also did loads of solitary practice in the studio and I think that would be as useful and essential to him as the time he spent in his Giving Tree.

Hot_Street said:
The science behind why the solitude at the top of the Giving Tree contributed to Michael's creativity:

www.byrdie.com

"Giving Up" Isn't Always Bad—Here's How to Lose the Shame

There's no shame in giving up, but how do you know when it's time to move on? Read all about it here.
www.byrdie.com www.byrdie.com
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This has been in the media in the UK this year. Not the link between solitude and creativity as such but just the idea that solitude isn't necessarily something to be feared. I saw at least two articles about it, one is behind a paywall but there was also this:

"Now a new book is asking us to reconsider solitude. In Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone, authors Netta Weinstein, Heather Hansen and Thuy-vy T Nguyen argue that time spent by ourselves is not necessarily a threat to our wellbeing, nor an inherent good.

According to the authors, “alone time” and the extent to which it’s beneficial or detrimental is highly personal and not well understood by researchers.

“It’s something that society tends to frown upon. We tend to conflate the word ‘solitude’ with loneliness,” says Nguyen, an associate professor of psychology at Durham University and principal investigator of its Solitude Lab.

But they are different. Loneliness pertains to the distress felt at one’s social needs not being met and solitude is a state of simply being by oneself.

“You can be with other people and feel lonely,” says Nguyen. “Loneliness is more about the quality of our relationships: how connected you feel to people around you.”

For centuries the two have been used interchangeably, complicating analyses today. But while loneliness has been studied for decades, “the literature on solitude is just starting to catch up,” Nguyen says.

People speak of it as an experience best avoided, either unbearable or unsavoury, or else as the escape of the privileged – think of tech billionaires going off-grid to “detox” solo.

But these are extreme, even pejorative representations: “There’s been no coverage of solitude as a very ordinary thing that we all experience,” says Nguyen.

As a state, it’s neither negative nor positive. “But some people struggle with that time, even if it’s just 15 minutes,” she adds.

Your own baseline may depend on what you’re accustomed to. You might be less comfortable with your own company if you never get any chance to practise."

www.theguardian.com

I like my own company. But do I spend too much time alone?

With growing numbers of people living without partners and children, and working from home, more of us are spending time alone. But is this actually a problem?
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
zinniabooklover said:
:(

No judgement but I'm somewhat disheartened that you find this sad. I mean, it's not a new idea, not really. Writers and artists in particular spend a huge part of their creative life alone and probably couldn't create anything if they didn't have that much solitude. Songwriting is a bit different, obviously, bc that is often done in tandem with other people. But novelists, journalists, poets and fine artists - almost their entire creative life is a solitary one.

I might be misunderstanding something (it wouldn't be the first time) and I'm def not criticising.

I think of the hours Michael spent practising his dance moves. Yes, he practised with his dancers and choreographers but we know he also did loads of solitary practice in the studio and I think that would be as useful and essential to him as the time he spent in his Giving Tree.
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Maybe just a misunderstanding? :)

... solitude is not loneliness to me. Quite the contrary.
The article says: "Essentially, the study is saying when you get super lonely, that’s when you become incredibly creative."

That indicates you need to suffer to be creative. For me, loneliness is a terrible and desperate state. Solitude is something I actually enjoy. It is a state where you are alone but feel whole and at peace. Loneliness makes me think of being separated and suffering from this.
 
bluemoon7 said:
Maybe just a misunderstanding? :)
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Lack of brain power on my part, lol. Just tried to read the actual research paper this article (the one posted by @Hot_Street) is based on. My head is hurting! I need simpler stuff like the one I posted.

That line you quoted from the article:

"Essentially, the study is saying when you get super lonely, that’s when you become incredibly creative."

I can't work out if this is a fair assessment (of the findings of the research paper) or a just an oversimplification. I did try to find something in the research paper related to that statement, couldn't see anything although, tbf, I didn't read it closely bc it was way too technical for me.

bluemoon7 said:
... solitude is not loneliness to me. Quite the contrary.
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This is discussed in the Guardian article I posted. I found that much easier to understand. I especially liked this line:

For centuries the two have been used interchangeably, complicating analyses today. But while loneliness has been studied for decades, “the literature on solitude is just starting to catch up,” Nguyen says.

bluemoon7 said:
[...] That indicates you need to suffer to be creative.
Click to expand...
Tried to find out if the research paper talks about this, failed miserably but, again, perhaps it was there and I just didn't see it. There was way too much technical jargon to plod through and I eventually gave up.

bluemoon7 said:
For me, loneliness is a terrible and desperate state. Solitude is something I actually enjoy. It is a state where you are alone but feel whole and at peace. Loneliness makes me think of being separated and suffering from this.
Click to expand...
It's actually really interesting to think about this stuff, especially in relation to Michael. SIM is a masterpiece, imo, and he wrote that while feeling isolated and lonely.

Not really making a point, just thinking out loud ... :unsure:
 
zinniabooklover said:
Lack of brain power on my part, lol. Just tried to read the actual research paper this article (the one posted by @Hot_Street) is based on. My head is hurting! I need simpler stuff like the one I posted.

That line you quoted from the article:

"Essentially, the study is saying when you get super lonely, that’s when you become incredibly creative."

I can't work out if this is a fair assessment (of the findings of the research paper) or a just an oversimplification. I did try to find something in the research paper related to that statement, couldn't see anything although, tbf, I didn't read it closely bc it was way too technical for me.


This is discussed in the Guardian article I posted. I found that much easier to understand. I especially liked this line:

For centuries the two have been used interchangeably, complicating analyses today. But while loneliness has been studied for decades, “the literature on solitude is just starting to catch up,” Nguyen says.


Tried to find out if the research paper talks about this, failed miserably but, again, perhaps it was there and I just didn't see it. There was way too much technical jargon to plod through and I eventually gave up.


It's actually really interesting to think about this stuff, especially in relation to Michael. SIM is a masterpiece, imo, and he wrote that while feeling isolated and lonely.

Not really making a point, just thinking out loud ... :unsure:
Click to expand...

Oh, you certainly have lots of brainpower :) And you did give very detailed answers as well.

But I, on my part, was not reading your full post and missed the Guardian article (since I thought that part of your post was addressed at @Hot_Street 😅)

However, the topic of lonliness vs solitude is intriguing and worthwile a discussion. I wonder if the two "states of being/mind" are perceived differently in every culture.
 
bluemoon7 said:
Oh, you certainly have lots of brainpower :) And you did give very detailed answers as well.

But I, on my part, was not reading your full post and missed the Guardian article (since I thought that part of your post was addressed at @Hot_Street 😅)

However, the topic of lonliness vs solitude is intriguing and worthwile a discussion. I wonder if the two "states of being/mind" are perceived differently in every culture.
Click to expand...
oh, that's interesting. I hadn't even considered that. I got as far as thinking about Michael's situation, growing up in a big, noisy family. A busy, noisy church. A really energetic, noisy world of music and shows and screaming fans. But also the Giving Tree and all that quiet open space at Neverland. We know he was lonely. I wonder if he enjoyed solitude?
 

Michael Jackson – In His Own Words​

Creating​

“I just love working hard on something, putting it together, sweating over it and sharing it with people and having them love it. And I always pray that they like it. And that’s what gives me great satisfaction as an artist.”


“Each song is like a child that I nourish and give my love to. But even if you have never written a song, your life is a song.”


“I love to create. I love to make magic. I love to create the unexpected.”


“I feel it and I see it. I’m visionary. So, if I can give that, I do. And that’s what I love to do with music, with film, with dance.”

“See the thing is, artists seem to get in the way of the music. Get out of the way of the music. You know, don’t write the music. Let the music write itself.”

“I like to take sounds and put them on the microscope and just talk about the way you wanna manipulate the character of it.”


“When you have a special gift you don’t realize it because you think everyone else has the same gift.”


“I can’t take credit for it because its Gods work. He’s just using me as the messenger.”

“It’s hard to say how one creates music, because it’s hard for me to take credit. I feel it’s more spiritual or heavenly.”


“What one wishes is to be touched by truth and to be able to interpret that truth so that one may use what one is feeling and experiencing, be it despair or joy, in a way that will add meaning to one’s life and will hopefully touch others as well. This is art in its highest form. Those moments of enlightenment are what I continue to live for.”

“When I create my music I feel like an instrument of nature. I wonder what delight nature must feel when we open our hearts and express our God given talents.”


“The key to being a wonderful writer is not to write. You just get out of the way. Leave room for God to walk in the room. And when I write something that I know is right, I get on my knees and say thank you. Thank you, Jehovah!” (Ebony, 2007)


“I want to continue to grow. To me, the biggest sin of all sins is to be given a gift, a talent – because it’s actually a gift from God – to take that and not cultivate it and make it grow, that’s the biggest sin in the world.” (Ebony, October 1981)


“The songs just kind of create themselves. I just let them happen.”


“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 – Life in the magical kingdom, Rolling Stone, 17 February 1983)


“I write when I want to get a message across. I don’t like simple stories and I get tired of love songs all the time. I like different things. I like to write about a tree or a dog or a horse.”


“I’ll just wake up from sleeping and there is the whole song coming into my head and then I put it down on paper”
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“You want what you create to live and I give my all in my work because I want it to live.”


“If you are locked into a pattern of thinking and responding, your creativity gets blocked. You miss the freshness and magic of the moment. Learn to be innocent again, and that freshness never fades.”
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www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org

Michael Jackson - In His Own Words - Michael Jackson's Legacy

You’ve heard his music. Now come with us and discover the man. Acting “Acting is the cream of the crop. ...read more
www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org
 
Kenny Ortega, the visionary director and choreographer who worked closely with Michael for years, recently opened up about the most powerful lesson he learned from the King of Pop. Speaking on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Ortega reflected on how Michael’s approach to creativity continues to shape his work even today.
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“He would always start by saying, ‘Kenny, we can’t let fear into the room. Fear only gets in the way of creativity. We can’t let fear into the room,’” Ortega recalled. “And he was aware of it. He watched for it.”
Michael’s commitment to nurturing a fearless creative environment was so strong that he would halt tour rehearsals if he spotted executives or accountants in the room, Ortega revealed.
“He didn’t want the money people in the room going, ‘You can’t do that. We can’t afford that. We can’t,’” Ortega said. “At the end of the day, you know, we had to balance a budget. He didn’t really like to do that very much, but he was a creative genius and he just didn’t want anything in the space that would limit imagination.”
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“I could create an environment for them that enabled them to play and be kids and to have fun and to use their voices,” Ortega said. “That came from Michael. He believed in empowering artists to explore without fear.”
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www.mjvibe.com

Kenny Ortega Reveals Michael’s Most Important Lesson: "Fear Has No Place in Creativity" - MJVibe

“He would always start by saying, ‘Kenny, we can’t let fear into the room. Fear only gets in the way of creativity. We can’t let fear into the room,’” Ortega recalled.
www.mjvibe.com www.mjvibe.com
 
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