Research into Michael JacksonALBUMS, VIDEOS & PROGRESSION OF THEIR CAREER

First Album released

‘Got to be there’ was released in 1972. It had Jackson’s debut single ‘Got to be there’ on the album Record label was Motown Sold 3.2 million worldwide (900,000 in USA) Got to number 14 in the pop album charts USA Included many of his big hits like ‘ain’t no sunshine’ ‘Got to be there’ and

‘Rockin’ Robin’ The image shows Michael Jackson as a young boy which could show how he

will develop in the future and how as fans we will see him grow up The album looks quite plain and boring but at this time albums were not fully

developed and reflected of the time it was produced in. This is also shown through the costuming of Jackson and the font used on the album.

Mid-career album

‘Thriller’ was released in 1982. Jacksons 6th album 65 million copies were sold worldwide Won 8 Grammy awards including best album Included ‘Beat it’ Thriller’ and ‘Billie Jean’ Record label was Westlake recording studios This album again shows just Jackson on the cover. His image has

started to change as he is growing up. Dressing him in a white suit also shows he is up to date with the trends and likes to be fashionable.

The album is also plain like his first one showing he wants the audience to recognise him and want to get to know him without any other distractions on the cover.

I think Jackson wanted to make a statement and wanted to be recognised through his image.

Mid-career album

‘Bad’ was released in 1987. Was his 7th album to be released It had the debut song ‘Bad’ on the album Record label was Epic Records Also included many of his big hits like ‘The way you make me feel’ ‘Bad’ ‘Man in the mirror’ and ‘Smooth

criminal’ As of 2012 it had sold 45 million copies (sold 9 million in USA) The album won 2 Grammy's The album cover shows that Jackson was trying to change the way he is and wants to change his idea or look. In this album cover Jackson looks totally different to his first album showing that he has grown up and wants a

more unique look and he stands out. Also the use of the title ‘Bad’ is reflected through the way he looks and that he is trying to be more rebellious.

His costuming also adds to this idea as the studded leather jacket looks rebellious. The album is again quite plain suggesting that Jackson wanted to stand out and didn’t want any distractions

making him the main feature of the album cover. The use of the colour red also connotes as bad and rebellious. Also the font used could suggest graffiti which

also adds to the rebellion and change to his look and style.

An album from the 90s

Released in 1991. Was his 8th album Record label was epic records Sold 30 million copies (7 million USA) Included his big single ‘Black or White’ Incorporated the new style Jack swing which shows

Jackson kept up to date with the styles at this time Was based on themes like racism and poverty Won one Grammy award The album cover is totally different to his previous albums

but still includes his eyes which were a major part to his image and were easily recognisable.

The album cover was also based on his career at this time when Jackson built his home ‘Neverland’

Last album released

‘Invincible’ was released in 2001 Was his 10th album The record label was epic records Sold 10 million copies Includes ‘you rock my world’ and ‘Butterflies’ This album has gone back to the idea of just showing his

image it also shows how he has grown old, but can still tell it is Jackson

Again this cover is also plain like the rest of the covers to show he still wants his image to be shown

The album cover is also in black and white and looks quite faded this could suggest it was going to be his final album

Music video: ‘Beat it’

The video beat it was one of Jacksons first videos, this was were all his unique movements for example his moonwalk. This is sticking to Goodwin's theory of the record label and artist making a relationship with the audience by suing recognisable movements.

The video also uses voyeurism as Jackson looks down to the camera a lot.

The costuming in the video is very similar all the men are in leather jackets this could be to link to the rebellion as the song is used on the album ‘Bad’ suggesting that Jackson is keeping a theme running through all the songs on that album

Music Video: ‘Bad’

This video again uses Jacksons signature movements will helps for the audience to recognise Jackson and again creates a relationship between the artist and the audience.

The use of voyeurism is key to this video also as Jackson looks into the camera a lot and the camera is close up on his face.

The actors and Jackson are also again in leather jackets which adds to the theme running through the album ‘Bad’ again as this song is also on that album

Music Video: Black or White

The video uses the theory of linking the visuals with the lyrics. The video uses people from all around the world in different cultures suggesting the idea that it doesn’t matter if you're black or white.

It still fits the theory of the record label and the artist as Jackson still uses his recognisable movements which are instantly noticeable by an audience.

The video uses many locations this could suggest that by this point in Jacksons career the world is influenced by Jackson and knows who he is.

The video also uses a small child listening to Jacksons music this could suggest many people are influenced by his music and look up to him as an artist.