Episode 10 – MJAS Exclusive: 7 Albums, 7 Songs, 7 Years (with Dr. Joe Vogel)

'His political goals were bigger, and not specific to a particular party or politician. That was too small for Michael. He was speaking to peoples souls, trying to influence people on an individual level.' – Dr. Joseph Vogel This tenth episode stands in the light of Michael Jackson's 7th anniversary, seven years after his death. In this MJAS Exclusive, Elizabeth and Karin are joined by guest, fellow academic and author, Joseph Vogel, to discuss the seventh song of the seven adult solo albums of Michael Jackson. They explore the symbolism of the number seven and the meaning of this number for Jackson personally, as well as how, after seven years Jackson's representation has evolved in surprising ways. They also discuss how Jackson is viewed both academically and culturally. Find out more about The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies. Episode Questions: What was the significance of the number seven for Michael Jackson's art? Seventh song from Off the Wall - 'She's Out of My Life' Seventh song from Thriller - 'Human Nature' Seventh song from Bad - 'Man in the Mirror' Seventh song from Dangerous -  'Heal the World' Seventh song from HIStory - 'Money' Last song from Blood on the Dance Floor - Is it Scary? Seventh song from Invincible - 'Butterflies' It's been seven years since Michael Jackson's death. What has changed in terms of how he is represented and viewed, academically and culturally? ‘Michael Jackson Studies’ Online Course A six-week online course which leads the learner through the creative world of Michael Jackson’s music, film and cultural relevance for six inspirational weeks of revealing research, videos, podcasts, articles, essays, clips, songs and short films, and case studies using Jackson’s catalog. Try a free lesson today. Online Course: 6 weeks Price: $170 (reduced from $340) Michael Jackson & Prince This 90-minute-read consists of seven questions focused on critical reception, biography, artistry, the worthiness of comparisons between Michael Jackson and Prince, along with unique historical and musical perspectives from guest contributors Roberta Meek and Lisha McDuff. What can Prince’s fans learn from Michael Jackson? What can Michael Jackson’s fans learn from Prince? The answers are here. Buy and own today. Digital Release: June 2016 ASIN: B01GTNYRLE Price: $17.77 Amazon-USA/Amazon-UK/Amazon-Germany/Amazon-Canada/Amazon-France/Amazon-Spain/Amazon-Italy/Amazon-Japan/Amazon-Mexico/Amazon-India/Amazon-Brazil. All Our References and Where to Easily Find Them 1. Joseph Vogel is Assistant Professor at Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts. His research focus is contemporary American literature, Film Studies, popular music, popular culture, and environmental studies. He is the author of several books on Michael Jackson including Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson (2011) and Featuring Michael Jackson: Collected Writings on the King of Pop (2012). Articles of Joseph Vogel can be found at Academia.edu 2. Information about the biblical, and cultural meaning of number 7. 3. HIStory Teaser Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T3ziKM4deo 4. Off the Wall (1979), Michael Jackson. 5. Thriller (1982), Michael Jackson. 6. Joseph Vogel, 'How Michael Jackson Made "Bad"' in: The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/09/how-michael-jackson-made-bad/262162/, September 10, 2012. (last visited June 24, 2016). 9. Bad (1987), Michael Jackson. 10. Information about Michael Jackson's Humanitarian efforts: http://www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org/index.php/his-humanitarian-work 11. Dangerous (1991), Michael Jackson. 12. Susan Fast, Dangerous  331/3 (Bloomsbury, 2014); Academic Book Review by Karin Merx 13. Elizabeth Amisu, The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife (Praeger, 2016) Pre-Order here. 12.