27 Jun 2009 when the groove is dead + gone

Oh, Michael: making me dance since 1988. I’ve been a fan ever since I can remember, although I did discard all your cassettes when my six-year-old mind could not fathom the charges against you. I’ve since reconsidered, and yours is the first album to spin when I’m in the mood to get down.

You might be the only star to make a dance move famous on its own. There is not a single contemporary dance style as iconic and widely known as yours. You’re the working man’s Martha Graham. Gratuitous crotch-grabbing aside, you’ve got criminally smooth moves.

I mourn the loss of your youth, skin color, sanity, reputation, and life. So far I’ve celebrated you by attending an impromptu Moonwalker screening, hosting a 70-mile mobile dance party, and doing everything I possibly can to “ride the boogie”.

May you haunt my dance parties forever.

My Top 5 Favorite Dance Sequences:

5. Scream (3:05)
4. Beat It (2:52)
3. Thriller (above)
2. Smooth Criminal (6:00)
1. Bad (5:00)

Other necessary videos:

Michael Jackson performing two of my faves
Thriller Wedding Dance
Black or White feat. Macauley Culkin
Lisa It’s Your Birthday

Wearing:

powder blue deep V from Urban Outfitters; fedora from Charlotte Russe (stolen from my roommate); red loafers from Payless; everything else thrifted.