Song Analysis Earth Song

Program Notes: Earth Song by Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was an American musician who was born in 1958 and passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. Jackson began his music career at the young age of 8 as a part of the Jackson 5 – a family singing group. Jackson was commonly referred to as the “King of Pop” as he was arguably the most prominent musician to transform modern pop culture. Michael Jackson was known to want to change the world and bring the world to peace. This is documented in his songs, Heal the World, Man in the Mirror, They Don’t Care About Us and Earth Song.
Earth Song by Michael Jackson was released in 1995 on Jackson’s album: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. In this song, Michael Jackson addresses deforestation

Both verses speak about this, repeating the words “trying to find” referring to the constant search for belonging and a place to fit in. The chorus, however, encourages people to be free with themselves, using the repetition of, “at least I am free.” The music video of the song flashes between a young boy, who is bullied and is looking for inspiration, and a man who the viewers come to realise is the future form of the boy. The boy finds a man who has a pet bird and finds joy in watching his bird fly and be free, alone in the sky. The video then flashes forward to the boy (now a man) finding the same freedom by jumping off of a mountain top and gliding through a valley. This video fits the message of the song, particularly the chorus saying, “at least I am

The lyrics come from a “Black Pride” stand point with various references to Black Power and racial equality. The lyrics speak about a “fire rising” in reference to a change that is seen as soon to come, possibly some form of racial equality marches. This is further addressed when Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech is referenced: “Every shade is beautifully made.”
The chorus of the song is simple in the beginning with the introduction of drums, joining the piano and two voices. The two voices sing on the same pitch which causes a slight simple tension, with Keys singing in full voice and Smollet singing in falsetto. Depth is added to the chorus when lower harmonies are added.
The second verse speaks about the recent racial related police violence that has taken place in America. The lyrics speak about peace asking people to “take a stand” against racial violence and discrimination. This verse sees the addition of an organ when Smollet sings about mothers burying their children. The chorus is the most powerful part of the song as it is the only section, along with the bridge, to have drums. Lyrically the chorus drives a message into the listener more than any other part of the song with the repetition of, “I matter, you matter, we