Michael Jackson: People Make the World Go Round

Written by Justin Austin

Baritone

In category: Song of the Day

Published November 21, 2019

Michael Jackson is famous for his thrilling dance moves, soaring high notes, and tunes that either won’t allow you to stay seated or will make you cry. Most of his success came as an adult, but he had a legendary singing career as a young child. After his professional debut with the Jackson 5, his solo endeavors were remarkably successful. One of my favorite songs he recorded when he was a child is entitled “People make the world go round.” It was written by Thom Bell, Linda Creed, and George Perry for the group The Stylistics. Michael covered the song and included it on his second solo album Ben. The album received major success and was the first time Michael Jackson reached number one on the billboard charts. He was only 14 years old. The song is one of my favorites. It’s not just a beautiful melody, it’s full of life lessons. One thing I find interesting is that even though it was written in 1970, it illustrates a lot of issues we still have today. Yet, the message remains. 

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Praised in Opera News as “a gentle actor and elegant musician” baritone Justin Austin will appear with the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center Theater, Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival, and the Bayerische Staatsopera during the 2019-20 season.  Justin is a NYFOS Emerging Artist program alum, and will return on the Mainstage with NYFOS in Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do: Songs of Gay Harlem this December.

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