This is the Part 1 of the interview, cause it's very long... I hope আপনি like it! <3

On October 26, 2001 Michael took part in an online audio chat, answering fans' প্রশ্ন via the telephone through moderator Anthony DeCurtis. The interview was sponsored দ্বারা GetMusic.com and RollingStone.com and has been archived online at GetMusic.com.
The text transcript of the interview is below.


Anthony: Hello Ladies and Gentleman, this is Anthony DeCurtis. You're on Getmusic.com and we're here tonight for a very special event. The King of Pop, one of the greatest artists in the history of জনপ্রিয় music, Michael Jackson, is going to be joining us. He has a new record coming out on Oct. 30, it's called Invisible [interviewer's error]. আপনি can check it out at Michaeljackson.com, আপনি can preorder it at getmusic.com.
Anthony: Michael, it's a pleasure to talk to আপনি man.
Michael: Pleasure to talk with you.
Anthony: Tell us a little bit about the new album. It's your first new record in 6 years. Uh, do আপনি still get exited when আপনি have something come out? Obviously you've accomplished so much over the years. আপনি know, do আপনি still feel that, like, "Wow, I wonder what people are gonna think" or, আপনি know, feel all of that kind of anticipation?
Michael: I kinda parallel it to a, uh, আপনি know... It's like the gestation process of, uh, birth. আপনি know, it's a... আপনি know, it's like having children, and having to raise them and bring them out into the world, and once they get into the world they're on their own. So, it's, it's, very exciting. I mean, আপনি never get too used to it, ever. It's, uh, an incredible process. But আপনি leave it in the hands of God, like আপনি do when you're having a child.
Anthony: Absolutely. We've got প্রশ্ন already beginning to pour in from your অনুরাগী on the Internet. We've got Electric Eyes, male, লেখা in. Says, "Michael, আপনি are, in my mind, the greatest artist of all time. The true King of pop, rock, and soul." And he wants to know, "What is your পছন্দ song on the new album?"
Michael: My পছন্দ song on the new album. Can I pick two?
Anthony: Uh, yeah, I think আপনি can do that. আপনি can pretty much do whatever আপনি like.
Michael: Uh, it would probably be Unbreakable... I'll pick three. Unbreakable, Speechless, and The হারিয়ে গেছে Children.
Anthony: Tell us about a couple of those tracks. আপনি know, what was it like work... I mean, were there special guests, অথবা were আপনি working with new producers, অথবা how আপনি wrote them. আপনি know, something that gives us some flavor.
Michael: Well, the songwriting process is something very difficult to explain because it's very spiritual. It's, uh...You really have it in the hands of God, and it's as if its been written already - that's the real truth. As if its been written in its entirety before were born and you're just really the উৎস through which the songs come. Really. Because there is...they just fall right into your lap in it's entirety. আপনি don't have to do much thinking about it. And I feel guilty having to put my name, sometimes, on the songs that I - I do write them - I রচনা them, I write them, I do the scoring, I do the lyrics, I do the melodies but still, it's a...it's a work of God.
Anthony: Samantha from Canada just sent us in a question. She would like to know, "How would আপনি describe the sound on Invincible and have আপনি incorporated any other genres into the album?"
Michael: Well, the sound is...sonically, we always try to make sure we have, আপনি know, pristine, detailed, uh, আপনি know, the best sound, the best engineers, the best technicians available. And of course, I tried to make the album a potpourri of just wonderful melodies of any style. Because I don't believe in stylizing অথবা branding any type of music. I think a great artist should be able to just create any style, any form, any...any thing from rock to pop to folk to gospel to spiritual to just, just wonderful সঙ্গীত where every, uh, anybody can sing it, from the Irish farmer to a lady who স্ক্রাব toilets in Harlem. If আপনি can whistle it and hum it, that's the most important thing.
Anthony: Now, when you're working do আপনি find, are আপনি in a mode where আপনি like to listen to a lot of other music, অথবা you're listening to the radio and maybe picking up people's CDs. অথবা when you're working do আপনি like to just kinda shut it all out and concentrate, আপনি know, intently on what you're doing?
Michael: I pretty much... I always know what's going on, on the radio and in clubs, that people are listening to. Even though people think I live at Neverland -- mentally I'm in Never Never land all the time -- I'm always connected. I always know what's going on in the সঙ্গীত world, all the time. Not just in America but Internationally. আপনি know, all over the world. And uh, when I'm working though, I don't... I'm not in... I don't think I'm influenced দ্বারা a lot of the সঙ্গীত today. Uh, I pretty much create what I think is in my heart. Very original. I try to be as original as possible. I don't say, 'OK, I'm gonna make this a great R&B song, a great pop... I just want to make a great song.
Anthony: Like the song takes it's own form.
Michael: Yeah. Yes.
Anthony: Well, uh, Amber here on the Internet offers আপনি lots of প্রণয় and wonders if, um, it was fun for আপনি to make the rock... the আপনি Rock My World video.
Michael: Yes, that was a lot of fun. Uh, it was... We stayed up all night, which was very hard [giggling]. We, uh, it was fun hearing it blasted on the set on really good speakers. That's one of my পছন্দ things, hearing the সঙ্গীত really loud. 'Cause I like to play সঙ্গীত loud. I mean, it's, uh... If আপনি play something over the Internet অথবা small speakers, it doesn't have the same punch. That's why আপনি have to buy it. আপনি have to buy that CD to really hear that punch. It makes a huge difference. Huge difference. There's no comparison. Buying the CD is the best thing. There's no comparison. [Interruption from host]... আপনি can't hear all those sounds if আপনি do it on a smaller system.
Anthony: And when you're, uh... So when you're out on the video set, uh, you're able to just kinda crank it up as loud as আপনি want?
Michael: As loud as I want.
Anthony: Very good [laughing]. Well, we have Michael Mathew from Canada. He says, "I just saw Ghosts on MTV. As always, আপনি are awesome, Michael. Do আপনি have any plans of releasing it as a DVD in America?"
Michael: Yes, it will be released as a DVD in America in it's entirety, and some of the making of Ghosts. And that was one of my most পছন্দ things I've ever done because it's been a dream of mine for a long time to do something like, আপনি know, scary but comical at the same time, and, uh, it's all the elements, just fun. 'Cause I don't want to scare people to the point where they're afraid to go to sleep. I want it to have a little twist of humor. And within the laugher there is a tear, আপনি know? It's fun, আপনি know. These ghosts, they weren't really scary, they were fun. They walked up the ceilings. Little kids were laughing at them. They were fun. আপনি know, we don't want to horrify them. But we gave this fat man, this Mayor, his justice, for coming into my house, which was private property, judging me. আপনি know.
Anthony: Absolutely. We have Cloudlee2000 who writes in and wonders, "Why did আপনি name the album Invincible?"
Michael: Well, invincible is something of... I think it's a proper name. It's one of the cuts on the album and I've been an artist.. uh, not to pat myself on the back but the গিনেস Book of World Records just listed me, uh, another time, as the artist who's had the longest stretch career 'cause since I was a little, little kid to this point with still hit records from number one records, and uh, I'm so proud and honored that I've been chosen from the Heavens, অথবা whatever it is, to be Invincible, and to just continue to grow and to be, আপনি know... serve the people. It serves the people with wonderful entertainment.
Anthony: Now, one of the, আপনি know, the kind of conventional wisdom in the সঙ্গীত industry is, আপনি know, audiences don't really have an attention span any more, আপনি know. If an artist stays away for too long the audience wanders off and goes somewhere else. Was that a concern of yours with coming out with a record and taking a while to work on Invincible অথবা do you, uh, are আপনি convinced your অনুরাগী base is still there and will be as strong as ever?
Michael: I'm, I'm ... No, the answer to your প্রশ্ন is that has never concerned me once and I've never thought of it. Because I've always known if সঙ্গীত is truly great অথবা if a movie is truly great, people want to see it অথবা hear it. No matter where you, how long you've been away, অথবা whatever the situation is. আপনি know, greatness is greatness and if আপনি really do a great job on what you're doing, people want to hear it. অথবা they want to see it. আপনি know, it doesn't matter, It really doesn't. Long as you're an innovator and a pioneer, আপনি know. And that's the most important thing. Give them what they want to hear.
Anthony: Now Slimslady420US sends in a প্রশ্ন and wonders "which song on the Invincible album do আপনি think আপনি personally relate to the most?"
Michael: Ummm, Unbreakable.
Anthony: Talk a bit about that track. Now আপনি mentioned it a couple of times, I'm getting really curious about it. Could you... What could আপনি tell us about it?
Michael: 'Cause, uh, I' m one of the few people, probably in প্রদর্শনী business, that have been through the ins and outs, আপনি know, of so many different things. Um, I've been through hell and back. I have, to be honest, and uh, and still I'm able to do what I do and nothing can stop me. No one can stop me, no matter what. I stop when I'm ready to stop. আপনি know, and uh, I'm just saying, আপনি know, I will continue to সরানো অগ্রবর্তী no matter what.
Anthony: Now we have Warful writes in, "Are আপনি working অথবা planning to do any আরো short films for Invincible, specifically for the really fast tracks such as 2000 Watts, Heartbreaker, Unbreakable, and Invincible?"
Michael: Absolutely, and she said... Whoever ব্যক্ত that ব্যক্ত the right word when they ব্যক্ত ব্যক্ত "short films." And uh, that's what we try to make them, short films: a beginning and middle and a ending of a story. Uh, to take the medium to a new level but absolutely. There's like a an array of, an encyclopedia of just great short films to make from the album. It's very exciting. I can't wait to do Threatened. It's a kind of scary one with Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.
Anthony: We have a প্রশ্ন here from Nepolian3, says his name is George really, and it says, "Michael, I think this is your most cohesive and impressive album since Thriller. Or, really, Off The Wall. What are some of your most memorable moments while recording the tracks for this album?"
Michael: Most memorable moments were, it was... of all my albums I would say this one was the toughest. 'Cause I was hardest on myself. Uh, I wrote so many songs, I don't want to say the number, just to get to uh, how many are on there, 16? Just to get to the 16 that I think are acceptable. And, um, it's the album where... I didn't have children before other albums, so I caught a lot of colds; I was sick a lot. Cause my children got [interruption from host]. So we had to stop and start again and stop and start and... constantly. But I enjoyed it very, very much.
Anthony: Now, when আপনি describe yourself as being tough on yourself during the recording process. How does that, আপনি know... what is the process that আপনি go to. If আপনি think something isn't quite what it ought to be অথবা maybe আপনি could do better অথবা আপনি know, maybe আপনি want to সরানো something in a new direction. আপনি know, what is that like?
Michael: If I truly told you, I don't know if the অনুরাগী would like me anymore [giggles]. I've had musicians who really get angry with me because I'll make them do something literally several hundred to a thousand times till it's what I want it to be. Um, but then afterwards, they call me back on the phone and they'll apologize and say, "you were absolutely right. I've never played better, I've done better work, I out-did myself," is what they'll say. And I say, "That's the way it should be because you've immortalized yourself. This is here forever. It's a time capsule." It's like Michelangelo's work. আপনি know, it's like the Sistine Chapel, it's here forever. Everything we do should be that way, আপনি know?
Anthony: To try to bring it to the best possible standard that it can be.
Michael: Absolutely.
Anthony: Now Sweetpea4286 wonders, "Are there any surprises on the new album?"
Michael: Any surprises? Boy. I think it is what it is, and আপনি can interpret it the way আপনি want to interpret it. Um, but uh, that's all I can say about that. Other than some ... we will be releasing some surprise CD singles at some point -- something like that, yeah. In the future, though. That's coming up.
Anthony: Very good. I wanted to ask you, just as... in performing... and recently you've done a couple of shows, আপনি did a couple at Madison Square Garden and আপনি did a প্রদর্শনী at RFK stadium, a benefit concert, and আপনি know, obviously, আপনি know, you.... live performance has been one of the things that has distinguished আপনি throughout your career. You've been offstage for a while. I wonder if আপনি could talk a little bit about what it was like to be out there again in front of an audience and, আপনি know, getting that opportunity to perform again.
Michael: It was, um, it's hard to explain. It was quite exciting, to feel the audience and to see them and to be accepted so warmly দ্বারা them. Um, it's just an incredible feeling. It really is. They're there to support আপনি and to প্রণয় আপনি and to hear their পছন্দ songs and you're just standing there and they're just giving আপনি so much adulation and প্রণয় and the sprit is just full of love, it's wonderful. It's very emotional. It, uh, brings me to tears. It's wonderful.
Anthony: I remember in your book আপনি describe that like sometime on stage is when আপনি feel the most alive, that those are the moments that, আপনি know, really are the whole -- kind of the most transporting for you.
Michael: It is. It's being offstage that's difficult for me. Uh, being on stage ... either লেখা সঙ্গীত অথবা লেখা poetry, and being on stage, and watching কার্টুন are my পছন্দ things to do in the entire world. Um, that's what brings me to life. I প্রণয় that. That's what inspires me to do what I do, আপনি know?
Anthony: Excellent. We have a প্রশ্ন from someone calling themself The best dancer in the world. Well, we've got আপনি on the line, I'm not sure that uh, we might have to contest that a little bit. But anyway, the best dancer in the world wants to know, "Michaeljackson.com ব্যক্ত that জেই জেড্‌ will appear with আপনি on the new album. Is that true?"
Michael: No, but we are talking about doing something in the future together.
Anthony: Is জেই জেড্‌ an artist who's worked you've liked, is ah.. as a person, have আপনি spent time with him? What's your impression of him?
Michael: I think he's excellent. He has incredible rhythms, counter-rhythms. And he's just one of the newer contemporary artists that the kids really love. He's really, really great.
Anthony: We have a প্রশ্ন here from Sweden. Tony from Sweden writes in and says, "Hi Michael. You're the most amazing artist of all time. I just প্রণয় your music. Do আপনি want to tour, and will আপনি do a world tour অথবা a European tour?"
Michael: Um, gee, we haven't thought about it much right now, but uh, I don't want to say it's not in the works. Um, we're concentrating on a lot of different things right now. But I can't quite say.
Anthony: Fine. I wanted to ask...
Michael: আপনি know what, in the near future I'm sure there'll be something that'll come up. In the near future.
Anthony: People should, ah, keep their eyes open for announcements on that front. We have a প্রশ্ন from Noria, describes him অথবা herself as a 32 বছর old Spanish fan, লেখা from Los Angeles, would like to know if আপনি have any plans to release any of your songs in Invincible in Spanish অথবা any other language besides English.
Michael: Uh, as of now we haven't but that would be a great thing to do. We haven't written that off. We think it's a big market, so that's a great possibility.
Anthony: Especially for someone like your self who has a big International following -- আপনি know, for many people, their following is in England অথবা in the US, but your following is very International obviously.
Michael: Thank you.
Anthony: Um, talk a bit... One of the things that was of kind of a little bit of a sensation this বছর was Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal. I wanted to see if you'd paid attention it, if you... Do আপনি enjoy it, অথবা how আপনি felt about it.
Michael: I saw it and fell in প্রণয় with it. I loved it. I said, I just gotta have this come out. So, they wanted my permission; I saw it and I approved it and gave it a triple A, and ব্যক্ত "go right ahead."
Anthony: Fantastic. It must be interesting, as a songwriter, to have other people do your songs and come up with another interpretation. What is that like?
Michael: It's a great compliment. It's a wonderful compliment. It makes আপনি feel worthy and that your সঙ্গীত is reaching all the different generations. আপনি know, and all the different, uh... I mean, everybody's out there listening and that makes me very happy.
Anthony: Now we have a প্রশ্ন from Canada. Gary, who is 19, writes in, "What other artists did আপনি collaborate with on Invincible?"
Michael: What other artists did I collaborate with on Invincible...
Anthony: Do আপনি have any special guests.
Michael: Umm, oh yeah, Carlos Santana. He and I have done, like, a duet. He plays the গিটার and I sing and it's something that, uh, we've written. And it's really, really a nice song.
Anthony: Now had আপনি known him from over time অথবা did আপনি meet him recently?
Michael: I've met him before, but we've been talking a lot on the phone recently. After winning his Grammy award he ব্যক্ত to the press that he would like to meet me and he's ready to work with me. So everybody's been telling me that, and uh, I called him up and he ব্যক্ত he really would, it would be his dream come true. And he was the nicest man. He's so kind and so spiritual. I found him to be so humble, so I ব্যক্ত to myself, "We have to make this work."
Anthony: And so আপনি wrote a song together?
Michael: Well, there's a song that myself and two other people wrote and he was a part of it, and uh, Whatever Happens.
Anthony: Ok.. We have a প্রশ্ন from Anicia. Says, "Michael are আপনি a অনুরাগী of Chris Tucker." Describes him being in your সাম্প্রতিক video.
Michael: I am a huge, huge অনুরাগী Chris Tucker. He makes me laugh so hard. um, I uh, I've seen all of his films, and he's just a funny guy. I like people who can make আপনি laugh without using vulgarity, অথবা bad words. For the kids, they're for all different demographics, all the corners of the earth and he's just a funny guy.
Anthony: We have another প্রশ্ন from Canada. Tony, who's 17 from Canada, writes and wonders, "How long does it take আপনি to produce a song from the initial conception to the final recording?"
Michael: Well....
Anthony: [laughing] I guess it probably varies from...
Michael: Yeah, it does vary. And for me it's really different than most artists because I'll do a couple of songs, they'll be 5, 6, 7 অথবা 8 অথবা 10 of them; I'll throw them all away and start over. So, that's a difficult প্রশ্ন to ask me.
Anthony: I wonder if... is there a specific song on the album -- say Invincible -- আপনি know, how long... when... Do আপনি remember getting the first inspiration for that song and then maybe the দিন when আপনি finally said, "This is it, I've got it exactly the way I want it?"
Michael: On Invincible itself?
Anthony: umhum.
Michael: Ummm, yes. Yes. I remember having the guys go back in and create আরো innovative... 'Cause we don't... um, this is our thing, we don't, uh, a lot of sounds on the album that aren't sounds from keyboards, uh, that are, আপনি know, pretty much programmed into the machines. We go out and make our own sounds. We hit on things, we beat on things, so nobody can duplicate what we do. We make them with our own hands, we find things and we create things. And uh, that's the most important thing, to be a pioneer. To be an innovator.
Anthony: Absoluteluy. Now we have Vernay who writes to us from Newark, Delaware, the good ole USA, and Vernay says, "I'm so pleased with the new album but I was particularly touched দ্বারা Speechless. What was your inspiration for this song?"
Michael: Speechless was inspired to me by, um, I spend a lot of time in the forest. I like to go into the forest and I like to climb trees. My পছন্দ thing is to climb trees, go all the way up to the শীর্ষ of a বৃক্ষ and I look down on the branches. Whenever I do that it inspires me for music. There are these two sweet little kids, a girl and a boy, and they're so innocent; they're the quintessential form of innocence, and just being in their presence I felt completely speechless, 'cause I felt I was looking in the face of God whenever I saw them. They inspired me to write Speechless.
Anthony: Well, that answer actually might touch on this পরবর্তি প্রশ্ন which we have, which wonders, "Where do আপনি look for inspiration when আপনি write your songs. Does inspiration come from a variety of different places?
Michael: Well, the best songs that are written write themselves. আপনি don't ask for them, they just drop into your lap. Then there are those songs that, আপনি know, আপনি kind of uh, incubate. আপনি know, আপনি plant the seed, let the subconscious take its course, and within time আপনি hope something comes, and most the time it does. I don't believe in the concept of writer's block -- that is a bad word. আপনি create it when আপনি say it. There's no such thing. Um, like any painter অথবা sculptor, they paint... they do their best work when they're in the 60s and their 70s. ফ্রেড Astaire did his best dancing when he was in his 70s. Angelo [Michelangelo] sculpted late into his 60s and 70s, doing brilliant ingenious work. But in the সঙ্গীত business some of these great artists have become stumped because they self-abuse themselves at a young age, with all these crazy things they drink and pills and things, and uh, that's just not good -- just not a good thing. I hate to say that to hurt anybody, but we should take care of our bodies a little more.
Anthony: Naw, I think a lot of people have realized they've damaged themselves. আপনি know, many people have talked about it in সাম্প্রতিক years, আপনি know.
Michael: Yeah.
Anthony: We have a প্রশ্ন from Allen here who asks if আপনি think that Rodney Jerkins and আপনি have created a new sound for 2001.
Michael: For the song 2000 Watts?
Anthony: He says, "Do আপনি feel that আপনি and Rodney Jerkins, of course the producer, have created a new sound for 2001?"
Michael: 2001? Anthony: Yes
Michael: Oh. Um, that would be a nice thought, yes.
Anthony: What was it like working with him. How did আপনি guys meet and, আপনি know, how did your collaboration go?
Michael: He was this guy who went around Hollywood and around the industry saying his dream was to work with me to everybody. Then at Carol Bayer Sager's house, who's this great song writer; won several academy awards for her songwriting, said, "There's a guy I used to work with. His name is Rodney Jerkins, he's been crying to me begging to meet you. I mean, why don't আপনি pick up the phone and say 'hi' to him." And he came over that দিন and he said, "Please, my dream is to work with you. Will আপনি give me two weeks and I'll see what I can come up with." And uh, we ended up working together.
Anthony: And what were your impressions of him, like as just somebody... What did he bring; what did আপনি feel that his contribution was?
Michael: His contribution was he loves to create in the same kind of way that I like to create. But I pushed Rodney. And pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed him to create... uh, to innovate more. To pioneer more. He's a real musician. He's a real musician and he's very dedicated and he's real loyal. He has perseverance. I don't think I've seen perseverance like his in anyone. Because আপনি can push him and push him and he doesn't get angry. Yeah, I think he's a great guy, he really is.
Anthony: That is a great compliment.
Michael: And um, and Teddy Riely is just incredible. He's innovative too. I প্রণয় working with him.
Anthony: And আপনি had worked with him in the past, of course.
Michael: Yeah, he's one of my favorite... as a human being, he's one of my পছন্দ people in the world. He's just a really sweet, kind guy. আপনি know. And Rodney's very funny. আপনি laugh all দিন when you're with him. He turns his সঙ্গীত up in the studio and he starts dancing around the room. He's fun.
Anthony: We'd like to remind everyone, you're on Getmusic. We're here talking with Michael Jackson, whose new album Invincible is out on Oct. 30th. আপনি can check it out at Michaeljackson.com. আপনি can preorder it on Getmusic.
Now we have a প্রশ্ন from ItsJackson who is really named Rachel from Connecticut, wonders "Do আপনি have any new dance moves that you've invented while আপনি were making your album?"
Michael: For the first time working on any album, I put a halt to dancing. Because I was just so engrossed and so infatuated with what I was doing um, I did something that was very unusual. But once the সঙ্গীত started playing, of course, I started to dance. But um, uh, it's starting to now create itself and, uh, with the সঙ্গীত playing I'm coming up with some new things. But that's coming in the future with the newer short films. They'll be seeing... they'll be seeing all kinds of innovative things and movements that have never been seen before. We'll go places where we've never gone in dance before. Cause all the hiphop things that are happening now are beginning to look like aerobics, it's kinda getting annoying.
Anthony: [laughs] We have a প্রশ্ন from Simon who, আপনি know, you've obviously mentioned আপনি know, all the people who have wanted to work with you. He wonders, "Michael who wold আপনি প্রণয় to do a duet with, past অথবা present?"
Michael: Uh, if it's past, it'd be somebody like, uh, I would say Sarah Vaughn [*] অথবা Nat King Cole. Present, I think, uh, Whitney Houston is brilliant and Barbara Striesand has a beautiful voice. আপনি know, those kinds of artists, they're just wonderful.
Anthony: What's your impression of some of the artists who've come on the scene just in সাম্প্রতিক years, আপনি know, people like Britney Speares and Christina Aguilara. আপনি know, young pop stars who are obviously hugely popular. আপনি know, obviously, Britney participated in your প্রদর্শনী at the Garden, আপনি know, what was your sense about her?
Michael: I think they're a new breed that are coming out. They're doing a very good job. And what impressed me আরো about any of these artists, like Speares and Christina, they're so determined. I've heard about the way they work. They'll work on a dance step, I mean, like, for months, and, uh.. to get it right, আপনি know. Uh, they're just so determined. And I've met... I've met Britney several times and she was very sweet and humble. She came to my room. We quietly talked for couple hours, and she was just, uh, like a বার্বি doll. She was very sweet, she was very kind.
Anthony: I imagine that someone like আপনি would be a kind of interesting and important resource for her, আপনি know. As someone who was a তারকা when আপনি were so young, and then when... I don't think people necessarily understand what a kind of strange reality that is, আপনি know, within all the acclaim and the fame and the excitement, আপনি know, to be a kid and have all that attention focused on আপনি must be kind of scary also. Did আপনি find it that way, uh, in your own experience?
Michael: Yeah, because where ever I go, um, I disguise myself, now -- but now I can't with, 'cause, আপনি know, with what's going on in the world -- so I don't wear a disguise. And uh, people they just go... They really go crazy. They're very happy to see you. They feel as if they know you. আপনি have to respond back to them like আপনি know them. They feel they personally know you. My picture's on their walls, আপনি know, my সঙ্গীত is playing in their house, so they grab আপনি and they hug আপনি and they touch আপনি and they... So I usually respond back with hugs and loves and kisses. Cause I love... I love... I truly প্রণয় my fans. Truly, truly from the heart. That's the real truth. I প্রণয় them. And the ones who are, um.... Like when we go to a certain country and they're outside, and outside they're sleeping on the রাস্তা and I throw them pillows and cover and everything. And I have my security guards buy them পিজা so they can all eat, and get the candles and, আপনি know, we really take care of them. They're very, very, very sweet and supportive.
Anthony: Sam who is 20 years old and from Texas here in the US wonders, "Will আপনি release প্রজাপতি as a single? That's one of your best songs."
Michael: প্রজাপতি is, uh, is a single that's released now. It's a single now. Tell him thank আপনি very much.
Anthony: Great. What other plans do আপনি have, আপনি know, when you... As somebody who's been a kind of innovator in terms of making short films to accompany your songs, do আপনি conceptualize all that ahead of time or, আপনি know, do আপনি decide, on a kinda step দ্বারা step basis, আপনি know, this is gonna be the পরবর্তি single and I want to make a, আপনি know, a kind of visual statement to accompany it. আপনি know, how does that all proceed?
Michael: All right, the short film itself?
Anthony: Yeah.
Michael: Well, I let the song pretty much speak to me and I get in a room and I pretty much start making notes... আপনি know, I'll speak to a writer -- like Stephen King and myself, both of us wrote Ghosts, the short film Ghosts, and we just on the telephone started লেখা it and let it create itself and go where it wants to go. But we try to do things that are very unusual. And it's... it's not an easy thing to do because আপনি have to time it with the song, and আপনি can't spend too much time, and the special effects can take 5 months sometimes to execute. So, it's just .. .it's kinda difficult thing and the record company's saying, "Come on, come on, come on, we have to go, we have to go." So, I understand. So we try to do the best we can in the amount of time that we can execute it in.
Anthony: We have a প্রশ্ন now, uh, Helen from Scotland says, "If আপনি could only perform one of your songs for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?"
Michael: Ooh, it would probably be... if I could pick আরো than one, up to two অথবা three?
Anthony: yeah, I think we can go that far.
Michael: Heal The World, Speechless, um, and that's a difficult one... I think, uh.. huh... ummm, আপনি Are My Life.
Anthony: So, আপনি went for the ones that are the... the kind of, uh, the biggest statements, in a way, it seems to me.
Michael: Yeah, because, uh, the point is that they're very melodic and if they have a great important message that's kinda immortal, that can relate to any time and space, আপনি know.
Anthony: One of the things, actually, I wanted to ask আপনি is, আপনি know, we've had these, আপনি know, horrible terrorist attacks here in New York City and in Washington, DC. What is the role that আপনি feel, আপনি know, artists can play in the wake of something like that. আপনি know, I mean, আপনি did that benefits প্রদর্শনী in Washington. আপনি know, is there... In সঙ্গীত and in... আপনি know, can artists do something to help people get through what for many of us has been a very difficult time?
Michael: Yeah, আপনি give of yourself. আপনি give of your talent, of your ability... The talent that was প্রদত্ত আপনি দ্বারা the Heavens. That's why we're here, to bring a sense of escapism in time of need. And, uh, if you're a painter আপনি paint; if you're a sculptor, আপনি sculpt; if you're a writer, আপনি write; if you're a songwriter, আপনি give songs; if you're a dancer, আপনি give dance. আপনি give people some প্রণয় and some... some bliss and some escapism, and to প্রদর্শনী that আপনি truly care from the heart, and be there for them. Not just from a distance, but প্রদর্শনী আপনি really care. আপনি know, take the long mile and be there for them. And that's what I did, and many others who cared and helped. And it's an important thing.
Anthony: We have a প্রশ্ন now from Chili Boy who wonders, "I've always wanted to know, how do আপনি come up with a dance move, and how long does it take for আপনি to put the choreography for a song together?"
Michael: I pretty much just get in a room and I start to dance, and uh, I don't create the dance, the dance creates itself, really. আপনি know, I'll do something and I'll look back... I'll look back on tape and I'll go, "Wow," I didn't realize I had done that. It came out of the drums. আপনি become.... Dancing is about interpretation. আপনি become.... আপনি become the accompaniment of the music. So when আপনি become the খাদ of Billie Jean, I couldn't help but do the step that I was doing when the song first starts, because, uh, that's what it told me to do. আপনি know, if I turn around, spin, stop, সরানো my legs to the side and then lift up the মণ্ডল of my shirt, that's for that moment is an accompaniment.
Anthony: I remember watching that moment on টেলিভিশন and just leaping out of my chair. It's so extraordinary.
Michael: Thank আপনি very much.
Anthony: That was really one of the great, great moments.
Michael: It's all spontaneous movement. Nothing in that piece was, on, uh, Billie Jean, was planned but the Moonwalk. Everything else was just, আপনি know, improvising, really.