by Michael Jackson’s Enduring Admiration for The Beatles
Michael Jackson is undoubtedly one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. From a young age, Jackson displayed a prodigious talent that catapulted him to stardom first as a child member of The Jackson 5, and later as a solo artist with smash hits like “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” and “Beat It.” Jackson’s music broke barriers and reshaped the landscape of pop, soul, R&B, and rock.
Throughout his storied career, Jackson named The Beatles as one of his biggest inspirations and professed a deep admiration for the British band. Though The Beatles disbanded in 1970, a decade before Jackson would release his smash solo albums, their influence continued to impact Jackson’s music for the rest of his life.
Jackson’s Early Love of The Beatles
Jackson discovered The Beatles as a child growing up in Gary, Indiana in the 1960s. In several interviews, he recalled listening to their music on the radio and becoming enthralled with their catchy melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and original sound. “I would sit and just listen to Beatles songs all day long,” Jackson revealed in a 1979 interview. “I knew every note, every instrument.”
The Beatles’ music had an especially profound impact on the young musician. “They showed me chords and how to construct a song,” Jackson said. As he began his career with The Jackson 5, Jackson started incorporating Beatles-inspired vocal harmonies, chord changes, and melodic concepts into the band’s soul/R&B songs. Later, as he transitioned into a solo career, The Beatles’ influence became even more apparent in complex pop songs like “Billie Jean.”
He also closely studied The Beatles’ innovative approaches to the studio. “They used the studio like an instrument, and I loved the way they approached making records,” he said. “The Beatles inspired me to start thinking outside the box and be more original.”
Admiration for Lennon and McCartney’s Songwriting
More than anything, Jackson praised The Beatles’ songwriting brilliance, particularly that of the duo John Lennon and Paul McCartney. “They had so many classic songs, but it was never just pop for pop’s sake,” Jackson commented. “Their music spoke to people and touched lives. That’s what inspired me the most.”
Jackson singled out songs like “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude” as compositions he wished he had written. “’Yesterday’ is the most beautiful melody, but so bittersweet,” he explained. “And ‘Hey Jude’…the emotion in Paul’s voice gives me chills.”
Above all, Jackson praised Lennon and McCartney’s ability to connect with listeners through lyrics. “Even as a kid, I understood what John and Paul were singing about,” he said. “Their music wasn’t dumbed down. They wrote about adult themes, but made them accessible.” He cited songs like “Eleanor Rigby” and “A Day in the Life” as lyrical masterpieces.
Reinterpreting Beatles Songs
Jackson’s admiration for The Beatles’ catalog ran so deep that he recorded several cover versions of their songs over the years. His first was a rendition of “Got to Get You Into My Life” for the 1978 movie Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
In his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk, Jackson wrote about his decision to cover the Revolver track: “I’ve always considered it one of The Beatles’ great songs, because it has such a beautiful melody. So I decided to mix it up: I’d sing it soulful but use pop chords.” Jackson’s version landed at No. 7 on the Billboard R&B chart.
Other covers included a bluesy take on “Come Together” and a pop ballad arrangement of “Yesterday” performed during his Dangerous Tour. “The Beatles’ music is so relatable it can be reimagined in all different ways,” Jackson said after the shows. “Their melodies and lyrics are so well constructed.”
Jackson also incorporated Beatles snippets and lyrical references into his own songs frequently. Listen closely to tracks like “Bad,” “Black or White,” and “Privacy” to catch subtle homages to Beatles concepts and motifs.
Praise for The Beatles’ Cultural Impact
In addition to The Beatles’ artistry, Jackson also expressed admiration for the band’s monumental cultural influence in the 1960s. “Their impact on the world was huge,” Jackson emphasized in interviews. “They changed attitudes, fashion, film, and brought a revolutionary spirit to millions of young people.”
Jackson recognized The Beatles as groundbreaking figureheads of the 1960s counterculture movement. Their music provided the soundtrack for a generation championing peace, love and freethinking. “They carried the torch for change,” Jackson remarked. “Their lyrics embodied the hope and positive change young people wanted to see in the world.”
He also credited The Beatles with erasing racial divides in popular music and audiences. “The Beatles didn’t see black or white,” Jackson stated. “Their music brought people of all different backgrounds together. They showed music’s unifying power.” Jackson aimed to do the same with crossover songs like “Black or White.”
Meeting Paul McCartney
As an adult, Jackson finally got to meet one of his biggest heroes when he connected with Paul McCartney in the early 1980s. “It was a surreal moment,” Jackson recalled later. The two musicians quickly bonded over their mutual love of music and recording techniques in the studio.
Jackson and McCartney ended up collaborating on two songs: “Say Say Say” and “The Girl is Mine.” Meeting McCartney left a big impression on the star. “I felt like a kid again talking to Paul,” Jackson said. “I could ask him a million questions.”
Though their friendship later soured, Jackson continued to speak highly of McCartney’s legacy. “He’s a genius and an icon,” Jackson stated in 2002. “Even at 60, Paul is still the finest musician around.”
Inspiration Until the End
Michael Jackson carried his admiration for The Beatles with him throughout his career. Their artistic boldness motivated him to push boundaries and blend genres in his own music. He credited them with teaching him how to turn songs into impactful cultural statements.
Jackson’s catalog of smash hits undoubtedly expanded the horizons of pop and broke countless records. But he never stopped praising the band that first inspired him as a child. For him, The Beatles’ example encouraged innovation, ambition, and a commitment to uniting people through music. More than any band before or since, they represented the boundless heights artists could reach.
Though his life was tragically cut short, Jackson’s decades of blockbuster music and videos stand as a testament to The Beatles’ enduring inspiration. Like his idols John, Paul, George and Ringo, Jackson leveraged his fame and talent to make the world a little bit better place through the unparalleled power of song.
