by As a lifelong fan of Michael Jackson, I was thrilled when I heard about his insightful 2001 interview with Rolling Stone magazine. This rare conversation provided a glimpse into Michael’s creative mindset and revealed which lyrics served as his biggest inspirations. When asked about his most impactful lyric, Michael thought carefully before responding with the simple but profound line: “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good.”
Upon reflecting on this quote from Gloria Gaynor’s smash hit “I Will Survive,” it’s clear why these words resonated so deeply with Michael. Throughout his career, he faced immense criticism and scrutiny, yet he remained committed to spreading messages of hope, harmony, and healing through his music. This particular lyric encapsulates Michael’s spirit – it speaks to his resilience and determination to stay true to his pure intentions, regardless of what others thought of him.
Michael explained that whenever he felt discouraged or dejected, he would repeat this lyric to himself as a reminder to stay positive and never abandon his dreams. It gave him the strength to survive all of the challenges he endured and continue using his creative gifts to make the world a better place. Though Michael achieved astronomical success, touring the globe and amassing millions of devoted fans, he was still just a soul trying to share his light with the world through song.
Like all great song lyrics, this line from “I Will Survive” transcends the song itself and applies to the universal human experience. Haven’t we all been in a position where we’ve had to dig deep and remain hopeful in the face of adversity? Sometimes just stating our positive intentions out loud can give us the motivation we need to keep striving. Michael understood this and called upon the lyric whenever he needed a boost.
Beyond this particular line, Michael also cited numerous other inspirational song lyrics that fueled his artistic fire. From John Lennon’s “Imagine” to Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” Michael derived inspiration from many sources. However, the earnest simplicity of “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good” seemed to resonate with him on the deepest level. It aligned with his spiritual outlook and helped reinforce his faith during painful times. Just six words, but they carried profound weight and wisdom to live by.
Given the ups and downs of Michael’s storied career, it’s poignant that he clung to lyrics centered on surviving and retaining hope. From the magic of “Let It Be” to the triumphant chorus of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” the songs he looked to for inspiration all share a common theme of overcoming adversity through tenacity and optimism. Whenever the world was unkind to Michael, he turned to these lyrics as pillars of comfort and strength.
Likewise, we all have certain lyrics or mantras that help galvanize our inner resolve. Words can be incredibly powerful, especially when set to music. Michael clearly understood this and deliberately curated a soundtrack of inspirational songs to lift him up when he needed it most. Though his faith was tested time and again, his intentions remained pure at heart.
In closing, it is deeply moving to gain insight into the lyrics Michael Jackson turned to for inspiration and solace. Music was his passion and his refuge. By opening up about the words behind the music that most influenced him, he did his fans an enormous service. Whenever I’m feeling low or defeated, I think of Michael repeating the phrase “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good,” and it encourages me to stay the course. What better reminder that we all have a wellspring of resilience and hope within? Thank you, Michael, for the inspiration. You remain in our hearts and memories, and your music lives on.
