Hands Across The World

Eight of the most successful music acts in Africa joined in a group called One8. The idea behind the project is to connect people through music. The pan-African super group caught the attention of Billboard International publication who included them on theirs "Best Bet for 2011" list.
Last November, R. Kelly joined the group and so the message behind the group got a wider meaning and gained an important source of energy and creativity.
The first song to come out from this collaboration is "Hands Across The World". Uplifting, with beautiful harmonies and it makes a powerful statement.
Heal The World !

One 8 are:
R. Kelly – USA, 2Face – Nigeria, Alikiba – Tanzania, Amani – Kenya, Fally Ipupa – D.R. Congo, 4X4 – Ghana, JK – Zambia, Movaizhaleine – Gabon, Navio – Uganda

 

 Hey world stand up
Stretch out your hands
One8 represent the dream
Africa
Feel free
One8 let's get them

I'm reaching out to the poor people
The sick and the alone
I'm reaching out to the fortunate who can build their own homes
I'm reaching out to the ones who seems to have lost their way
And I'm calling on all the ones who can show them a brighter day
I believe if you believe then we can achieve anything
So lift your voice and give it everything
Now let you're your heart sing

Chorus:
Africa to America
Everywhere common and spread some love
We got faith and a little hope
I believe that we can heal the globe
It's time to open our eyes and see
That all we need is you and me
Unity's like harmony
So let me see you stretch your hands across the world
Hands across the world...


I'm reaching out to all of the hoods and the streets everywhere
I'm reaching out to all in need to show the world that you care
Can't go no more you've given up and your energy's running low
I'm reaching out to the pastors and the words they give us all
I believe that if you believe then we can achieve anything
So lift your voice and give it everything
Now let you're your heart sing

Chorus:
Africa to America
Everywhere common and spread some love
We got faith and a little hope
I believe that we can heal the globe
It's time to open our eyes and see
That all we need is you and me
Unity's like harmony
So let me see you stretch your hands across the world
Hands across the world...

It's the world main project my desire
The power of love you cannot deny ya
Let's go people it's time to go higher
Let's spread your wings I believe you can fly ya
We can do anything if we believe
Let me see you dance if you got victory
If we come together we can make history
So let me see you reach

[Chorus: X 2]
Africa to America
Everywhere common and spread some love
We got faith and a little hope
I believe that we can heal the globe
It's time to open our eyes and see
All we need is you and me
Unity's like harmony
So let me see you stretch your hands across the world
Hands across the world

Cross the World
One8 project
Feel free

Children's Day - Invisible Children

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, 

we shall have to begin with the children."

Ghandi

Decades of war and violence, countless casualties, hundred of thousands left without a home, about 2 million people in harms way, children being abducted, given guns and forced to fight the war.

A world unaware of or unwilling to learn about the suffering.

It took 3 young men - call them reckless, crazy or whatever, I call them God-sent - who went to Africa in search of a story (any story) and their Invisible Children: Rough Cut documentary  to open the eyes of the international community.

Watching the documentary has proven to be a huge task for me. But I did saw it. It was one of the most horrifying, inspiring hour of my life. 

And if you watch it and makes you sick, I say good - ACT on it. 

Make that change.

 For more information about the war and the steps taken to help the children in Northern Uganda, as well as learning about what you can do to help please visit the Invisible Children website.

DO MORE THAN JUST WATCH.

"From this day forward, may a new song be heard.
Let that new song be the sound of children laughing.
Let that new song be the sound of children playing.
Let that new song be the sound of children singing.
And let that new song be the sound of parents listening.
Together, let us create a symphony of hearts, marvelling at the miracle of our children and basking in the beauty of love.
Let us heal the world and blight its pain.
And may we all make beautiful music together"

Michael Jackson

Join the action

Visible Child Scholarship  Program

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/pages/legacy-scholarship-program

Invisible Children on Twitter

http://twitter.com/invisible

Invisible Children on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/invisiblechildren

Invisible Children on MySpace

http://www.myspace.com/invisiblechildren

Invisible Children on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/invisiblechildreninc

Strength

We have many definitions for strength. We relate it to resilience, (physical) force, will power, courage,wisdom, beliefs ... Rarely we mention love and trust when talking about strength. I guess because we still view emotions as weaknesses rather then strengths.

I have been changing my understanding of the concept and today I find it difficult to give a definition - I can only begin to explain it with the example of people I know and/or have in my life. And it usually involves their amazing capacity to love, to give, to care and to trust.

Happy Birthday my dear friend !

May your prayers be answered.

Thank you for your love and strength.

Ending Modern Day Slavery

Most of us relate slavery to African-Americans being shipped over from Africa to the United States in the 16th through the 19th centuries...few of us are aware of the ongoing struggle many people face in the 21st century.

Modern day slavery is still a strong cell of activity around the world: Globally, some 600,000 to 800,000 people are being trafficked across international boarders each year, 20% of the victims are children.*
In the United States, the CIA estimates 50,000 people are trafficked through the USA annually as sex slaves, domestics, garment and agricultural slaves.*


These numbers are startling to say the least; thankfully, there are many groups dedicated to ending this disturbing trend.

Members of IALF will share information via CNN's Freedom Project. Please feel free to check out the following link for information, stats, and ways to help: http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/

For additional information about human trafficing, visit UNICEF (www.unicef.org), World Hope International (www.worldhope.org), and Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org)

*stats from grnet.com and US State Department

World Wish Day - April 29th, 2011

"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."

Maya Angelou

Today we join Make A Wish Foundation in celebrating "World Wish Day".

Please take a bit of your time to read the stories 

and find out about the work that the foundation is doing all over the world.

“I’ve traveled the world over eight times. I do as many hospitals and orphanages as I do concerts. But, of course, it’s not covered [by the press]. That’s not why I do it - for coverage. I do it because it’s from my heart. And there are so many children in the city who haven’t seen the mountains, who haven’t been on a carousel, who haven’t petted a horse or a llama, never seen them... So if I can open my gates and see that bliss, an explosion of screaming laughter from the children and they run on the rides, I say, “Thank you, God.” I feel I’ve won God’s smile of approval, because I’m doing something that brings joy and happiness to other people.”

Michael Jackson

World Wish Day

http://worldwishday.org/en/index.php

Make A Wish Foundation International

http://www.worldwish.org/

Also read 

Finding Again- Neverland: More about Empaths & Vibes
http://www.innermichael.com/2011/03/finding-again-the-neverland/

Children's Day:April 22, Keep the Faith - Michael Jackson

To the Least of These - Matthew 25:33-40

"The Son of Man will put the sheep (good people) on his right and the goats (bad people) on his left. "Then the king will say to those good people on his right, 'Come. My Father has given you great blessings. Come and get the kingdom God promised you. That kingdom has been prepared for you since the world was made. You can have this kingdom, because I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your home. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me.' "Then the good people will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?' "Then the king will answer, 'I tell you the truth. Anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.'"

Recently, I started a human rights mission, in my own city.

I recently started a project which involves improving the educational pipeline for children birth to 18 years old. As part of my orientation to this work, I visited a project site. This visit took me through emotions of feeling privileged, somber, then hopeful.

As part of this visit, I took what was called a "Windshield Tour" in a mini bus, the kind that is typical of child care providers in U.S. neighborhoods. I rode along with four other professionals from a major corporation. We could all tour the area, but then could leave to the suburbs or the "revitalized" sectors of gentrified neighborhoods.

As we rode the bus, we literally stopped in front of housing projects that reportedly are virtually unchanged physically from when they were first built over 40 years ago. Environmentally, these places breed disease, both physical and mental. What I saw clearly qualified as a humanitarian cause.

We learned about the abestos that still insulates the units and the schools, and the methane burning that saturates the ground and air surrounding the neighborhood. The mental environment is just as toxic.

"This is where an eight-year old was gunned down after school, " the director explained, as I looked at the concrete slab, overlooked by a clothes line with two pairs of large denim jeans, and a black t-shirt. The black t-shirt, I later learned, was code for having lost someone to gang violence, while white signaled neutrality. I recalled seeing many adult men in black t-shirts or hoodies, standing at known drug trafficking points.

"From birth, these children are bred to be accustomed to prison," the director said as she described the tiny units with no air conditioner and cinderblock walls. They have been known to hold families of at least a dozen children, from multiple generations. At one housing project, many of the children's view is the city jail's row of large prickly loops of barbed wire, just below a hill called "Hanging Hill," a place where slaves who organized insurrections were hung.

Back at the center, there is hope. A dedicated full-time staff, and volunteers ranging from a former French judge from Paris (who teaches Global education) to an ascot- and denim jean- wearing music teacher, who manned the reception desk with as much class as I'm sure he instills in these children with music.

The children are picked up and dropped off directly to their homes for safety, and before they leave each night, they are given a hot meal, something they may not get when they get home. These are the families and children we are told to give up on, that they are not worth the effort. We are led to believe that these parents don't care. This statement can be true even in the wealthiest of homes. But, from what I've seen and heard, most of them care deeply, but they need support and coaching themselves.

And.. If I had any doubt that this work is inspired...

As we were setting to depart, we heard laughing and playing. The director said,
"Here, they can be children."

The director hesitated to disturb them, but allowed us to take a peek inside of the gymnasium. There was a group of boys, about 10 of them, at around 10 years old or so. What was remarkable to us as we stared, was the backdrop of their play space. There was a stunning mural on the wall, with vibrant colors and a clear Motown theme.

The predominant images were instruments, vinyl records, and a picture of Stevie Wonder. But, the central, repetitive image was -- Michael Jackson.

The center of the mural featured Michael in his iconic pose, wearing his fedora hat shiny white glove. The assistant director noticed our amazement, and broke the silence.

"This was painted a year BEFORE he died."

We as fans of Michael cannot stop being amazed at how he touches the hearts and minds of children, too young to really understand who he is, or who love him despite the prevailing music of their "hood." It was and still is cool to love MJ.

I choose to believe that this yet again proves the gift of light that Michael has brought to the world, even in its darkest places. So, I again felt privileged for different reasons, and remain hopeful.

As one of our IAFL team members reminded me, this is a perfect message, especially as we honor the somberness of Good Friday and rejoice on Easter. My other IAFL member inspired this post with the video selection earlier today. No matter your religion or spiritual beliefs, this is a universal message.

I am hopeful. I hope you continue to be too.

Prayer in the Ghetsimani garden - John 17

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 

2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 

3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 

4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 

5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples 

6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. 

They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 

7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 

8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. 

They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 

9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, 

but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 

10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. 

And glory has come to me through them. 

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. 

Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, 

so that they may be one as we are one. 

12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. 

None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, 

so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 

14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, 

for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 

17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 

18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 

19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Jesus Prays for All Believers 

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. 

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 

21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 

23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you,

I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 

26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Wish you an enlightened day. 

And wishing to one of my soul sisters a very Happy Birthday !

Your love is a blessing.

Paper Crane Prayers (for Japan)

Happy Birthday Charlie Chaplin

 
"As I began to love myself 
I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs 
that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is AUTHENTICITY.

As I began to love myself 
I understood how much it can offend somebody
As I try to force my desires on this person,
even though I knew 
the time was not right and the person was not ready for it,
and even though this person was me.
Today I call it RESPECT.

As I began to love myself 
I stopped craving for a different life,
and I could see 
that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it MATURITY.

As I began to love myself 
I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time,
and everything happens at the exactly right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call it SELF-CONFIDENCE.

As I began to love myself 
I quit stealing my own time,
and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.
Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do
and that make my heart cheer, 
and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it SIMPLICITY.

As I began to love myself 
I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health -
food, people, things, situations, 
and everything the drew me down and
away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is LOVE OF ONESELF.

As I began to love myself
I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is MODESTY.

As I began to love myself 
I refused to go on living in the past 
and worry about the future.
Now, I only live for the moment, 
where everything is happening.
Today I live each day, day by day, 
and I call it FULFILLMENT.

As I began to love myself 
I recognized that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart, 
my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection WISDOM OF THE HEART.

We no longer need to fear arguments, 
confrontations or any kind of problems
with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide, 
and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
 
Today I know THAT IS LIFE!

 

~ This Life Lesson is said to be written by  Charlie Chaplin  and it is also said that he recited these words on  his 70th birthday. There are also voices who  have doubts about it. I have to apologize that I could not  verify  whether or not Charlie Chaplin is the author. If any of our dear visitors could help to clearify, our team would very much appreciate. 

Thank you! Cassarah 

"The Google Doodle team stars in an homage to the silent film era's greatest star's 122nd birthday. 

Full disclosure: none of the mustaches in the video are real.

More info here: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/lights-camera-doodle.html  "

 Thank you, Google,  for your homage to a man who compares to nothing...


"'A day without laughter is a day wasted.'Charlie Chaplin One of the few true entertainers. He truly believed in the power of communication and he didn't needed words for that.

His work is always a reminder of the simple most powerful things - love, smile, kindness. He created a world in which words are obsolete and deceiving. Emotions through body movement is the main attraction and the true expression of the soul."

To read the article from our blogwriter mike1909 on the blog archive just click here ---> It´s all for L.O.V.E: Charlie Chaplin (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977)...: 

Opression and Abuse: China detains Ai Weiwei

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is on an international base like the imprisoned Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo one (of two) China's most prominent dissidents. He would be globally recognized even without his rights activism. The artist has become increasingly involved in China's Twitter-using network of rights activists in recent years and has investigated some of the many alleged abuses by police and officials.

Chinese border police detained Ai Weiwei at Beijing's main airport on 03 April 2011, while other officers took away about eight employees from his main studio.The detention of China’s most famous artist and political critic Ai Weiwei is a troubling development in a widening crackdown on dissent which has seen dozens of activists detained over the last few months, Amnesty International said today. “Ai Weiwei was not even involved in any call for ‘Jasmine’ protests. There seems to be no reason whatsoever for his detention, other than that the authorities are trying to broadcast the message that China’s time for open dissent has come to an end” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Director for the Asia-Pacific.

Since online calls for Chinese ‘Jasmine Revolution’ protests inspired by people’s movements in the Middle East and North Africa began circulating in late February, the Chinese authorities have rounded up dozens of activists, lawyers and bloggers.

“We've already seen the chilling effect the ‘Jasmine Revolution’-related arrests have had on Chinese activists and netizens over the past month. Holding Ai Weiwei takes this to another level” said Sam Zarifi.

“If the authorities are so bold as to grab this world-renowned artist in broad daylight at Beijing airport, it’s frightening to think how they might treat other, lesser known dissidents.” (credits to: www.amnesty.nl)

• Translation from Sueddeutsche Zeitung: Interview from 2009 with Ai Weiwei: mortal danger after struck by a policeman

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was featured here already as he is a true Soldier of LOVE fighting for the rights of the unheard voices of the lost children and as a peaceful activist for freedom and democracy in China and around the world.

• Article from our blog-archive: Herta Mueller and Ai Weiwei - make a change

• Article from our blog-archive: Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei: Remembering the Lost Children of Sichuan

Support Ai Weiwei´s fight for human rights and sign this petition <- click here to let him free. Show the chinese government that the world is watching and that YOU CARE.

• Article from our blog-archive: It´s all for L.O.V.E: You can destroy buildings but you can't destroy L.O.V.E.

*

Light It Up BLUE !

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. 

We want to use this space today for this message.

Please take some time and learn about autism.

 To me working with children with autism has been a life changing experience.

Light It Up Blue !

http://www.lightitupblue.org/

"On the evenings of April 1 and 2, 2011, prominent buildings across North America and the world — including the Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada — will turn their lights blue to raise awareness for autism and to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on 

Saturday, April 2.

We’re aiming to light the world blue all throughout April — city by city, town by town — by taking action to raise autism awareness in our communities."

 Autism Speaks

"Together, let us travel this road toward a more caring and inclusive world."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Message for world Autism Day
2 April 2011

"If I could snap my fingers and be nonautistic, I would not - because then I wouldn't be me. 

Autism is part of who I am."

Temple Grandin

Heal The Kids / Carnegie Hall Address on February 14, 2001

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This post is dedicated to one of my dearest friends.
Happy Birthday !!!

Thank you  for your love.

In 2001, Michael Jackson delivered a speech at a Valentine's Day Extravaganza event at Carnegie Hall, promoting Heal The Kids (a division of Heal The World foundation). Pieces of the speech can be found in several of our blog posts but it deserves the attention.

"I would like to welcome you to Carnegie Hall, ... the world's most famous concert hall to hear an entirely different kind of music -- a loftier melody. It's a more eternal song.
There are two kinds of music. One comes from the strings of a guitar, the other from the strings of the heart. One sound comes from a chamber orchestra, the other from the beating of the heart's chamber. One comes from an instrument of graphite and wood, the other from an organ of flesh and blood.
This loftier music I speak of tonight is more pleasing than the notes of the most gifted composers, more moving than a marching band, more harmonious than a thousand voices joined in hymn and more powerful than all the world's percussion instruments combined. That ... sweet and sound of love.
Just a generation ago, it was this sound that could be heard in every turn in every town. It was the sound of love that echoed in the livingroom when a father giggled with his son or a mother tickled a small infant child. It was the sound of love that echoed from children's literary classes as the parents read their children ... tales before they went to bed. And it was the sound of love that reverberated in their dinner conversations. Between parents and children, not just once a year but should be discovered everyday for peace and prosper.
Sadly, that sound has become a lost melody, a forgotten refrain, an empty tune and all we have in its place today is a dark and terrible noise. Instead of dinner conversations, there is the noise of video games. Instead of homework there is the din of the evening news. And instead of regular conversations between parents and children about the [webs of violence?], there is the ... sound -- the deafening sounds of silence.

Who among us would have believed that the sound of children at their playground would be replaced by the sound of automatic machinegun fire at our schools. That the sound of little girls skipping rope would be overshadowed by the frantic squeals of children dodging bullets. Yet instead of loving our children more we've installed metal detectors in our schools.
Are we blind to the fact that our children are raging against the indifference; crying out against the abandonment; of thundering against the neglect.
Heal The Kids is about doing something, about making a difference and trying to help adults and parents realize that its in our power to change the world that our children live in.
As a wise man once said, 'If not us, then who; if not now, then when?'
My friends, with 2 children of my own, I know what it means to have to balance the demand of family and career -- let's not even talk about finding a date for myself, even though... Even though Rabbi Shmuley keeps telling me he's going to find me the perfect woman, my response is: 

As long as it's not a journalist.
But learning how to strike this very necessary balance is what this special evening is all about.
In 3 weeks time, at Oxford University I will be delivering an address with strong implications for dealing with the parent-child relationship and giving an address that is certain to surprise you. Until then, I want to thank you all for coming out...showing your love. And I want to offer a couple of special thank-yous going .....that we have 100 ... New York City teachers with us .... I want to thank Steven Shaunfeld, he's a wonderful, wonderful. Everything he does for Heal the Kids is just incredible.
Together we can make a change for the better; together we can heal the world and make it a better place. God bless you all, I love you all."

I Just Can't Stop Loving You

To R and F

May your life be blessed with joy !
恭喜您結婚的日子

"Only in love are unity and duality not in conflict." - Rabindranath Tagore

Michael Jackson had an extraordinary talent, he was able to put confer a physical dimension to his songs - I can see the rhythm, I will cry, laugh, love, protest, dance, feel empowered  – every time I listen to his songs, I feel them. It’s an unique, rewarding experience.

"Each time the wind blows

I hear your name so

I call your name ...

Whispers at morning

Our love is dawning

Heaven's glad you came ...
 

You know how I feel
This thing can't go wrong

I'm so proud to say

I love you

Your love's got me high

I long to get by

This time is forever

Love is the answer"

“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” was the first single of Bad album. It was received as rather a second hand song, maybe because of the fact it featured unknown, at the time, Siedah Garrett. Whitney Huston, Barbara Streisand and Aretha Franklin, rumored to have been asked for the duet but declined due to previous obligations, might have brought more star power to the song 

but it is my opinion that would have not brought the chemistry.

(Well in a total different way a duet with Aretha Franklin would have rocked our world.)

In spite of what has been said about the song the fact remains it opened the list of 5 consecutive number one songs in Billboard’s Hot 100 and went on to top R&B and Adult Contemporary singles charts (Michael's 2nd number one hit in the later after, coincidentaly, his duet from 1982 

with Paul McCartney, “The Girl Is Mine”)

Truth is at this point in time the duet needs no introduction. Michael and Siedah created magic.

In the studio and on stage. 

Two wonderful artists who were brought together by their 

deep understanding of how music can touch people.

In an interview with SongTalk Magazine, Siedah talked about how she found out 

she will record a duet with Michael:

"It came as a total surprise. Quincy called me after I had worked with him doing the background vocals for 'Man In The Mirror' to come back to the studio to do more work, but when I got there, I was surprised to discover that there was nobody else in the studio but Quincy, Michael and me. And the song they were working on wasn't 'Man In The Mirror.' It was a song that Quincy had given me a tape to learn. But I had no idea – I do lots of vocals on demos for Quincy, so this was nothing unusual. So Quincy said, 'You got the tape, right? Did you learn the song?' I said, 'Sure, I know the song.' He said, 'Well, go in there and sing it.' I go into the booth: there's two music stands. Michael Jackson is standing at one of them in front of a microphone and there's another microphone for me. This is the first time I realized what was happening. On the sheet music it said, 'Michael, Siedah, Michael, Siedah, etc.' I said, 'Wow! I get it.'"

“I hear your voice now

You are my choice now

The love you bring

Heaven's in my heart

At your call

I hear harps,

And Angels sing

You know how I feel

This thing can't go wrong

I can't live my life

Without you”

 

The song originally had a spoken intro (which was added for later version of the BAD album) and a longer musical opening. The song was also recorded in French as “Je Ne Veux Pas La fin De Nous” 

and in Spanish as “Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu”.

But what stands out is the perfect match up between Siedah’s and Michael’s voices. Marvin Gaye described Michael as having “the quality that separates the merely sentimental from the truly heartfelt, …. rooted in the blues”. Siedah Garrett definitely had the quality as well – whatever Michael brought to the song she answered.

Rolling Stone magazine, in their 1987 review of Bad album, described the song as “quivering with the kind of desire that makes men walk bent at the waist”.

[Michael]

You know how I feel

I won't stop until

I hear your voice saying

"I do"

[Siedah]

"I do"

This thing can't go wrong

[Michael]

This feeling's so strong

[Siedah]

Well, my life ain't

Worth living

[Both]

If I can't be with you

I just can't stop loving you

And even though it is my opinion their review only describes part of the song, they did very well underlined the songs power to transmit the ache and the embodiment of love.

In my opinion, the explanation behind the song’s success it’s the deep emotional connection, that the two shared and the lyrics talk about. 

 [Michael]

At night when the

Stars shine

I pray in you I'll find

A love so true . . .

[Siedah]

When morning awakes me

Will you come and take me

I'll wait for you

As Siedah remembers not everything about recording the song was all serious. 

In her interview with SoulTalk magazine she said: 

"Michael is funny. He has a real keen sense of humor. Which surprised me, because you hear all these stories about how strange he is. I guess he felt relaxed with me because I wasn't in awe of him when we met. I was kind of, 'Yo, Michael, what's up?' I think he found that refreshing."
"If I was talking to Quincy and we were serious for some reason, Michael would toss cashews and peanuts at us. I would be talking to Quincy and these peanuts would fly by. You know, the duet is a very serious love song. And when I was doing my verse, Michael was making these faces at me so that I would mess up. Quincy would say, 'Siedah – come on! You're holding up the whole album!' And I would get in trouble!"

In his autobiography “Moonwalk”, Michael said he did not write the song with someone in mind but that while performing it live he did.

The song did not had a video but eventually it didn’t needed one. The live performances during the Dangerous Tour become the visual support of the duet. Though Michael also performed alongside Sheryl Crow during Bad Tour, I don’t think too many of us think of that when we are talking or listening to “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”.
It will always be Michael and Siedah.
The on stage performance of the song, their on stage attraction to one another created a lasting impression

that will never fade away.

Michael, you are, and will forever be the thread of velvety voice, so intricately woven into the
fabric of the soundtrack of my life. Your music, talent, heart and soul has touched every cell of
my being. More than enough to last a lifetime. You are magic. And I will miss you.
May your vibrant soul rest in eternal peace. You changed my life, and for that I will love you forever.

Siedah
AKA "Miss Gayree"

[Siedah]
We can change all the world
Tomorrow

[Michael]
We can sing songs of
Yesterday

[Siedah]
I can say, hey ... 

Farewell to sorrow

[Michael]
This is my life and I,

[Both]
Want to see you for always
I just can't stop loving you

Credits

Written and composed by Michael Jackson
Vocal duet with Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett

Bass: Nathan East
Drums: N'dugu Chancler
Guitar: Dan Huff
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Piano: John Barnes
Synclavier: Christopher Currell
Synthesizers: David Paich and Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro
Rhythm arrangement by Quincy Jones
Synthesizer arrangement by David Paich and Quincy Jones
Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes

Also read:

Siedah Garrett: What It Was Like To Work With Michael Jackson

Be a part of Earth Hour 2011!

Earth Hour 2011: It's time to go beyond the hour

At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour.

With Earth Hour almost upon us, our thoughts are with the people of Japan during this incredibly challenging and sad time for their country.

日本の皆さん、勇気を持って頑張って下さい

Be a part of this global movement!

More info:

http://www.earthhour.org/

http://www.worldwildlife.org/

Make sure your engagement goes beyond the hour. Go and get inspired and inspire others:
http://www.beyondthehour.org/

Prepare yourself for Earth Hour 2011 with the "Lights Off" Twitter-application. http://eh2011.com #earthhour


Michael Jackson - Planet Earth



Planet Earth, my home, my place
A capricious anomaly in the sea of space
Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid

Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn't true
You are my sweetheart soft and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.

In my veins I've felt the mystery
Of corridors of time, books of history
Life songs of ages throbbing in my blood
Have danced the rhythm of the tide and flood
Your misty clouds, your electric storm
Were turbulent tempests in my own form
I've licked the salt, the bitter, the sweet
Of every encounter, of passion, of heat
Your riotous color, your fragrance, your taste
Have thrilled my senses beyond all haste
In your beauty, I've known the how
Of timeless bliss, this moment of now

Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid
Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn't true
You are my sweetheart gentle and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.

Planet Earth, gentle and blue
With all my heart, I love you.

----

Addition March 27, 2011:

Thank you everyone who participated in this global movement!!!

This video sums it all up. Enjoy watching:

Earth Hour 2011 Official video

Rest In Peace Elizabeth Taylor

Rest in Peace dear Elizabeth Taylor, you will be missed by all of us, an amazing woman, the epitome of class and inspiration, the epitome of a strong loving woman. Thank you so much for all you did, all you gave and for your amazing heart. We love you Elizabeth you will never be forgotten.

http://www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/
this was her amazing foundation, please go and make a donation to help in her memory if you want, it is but only one of the many ways to remember this beautiful woman.


Found this beautiful memorial video to Elizabeth on youtube, it's lovely, Rest in Peace Dame Elizabeth forever in our hearts

Children's Day, March 22, 2011

Please continue your prayers and meditations for Japan, and, all who suffer globally and in our communities.

Photos courtesy of MSNBC.com.