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"Invincible": or Michael Jackson's last album and the final attempt to still represent the very best of celebrities within a musical landscape in full evolution, where transformation, renewal, novelty, and change are the key words.
It's 2001, and Jackson, having abandoned the "me against the world" phase started in 1995 with HIStory, especially against the media, guilty of his alleged image decline, releases "Invincible", an anticipated work heralded by the single "You Rock My World". Unlike Jackson's previous albums, "Invincible" intends to pursue a more intimate and profound self-analysis in a less bombastic manner and with a much less angry tone, characteristics instead salient of the post-scandal 1993 phase.
The album can be conceived as an extreme, desperate attempt at musical and artistic renewal in a new music biz, drastically different from the times of "Thriller", "Dangerous", and "Bad", a often paradoxical situation where iconic figures are overshadowed by boys and especially girls not yet of age who, thanks to extremely simple songs, manage to attract a vast audience, mainly young people, to whom the music industry now seems to cater (Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera...).
The attempt at musical renewal, however, only partially succeeds: although almost shelving the New Jack Swing style, a genre that was the basis of the tracks of "Dangerous" and also "HIStory", Jackson seems incapable, at least in the more danceable and rhythmic songs, of detaching from his melodic tradition. It is true, there is an attempt to go beyond the usual r'n'b everyone knows, an effort to embrace an urban sound, in full development at the time, yet tracks like "Unbreakable" (with rap by Notorious B.I.G.), "Threatened", "Privacy" (again against the media), "Heartbreaker" and "2000 Watts", although quite catchy and danceable, do not dare beyond, do not surpass expectations. On the contrary, that sense of renewal is felt in the ballads, in lighter and mellower songs, where a new style of pop-r'n'b-urban-soul compared to previous releases can be heard: "Break of Dawn" and "Heaven Can Wait" are refined examples of melodic r'n'b, as are also "Butterflies" and "Whatever Happens", where the King Of Pop is aptly accompanied by the famous Santana’s guitar. Among the ballads, "Speechless" should be mentioned, which in its intensity surpasses similar melodies like "Cry" and "You Are My Life", perhaps overly sweet.
"You Rock My World" deserves special mention, the first single (even though Jackson actually intended to choose "Unbreakable" as the first release). While the track may not be listed among Michael's great masterpieces, it is tasty, danceable, engaging in itself, perhaps the track on the album where he performs with the most assurance and confidence. The song’s video, known as the last short film in which Jackson appears, is of pure Jacksonian craftsmanship: more than 10 minutes long, intended as a mini-film, although the plot is weaker compared to the concepts of "Black Or White", "Bad", "Thriller" and "Smooth Criminal". Nevertheless, the presence of celebrities like Marlon Brando, a classic feature of Jackson's videos, prevents the short film's stylistic downfall, set in a seedy club where Michael Jackson once again demonstrates his dance talent and vigor, throwing glass bottles against walls, defeating thugs...
The album itself is enjoyable and engaging but it is necessary to note an important flaw: the extreme length of the tracks, which often start after long and exhausting introductions.
Although the work itself commercially represents a milder success compared to previous works (mainly due to a dispute with the record label that prevented massive promotion of the record), having totaled more than 10 million copies, it showed the world the last Michael Jackson before new scandals that would completely overwhelm him, a Jackson still able to show the public that ancient vigor that seemed lost forever, even if it would be an ephemeral illusion.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Unbreakable (06:27)
Artist: Michael Jackson f/ Notorious B.I.G
Album: Invincible
Song: Unbreakable
Typed by: sahoob_h@hotmail.com
[Michael Jackson]
Now I'm just wondering why you think
That you can get to me with anything
Seems like you'd know by now, when and how I get down
And with all that I've been through, I'm still around
Don't you ever make no mistake
Baby I've got what it takes
And there's no way you'll ever get to me
Why can't you see that you'll never ever hurt me
'Cause I won't let it be, I'm too much for you baby
Chorus [Michael Jackson]:
You can't believe it, you can't concieve it
And you can't touch me, 'cause I'm untouchable
And I know you hate it, and you can't take it
You'll never break me, 'cause I'm unbreakable
[Michael Jackson]
Now you can't stop me even though you think
That if you block me, you've done your thing
And when you bury me underneath all your pain
I'm steady laughin', while surfacing
Don't you ever make no mistake
Baby I've got what it takes
And there's no way you'll ever get to me
Why can't you see that you'll never ever hurt me
'Cause I won't let it be, see I'm too much for you baby
Chorus (2x)
[Michael Jackson]
You can try to stop me, but it won't do a thing
No matter what you do, I'm still gonna be here
Through all your lies and silly games
I'ma still remain the same, I'm unbreakable
[Notorious B.I.G.]
Uh, uh, what, uh
I'm a lime to a lemon, my CeCe women
Bringin in ten G minimums to condos with elevators in 'em
Vehicles with televisions in 'em
Watch they entourage turn yours to just mirages
Disappearing acts, strictly nines and macs
Killers be serial, Copperfield material
My dreams is vivid, work hard to live it
Any place I visit, I got land there
How can players stand there and say I sound like them
HELLO?!
Push wigs back and push six Coupes that's yellow
Plus clips that expand from hand to elbow
Spray up your Day's Inn, any 'telle you in
Crack braggin sick of braggin how my mink be draggin
Desert ease street sweeper inside the beamer wagon
I rely on Bed-Stuy to shut it down if I die
Put that on my diamond bezel, you're messin with the devil
WHAT!!
Chorus (3x w/ Ad Libs by Jackson)
You can't touch me
You can't break me
You can't stand with me
'Cause I'm unbreakable
OWW!
GO ON!
02 Heartbreaker (05:12)
Deceitful eyes, she's got those come get me thighs
she only knows how low that she can go
She speaks the lines that can control my mind
Wherever she goes I know my eyes follow
She blew a kiss, I swear that it was meant
only for me, then spoke with her body
her only goal is just to take control
And I can't believe that I can't tell her no
[CHORUS]
That girl I can't take her
should have known she was a heartbreaker
that girl I can't take her
should have seen right through her she's a heartbreaker
That girl I can't take her
should have seen it coming heartbreaker
that girl I can't take her
should have seen right thriough her
she's a heartbreaker
She plays a game with such an innocent face
I didn't know heartbreaking was her case
Her actions confess and put me through the test
I was surprised that I was caught inside
Now she's thinking that I will never know
ans she'll keep playing until I let her go
But I hope in time that she will finally realize
I'm onto her game and she'll get played the same
[CHORUS 2x]
I never thought that I would stop dreamin' about you
Stop being without you
But everyone told me so, to stop caring about you
and start being without you
but I'll find a way to go and start doin' without you
and stop talkin' aboout you
and what will she say?
She will say I was the man that got away
[RAP ]
[CHORUS OUT]
07 Butterflies (04:42)
All you gotta do is just walk away and pass me by
Don't acknowledge my smile when I try to say hello to you yeah
And all you gotta do is not answer my calls when
I'm trying to get through
To keep me wondering why, when all I can do is sigh
I just wanna touch you
{Chorus}
I just wanna touch and kiss and i wish that i could be with you
tonight cause you give me butterflys inside inside and i
All I gotta say is that I must be dreaming, can't be real
You're not here with me, still I can feel you near me
I caress you, let you taste us, just so blissful listen
I would give you anything baby, just make my dreams come true
Oh baby you give me butterflies inside
{chorus}
If you would take my hand, baby I would show you
Guide you to the light babe
If you would be my love, baby I will love you, love you
'Til the end of time
{chorus} (2x)
08 Speechless (03:20)
Your love is magical, that's how I feel
But I have not the words here to explain
Gone is the grace for expressions of passion
But there are worlds and worlds of ways to explain
To tell you how I feel
But I am speechless, speechless
That's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you I am far away and nothing is for real
When I'm with you I am lost for words, I don't know what to say
My head's spinning like a carousel, so silently I pray
Helpless and hopeless, that's how I feel inside
Nothing's real, but all is possible if God is on my side
When I'm with you I am in the light where I cannot be found
It's as though I am standing in the place called Hallowed Ground
Speechless, speechless, that's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you I am far away and nothing is for real
I'll go anywhere and do anything just to touch your face
There's no mountain high I cannot climb I'm humbled in your grace
Speechless, speechless, that's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you I am lost for words and nothing is for real
Speechless, speechless, that's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you I am far away, and nothing is for real
Speechless, speechless, that's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you I am lost for words and nothing is for real
Speechless
Your love is magical, that's how I feel
But in your presence I am lost for words Words like, "I love you."
11 Privacy (05:06)
Ain't the pictures enough, why do you go through so much
To get the story you need, so you can bury me
You've got the people confused, you tell the stories you choose You try to
get me to lose the man I really am You keep on stalking me, invading my
privacy Won't you just let me be 'Cause your cameras can't control, the
minds of those who know That you'll even sell your soul just to get a story
sold
I need my privacy, I need my privacy
So paparazzi, get away from me
Some of you still wonder why, one of my friends had to die
To get a message across, that yet you haven't heard
My friend was chased and confused, like many others I knew
But on that cold winter night, my pride was snatched away
Now she get no second chance, she just ridiculed and harassed Please tell me
why Now there's a lesson to learn, respect's not given, it's earned Stop
maliciously attacking my integrity
I need my privacy, I need my privacy
So paparazzi, get away from me
Now there's a lesson to learn, stories are twisted and turned Stop
maliciously attacking my integrity
I need my privacy, I need my privacy
So paparazzi, get away from me
I need my privacy, I need my privacy
So paparazzi, get away from me
I need my privacy, I need my privacy
So paparazzi, get away from me
13 Cry (05:02)
Somebody shakes when the wind blows
Somebody’s missing a friend (Hold on)
Somebody’s lacking a hero
And they have not a clue when it’s all gonna end again
Stories buried and untold
Someone is hiding the truth (Hold on)
When will this mystery unfold
And will the sun ever shine
In the blind mans eyes when he cries
You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (It’s gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight
If people laugh when they’re feeling sad
Someone is taking a life (Hold on)
Respect to believe in your dreams
So tell me where were you
When your children cried last night
Faces filled with madness
Miracles unheard of (Hold on)
Faith is found in the winds
All we have to do is to reach for the truth, the truth
You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (It’s gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight
And when that flag glows there’ll be no more wars
And when all cause I will answer all your prayers (Prayers)
Show the world…
You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (It’s gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight
15 Whatever Happens (04:56)
He gives another smile, tries to understand her side
To show that he cares, she can't stay in the room
She's consumed with everything that's been goin' on
She says
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Everything will be alright, he assures her
But she doesn't hear a word that he says
Preoccupied, she's afraid
Afraid what they've been doin's not right
He doesn't know what to say, so he prays
Whatever, whatever, whatever
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
Don't let go of my hand
Don't let go of my hand
He's working day and night, thinks he'll make her happy
Forgetting all the dreams that he had
He doesn't realize it's not the end of the world
It doesn't have to be that bad
She tried to explain, "It's you that makes me happy,"
Whatever, whatever, whatever
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
[Carlos Santana:] Thank you, man!
[Michael Jackson:] Thank you, Carlos!
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Other reviews
By Ilpazzo
The feeling you get listening to this album is like being in a Ferrari Testarossa that just can’t start.
What saddens me is that today’s generation could not experience the true power of this music genius.
By ronnie92
In making Invincible, it’s as if MJ was undecided about whether to take the path of his origins or the modern one.
The album will be (perhaps) remembered for its extraordinary ballads and for being the only flop… of MJ’s career.
By jif09
"Invincible is presented as a misunderstood work that holds pleasant surprises."
"If the album had received an excellent advertising campaign... its fate would have been brighter and more memorable."
