Billie jean (1)

Billie Jean - Michael Jackson - AS Case Study

Media Theoretical Framework - AS - Component 1

Michael Jackson - 1982

1. what representations are being shown? stereotypes?

• detectives - cliche 80s detective drama - cloak / hiding behind newspapers / magnifying glass - Pink Panther
• homeless - stereotypical - male -> subverted (after money was put in the cup)
• women in the bed - mysterious - hear 'Billie Jean' yet don't see her - only in bed
• neighbour - old nosy granny (1st calling detective) / old (shower cap) / female

2. what is the narrative?

• 1st impression: Billie Jean has a child w/ Jackson yet he isn't interested in a romantic relationship - unwanted attention from press - constantly followed
• black & white - detective & homeless man
• Jackson walks across street
• detective watches
• Jackson dances
• Jackson enters hotel room - detective & neighbour watching
• Jackson gets into bed w/ someone
• detectives @ window then Jackson disappears & becomes invisible
• see where he walks - invisible
• leopard print top turns into a cat

3. how is Michael Jackson seen? star image?

• star theory - being followed / lights up energy time he takes a step - important / magical
• young black male
• portrayed groupies

star theory (Richard Dyers)

- the idea that celebrities are manufactured by institutions to represent 'real people' experiencing real emotions in order to relate to audiences / untouchability - God like quality yet relatable

History

- historically significant music video

- one of the first videos on MTV to ft. a black artist & be aired on regular rotation

- immense popularity - helped bring MTV into mainstream / breakthrough racial barriers on TV networks / helped propel 'Thriller' album to bestselling album of all time

- considered to bring MTV from new & unknown music channel → mainstream attention

- network's executives felt black music wasn't 'rock' enough

What is the song about?

- theory 1:

- "there never was a real Billie Jean. the girl in the song is a composite of people my brothers have been plagued with over the years. I could never understand how these girls could say they were carrying someone's child when it wasn't true" - Michael Jackson, Moonwalk (1988)

- Jackson stated several times that 'Billie Jean' was based on groupies he & his brothers encountered whilst part of the Jackson 5 - anonymous - represents lots of girls (60s groupies)

- "they would hang around backstage doors and any band would come to town they would have a relationship with and I think I wrote this out of experience with my brothers when I was little. there were a lot of Billie Jeans out there. every girl claimed that their son was related to one of my brothers" - due to fame of Jackson 5 / wanting to have the money for a way of living

-vs-

- theory 2:

- Jackson's biographer I.Randy Taraborrelli promoted theory: Billie Jean was derived from a real life experience the singer faced in 1981 - 'The Magic & The Madness' documents how a young woman wrote Jackson a letter saying he was the father of 1 of her twins - Jackson regularly received similar letters so ignored it - woman continued writing letters saying she loved him / wanted to be with him / how happy they would be raising a child together / how could Jackson ignore his own flesh & blood - disturbed Jackson & gave him nightmares

- following letters, Jackson received parcel containing:

• photograph of fan - Jackson horrified & hung photograph in frame above family dining table (mother dismayed)
• letter (asking Jackson to kill himself on a certain day & time / if they couldn't be together in this life, they would be together in the next)
• gun

- after, Jacksons discovered the fan had been sent to a psychiatric