Michael Jackson - Beat it - 1982
Michael Jackson - "Beat It" (1982)
Michael Jackson's "Beat It" is a song that became a defining track of the 1980s and an important part of pop culture. Released in 1982 on the album Thriller, "Beat It" showcases Jackson's ability to blend pop, rock, and R&B elements into a cohesive and universally appealing sound. The song is notable for its famous guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen, which added a rock edge to Jackson's typically pop-oriented music.
Background and Release
"Beat It" was written and composed by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. The song was a departure from Jackson's previous work, incorporating a harder rock sound. The track's famous guitar solo was performed by Eddie Van Halen, who reportedly did the solo for free and completed it in just two takes.
Music and Lyrics
The song features a blend of hard rock and funk, with a driving beat and aggressive guitar riff. The lyrics of "Beat It" deliver a strong anti-violence message, urging listeners to walk away from a fight rather than prove themselves through physical confrontation.
Music Video and Impact
The music video for "Beat It" was directed by Bob Giraldi and became one of the most iconic videos of the time. It features a storyline of two rival gangs coming together through dance, mirroring the song's message of non-violence. The video played a significant role in popularizing music videos as a critical aspect of an artist's promotional activities.
For further reading on Michael Jackson and his influence on music and culture, visit MOOCit.
Interactive Tasks
Quiz: Questions on the song
What year was "Beat It" released? (1982) (!1978) (!1985) (!1990)
Who played the guitar solo in "Beat It"? (Eddie Van Halen) (!Slash) (!Jimmy Page) (!Eric Clapton)
Which album features "Beat It"? (Thriller) (!Bad) (!Off the Wall) (!Dangerous)
Who directed the music video for "Beat It"? (Bob Giraldi) (!John Landis) (!Martin Scorsese) (!Spike Lee)
What is the primary message of "Beat It"? (Anti-violence) (!Love and relationships) (!Personal growth) (!Celebration of dance)
Quiz: Questions on the Performer
What is Michael Jackson's nickname known to his fans? (King of Pop) (!Prince of Pop) (!Sultan of Swing) (!Duke of Dance)
In which year was Michael Jackson born? (1958) (!1960) (!1955) (!1962)
Which famous music family did Michael Jackson belong to? (The Jackson 5) (!The Osmonds) (!The Gibb Brothers) (!The Jonas Brothers)
What was the title of Michael Jackson's first solo album as an adult? (Off the Wall) (!Thriller) (!Bad) (!Dangerous)
Which charity single was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie? (We Are the World) (!Heal the World) (!Man in the Mirror) (!Earth Song)
Quiz: Questions on the lyrics
What does Michael advise the listener to do in "Beat It"? (Walk away from a fight) (!Stand up and fight) (!Celebrate life) (!Find true love)
What instrument is prominently featured in "Beat It"? (Electric guitar) (!Piano) (!Saxophone) (!Violin)
How does Michael Jackson describe the protagonist in "Beat It"? (As someone tough) (!As a romantic) (!As a dancer) (!As a dreamer)
What genre does "Beat It" primarily represent? (Pop/Rock) (!R&B) (!Soul) (!Disco)
What was the innovative aspect of the "Beat It" music video? (Combining dance with a storyline) (!Using special effects) (!Featuring celebrity cameos) (!Filming in exotic locations)
Memory
| Thriller | Michael Jackson's album featuring "Beat It" |
| Eddie Van Halen | Played the guitar solo in "Beat It" |
| 1982 | Year "Beat It" was released |
| Anti-violence | Main message of "Beat It" |
| Bob Giraldi | Director of the "Beat It" music video |
Open Tasks
Easy
- Listen to "Beat It": Listen to the song "Beat It" and write down the emotions you feel while listening.
- Draw a scene from the music video: Watch the "Beat It" music video and draw your favorite scene.
- Research Eddie Van Halen: Find out more about Eddie Van Halen and his contribution to "Beat It".
Standard
- Create a dance routine: Create your own dance routine inspired by the "Beat It" music video.
- Analyze the lyrics: Analyze the lyrics of "Beat It" and discuss its message of anti-violence.
- Compare music videos: Compare the "Beat It" music video with another Michael Jackson music video and discuss the similarities and differences.
Difficult
- Study Michael Jackson's influence: Research how Michael Jackson influenced the music industry and other artists.
- Organize a tribute event: Plan and organize a tribute event for Michael Jackson's music.
- Write an essay: Write an essay on the cultural significance of "Beat It" in the 1980s.
- Analyze the musical composition: Analyze the musical composition of "Beat It", focusing on the integration of different music genres.
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Oral Exam
- Discuss the fusion of genres: Discuss how Michael Jackson's "Beat It" successfully blends pop, rock, and R&B.
- Impact of music videos: Analyze the impact of music videos on the promotion of songs, using "Beat It" as an example.
- The role of collaboration: Discuss the importance of collaboration in music, referencing Eddie Van Halen's contribution to "Beat It".
- Music and social messages: Explore how music can be used to convey social messages, with "Beat It" as a case study.
- Evolution of pop music: Discuss how "Beat It" influenced the evolution of pop music in the 1980s.
OERs on the Topic
Links
MUSIC QUIZ
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