Michael Jackson: In the Closet

Michael Jackson still is on my mind. How can't he be? He taught me to dance and, in some ways, to hear music in new ways. I grew up with him as did so many.

One of my favorite videos of his--and it took somebody like Herb Ritts to get Jackson out of the glam and into a T-shirt and jeans--is the video for "In the Closet," which was recut to ax Madonna's original vocals from it. Pity about that, but it still works. No glove. No sequins. Nothing but Michael and the music--and the dance. Naomi Campbell is surprisingly good here. Even if it was just for the screen, they make a fine pairing. Kind of hot.

I remember watching this for the first time and thinking "Yes! This is how we need to see you. Forget your buckles and brocade drag. Strip it down, show us you."

And here--with serious prodding from Ritts--he did. A seriously underrated song and video.

Check it out--and please excuse the strangeness at the end!