Michael Jackson's Love for Planet Earth

This book focuses on an area of vital importance to Jackson: his concern for Planet Earth, its ecosystems and life forms, human and nonhuman, its flora and fauna. In rehearsals for his This Is It, he defined the purpose of his planned tour as spreading a two-fold message: the importance of love and protecting the environment. Because he made his love and concern for the planet central to his art, including in his last tour, and because it is a deep concern of mine as well, my focus here is to explore Michael Jackson’s love for Planet Earth, as revealed in two major works, the poem "Planet Earth" and the song and short film, "Earth Song." I hope my discussion of these works will increase the reader's appreciation of Michael Jackson's deep commitment to transforming our relationship with the earth to one of love and respect.

"Veronica Bassil's book is a passionate and compelling meditation on one of Michael Jackson's most important works. A fascinating read." -Joseph Vogel.

Joseph Vogel is the author of Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson, and Earth Song: Inside Michel Jackson's Magnus Opus.