The king of pop shared an exclusive interview with "Good Morning America" and basically let them know how he felt about turning 50.
Video Script:
Robin: Now our exclusive(独家的）interview with Michael Jackson who turns 50 today. Our correspondent(通讯记者), for all things cultural, Chris Connelly spoke to the pop icon(偶像) on the phone about the ups and downs(盛衰, 沉浮) of his life, career, his future..and Chris, I hear it was a surprising conversation. Do tell!
Chris: Yeah..kind of surreal(不现实的，梦幻般的) to be actually talking to Michael Jackson, especially over the phone in a voice that faded in and out like an old radio station when you're driving in a car somewhere. He said he'd take questions about his career and so that's what we talked about..that, and turning the big 5-0.
Chris: Still one of the biggest stars in the world and one of the most private. On the eve his 50th birthday, Michael Jackson gave us a rare interview.
Chris Connelly: How do you plan to celebrate your 50th birthday?
Michael: Oh, I'll just have some cake with my children and we'll probably watch some cartoons.
Chris: Facing a personal milestone that finds many people looking back, Jackson is focused on the future which he thinks is brighter than ever.
Chris: As you look back on your career Michael, what would you have done differently?
Michael: I am still looking forward to doing a lot of great things, so that's hard-I think the best is yet to come in my true humble opinion.
Chris: Well that would take some doing. Consider the electrifying(非常激动人心的，令人振奋的) start of his career in 1969 as the eleven-year old front man for the Jackson 5, serving up(演绎) the catchiest(catchy: 令人喜爱而易记的, 琅琅上口的) tunes in Motown(摩城唱片公司) history with singing and dancing skills that seemed almost unearthly(超越尘世的).
Chris: Some four decades later, seems his tastes haven't changed that much.
Michael: I am just watching a little James Brown show right now.
Chris: Is that right?
Michael: I love James Brown. Yes.
Chris: As successful as he was with his brothers in the Jackson 5, Michael's career and his subsequent(后来的) celebrity exploded when he went solo, leading to he says "the best days of his life."
Chris: As you look back on 50 years in your career at what point in your career do you think you were the happiest?
Michael: The happiest? The recording of the Thriller and Off the Wall albums. That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world. You know, I enjoyed it very much.
Chris: While Off the Wall was a huge debut(首次亮相), Thriller would become the biggest success in music business history and redefine(重新定义) the landscape of Pop.
Brian Hiatt from Rolling Stone Magazine: It's sold by some estimates as many as 100 million copies worldwide. It was like every household in America, maybe every household worldwide had to have a copy of Thriller. Um..kids wanted to dress like him, dance like him, be him.
Chris: Thriller spawned(造成，使产生) mega hits like "Billie Jean", "Beat It" with videos that the MTV and elsewhere kicked down the doors separating black and white artists.
Chris: By the mid 80s, Jackson was every inch(彻底) the "Thriller," his every appearance setting off a frenzy(疯狂) of fan adulation(奉承崇拜), his every performance - a jaw-dropping(令人惊叹的) marvel, like when he first busted out The Moonwalk.
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone Magazine: He might as well walk out and flow off the stage. Because it's true...It was one of those things that isn't hyped up(哄抬炒作). Even when you watch it now, it's just astonishing. It is one of the greatest televised performances all the time, by anyone.
Chris: Decades later, it's fair to wonder, "Can Michael Jackson still do all that? at the age of 50?" Oh yes he can, he says.
Michael: Yes because I am expanding a lot of the avenues...people see some of the things I do and say "Why don't you show this to the world? People don't know you do these things!" Well, maybe I will.
Chris: His difficulties have been well documented but through it all, Jackson's music retains its soul of legions of fans. And of a new generation that has clearly felt his influence..like budding teen star Chris Brown.
Chris Brown: Me personally, I've been a fan of his since I was young so me being able to listen to him and actually be inspired by his dancing as well as his music actually drives me to be more creative.
Chris: Jackson says he's a fan too.
Michael: Some of the younger newer artists- I think Chris Brown is doing wonderful and Timberlake. I really admire what they are doing.
Chris: Is there anything you sacrificed by having this amazing career, 40 years and counting?
Michael: A lot of hard work sacrificing your time and your scheduling - your childhood. Giving up your life for the medium.
Chris: Jackson says he wants to give his kids the kind of childhood he never had.
Chris: Would you like them to have the same kind of upbringing(抚育, 教养) you did in terms of getting into show business at an early age? Or do you want to say "Whoa, take a moment. Enjoy your childhood."
Michael: I am letting them enjoy their childhood as much as possible. I really do - I let them go to the arcade(电子游乐场) and go the movies and do things. I think that comes naturally, I want them to get to do the things I didn't get to do.
Chris: It must mean a lot for your kids to be able to do the kind of things you weren't able to do, huh?
Michael: Yeah I get pretty emotional when I see them having a wonderful time - when they are on a ride and they are screaming and they are happy and they are running. It makes me emotional.
Chris: Still Jackson remains the most elusive(难捉摸的) pop star of his time..elusive enough to have avoided the one organization that seems to track down everyone his age.
Chris: You know when most people turn 50, the AARP(美国退休人员协会) finds them and sends them an AARP card - have you gotten an AARP card in the mail?
Michael: Not that I know of.
Chris: You never know they can find you wherever you are.
Robin: I'm sure he'll be getting a call very soon there, Chris. I know you were able to ask him some other questions that we weren't able to share with people but you did ask him who he would want celebrate his birthday with even people that are no longer with us?
Chris: Yeah - we asked sort of "if you could have anyone here to share this milestone who was not around here any more, who would they be", he listed three names - Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and James Brown. Three huge influences on his life obviously.
Robin: Yeah, I knew James Brown was gonna be on that list. Hey Chris, Thanks a lot. Have a good holiday weekend.