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While Michael Jackson‘s ‘Earth Song’, released in 1995, had been an intense environmental anthem, fans complained about how the song was being commemorated on display. The song hit number one all over Europe and half-traveled as a Christmas carol in the English-speaking world; hence, it is being remembered this year on the album HIStory 30 years. Well conversely, before they knew it, nostalgia quickly changed into loud frustrated expressions as the followers began complaining about the lack of HD remasters for such iconic music history.
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It was said in the post on Michael Jackson’s official page about the international success of the song and linked the viewers to the original short film. However, requests for better visual quality started to flood the comments; instead of a pure celebration. The comments had one person pointing out the irony: “It’s incredible to think that the Earth Song music video cost around 1 million dollars, used special effects, and had a huge production to deliver a powerful message… and nearly 30 years later, fans still have to watch it in 480p?” This sentiment was articulated in a few different languages, with some fans joking in Portuguese about sending in their DVDs for upgrades from the account managers.
Despite the low quality and so good of a message that is ruined by poor picture, “Michael Jackson warned us in 1995, but unfortunately, the world didn’t listen,’ one fan said. ‘Thirty years later, he’s right, and y’all learned…NOTHING.’ These comments show that Jackson’s environmental call in ‘Earth Song’ remains tragically relevant to this day as climate crises have grown worse the world over.
Discussions went from true tributes (“he really was an Angel”) to sarcastic demands (“Make it available in 4K, and we will watch it. Thank you. 🤡”). While some considered that the quality itself should not come before the message (“worry more about the MESSAGE than video pixelation”), others counter-argued that Jackson himself would have insisted on better quality because he was about perfection. To this effect, a Brazilian fan said: “The account clearly doesn’t care about the perfectionist that Michael was…”
The debate later descended into technicality when someone mentioned how “Thriller,” in 1982, had received a 4K upgrade, which made the somewhat lackluster treatment of a ’95 video in standard def all the more grave. Suggestions flew around that most of the fan-made remasters are done better than the official ones, which could be an embarrassing thing to admit for any estate of a late artist.
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The post effectively stirred up the present-day consciousness about Jackson’s musical presence and prescient message; however, the thunderous outcry demonstrated that in 2024 the audience wants archival content to be in keeping with modern-day standards of viewing. The King of Pop reshaped the music video way; perhaps now, his followers will see fit to give that same level of intensity to preserving and presenting those works. A little sass-injected scathing comment summed up the moment: ‘We really miss him, he was sending messages to the world, now all the artists are singing without meaning or message.’ The message still hits home-the fans just want to watch it in HD.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
