Yes, Michael Jackson’s life had a tragic streak, as newly released emails documenting his sickly final months only further illuminate. And yes, the King of Pop’s art was always deeply intertwined with commercial imperatives, which can sometimes lead to Pitbull being given free rein over a posthumous remix. But for anyone who missed out on Jackson’s gifts in real time, this live video of “Human Nature” premiered by Idolator makes it clear how unparalleled this man really was as a performer.
From a 1988 Bad Tour stop at London’s Wembley Stadium, which will be included on a DVD with Bad‘s 25th-anniversary deluxe edition (due out on September 18), Jackson’s rendition of this Thriller classic features heart-stopping dance moves and immaculately feathery vocals. Memorably covered by John Mayer and sampled by SWV, the song itself transcends Jackson, but as Idolator rightly notes, the way he performed it was truly one of a kind. At least until the probably inevitable hologram — but let’s enjoy this clip unsullied while we still can.
