Songs are like articles; there is a topic, a statement and supporting material. The chorus of the song is the statement explaining the topic of the song, with the verses being the supporting information. However, the supporting information of a hidden message can also be found in the artistry of a songs video.

Many artists create and perform because they love to do it. They love the giving of a gift, sharing with others. Unfortunately, many people do not understand this and demand more.

The following is my salute to some of the artists who have been hit hard by the scandalmongers of the world. Many actors/actresses have received this invasive attention as well.

Hopefully, this will shine the light of humanity for those who can't get enough of the gossip. I also present this as evidence that this invasion of privacy and personal attacks do affect the celebrities. When people become celebrities, they do not stop being people, they do not give their personal lives to the media and the public. The media and the gossip seekers and spreaders have stolen that from the celebrities. I am aware of celebrities calling the media on themselves, but it is not all and it is not all the time.

There is a boundary between news and invasion of privacy. I am speaking to those who invade the privacy and attack a person's private life - publicly.

Britney Spears
The paparazzi and gossip hounds were making a tidy sum off of Britney for a bit. Of course, the scandalmongers felt it was their "right" to report the news of a falling star. But, guess what? Britney, utilizing her newfound fame and existing talent, struck back with a song originally sung by Bobby Brown in 1988, My Prerogative. Gasp at the sexuality (or gawk) of this video, but the words are heartfelt I'm sure, by many celebrities.

My Prerogative Video: 2004 – Britney Spears Greatest Hits: My Prerogative

Chorus:
Everybody's talking all this stuff about me
Why don't they just let me live?
I don't need permission, make my own decisions
That's my prerogative
that's my prerogative
(it's my prerogative)

For anyone who is not in the limelight, the idea of My Prerogative is nothing out of the ordinary; we exercise it each time we make a choice: What and where to eat, clothes we wear and yes, even in choosing our hairstyles… It's our prerogative, just like it should be for the celebrities of the world.

Another strike back at the scandalmongers by Britney came out in 2007. The lyrics are a response to the media sensationalism of her private life.

Piece of Me Video: 2007 – Blackout

Chorus:
I'm Mrs. Lifestyles of the rich and famous
(You want a piece of me)
I'm Mrs. Oh my God that Britney's Shameless
(You want a piece of me)
I'm Mrs. Extra! Extra! this just in
(You want a piece of me)
I'm Mrs. she's too big now she's too thin
(You want a piece of me)

Michael Jackson
The video for Michael Jackson's 1987 song, Leave Me Alone opens with newspapers being delivered to a porch with headlines of Michael Jackson rumors of the '80's. The words of the chorus combined with the images of the video say it all. The video is from Michael's fantasy movie Moonwalker in 1988 and re-released in 2006 as a biggest hit singles collection called, "Visionary: The Video Singles".

Leave Me Alone Video: 1987 – Bad

Chorus:
So Just Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
(Leave Me Alone)
(Leave Me Alone)
Leave Me Alone
Leave Me Alone
(Leave Me Alone)
(Leave Me Alone)
(Leave Me Alone)
Stop It!
Just Stop Doggin' Me Around
(Just Stop Doggin' Me)

I recently heard an interview where Michael stated he wanted immortality and put his soul in everything he created as a way of achieving it. Even with all the clouds of scandal, I will say he has definitely achieved immortality. His body may be gone, but his soul will live on…

Madonna
Madonna is just plain awesome in my eyes. I may not agree with everything she says or does, but I also cannot ignore her, like I can other artists. Her self-confidence, her image, her ability to keep the media out of her personal life (in recent years) is just a small piece of the "Mighty Madonna." She has fought back against the scandalmongers, not with any one song, but pretty much with all her songs. How? Simple, she's still out there, doing her thing and doing it her way. When Madonna first came into the music spotlight in the 80's, wow, the media went crazy about her lyrics, her bumps and grinds, and her "in your face" sexuality. I think one of the most misperceived and controversial songs of hers is Like a Virgin and the second being Like a Prayer. Madonna stood strong and faced the nations through the scandals though.

The thing about Madonna is that she not only had to deal with the scandalmongers, but with a portion of society as well. To her tribute, Madonna stood up to this with her song American Life criticizing the American lifestyle with emphasis on the obsession with personal images in society.

American Life Video: 2003 – American Life

Chorus:
I tried to be a boy,
I tried to be a girl
I tried to be a mess,
I tried to be the best
I guess I did it wrong,
That's why I wrote this song

Eminem
Are there just one or two songs from Eminem that speaks to the media and public about their invasion in his life? I think not. He also speaks out in his music on political views. Being an up and coming star in the eyes of the youth, (and even in some adults) I believe some people were threatened by his impact on society and had crossed the line of humanity and his freedom of speech.

Granted, Eminem is not a total innocent, but his voice has a right to be heard. Some of the songs by Eminem that stand out for me are: Without Me, The Real Slim Shady, White America, Mosh, Like Toy Soldiers, and Cleanin' Out My Closet.

The one song that truly expresses the boundaries being crossed though, is The Way I Am. This song expresses his frustrations with trying to live while being hounded by fans and industry executives pushing him to produce songs that excel beyond the previous. The chorus also expresses how the government tried to silence him.

The Way I Am Video: 2000 – Marshall Mathers LP

With this song, the verses tell the story and are reinforced with the chorus.

Chorus:
And I am, whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news everyday I am
Radio won't even play my jam
Cause I am, whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news everyday I am
I don't know it's just the way I am

The recent death of the "King of Pop", Michael Jackson has started the media and fan frenzy assault on his character and his family's home. It is truly sad that people do not stop to think that by gathering outside a person's - a stranger's home, they are not respecting the death of a great artist, but disrespecting a person, a memory, a family and yes, the artist. Just think if that was your family, having to hide in their home because of the gathering of strangers, the flashes of camera and video cameras, all waiting to get a glimpse of you in despair, crying, shocked, that they have lost their child, no matter what age. Your family is trapped in their home, unable to walk out the door because of the media hollering with question after question. Would they even be able to mourn the loss of your presence in life?

Michael Jackson became a man of seclusion through the years, why? Just turn on the television and you will see why. Please, be respectful, remember the giving of his gift, the sharing of his talent, and remember his contribution to music, to our lives, let his family mourn in peace. Remember Michael Jackson, the person.

Resources:
Britney Spears
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Prerogative
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/britneyspears/myprerogative.html
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/britneyspears/pieceofme.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piece_of_Me

Michael Jackson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_Me_Alone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visionary:_The_Video_Singles
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/michaeljackson/leavemealone.html

Madonna
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/madonna/americanlife.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Life_(song)

Eminem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_I_Am_(Eminem_song)

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