Michael Jackson writes “River Ripple” for his children
SharePosted on 30. Jun, 2009 by Gallivanter in Songs
TRAGIC Michael Jackson had been working on a new song with his three young children – and said they were “The Jackson Four”, sources close to the family revealed last night.
Jacko began writing the number – titled River Ripple – after a day spent playing traditional games with son Prince Michael, 12, daughter Paris, 11, and six-year-old Prince Michael II – nicknamed Blanket.
Family fun … Jacko with Prince and Paris on Hallowe’en
He had been hoping to perform the emotional ballad with an African choir on the final nights of his 50-date concert run in London.
The superstar singer – who first shot to fame as a child performing with his brothers in The Jackson Five – had talked excitedly about the project with various friends and aides.
And yesterday, as an astonishing set of unseen photographs emerged showing the family together, one pal showed The Sun a copy of the unfinished lyrics.
They include the chorus, “Ripples in my River; Flow on, Child, flow free; Love is King, we waded in; You three, you three and me.”
Jacko, 50, told the insider he decided to write the song after his children moved him to tears by singing “like Earth Angels”.
River Ripple is now set to join more than 200 unreleased songs – with titles including “Children’s Hour” and “In the Valley” – as a money-spinning legacy for the kids.
The insider told The Sun: “Michael had always wanted his children to be passionate about music and dance.
Thrill … star in T-shirt with snap of himself
Adventure
“But he wanted them to love music for its own pleasure – not feel forced into performing like he felt he was.
“Michael’s oldest son Prince sings beautifully and all three children love to dance.
“It had long been Michael’s wish to write a song with his children – he joked about ‘The Jackson Four’.
“He said River Ripple is all about unconditional love, the sort that binds families and gives them courage.
“It was also Michael’s wish that his sons and daughter feel part of his London gigs – that the event be a family adventure.
“I don’t think he intended to bring the children on stage with him, but Michael wanted to announce to the crowds that his kids had helped him to write a song.
“If he had been alive and well enough to pull it off, it would have been incredibly moving.”
Jacko’s pal Dr Deepak Chopra yesterday said the star was enjoying a productive song-writing period – and rang him two days before his death to tell him about another song.
Spiritual adviser Dr Chopra said: “He called me in an excited mood. The voice message said, ‘I’ve got some really good news to share with you’.
“He was writing a song about the environment and he wanted me to help informally with the lyrics, as we had done several times before.
“When I tried to return his call, the number was disconnected so I never got to talk to him.”
Family spokesman Brian Oxman said the Jacksons had gone into “lockdown mode” to shield the children from the fallout of their father’s death last Thursday night.
He said: “I spoke to (Michael’s brother) Jermaine just now and the children have spent the day at their grandmother’s home, playing.
“The one thing Michael wanted was to give his children a childhood he didn’t have – full of laughter and games.
Party time … Jacko in wig with Al Malnik, guest and Nancy
“But they are set to inherit the storm, the craziness, the custody battles, the huge debt.
“It would have been the very last thing Michael wanted. It would have torn him apart.
“Michael made sure they had the best private tutors money could buy – they are incredibly smart, well educated children.
“His eldest son is helping the others as best he can. The family have gone into lockdown mode to protect them.”
A family friend yesterday released the amazing set of private photos showing Jacko in his everyday world – and being a doting dad to his children.
One snap from a birthday bash shows Prince and Paris wearing party hats standing beside their dad, who is cradling baby Blanket.
Grinning
Another, taken at a Hallowe’en party, shows Prince dressed up as a skeleton and Paris as Cinderella.
The photos were taken in 2003 by Nancy Malnik, wife of millionaire celebrity lawyer Al Malnik, after the couple struck up a close friendship with Jacko.
Nancy yesterday posted the pictures on a Facebook page set up in tribute to the late King of Pop.
The Malniks’ triplets are shown playing happily with Prince and Paris – destroying the myth that Jacko’s kids have been leading a life in isolation that prevented them interacting with other children.
In one snap the grinning superstar appears wearing a red T-shirt with a 1980s image showing him in his “Thriller” album days emblazoned across the chest.
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Another shows Jacko at a 1970s theme party held to mark Al Malnik’s 70th birthday.
Jacko – wearing a huge afro wig and diamante-encrusted military style jacket – is pictured with the Malniks and another party guest.
Nancy also posted photos of Jacko during a trip to a local supermarket, where he is shown dancing around with shoppers and posing with fans.
The Jackson family fear that Debbie Rowe, 50 – mum of Jacko’s two eldest children – will try to take them away in what could become the most expensive child custody battle in history.
She had Prince Jnr and Paris during her three-year marriage to Jackson in the nineties.
Mr Oxman said the family would let Debbie spend time with her kids – but would not allow her to “tear the family apart” by separating them from little brother
BlanketJ
MJ was in the process of writing a new song with his 3 children before his untimely demise . The song, “River Ripple” speaks of unconditional love for his 3 children – Prince Michael, Paris, Prince Michael II.
“Ripples in my River; Flow on, Child, flow free; Love is King, we waded in; You three, you three and me.”
MJ has over 200 unreleased songs in his vault. Sigh. I hope that his duet with Akon, recorded last year, called “Hold My Hand” gets to see the light of day real soon, because it’s simply MJ at his best.
amieyalen
Jun 30th, 2009
I heard about this too… Mj left almost 200 songs unreleased when he died…. I hope these unreleased songs will be released even though he is not with “us” anymore…. just to keep his music remains….. RIP Jacko….
tekkaus
Jun 30th, 2009
Wow! MJ has 200 unreleased songs? Yeah! I really hope his duet with Aon will be rolled out soon.
cherwith
Jun 30th, 2009
ooh i miss him…i can’t wait to hear his latest songs..
JL
Jun 30th, 2009
Among the many MJ posts I read, yours was the best ever! I’m waiting for the 200 songs to see the light of day
Nessa
Jun 30th, 2009
:’( :’( So sad to see his pictures with his kids… rest in peace MJ.
Gallivanter
Jun 30th, 2009
amieyalen – I feel though some of the 200 songs would be good, I’m guessing it may not be to MJ’s high standards. I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
tekkaus – Yeah. That duet is great.
cherwith – Me neither.
JL – Thanks. Just giving my respect to an artist that has influenced my life.
Nessa – :-\
Mark (London)
Jul 1st, 2009
I can’t help but think that the world will be much lonier place without Michael Jackson in it. May he rest in peace and know that we are always thinking about hiem.
jen
Jul 3rd, 2009
my tears are running on my cheek when i read this story. he seems to be such a lovely daddy. RIP to him…
Gallivanter
Jul 3rd, 2009
Mark (London) – Yeah, though I wonder how we didn’t feel that way when he was alive. Perhaps we took things for granted.
jen – Yup. The pics are painful, now that MJ’s no longer with us.
Ikeika
Jul 4th, 2009
punya la menyayat hati to see the pictures of him with his children and thinking that he’s gone now…i cant imagine their sorrow…
Gallivanter
Jul 5th, 2009
Ikeika – Not easy. I lost my dad when I was 9, NOT EASY.
justin
Jul 9th, 2009
Tell me, MJ are you really dead? This is unbearable. Please tell me the media is at it again. Tell you what – my kids and i love you passionately and we pray for you daily. so how can this be?
sarah
Jul 10th, 2009
isa MJ, people had bad things to say about you when you were alive but now that you gorn they are all saying good things
…i know that you are in safe hands now with god. you were definitely the KING OF POP… much love…
tizi
Jul 25th, 2009
non posso fare a meno di piangere,quando lo guardo soprattutto con i suoi bambini che erano per lui l’unica cosa importante della sua breve vita,purtroppo per Lui e per noi che lo amiamo. Spero che gli verra fatta giustizia,anche se purtroppo non servir? a riportarlo in vita.Nonostante ci stiamo avvicinando ad un mese dalla sua morte dentro di me il dolore cresce sempre pi? e mi rendo conto di non volere accettare la sua morte e credo che non lo far? mai,lui ? parte di me,nella vita si dovebbe morire di morte naturale no causata dagli altri.lo hanno ucciso da vivo e lo continuano ad uccidere ancora oggi. MICHAEL I LOVE YOU FOR EVER. you are in my heart.
giuliana
Jul 25th, 2009
per me micheal jackson era il migliore di tutti,era bravissimo a cantare e nella vita nei suoi figli.per me michael jackson resterà in presto nella mente di tutti per sempre
Cat
Sep 29th, 2009
I can’t wait to hear this beautiful song. If only Michael and his wonderful children could have performed it live before an audience.
For those fans that call him “Jacko,” I suppose you don’t know that Michael hated that word. He said it caused him much hurt. To quote him: I am not Jacko. I am Jackson. I am a person and I have feelings.” When he made that statement, he stated he didn’t want Prince (who was 9 months old at the time) to grow up and be called “Jacko.” He said, “the father is called ‘Jacko,’ I don’t want my son to be called that.
Everytime I read “Jacko,” whether it’s from the corrupt media or from a fan.