Image Credit: Tim Whitby/Getty ImagesThis morning, Sony released the first official single from Michael Jackson‘s forthcoming Michael album, “Hold My Hand,” featuring producer and singer Akon.
This one sounds more like the MJ we know than the recent “Breaking News.” The mid-tempo ballad, about having a friend to help through rough times, actually leaked years ago when the Jackson originally recorded it, but now it sounds much cleaner. Like Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am said, Michael obviously isn’t around to say which songs he liked enough to be heard by our ears. Honestly, I don’t think any of the songs from this album will live up to Michael Jackson’s standard of excellence. So I guess we’ll just have to deal with ones that are simply just good like this:
Have you guys heard it yet? What do you think? Is “Hold My Hand” as good as any of Jackson’s unifying classics?
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Michael Jackson: New single, tracklist revealed
Michael Jackson controversy: Estate attorney cites proof he sang “Breaking News”
I Love the song I think it’s great,As a true Michael Jackson fan None of his music is ever lousy.We love U Michael!!!
i think age is not a problem between love…
wow ,this is a great article !
. I am a doctor 25 years old,rich and work hard.and now I am
seeking a good lady who can give me real love , so i got a username
shinelover on Kisscougar.C oM ~told it is the first and best club for Cougars and young men
JUST HOPE I CAN FIND MY TRUE LOVEzxzxczczx
You absolutely right Chantal
Samir
I like it! It is naive to think that the songs he junked are suddenly going to become amazing just because he died. There’s more “hidden gems,” in his alredy released songs, that never really went mainstream or were widley heard. “Cry” for example, or even “Stranger in Moscow”. But I like this song and am excited to buy the album anyways.
It’s wonderful! Love the new vocals Mike! Hurry back!
Uh, hurry back? From where? I don’t mean to be a downer, but the man is dead. Unless the Thriller video is going to come true, he ain’t coming back, let alone hurrying back…
hurry back i believe means we miss you forever….its a love fan thing.
That makes no sense.
i like it but i like michael singing alone all i want to hear is his beautiful voice he;s the best ever
Love it, love it. Beautifully done, and just amazing. So much of MJ in this song and I just love Akon. This song really inspires me, and so much better now that it has the finishing touches. Love to Akon and rest peacefully Michael Jackson.
I’m sure they’ll “discover” a duet between MJ and Tupac recorded AFTER they both died.
LOL! I’d bet money on it.
i wouldnt…tupac didnt like the jacksons too much. however, i want them to leave michael be. i agree with will.i.am., however i heard this song and it was better than that POS they had last week
my daughter and i just LOOOOOVE it!!!
No one else will say it so I will; yawn. This song is a 3 minute sleeping pill, no wonder he never released it, it’s boring.
My breath smells like fart.
GORGEOUS SONG. Bottom line, whatever MJ did that he might have thrown away as trash is still better than anything else out there. Wish Akon hadn’t done the fake yeahs and hoos and ruined the string intro, and a long list of other complaints but it’s still STELLAR and I LOVE IT.
Great song!
I think the Breaking News song had too many lukewarm reviews and responses, so they smartly switched songs. Breaking sounded too much like his other songs and no one wants to hear a soundalike Remember the Time or Jam again. It’s better off to be played in people’s spare times in their living rooms when the album comes out Dec. 14th. This Hold My Hand is nice with Akon. Very melodic and danceable.
I like it but would have loved more mj vocals but this is better than the rubbish breaking news song which didnt sound like him at all.
Nice song, though I would’ve preferred Michael singing it alone as I am not a fan of Akon at all. Still, overall a good song.
It’s okay. Better than “Breaking News”, but that isn’t saying much. I agree that Akon should have toned down the woo-woos. It’s no Billie Jean, but it’s not bad.
It’s okay. i don’t think it’s bad but I do think it’s boring.