My song is better than your song

I had a song picked out for today, but then Michael Jackson went and died, so you're getting a double dose this Friday.

Song number one:
This weekend, after six years, I'm moving out of my Southie apartment and Ern and I are throwing an Irish wake tonight to mourn/celebrate the occasion. Although it's a good feeling to be moving foward in my life (pending my PhD defense this fall), I'm going to miss my old apartment and having Ern as a roommate. We first roomed together back in 1997, and although I did spend a couple of years each living with my sister Eri, my friend Maria, and a Nicaraguan family, Ern and I have been roommates in three different buildings, two states, and two millenia. And it's been a whole lot of fun. Like last night, when instead of cleaning and packing, we drank a six pack of Miller Lite, downloaded a bunch of Michael Jackson songs, and made veils for tonight's party. (Mine makes me look like a beekeeper.)

Sticking with the wake theme:

The Body of an American- The Pogues.
For you Wire fans, this is the song that is always played at a Detective's Wake.

Song number two:
I'm not really up to giving a proper Michael Jackson eulogy, but he was a transcendent figure in pop music and possibly the most famous person in the entire world. I can't think of a bigger star, except maybe Elvis or Madonna. His story is indeed tragic, and despite loads of talent (or perhaps because of it), he ended up a strange and disturbed adult. So I'd like to pay tribute to the young MJ, back when he was a cute kid with a great voice and phenomenal stage presence. Rest in Peace, MJ.

I Want You Back- The Jackson 5.