(via etefa09)
Sam Cooke was also deeply impressed by the song and began to perform it in his live act. A version was included on Cooke’s 1964 album Live At the Copacabana. He later wrote the response “A Change Is Gonna Come”, which he recorded on January 24, 1964.[10]
Jackson guest starred using an alias in this episode, John Jay Smith. It was reported that Jackson did not sing the song, but if he didn’t the voice is uncanny. I love the Michael Jackson connection, and his involvement with the episode “Stark Raving Dad”.
“Many aspects of Jackson’s career are referenced in the episode. Kompowsky mentions several things which made Jackson famous, including Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, “Beat It”, and “Thriller”.[7] He also sings portions of the songs “Billie Jean” and “Ben” and performs the moonwalk.[27] When Homer starts mumbling in his sleep, Kompowsky tells his stuffed animal: “Bubbles, it’s going to be a long night.” Bubbles is the name of Jackson’s chimpanzee. Kompowsky also says he was upset when “his” 1979 album Off the Wall only received one Grammy Award nomination; the writers had read that the real Jackson was genuinely upset”
