Watch the Cliché-Packed Video for Michael Jackson and Akon's 'Hold My Hand'

The first video from Michael Jackson's posthumous Michael album — for "Hold My Hand," a duet with Akon — has been released on the late singer's website. If this is any indication of what we can expect from the rest of the album, get ready for more ham-fisted, borderline exploitative montages of iconic MJ-related imagery — the glove, his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, brief shots of Jackson in concert and children playing.

Read the Rolling Stone review of Michael

The video opens with a montage of voices saying "We love you, Michael" as a crowd is seen releasing balloons in front of a tall brick wall (the airplane hangar in Southern California where the video was shot last month). As the balloons rise, a shadow of MJ dancing is seen on the wall.

Check Out All of Rolling Stone's coverage in "Michael Jackson Remembered"

The clip closes with a shot of a person's feet walking past MJ's star, covered with rain, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Michael is scheduled for release on Monday but the entire album can be heard for free on the singer's website until around 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday.

Michael Jackson: "Hold My Hand" [MichaelJackson.com]

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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