Matt Trzcinski’s career in journalism began in high school when he started writing for local newspapers. He’s been a film critic since 2012 and joined the Showbiz Cheat Sheet team in 2019 where he specializes in classic rock and pop music. He loves the larger-than-life personalities in both genres, which provide ample fodder in books and interviews for behind-the-scenes information our readers want to know. Matt has expertise in acts such as The Beatles and The Monkees.
Matt is a Tufts University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies. In his free time, he participates in the Boston Horror Society, a group devoted to horror films. He also enjoys reading the work of critics including Roger Ebert and Chuck Klosterman and authors J.D. Salinger, Edgar Allen Poe, and Franz Kafka. See more of Matt’s work on Screen Rant, Cinema Axis, Taste of Cinema, American Songwriter, and his Muck Rack profile.
Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" deeply impressed an important R&B musician. He said that the track could have been 12 different hit songs if Jackson had divided it up.
Michael Jackson’s “Blood on the Dance Floor” is one of his most underrated songs. While the song’s funky instrumental is fascinatingly dark, the song’s backstory is even darker.
The Beatles were the best rock band ever but there was one way in which Michael Jackson surpassed them. He was simply a better entertainer than the Fab Four.
Madonna is the Queen of Pop, but that doesn't mean that everyone respects her as an artist. The writer behind "Like a Prayer" revealed what he thought of her.
Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" is powerful because the King of Pop had an incredible singing voice. Despite that, he was trying to sound like another 1980s singer.
Michael Jackson's "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" isn't a spooky song like "Thriller," but it still made Quincy Jones nervous. One of Jackson's collaborators explained why.
Madonna released more hits than just about anyone but not all of them are vocally challenging. Her co-writer said one of her hits proves she has the best singing voice.
Madonna's "Like a Prayer" is one of the most controversial songs of all time, with some Christians finding its music video offensive. A Christian choir worked on the song.
Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" is the rare pop song with a message. The song seems like a paraphrase of one of the most famous passages from the gospels.
Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney released two hit songs together but only made a music video for one of them. The video included a cameo by a future celebrity.
Madonna and Prince wrote a song that seem like a love song but it's not. During an interview, the Material Girl revealed what she thought of Prince as a person.
Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" doesn't seem too provocative. However, one artistic choice in the song's music video caused Jackson to leave his religion.
Michael Jackson's stardom began with the release of The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." It took a lot to record that song and Jackson learned from the experience.
Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" is about a man who may have fathered a child with a groupie. One of Jackson's brothers explained the song's connection to Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Madonna and Sean Penn were one of the biggest celebrity couples of the 1980s, but it didn't work out for them. The reasons for their divorce are not widely discussed.