The recording is irreparably fused with memories of the Facts of Life episode “Starstruck,” in which Tootie has a nervous breakdown after Mrs. Garrett tries to stop her from attending a Jermaine (!) Jackson concert. Tootie then forces her way into Jermaine’s dressing room with predictably depressing results. While the show couldn’t afford to pair the right Jackson brother with Tootie’s lovesick teenage heart, Fields’ song makes no concessions. Fossilized in the blissfully idealistic daydream that’s callously shattered by the stand-in Jackson brother’s beefy entourage on The Facts of Life, “Dear Michael,” captures a pure and loving (if unsettling) reminder of Michael Jackson’s relationship with America at the height of his career.