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Singer, songwriter and performer Siedah Garrett has written for everyone from Aretha Franklin to Vanessa Williams, but she will always be known for her hit duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with Michael Jackson and for cowriting "Man In The Mirror" with him.

What is a specific memory do you have of working with Michael Jackson?

SIEDAH GARRETT: I remember the recording of our duet, "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," at Westlake Studios in Hollywood. At one point, during the recording, I remember Michael tossing popcorn at me, once I'd closed my eyes to sing my verses. That would make us both laugh, because he knew that I was trying to do my best to impress both him and Quincy [Jones], trying to sing my heart out, and here he was tossing food at me. Mind you, we had only just met, and began to hang out as we recorded! His joy was two-fold, I would mess up a line, and we'd both start laughing, and Quincy would inevitably say, "Come on now, Sid, you're wasting studio time!" And that would make Michael laugh even more!

What is your favorite Michael Jackson song and why?

GARRETT: My personal favorite, of course is, "Man In The Mirror." It's the song that introduced me to Michael Jackson, made him want to meet and get to know me. That song introduced me to the world! It's the song that has changed my life in so many incredible ways and continues to do so. It gave me serious credibility as a major songwriter, and a major player in the music business. Because of the power of that song, I was no longer just a demo singer--I was a songwriter! And a pretty good one, too, at least according to Michael Jackson.

How has Michael Jackson changed the music business ?

GARRETT: Michael Jackson was a trailblazer. He blazed a path so new, for so many decades that his artistic influence is heavily documented via nearly every music video on MTV and tens of hundreds of other music videos and media outlets. His style of choreography is still often imitated by current recording artists. As is his major influence on street wear and high fashion, which can be seen all throughout the 80's and 90's. And his obvious unique vocal and songwriting style have set him apart from the rest of us mere mortals. The man was such a bright light, with so many gifts that he gave willingly, happily, freely to the world. I know I will miss him for the rest of my life.