At the young age of 50, the international music legend passed away suddenly, shocking the nation.

Jackson lived a life that came with gifts and curses. While he is no longer with us, his music is timeless and full of lessons. Here are five love lessons learned from the “King of Pop.”

1. Love is supposed to FEEL good. “Love Never Felt So Good”

Love evolves over time, but one thing that shouldn’t change when you’ve found your soulmate is how they make you feel. When you commit to someone, you’re not just committing to who they are now, but also their evolution. One thing that should not change is that burning desire to call them yours, and in some instances, possess a piece of them (sounds crazy, I know). Although very little detail is disclosed in the lyrics to “Love Never Felt So Good,” it reminds us of the fact that sometimes you can’t find the words to express how you feel. You just have to allow yourself to enjoy what you feel.

‘Cause, baby, every time I love you, in and out of my life, in out, baby,
Tell me, if you really love me it’s in and out my life, in out, baby
So, baby, yes, love never felt so good.

Oh, baby, love never felt so fine
And I’d die if it ever mine
Not like you hold me, hold me
Baby, love never felt so good
And I’d die if it ever could,
Not like you hold me, hold me

And the night through the thick and thin
Gotta fly, gotta see, can’t believe
I can’t take it, ’cause

2.  The one we love isn’t obligated to love us back. —”Leave Me Alone”

Love is wonderful, but like everything in life, it comes with its fair share of risks. There will be pain, disappointment and anguish and in some cases, the one you imagined spending forever with ends up being your key to heartbreak. “Leave Me Alone” reminds us of this reality, and in many ways, prepares us for the tough road of healing that lies ahead after a breakup.

I don’t care what you talkin’ ’bout baby
I don’t care what you say
Don’t you come walkin’ beggin’ back mama
I don’t care anyway
Dime after dime I gave you all of my money
No excuses to make
Ain’t no mountain that I can’t climb baby
All is going my way

‘Cause there’s a time when you’re right
And you know you must fight
Who’s laughing baby, don’t you know
And there’s the choice that we make
And this choice you will take
Who’s laughin’ baby

So just leave me alone
Leave me alone (leave me alone) (leave me alone)
Leave me alone (leave me alone) (leave me alone) (leave me alone)
Leave me alone, stop it!
Just stop doggin’ me around

3. Sometimes we fall in love with the wrong person. “Streetwalker”

Many believe you can’t help who you fall in love with. If we were to buy into that logic, that means that no one is off limits—not even ladies of the night. Debuting on Jackson’s Bad album, “Streetwalker” details a man fantasizing about a woman who can be had by many. I wonder how many of us can relate to loving someone who isn’t quite as selective with their body as they are with their heart?

Pretty baby
Kisses for your loving
I really get it when you’re
Next to me yeah yeah
I’m so excited how you
Give me all your loving
I got it coming and it’s ecstacy

Streetwalking baby

Cause everyday I watch you
Paint the town so pretty
I see you coming in and off
On my thought yeah yeah
You don’t believe me then
You can ask my brother
Cause everyday at six
Home alone

Because 
Baby I love you
Baby I love you
Baby I want you
Baby come love me
Baby I need you
You’re so satisfying

4. Lovers can sometimes become enemies. “Billie Jean”

Few things are worse than being pitted against someone you love. Jackson’s classic hit “Billie Jean” not only tells a story of deceit but also of a denial that many people deal with to this day. When relationships go sour, they can sometimes bring out the worst in people and there’s nothing like having to deal with a woman who is lying on you or worse, a man who is denying your child.

She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful of what you do
And don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do ’cause the lie becomes the truth
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

5. Love often transcends all logic or reasoning.  “Heaven Can Wait”

Not everyone gets to experience the type of love that defies all logic. When you find someone who makes you feel like you cannot live without them, it isn’t just exhilarating but also dangerous. “Heaven Can Wait” shows a man desperate and willing to risk it all to be with the one he loves, even his soul. Is it smart? Maybe not. But like I said, love tends to place rationale on the back burner.

Tell the angels no, I don’t want to leave my baby alone
I don’t want nobody else to hold you
That’s a chance I’ll take
Baby I’ll stay, Heaven can wait
No, if the angels took me from this earth
I would tell them bring me back to her
It’s a chance I’ll take, maybe I’ll stay
Heaven can wait

You’re beautiful
Each moment spent with you is simply wonderful
This love I have for you girl it’s incredible
And I don’t know hat I’d do, if I can’t be with you
The world could not go on so every night I pray
If the Lord should come for me before I wake
I wouldn’t want to go if I can’t see your face, can’t hold you close
What good would Heaven be
If the angels came for me I’d tell them no

Michael Jackson’s mark on the world is timeless. Continue to rest in power, King.

Shantell E. Jamison is EBONY’s senior editor of love and relationships. Her book, Drive Yourself in the Right Direction, is available on Amazon. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @Shantell_em and Instagram @Shantell_em.