I cannot believe it is six years today since the death of Michael Jackson sent shockwaves through the world. I still recall that day very well, my Dad ringing me from LA, where he and my Mum were holidaying at the time, to inform me my musical hero had died. It was a bizarre and immensely sad day for many people, including me.
Some of you may know that prior to Take That, Michael Jackson was my main obsession. He still largely is, it’s just other artists and things have come into my life in the last five years or so and therefore I tend to go through phases of becoming re-obsessed with particular things! MJ will always be one of my heroes and his music continues to take me to another world.
To celebrate his life, this blog lists thirty of my favourite Michael Jackson songs. Many are singles but some are simply album tracks. I could be here all day listing all of my favourites, both released and unreleased, singles, album tracks, tracks recorded with his brothers etc. but I have chosen thirty of my ultimate favourites that most people will be familiar with. So, in album order, here we go:
1) Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough
A disco classic, it’s Michael’s smooth falsetto that carries this groovy number. Still a classic years later.
2) Rock with You
Smooth, soulful and catchy, another perfect disco classic.
3) I Can’t Help it
Another smooth and soulful track from the ‘Off The Wall’ album, co-written by the legendary Stevie Wonder.
4) Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
Funky, punchy opener to the ‘Thriller’ album full of funk and an introduction to the aggression shown in some of Jackson’s later work. That “Mama-say mama-sah ma-ma-coo-sah” refrain at the end remains a classic part of pop history.
5) Beat It
Just one example of Jackson’s ability to write and record in all genres, fusing rock with R&B. Contains that amazing, distinctive amazing guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen.
6) P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)
Classic disco/funk song from the ‘Thriller’ album. It was originally Jackson’s own song but was rejected by producer Quincy Jones. Jones liked the title, however and subsequently wrote a new version with James Ingram which became the catchy disco version greatly known and loved today. Also featured two of Jackson’s sisters: Janet and La Toya.
7) Human Nature
Effortlessly smooth and soulful, written by Toto’s Steve Poraco with lyrics later added by lyricist John Bettis. The low-key guitar which drives the song is reminiscent of much of Toto’s work as a band and was a song not originally intended for ‘Thriller’. It appeared on the end of a demo cassette handed to producer Quincy Jones as a rough idea. Jones loved the idea and approached Poraco to complete it with help from Bettis. Michael’s falsetto is absolutely stunning and flutters endearingly over shimmering synthesisers.
8) Liberian Girl
Another silky R&B number written solely by Jackson. It’s sleek, sexy and a beautiful addition to the ‘Bad’ album.
9) Dirty Diana
Another heavy-rock song, this time from the ‘Bad’ album. One of a handful of songs written by Jackson on the subject of groupies, it’s dark, gritty and remains a classic.
10) Man in the Mirror
One of Jackson’s iconic songs which addresses making a difference. Written by Siedah Garrett (Jackson’s duet partner on ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’) with legendary composer Glen Ballard, it was a global hit but only managed to reach the top 10 of the UK singles chart after Jackson’s death in 2009.
11) I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
Sultry, schmaltzy affair but it remains one of Jackson’s best love songs. Assisted by Siedah Garrett on lead vocals, this was the lead single from the ‘Bad’ album but was never accompanied by a music video.
12) Leave Me Alone
Funky, gritty closer to the ‘Bad’ album, originally only included as a bonus track. The accompanying music video addressed Jackson’s troubled relationship with the press and aimed to dispel many of the apparently ludicrous rumours circling camp Jackson at the time.
13) Speed Demon
Funk rock song that appeared on the ‘Bad’ album. Its lyrical content isn’t perhaps as edgy or significant as Jackson’s other singles (it was reportedly written upon Jackson receiving a speeding ticket for driving too fast…), it’s still a lot of fun and a welcome addition to the ‘Bad’ album.
14) Smooth Criminal
We never did find out if Annie was okay, did we?! One of Jackson’s best-known and well-loved songs which discuss the unfortunate affairs of a woman named Annie who has been assaulted by a smooth assailant. It’s dark, groovy, and definitely one of Jackson’s best. The music video was pioneering at the time too, featuring that amazing anti-gravity forward-lean.
15) Heal The World
Another of Jackson’s ‘save the world’-themed songs, this time from 1991’s ‘Dangerous’ album. It remained one of Jackson’s proudest creations and was the stimulus to the creation of Jackson’s ‘Heal the World’ foundation. It was performed multiple times during Jackson’s career and remains well-loved.
16) Who Is It?
Paranoia infused R&B number which details a man’s despair after his lover leaves him for another man. The bass line is instantly recognisable and the percussion for the track is aided by Jackson’s own beat-boxing.Indeed, a snippet of Jackson beatboxing the song during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in early 1993 rocketed the track further up the charts. It’s lengthy (like much of Jackson’s work) but completely necessary. The choral introduction, the repeated fade-out all contribute to its success as a record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-jNjomf8sE
17) Remember the Time
One of the pioneering New Jack Swing songs from the 90’s, ‘Remember The Time’ was written by Jackson along with ‘Dangerous’ producer Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle. The ‘Dangerous’ era marked a musical departure for Jackson who ventured into a more mature R&B/New Jack Swing sound as he made the transition from working with Quincy Jones to Teddy Riley. There are various interpretations on the subject of the song. Some argue it was about Jackson’s second wife Debbie Rowe whilst many believe it was about Jackson’s affection for Diana Ross. Accompanied by one of the greatest music videos of the 90’s, Egyptian themed with Eddie Murphy, Iman Bowie & Magic Johnson.
18) Black or White
Despite the widely perceived irony relating to Jackson’s ever-changing appearance, this remains one of his best-loved hits. Fused with a variety of genres including New Jack Swing, R&B, Hip hop and Rock, it’s a showcase of Jackson’s ability to blur the boundaries in music. Heavy percussion, grunge guitars, gritty vocals and a fun rap, it’s a little bit of everything but it works.
19) Will You Be There
Gorgeous, gentle gospel ballad from the ‘Dangerous’ album, also appearing on the Free Willy soundtrack. Features a lengthy introduction including an interlude by the Cleveland Orchestra and a portion of the Cleveland Chorus performing Beethoven’s ninth symphony.
20) Stranger in Moscow
One of Jackson’s most heartfelt, sincere and darkest songs. It was critically acclaimed upon release and is widely recognised to be one of Michael’s best works. The lyrics are inspired by a poem Jackson wrote in a hotel room in Moscow whilst on the ‘Dangerous’ tour in 1993 with music later added by Brad Buxer (who was uncredited). It documents loneliness and isolation, cleverly incorporating Russian imagery and symbolism. The song was originally planned as one of the only a handful of new tracks to be added to a planned Greatest Hits compilation. Jackson was so satisfied with the result that ‘HIStory’ became a double disk album – one of greatest hits and the second, a collection of new material.
21) Smile
Based upon Charlie Chaplin’s instrumental composition and Nat King Cole’s original version with lyrics, this was the closing track to HIStory. Critical reception at the time was mostly negative but there is no doubt that Jackson’s vocal performance on this number is impeccable. Yes, it’s a little bit Disney, a bit schmaltzy but it’s also very beautiful, particularly the whistled outro.
22) They Don’t Care About Us
Gritty, aggressive R&B/Hip Hop track which remains Jackson’s most controversial song. A portion of its lyrical content was believed by many to be anti-Semitic which Jackson strenuously denied. He later re-worded and re-recorded the lyrics and current copies of ‘HIStory’ either feature the amended lyrics or sound effects in place of the said lyrics. The song also had two music videos, both also the subject of controversy. Nevertheless, it’s still a classic Michael Jackson track.
23) You Are Not Alone
Stunning ballad written by R.Kelly and recorded for the ‘HIStory’ album. The accompanying video caused a stir when it featured a half-nude Jackson and then-wife Lisa Marie Presley.
24) Childhood
Another stunning Jackson ballad which also appeared on the soundtrack to Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home. Gentle and a little eerie, the song’s instrumentation utilises piano, orchestra, choir and Jackson’s vocals. Lyrically, it documents Jackson’s perceived difficult upbringing, a matter which plagued most of his life.
25) Ghosts
Edgy New Jack Swing track from Jackson’s 1997 remix album: ‘Blood on the Dancefloor: History in the Mix’. Featuring lyrics such as ‘And who gave you the right to shake my family tree?’, it’s another paranoia infused track but one which works perfectly. It was accompanied by a similarly titled film of the same name in which Jackson played a variety of characters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPpsXHwx-Ho
26) You are My Life
Gorgeous, soft ballad from Jackson’s last studio album in his lifetime, ‘Invincible’. Co-written by legendary composers Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds and Carole Bayer Sager along with John McClain, Jackson changed the original title from ‘You are My World’ and subsequently received lead song-writing credit. Recorded just weeks before the release of ‘Invincible’, this song demonstrates the difficulty Jackson had in selecting and producing material for the album. It’s a beautiful ballad, however.
27) Butterflies
Another gorgeous ballad from ‘Invincible’, written by British R&B duo ‘Floetry’ consisting of Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart. When Jackson’s ‘Invincible’ album was the subject of delays, the duo ended up also recording the track for their own album. Rumoured to be a single but never saw commercial release due to Jackson’s ongoing conflicts with his record label. Lush, gentle with stunning, soaring harmonies, this is one of Jackson’s most underrated and endearing works.
28) Cry
Second single from ‘Invincible’, written by R. Kelly. Another ‘change-the-world’ song, this failed to generate the same reception and publicity as previous songs with similar lyrical themes, not aided by Jackson’s refusal to appear in the music video. Still, it’s a pretty song with a fantastic gospel performed climax.
29) One More Chance
Jackson’s final song written by R. Kelly which was the lead single for his 2003 Greatest Hits album ‘Number Ones’. It’s a smooth, catchy R&B number which was a big hit across the world.
30) Best of Joy
Repetitive but beautiful song, rumoured to be Jackson’s final recording before he died. What it lacks in innovation it makes up for in its charming presentation and Jackson’s famous falsetto.
BONUS:
31) Gone Too Soon
Absolutely gorgeous ballad from the Dangerous album, dedicated to AIDS victim Ryan White who passed away in 1990. White became a national poster-boy for HIV/AIDS when he was expelled from school due to his infection. He became infected with the virus from a contaminated blood treatment and later passed away aged just 18. Written by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, this was the final single to be released from the ‘Dangerous’ album.
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