Love him or hate him, there is no getting past the fact that Michael Jackson had a lasting effect on the music industry. While he may have stepped away from the limelight during the last years of his life, the 80's and early 90's saw Jackson in his prime. His talent - not just as a musician but also as a chorographer and songwriter, is well documented (If you don't believe us, go search youtube for Thriller, Bad, Billy Jean, and Remember the Times to name a few).
For those who have heard Michael Jackson or only like him in passing, the following songs are a list of the King of Pop’s songs that you have to have in your collection.
01. “Say Say Say” (Duet with Paul McCartney)
Released in 1983, “Say Say Say” saw the pairing of two of the biggest names in the music industry- Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. Recorded for Mccartney’s 1982 album Pipes of Peace, the song would top the charts all over the world, reaching #1 in the U.S and gave Jackson his seventh top ten hit for 1983.
“Say Say Say” kicks off with strong beats that are reminiscent of Jackson’s Thriller album, while at the same time standing a world apart. Written by both McCartney and Jackson, there’s no doubt that the tune is slightly cheesy (especially with the ‘Mac and Jack’ video clip) but they’re also endearing and hook you in all the same.
Sadly it would be the last time that Jackson and McCartney would collaborate but one that will forever be seared into my memory.
02. “Thriller”
What is there to say about “Thriller” that hasn’t already been said? One of Jackson’s signature tunes, it has stood the test of time and the digital downloads of over 1 million sales prove this. Instantly recognisable, one only needs to play the first couple seconds of “Thriller” for people to get it- for people to understand why Jackson was one of the biggest musical acts of the 80’s and why he was such a talented and brilliant- if slightly eccentric-musician.
The video clip, over 14 minutes long, is still considered one of the greatest video clips of all time. One of the reasons I love this song is that it is Jackson’s most experimental and saw him delve into a darker imagery than fans were used to. From beginning to end, the song evokes an eerie spookiness that brings forth to the imagination werewolves, zombies and all that creeps and bumps in the night. Throw in Vincent Price’s spoken vocals, and you can’t help but wonder if you’re about to step into your own nightmare.
And of course for those who grew up during the ‘Thriller’ years, you can’t help yourself breaking out into those old dance moves.
03. “Billie Jean”
“Billie Jean” was another hit single of Jackson’s Thriller album and is the hit single that almost never was. Jackson and Quincy Jones argued over the tune- Jones arguing to have it removed and Jackson determined to keep it. Jackson won the argument and the rest is as you would say history.
With its distinctive beats, finger clicks and Jackson’s hiccup vocals, it was futuristic in its style for that particular sign- showing that Jackson was uncanny in his ability of knowing what would work musically.
And let’s not forget that without “Billie Jean”, Jackson fans would never have seen the moonwalk (Jackson debuted the Moonwalk during a live performance of Billie Jean.
04. “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”
Taken from the Off The Wall album, ”Don’t Stop til You get Enough” was released in 1979 and is one of Jackson’s earliest and catchiest tunes.
In some respects, it is very similar to The Jackson Five’s “ABC” in its feel but with an underlying maturity. It introduced Jackson fans to his falsetto and the vocal hiccups that he would become famous for. Its disco-like sound also would be an early indication as to the direction his music would eventually turn to with the likes of Thriller.
Just to give an indication as to the impact of Jackson’s music worldwide- this song was re-released as a single again in 2006 in several European countries as part of the ‘Visionary Campaign’ and managed to climb to #17 in the UK.
05. “Man in The Mirror”
Released in 1988, “Man in the Mirror”, was from Jackson’s 1988 album Bad. This song never fails to stir something inside within me. I’m not sure whether it’s the lyrics or just the fact that I connect with this tune.
This song sees Jackson step away from his more dance-inspired songs and is indulgently reflective. It shows almost a softer side to Jackson while at the same time is one of his most powerful vocal performances.
While this is not a Jackson penned song, it’s evident that this song was written especially for Jackson and the social statement is almost biographical in its content.
06. “Black or White”
Considered one of the biggest selling songs of the 1990’s, “Black or White” is the first single of Jackson’s best selling Dangerous. Written and composed by Jackson, it’s hard to define one genre for “Black or White” – it is a clear mixture of hard rock (shown through Slash’s guitar riffs and Jackson’s vocals), dance (heavy club-like bass beats) and rap.
Thrown together with a blistering videoclip- which saw Jackson team up with the likes of Tyra Banks, George Wendt and McCauley Culkin, this song is not just catchy enough to make you automatically start singing along but also sends a clear message about racial unity.
07. “They Don’t Care About Is”
“They Don’t Care About Us”, is Jackson’s fourth single of History controversial. Considered by many as anti-sematic with lines such as "Jew me, sue me, everybody do me/ Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me" and labeled them”, it is considered Jackson’s most controversial song.
One only has to listen to the lyrics of “They Don’t Care About Us” to realise that Jackson never meant for the song to be a racial slur but in fact it was anti-discriminatory. A stance Jackson strongly took in a public apology for those offended.
While yes, it is controversial the hip hop like sounds, fast-paced lyrics and child chants and police scanner in the background make it a compelling listen.
There is certainly an edge and desperation to this song that perhaps is an indication that the demons battled within this track were not far from the inner demons that Jackson battled within his personal life.
08. “Beat It”
“Beat It” sees Jackson step away from his dance pop and R & B style and take a further step towards a much darker, and tougher Jackson. Thriller is perhaps Jackson’s darkest album and oozes with heavier beats and sounds than many fans were used to from Jackson.
“Beat It” saw Jackson step it up another notch. Essentially a rock song, Jackson recruited the likes of legendary rock guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, to provide the rock sound that he was after. Van Halen provided the blistering guitar solos to go along with Jackson’s soaring vocals, resulting in a rambunctious tune that soared through the charts.
09. “Somebody’s Watching Me”
While, essentially, this is not a Jackson tune, it’s one that I couldn’t resist adding to my top ten. Performed by Rockwell (A.K.A Kennedy Gordy A.K.A Berry Gordy Jnr – the head of Motown Records- son)
One of the reasons I chose to throw “Somebody’s Watching Me” in the mix is for Jackson’s vocal performance during the chorus. While the tune is definitely catchy, it is Jackson with his distinctive voice that really makes the song stand out. Another throwback from my childhood, it’s a song that always managed to stay with me thanks to Jackson’s cameo performance. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Jackson had not lent his voice to the chorus, this tune would never have made the charts. However he did and it reached #2 on the billboard charts in 1983.
10. “Ben”
It seems only fitting to end this list with “Ben”. “Ben” was offered to Jackson by chance.- originally written with Donny Osmond in mind, Jackson had a #1 hit on his hands when Osmond turned it down due to touring commitments. Osmond’s loss was Jackson’s gain – “Ben” giving him his first single as a solo artist and kicked off the beginning of a career that would give Jackson more fame than perhaps he ever wanted.
There is something incredibly sweet about this song, even if is written about a killer rat. Jackson’s performance is heartfelt and there is such innocence in his performance that makes it endearing. Ironically, the song would bring an end to his own innocent childhood and lead him onto a life of constant scrutiny and controversy.
While this is a list of our favourite Michael Jackson songs, they may not be your favourite. We’d love to hear what your favourites are and why. ©
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