The 25 Best Michael Jackson Songs of All Time, Ranked
- Joao Nsita
- Oct 3, 2025
- 35 min read
It is the perfect time to listen to the music of a true artistic titan, an artist whose work has transcended genre, generation, and geography to become a permanent part of our global cultural DNA. It is the perfect time to listen to Michael Jackson.
To call Michael Jackson a pop star is a profound understatement. He was a visionary, an innovator, and a once-in-a-lifetime force of nature whose impact on music, dance, fashion, and film is simply immeasurable. Decades after his peak, his influence is not just present; it is a vibrant, living, breathing entity. On platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, his genius is being discovered and celebrated by a whole new generation. The iconic, gravity-defying lean from "Smooth Criminal" is a viral dance challenge. The "Michael Jackson aesthetic"—the single white glove, the military-inspired jackets, the signature red leather—continues to inspire fashion mood boards. His music is not a relic of the past; it is a timeless, electrifying force that still sounds as fresh and as revolutionary today as it did upon its first release.
To rank the ten “best” songs from his monumental and sprawling catalogue is a near-impossible and wonderfully contentious task. It is to navigate a landscape of groundbreaking, genre-defying masterpieces, from the pure, joyful effervescence of disco to the dark, cinematic paranoia of his later work. This is not an academic decree, but a curated celebration of his most powerful, most influential, and most enduringly brilliant creations.
This is your definitive, in-depth guide to the essential anthems of the undisputed King of Pop. We will take a deep dive into each of these ten masterpieces, presented in descending order, exploring not just their musical genius, but the stories behind them, the cultural moments they defined, and the revolutionary artistry that made them immortal.
Enjoyed what you read? If you find this article insightful and it helps you rediscover the magic of Michael Jackson, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!
25. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (1987, from Bad)
The Vibe: A sweeping, romantic ballad of pure tenderness and devotion — Michael at his most openly vulnerable, his voice stripped of everything but sincerity.
The Story Behind the Song: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" was the lead single from the Bad album and the first of five number-one singles the album produced in the United States — a chart record that stood for decades. Michael Jackson wrote the song as a duet, and in its final form it was recorded with the singer Siedah Garrett, who also co-wrote "Man in the Mirror" from the same album. Originally conceived as a love song between a man and a woman, the track is notable for its simplicity — an almost startling restraint from an artist who rarely did anything modestly. There are no elaborate production flourishes. There is no iconic bassline or groundbreaking video. There is only the voice, and a string of words so direct they feel like a letter.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production, by Quincy Jones, is deliberately restrained — a lush orchestral arrangement that gives the voices room to breathe. The song opens with a spoken-word passage from Michael, a whispered declaration of love before the melody even begins, and that decision establishes the intimate register the entire song inhabits. The interplay between Michael's tenor and Siedah Garrett's warm, rounded alto creates something deeply tender; this is not the sound of performance, it is the sound of feeling, and Michael's ability to make the distinction audible is what elevates the song from ballad to something genuinely moving.
The Lasting Impact: The song became one of the most played ballads of the late 1980s and introduced the Bad era to audiences who might otherwise have been daunted by the album's more aggressive material. It remains a staple of wedding playlists and romantic compilations worldwide, proof that for all his complexity and ambition, Michael Jackson could communicate love with absolute, uncomplicated directness when he chose to.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" and the album Bad on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
24. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (1983, from Thriller)
The Vibe: A furious, restless, and electrifying opening statement — the Thriller album announcing itself with seven minutes of sheer, unstoppable kinetic energy.
The Story Behind the Song: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" opens the Thriller album and does so with unmistakable intent. The song was actually written and originally demoed by Michael Jackson during the Off the Wall era, but Quincy Jones held it back, instinctively knowing its power deserved a bigger stage. The lyrics are a fast, paranoid declaration of frustration — a broadside against rumour, gossip, and the machinery of celebrity that was already closing in on Michael's life. Lines like "you're a vegetable, they eat off of you" are among the most viscerally angry things he ever committed to record.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The song is a marvel of rhythmic construction. The bassline is relentless — a churning, forward-driving engine that never once releases the listener from its momentum. The percussion is dense and polyrhythmic in a way that draws directly from West African musical traditions, something the album's final section makes explicit with its chanted, communal "mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa" refrain, borrowed from Cameroonian singer Manu Dibango's "Soul Makossa." The genius of the arrangement is that it builds and builds without ever quite resolving — the tension never fully releases, the song ends while it is still accelerating.
The Lasting Impact: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is the track that serious Michael Jackson listeners name first. It is the album's secret engine room, the piece that tells you exactly what kind of artist he was: not a performer who wanted to be liked, but one who demanded to be heard.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and the album Thriller on all major streaming platforms.
23. "You Are Not Alone" (1995, from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I)
The Vibe: A grand, soaring ballad of comfort and devotion — emotionally enormous in scale and deeply personal in its delivery.
The Story Behind the Song: "You Are Not Alone" was written by R. Kelly and released as a single from the HIStory album in August 1995. Upon its release, it became the first song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to debut at number one — a commercial landmark that underscored Michael Jackson's undiminished commercial power even as the personal controversies of the mid-1990s surrounded him. The song arrived at a moment in his life when the message of its lyrics — "you are not alone, I am here with you" — felt particularly weighted, both for him and for the audience receiving it.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production is deliberately cinematic — a sweeping orchestral arrangement with gospel undertones that gives the song a scale entirely appropriate to the career that delivered it. Michael's vocal performance is among the most restrained and emotionally precise of his career. He does not overpower the melody; he inhabits it. The repeated descent into the lower registers during the verses, and the controlled release into the upper range of the chorus, demonstrates a vocal intelligence that goes far beyond pure technical ability. This is a singer who understands exactly how much force a moment can bear.
The Lasting Impact: "You Are Not Alone" became one of the defining ballads of the 1990s, covered extensively and absorbed into the emotional vocabulary of an entire generation. Its commercial and emotional impact established it as one of the essential documents of Michael Jackson's later career — proof that the complexity of his personal life had done nothing to diminish his ability to reach people at the most fundamental level.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "You Are Not Alone" and the HIStory album on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
22. "Earth Song" (1995, from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I)
The Vibe: A vast, elemental, and emotionally devastating cry of protest — Michael Jackson at his most politically urgent, his voice used as a weapon of grief and outrage.
The Story Behind the Song: Michael Jackson had been writing "Earth Song" in fragments since the late 1980s, reportedly struck by the emotional impact of witnessing environmental destruction during his travels. He finished it for the HIStory album, and when it was released as a single in November 1995, it became one of the biggest hits of his career in the United Kingdom, spending six weeks at number one. Its performance at the 1996 BRIT Awards — an extraordinary, staged epic involving bulldozers, actors, and a confrontation with Jarvis Cocker of Pulp — became one of the most discussed moments in the history of British music television.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The arrangement is genuinely extraordinary in its ambition. The song begins with almost nothing — a sparse, low synthesizer drone and a single, quiet vocal — before building through a series of dynamic crescendos to a final section of towering, full-choir gospel intensity. The range of the performance, from near-whisper to full-throated howl, covers more emotional ground than most artists manage in an entire album. The lyrics move between the environmental and the spiritual with a freedom that suggests a mind for whom these categories were never truly separate.
The Lasting Impact: "Earth Song" is Michael Jackson's most explicitly political single, and it remains his most urgent. It is, in its best moments, genuinely frightening in its emotional force — the sound of an artist using every tool at his disposal to make an audience feel the weight of something that the world was not adequately grieving.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Earth Song" and the HIStory album on all major music platforms.
21. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1979, from Off the Wall)
The Vibe: Pure, incandescent, world-conquering joy — a declaration of creative and personal liberation that remains one of the most thrilling opening statements in pop music history.
The Story Behind the Song: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was the first single released by Michael Jackson as a fully autonomous adult artist, and the first song he wrote and produced himself for a major album release. It was the lead single from Off the Wall, the album that marked his decisive break from the Jackson 5 era and established him as a solo force of enormous, independent power. The song was written by Michael at the age of nineteen. Its opening spoken monologue — "You know I was — I was wondering, you know, if you could keep on, because the force, it's got a lot of power" — is one of the most distinctive and immediately recognisable openings in all of pop.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production, by Quincy Jones, is a masterclass in late-1970s disco-funk architecture. The string arrangement is lush and soaring. The rhythm section is locked into a groove so perfectly constructed that it continues to function as a dance-floor staple nearly fifty years after its recording. But it is Michael's vocal performance that defines the track — falsetto yelps and dips that cut through the arrangement like light, a performance of pure, uncontainable physical exhilaration that communicates exactly what freedom sounds like when it is brand new.
The Lasting Impact: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" won Michael Jackson his first solo Grammy Award, for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. It established him as one of the most compelling vocal talents of his generation and set the terms for everything that followed. To listen to it now is to hear the precise moment a star decided who he was going to be.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and the Off the Wall album on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
20. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" (1983, from Thriller)
The Vibe: A sparkling, effervescent, and irresistibly playful slice of funk-pop — the Thriller album at its most purely joyful.
The Story Behind the Song: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was written by James Ingram and Quincy Jones, and its inclusion on Thriller was the result of one of the most famous creative disputes in pop music history. Michael Jackson reportedly preferred another song, "Carousel," for that album slot, and the decision to use "P.Y.T." was made by Quincy Jones over Michael's objections. Famously, in later years, Michael acknowledged Jones had been right. The track became one of the most beloved songs on the album, a genuine standout in a collection that set new standards for every song it contained.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production is a marvel of density and lightness simultaneously — a funky, layered arrangement that somehow feels effortless. The interplay between Michael's lead vocal and the call-and-response backing vocals is irresistible, a technique that reaches back to the gospel tradition while sounding entirely contemporary. Michael's vocal is playful and elastic, slipping between registers with a natural ease that makes the complexity of the performance feel entirely unconsidered. This is the sound of a singer so technically accomplished that technique is no longer visible — only pleasure remains.
The Lasting Impact: "P.Y.T." has become one of the most sampled and referenced tracks in Michael Jackson's catalogue, its bright, open-hearted energy speaking to every generation that encounters it. It is, in the truest sense, timeless — a song that sounds exactly as alive today as it did in 1983.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" and the album Thriller on all major streaming platforms.
19. "Liberian Girl" (1987, from Bad)
The Vibe: Romantic, lush, and beautifully exotic — a delicate love song that sounds like nothing else in the Bad era, a quiet oasis in an album of spectacular excess.
The Story Behind the Song: "Liberian Girl" was written by Michael Jackson in the early 1980s and held for the Bad album, where it appeared as a deeper cut rather than a lead single. The song was composed as a tribute to the beauty of African women and African culture, written in the Swahili language in its opening lines — "Nakupenda pia, nakutaka pia, mpenzi we", meaning "I love you too, I want you too, my love." It was a gesture of cultural appreciation and romantic imagination from an artist who, even at the peak of his global celebrity, looked outward rather than inward for his inspiration.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production is noticeably lighter and more intimate than the rest of the Bad album. The arrangement is built around delicate synthesizer textures and a gentle, flowing rhythm that creates an atmosphere of warmth and peace entirely distinct from the driving ambition of the album's bigger moments. Michael's vocal is measured and tender, the performance of a man who has set aside the machinery of stardom for three and a half minutes to simply express something beautiful. It is, in the best possible sense, a song that asks nothing of the listener except their attention.
The Lasting Impact: The "Liberian Girl" music video, which featured an extraordinary roll call of celebrity cameos — Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Spielberg, Olivia Newton-John, and many more — became one of the most memorable visual moments of the era. But it is the song itself that endures: a quiet, lovely, and genuinely romantic piece of music that represents a side of Michael Jackson that the spectacle of his career too often obscured.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Liberian Girl" and the album Bad on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
18. "Stranger in Moscow" (1996, from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I)
The Vibe: Hauntingly beautiful, deeply melancholic, and utterly unlike anything else in his catalogue — a meditation on isolation and grief that sounds like rain falling on an empty city.
The Story Behind the Song: "Stranger in Moscow" was written by Michael Jackson during the Dangerous world tour in 1993, at a hotel in Moscow, during what was by any measure one of the most difficult periods of his life. The accusations, the scrutiny, and the sense of profound personal isolation that characterized those years found their most direct and devastating artistic expression in this single. It is, in many ways, the most autobiographical song he ever released — a document of a man experiencing the particular loneliness of being both the most famous person in the world and entirely alone within that fame.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production, by Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer, is extraordinary in its restraint. The track is built on a slow, sparse synthesizer arrangement and a heavy, deliberate drum pattern that creates a feeling of weight and inevitability. The vocal performance is perhaps the most emotionally raw of his career — his voice low, controlled, and full of a sadness that requires no embellishment. There are no trademark yelps or percussive ad-libs here. This is Michael Jackson without armour.
The Lasting Impact: "Stranger in Moscow" is one of the most critically respected songs in Michael Jackson's entire catalogue, cited repeatedly by music writers as evidence of his capacity for genuine artistic depth beyond spectacle. It is a song that grows more powerful with repeated listening, its emotional weight increasing rather than diminishing with familiarity.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Stranger in Moscow" and the HIStory album on all major streaming platforms.
17. "Off the Wall" (1979, from Off the Wall)
The Vibe: An irresistible, swaggering funk anthem — the sound of an artist throwing off every constraint and inviting the entire world to dance.
The Story Behind the Song: The title track of the album that changed everything, "Off the Wall" was written by Rod Temperton — the same Heatwave songwriter who also wrote "Rock with You" for the same album, and who would go on to write "Thriller" for the follow-up. The song is an instruction manual for joy: stop worrying, stop overthinking, get up and dance. It was a message perfectly suited to the late-1970s disco moment, but delivered with a funk energy and a vocal performance so vital that it transcended the era entirely.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The arrangement is a machine built for a single purpose: the complete, uninhibited physical response of the listener's body. The horns punch and release. The rhythm section locks into a groove that seems to have no beginning and no end. The bass guitar is a living thing, fluid and conversational in its relationship to the beat. Michael's vocal rides all of it with the ease of a man who is having more fun than anyone else in the room — which, in 1979, he probably was. The "Just because you feel good, does it mean you gotta act that way?" bridge is one of the great funk moments in pop music history.
The Lasting Impact: Off the Wall is now considered one of the finest pop albums ever made, and its title track remains the most purely joyful thing Michael Jackson committed to record. It is impossible to be unhappy while listening to it. That is a rare and genuinely valuable quality in music.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Off the Wall" and the album of the same name on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
16. "I'll Be There" (1970, from Third Album by The Jackson 5)
The Vibe: Timeless, soul-deep, and impossibly moving — a twelve-year-old boy delivering one of the most emotionally complete vocal performances in the history of pop music.
The Story Behind the Song: "I'll Be There" was written by Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, and Bob West, and recorded by the Jackson 5 for their third studio album. It was the group's fourth number-one single and their biggest commercial success, spending five weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. It remains one of the best-selling singles in Motown Records history. Michael Jackson was twelve years old when he recorded it.
Musical Genius Breakdown: What is most extraordinary about "I'll Be There" is not the song itself — which is beautifully crafted, a graceful, gospel-inflected ballad of romantic devotion and loyalty — but what Michael Jackson does inside it. His lead vocal is not the performance of a child prodigy doing something impressive for his age. It is simply a great vocal performance, full stop — expressive, nuanced, and carrying an emotional weight that most adult singers never achieve. The moment when he drops into the lower register for "just look over your shoulder, honey" is one of the most spine-tingling moments in Motown history.
The Lasting Impact: "I'll Be There" was the song that first made the world understand that Michael Jackson was not merely talented — he was something genuinely different in kind. It is the foundation stone of the entire extraordinary edifice of his career, and returning to it now, after everything that followed, is one of the most moving experiences available to a music listener.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "I'll Be There" on all major streaming platforms. The original Jackson 5 recording is widely available on Motown compilation albums and streaming libraries.
15. "Baby Be Mine" (1983, from Thriller)
The Vibe: A bright, irresistible, and utterly infectious burst of early-80s pop-funk — the hidden treasure of the Thriller album that rewards the listeners who venture beyond the famous singles.
The Story Behind the Song: "Baby Be Mine" was written by Rod Temperton, the British songwriter whose contributions to the Thriller album were essential to its character. Temperton also wrote the title track and "The Lady in My Life," giving him an extraordinary presence across the album's emotional range. "Baby Be Mine" occupies the lightest and most purely pleasurable end of that range — a straightforward declaration of desire wrapped in one of the most joyful arrangements Quincy Jones and his production team ever assembled.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The song is a masterclass in groove construction. The synthesizer hook is immediately memorable and endlessly singable. The rhythm guitar adds a funky, rolling texture that keeps the track moving with irresistible momentum. Michael's vocal performance is buoyant and playful, the sound of a performer who is genuinely enjoying himself — a quality that communicates directly to the listener and produces the specific pleasure that only the best pop music can deliver. The song asks nothing complicated of the listener. It simply invites you in.
The Lasting Impact: "Baby Be Mine" is consistently cited by devoted Jackson fans as one of the most undervalued songs in his catalogue — a track that would be a career highlight for almost any other artist, reduced to an album track by the almost impossibly competitive quality of the material surrounding it. To return to it now is to be reminded that even in the deep cuts of Thriller, Michael Jackson was operating at a level few artists ever approach.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Baby Be Mine" and the full Thriller album on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
14. "Heal the World" (1991, from Dangerous)
The Vibe: A luminous, anthemic, and deeply sincere vision of global compassion — Michael Jackson's most purely idealistic statement, delivered with complete conviction.
The Story Behind the Song: "Heal the World" was personally described by Michael Jackson as one of his favourite songs he had ever written, and the sincerity of that claim is audible in every second of the recording. The song was the centrepiece of his charitable initiative — the Heal the World Foundation, which he established in 1992 to improve the lives of children around the world. The track was written and recorded during the Dangerous sessions and released as a single in November 1991, accompanied by a short film that featured news footage of war and suffering alongside images of children playing.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production is deliberately accessible — a gentle, warm arrangement of piano, synthesizers, and orchestra that builds gradually to an anthemic climax. The children's choir that joins Michael's lead vocal in the final section is one of the most emotionally effective production decisions on the entire Dangerous album, transforming the song's aspirational message into something communal and genuinely moving. Michael's vocal is tender and unhurried throughout, the performance of a man who means every word.
The Lasting Impact: "Heal the World" remains one of the most widely performed charity and school concert songs in the world, its simple, direct message of compassion crossing every cultural and linguistic barrier. It is, in the truest sense, a gift — a song that continues to function as a vehicle for human goodness long after the artist who created it is gone.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Heal the World" and the Dangerous album on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
13. "Rock with You" (1979, from Off the Wall)
The Vibe: Silk-smooth, elegantly produced, and utterly timeless — the most seductive groove in Michael Jackson's entire catalogue, delivered with a vocal performance of breathtaking ease.
The Story Behind the Song: "Rock with You" was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones for the Off the Wall album. It was the second single released from the album, following "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," and it became Michael's second consecutive number-one single in the United States — a sequence that announced to the industry in unmistakable terms that a new superstar had arrived fully formed. The song is a late-night dance floor invitation of the highest order, and it delivered that invitation to the entire world simultaneously.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production is remarkable for its warmth and organic smoothness — a quality that felt distinctive even in the late-disco era and has only become more distinctive with time. The synth-strings are lush but never overwhelming. The rhythm section is elegant and precise. The whole arrangement has the quality of a perfectly calibrated machine running at the exact temperature it was designed for. Michael's vocal is the embodiment of cool — relaxed, confident, and impossibly fluid, moving through the melody with the ease of a man who has never had to think about anything as mundane as effort.
The Lasting Impact: "Rock with You" consistently appears near the top of rankings of the greatest pop songs ever made, and it has endured without revision or nostalgia — it simply sounds like a perfect thing, now as it did in 1979. Quincy Jones described it as one of the finest songs he had ever produced, and it is very difficult to argue with that assessment.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Rock with You" and the Off the Wall album on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
12. "Man in the Mirror" (1988, from Bad)
The Vibe: A gospel-drenched, soaring, and profoundly moving call to personal responsibility — the most spiritually powerful thing Michael Jackson ever recorded.
The Story Behind the Song: "Man in the Mirror" was written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard, and when Michael Jackson first heard the demo, he reportedly told Quincy Jones that it was the song he had been looking for his entire career. The song's central message — that meaningful change in the world begins with the individual, with the person looking back at you from the mirror — is delivered not as a lecture but as a personal confession. Michael sings it as a man examining himself, not prescribing a path for others.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The arrangement builds with the inexorable momentum of a wave gathering force offshore. It begins with a relatively sparse piano and synthesizer arrangement, Michael's vocal intimate and reflective, before the song opens outward with each successive chorus. By the final section, when the Andraé Crouch choir joins the performance, the track has become something genuinely transcendent — the sound of an enormous human force moving in one direction. Michael's final, improvised vocal stretches in the outro are among the most extraordinary sustained vocal performances he ever committed to tape.
The Lasting Impact: "Man in the Mirror" became a defining anthem of the late 1980s, used repeatedly in contexts of social action and public inspiration. Its power has not diminished. It remains one of those rare songs that can genuinely change how a person feels about their capacity to contribute to the world — which is, ultimately, one of the highest things music can do.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Man in the Mirror" and the album Bad on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
11. "Remember the Time" (1991, from Dangerous)
The Vibe: A gloriously infectious, New Jack Swing-flavoured R&B masterpiece — Michael Jackson stepping entirely into the contemporary sound of the early 1990s and absolutely owning it.
The Story Behind the Song: "Remember the Time" was produced by Teddy Riley, the architect of the New Jack Swing sound that dominated Black American popular music at the turn of the decade, and written by Riley alongside Michael Jackson and Bernard Belle. The decision to work with Riley was a deliberate artistic statement — Michael's acknowledgement that the music landscape had shifted, and his confident demonstration that he could move within that new landscape with full authority. The result was one of the most sonically modern records of his career, a fusion of his established vocal style with a contemporary production sensibility that felt completely natural rather than calculated.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production is driven by a syncopated, stuttering drum machine pattern and a bass groove that locks into the body with immediate physical authority. The arrangement is clean and percussive, giving Michael's vocal maximum clarity and space. His performance is a masterclass in contemporary R&B phrasing — relaxed but rhythmically precise, warm but technically immaculate. The key change that drives the final chorus is a moment of pure pop euphoria, the kind of musical event that produces an involuntary physical response in the listener and has done so on dance floors worldwide for over three decades.
The Unforgettable Video: The short film, directed by John Singleton, was set in ancient Egypt and featured Eddie Murphy as Pharaoh Rameses II, Iman as the Queen, and Michael as a court magician who enchants the Queen with memories of their past relationship. It is one of the most visually ambitious music videos of the era, a piece of filmmaking that took its art form seriously and delivered something genuinely cinematic.
The Lasting Impact: "Remember the Time" is the essential document of Michael Jackson's early-1990s reinvention — proof that an artist who had already achieved more than almost anyone in the history of popular music could still evolve, still surprise, and still deliver something that felt urgent and alive. It remains one of the most played Michael Jackson songs on global streaming platforms and continues to introduce new generations to an artist who remains, decades on, entirely without equal.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Remember the Time" and the Dangerous album on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.
10. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (1987, from Bad)
The Vibe: A pure, joyful, and irresistibly flirtatious blast of pure pop-funk. This is the sound of a man at the absolute peak of his charm and confidence.
The Story Behind the Song: After the world-conquering success of Thriller, Michael Jackson was faced with the impossible task of creating a follow-up. The Bad album was his powerful, confident answer. "The Way You Make Me Feel" is the album's most joyful and lighthearted moment. Reportedly written after his mother, Katherine Jackson, suggested he write a song with a simple, shuffling boogie rhythm, the track is a masterclass in pop craftsmanship. The lyrics are a straightforward, almost primal expression of flirtation and desire, a playful cat-and-mouse game set to an infectious, swinging groove.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The song is a perfect fusion of pop, funk, and R&B. The iconic, shuffling "doo-doo-ch-doo-ch" rhythm, a combination of finger snaps and a driving bassline, is instantly recognizable and impossible not to move to. The production, once again helmed by the legendary Quincy Jones, is slick, polished, and full of brilliant, subtle details, from the sparkling synthesizers to the call-and-response backing vocals. But the true star is Michael's vocal performance. It is a tour de force of his signature style—the percussive yelps, the breathy ad-libs, the smooth, soaring chorus—all delivered with an infectious sense of joy and swagger.
The Unforgettable Video: The song's short film, directed by Joe Pytka, is a classic of the MTV era. It showcases Michael at his most charismatic, pursuing a woman (played by Tatiana Thumbtzen) through the nighttime streets with a group of friends, his dance moves a perfect, physical embodiment of the song's flirtatious energy. The extended, silhouetted dance sequence against a blue-lit backdrop is one of his most iconic visual moments. The complex hero is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Best Comedies With a Flawed But Lovable Protagonist.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "The Way You Make Me Feel" on services like Spotify and Apple Music, or purchase the Bad album on vinyl and CD from the official Michael Jackson website.
9. "Black or White" (1991, from Dangerous)
The Vibe: A powerful, optimistic, and incredibly catchy global anthem for racial unity, driven by one of the most iconic guitar riffs of the 90s.
The Story Behind the Song: The lead single from the Dangerous album, "Black or White" was Michael Jackson's powerful and direct response to the racial tensions of the era. The song is a simple but powerful plea for racial harmony, a message that "it don't matter if you're black or white." The song's iconic, crunchy guitar riff was reportedly played by the legendary Guns N' Roses guitarist, Slash, though the official credit went to Bill Bottrell. The track is a brilliant fusion of rock, pop, and dance, a truly global sound for a universal message.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The song is a masterclass in pop production. The blend of a hard-rock guitar riff with a funky, new-jack-swing-inspired drum beat was a groundbreaking sound for its time. The song also features a rap section from L.T.B., which was another innovative move that helped to solidify the track's contemporary, urban feel. Michael's vocal performance is powerful and passionate, delivering the song's message with a sense of urgent sincerity.
The Unforgettable Video: The short film for "Black or White" was a global television event. Directed by John Landis (Thriller), the video was a technical and artistic masterpiece. It is most famous for its groundbreaking final sequence, which used a new computer-morphing technology to seamlessly blend the faces of people of different races and ethnicities into one another. It was a stunning, powerful, and beautiful visual representation of the song's message of unity. The video’s powerful and timeless message is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Classic Movies of All Time. For a deep dive into the making of this iconic video, the official Michael Jackson YouTube channel has behind-the-scenes footage.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Black or White" and the album Dangerous on major music platforms.
8. "Human Nature" (1983, from Thriller)
The Vibe: A beautiful, wistful, and deeply melancholic ballad that is a masterpiece of smooth, atmospheric, 80s pop-soul.
The Story Behind the Song: One of the most unique and beautiful songs on the blockbuster album Thriller, "Human Nature" was not written by Michael Jackson. The song was written by Steve Porcaro of the rock band Toto and the lyricist John Bettis. The demo was passed to Quincy Jones, who immediately fell in love with its gentle, melancholic melody and its beautiful, evocative lyrics about a man drawn to the electric energy of the city at night. He knew it would be the perfect, introspective "cool down" moment for the album.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production on this track is a work of pure, atmospheric genius. The song is built on a shimmering, hypnotic synthesizer melody and a gentle, pulsing bassline. The entire track is bathed in a warm, late-night glow. But the true magic of the song is Michael Jackson's breathtakingly beautiful vocal performance. It is one of his most tender, vulnerable, and emotionally nuanced vocals of his entire career. His delivery is soft, breathy, and full of a deep, wistful longing. The iconic, repeated "why, why" ad-lib at the end of the song is a moment of pure, perfect, vocal artistry.
The Lasting Impact: While it was not one of the album's biggest, most explosive hits, "Human Nature" has become one of its most beloved and critically acclaimed tracks. It has been covered and sampled by countless artists, from Miles Davis to Chris Brown. It is a testament to Michael's incredible ability to inhabit a song and to make it entirely his own. It is a timeless and beautiful piece of music. The song’s focus on a powerful, introspective journey is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 7 Best Coming of Age Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Human Nature" and the album Thriller on major music platforms.
7. "Smooth Criminal" (1988, from Bad)
The Vibe: A dark, cinematic, and incredibly stylish piece of gangster-pop noir that is one of Michael Jackson's greatest and most ambitious artistic statements.
The Story Behind the Song: "Smooth Criminal" is the centerpiece of Michael Jackson's 1988 musical anthology film, Moonwalker. The song is a frantic, paranoid, and thrilling narrative about a mysterious, white-suited gangster who has broken into a woman's apartment. The lyrics are a staccato burst of questions and exclamations, creating a sense of panic and confusion. The iconic, repeated question, "Annie, are you okay?", was reportedly inspired by the Resusci Anne CPR training mannequin.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The music is a masterpiece of tension and release. It is built on a frantic, synthesized bassline and a hard-hitting, almost industrial drum machine beat. The song is famous for the inclusion of Michael's own heartbeat, recorded with a Synclavier, which adds to the track's intense, physiological effect. Michael's vocal performance is a staccato burst of yelps, gasps, and percussive phrasing, a perfect, panicked counterpart to the relentless rhythm of the track.
The Unforgettable Video: The short film for "Smooth Criminal" is, without a doubt, one of the greatest music videos ever made. It is a stunning piece of cinematic art, a beautiful and loving homage to classic, 1930s gangster films and the dance numbers of Fred Astaire. The choreography is a work of genius, and the video is most famous for the debut of the iconic, and seemingly impossible, "anti-gravity lean," a move that was achieved with a patented system of specially designed shoes and a stage harness. For a deep dive into the making of this iconic video, the Michael Jackson fan wiki is a great resource.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Smooth Criminal" and the album Bad on major music platforms.
6. "Beat It" (1983, from Thriller)
The Vibe: A powerful, urgent, and groundbreaking fusion of hard rock and dance-pop that is one of the most iconic and influential songs of the 1980s.
The Story Behind the Song: Michael Jackson wrote "Beat It" because he wanted to create a rock song that he would want to buy, but he also wanted it to be a song that was completely his own. The song is a powerful, anti-gang-violence anthem, a plea for young men to walk away from senseless conflict and to prove their courage through non-violence. The song is a brilliant and powerful piece of social commentary, delivered with an urgent, visceral energy.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The song is a masterpiece of genre fusion. The iconic, hard-hitting drum beat and the gritty, synth-bass riff are pure, infectious dance-pop. But the song is defined by its hard rock edge. Producer Quincy Jones had the brilliant idea to bring in a real, bona fide rock guitar god to play the solo. He called Eddie Van Halen, who, in one of the most famous and generous guest appearances in music history, came to the studio and improvised his legendary, blistering, and instantly iconic guitar solo, completely free of charge. For a deep dive into the life of this legendary guitarist, the official Eddie Van Halen website is a great resource.
The Unforgettable Video: The short film for "Beat It," directed by Bob Giraldi, is a modern-day West Side Story. The video is famous for its incredible, large-scale, synchronized choreography, which featured real-life, rival gang members. The video is a powerful and iconic piece of filmmaking that perfectly captures the song's message of de-escalation and unity. The show’s focus on a powerful ensemble is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies With An Ensemble Cast.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Beat It" and the album Thriller on major music platforms.
5. "Man in the Mirror" (1988, from Bad)
The Vibe: A powerful, inspirational, and deeply moving gospel-infused anthem that is one of the most profound and enduring artistic statements of Michael Jackson's entire career.
The Story Behind the Song: "Man in the Mirror" is one of the few major hits of his solo career that Michael Jackson did not write himself. The song was written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard. It is a powerful and deeply personal call for self-reflection and social change. The song's message is simple but profound: if you want to make the world a better place, the change must begin with the person you see in the mirror. It is a song that moves from a quiet, introspective verse to a full-blown, joyous, and celebratory gospel choir climax.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The production on this track is a masterpiece of emotional architecture. The song begins with a simple, synthesized keyboard line and Michael's gentle, introspective vocal. As the song progresses, it builds in intensity, with the addition of a powerful drum beat, a driving bassline, and, in its final, glorious moments, the full, soaring power of the Andraé Crouch gospel choir. Michael's vocal performance is one of the most passionate and powerful of his entire career, full of ad-libs, whoops, and a raw, pleading intensity.
The Lasting Impact: The song has become a timeless and beloved anthem of hope and change. It is a song that is both a deeply personal confession and a universal call to action. It is a powerful reminder that the journey to changing the world begins with the difficult, and often courageous, act of changing oneself. The show’s focus on a powerful journey of self-discovery is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 7 Best Coming of Age Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Man in the Mirror" and the album Bad on major music platforms.
4. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1979, from Off the Wall)
The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated, and absolutely joyful disco-funk perfection. This is the sound of a young man breaking free and becoming a superstar in his own right.
The Story Behind the Song: This was the lead single from Off the Wall, Michael Jackson's first solo album as an adult, and it was a powerful statement of intent. It was the first major song that he wrote entirely by himself, and it was a declaration of his artistic independence. The song is a pure, breathless, and exhilarating expression of joy and physical ecstasy. The lyrics are a cascade of blissful, almost stream-of-consciousness phrases about the power of love and music.
Musical Genius Breakdown: This song is a masterpiece of the disco era. The production, from the legendary Quincy Jones, is a symphony of sound. The track is built on a ridiculously infectious, driving bassline and a swirl of lush, cinematic strings. The song is famous for its spoken-word intro and its brilliant, percussive vocal arrangement. Michael’s lead vocal, a stunning, soaring falsetto, is one of the most joyful and electrifying performances of his entire career. For a deep dive into the genius of Quincy Jones, the documentary Quincy on Netflix is essential viewing.
The Lasting Impact: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was a massive, number-one hit around the world and won Michael his first solo Grammy Award. It was the song that announced the arrival of Michael Jackson as a major, adult solo artist and the undisputed King of Pop. It is a song that is so full of joy and infectious energy that it is almost impossible to listen to without smiling. The show’s complex hero is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Best Movies with an Origin Story.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and the album Off the Wall on major music platforms.
3. "Rock With You" (1979, from Off the Wall)
The Vibe: The smoothest, most effortlessly cool, and sophisticated slice of disco-soul ever recorded. This is the sound of a warm summer night, a glittering dance floor, and pure, understated romance.
The Story Behind the Song: While "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was the explosive, energetic statement of intent from Off the Wall, "Rock With You" was its sophisticated, soulful counterpart. Written by the legendary Rod Temperton (who would later write "Thriller"), the song is a beautiful and simple invitation to dance the night away. The lyrics are pure, elegant romance, a gentle and loving ode to the simple joy of being with the person you love.
Why It’s One of the Best: "Rock With You" is a flawless piece of music. It is a masterclass in subtlety and groove. The production is a perfect, shimmering soundscape of layered keyboards, a gentle, pulsing bassline, and lush, beautiful string arrangements. But the heart of the song is Michael Jackson’s absolutely sublime vocal performance. It is one of the smoothest, most effortlessly beautiful vocals of his entire career. He sounds completely at ease, his voice a warm, gentle, and incredibly soulful instrument.
The Lasting Impact: The song was another massive, number-one hit from the album and has become one of his most beloved and enduring classics. It is a song that is both a perfect, timeless piece of dance music and a beautiful, sophisticated, and deeply romantic ballad. It is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful and effortlessly cool songs ever recorded. The show’s focus on a powerful romance is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Best Romantic Movies of All Time.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Rock With You" and the album Off the Wall on major music platforms.
2. "Thriller" (1983, from Thriller)
The Vibe: A spooky, cinematic, and genre-defining masterpiece of funk-pop horror that is more than a song; it is a full-blown cultural event.
The Story Behind the Song: After the world-conquering success of the Thriller album, Michael Jackson wanted to do something that would keep the album at the top of the charts. The title track, written by Rod Temperton, was a brilliant and spooky slice of funk-pop, full of classic horror movie imagery. But it was Michael’s vision to turn the song into a short film that would change the world of music forever.
Musical Genius Breakdown: The song itself is a masterpiece of production. It is built on one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable basslines in music history. The track is a perfect, atmospheric soundscape of spooky sound effects—creaking doors, howling wolves, and thunderclaps—all anchored by a relentless, infectious funk groove. The song’s most iconic feature, of course, is the chilling, spoken-word rap from the legendary horror actor, Vincent Price.
The Unforgettable Video: The 14-minute-long short film for "Thriller," directed by the brilliant John Landis, is not just a music video; it is one of the most important and influential pieces of filmmaking of the 20th century. It is a masterpiece of horror, comedy, and dance. The choreography is legendary, and the "Thriller" dance has become a global, pop-culture phenomenon. The video was so groundbreaking that it was the first, and to date, only, music video to be inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." You can watch the full, restored short film on the official Michael Jackson YouTube channel.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Thriller" and the album of the same name on major music platforms.
1. "Billie Jean" (1983, from Thriller)
The Vibe: The perfect pop song. A dark, paranoid, and impossibly funky masterpiece that is a flawless synthesis of sound, story, and performance.
The Story Behind the Song: "Billie Jean" is a dark, paranoid, and deeply personal song about the perils of fame. The lyrics, written by Michael himself, tell the story of a woman who is falsely accusing him of being the father of her child. The song is a brilliant and powerful exploration of the dark, obsessive side of fandom and the paranoia of being a global superstar.
Why It’s at the Top: "Billie Jean" is, without a doubt, the greatest and most important song of Michael Jackson’s entire career, and it is arguably the greatest pop song of all time. It is a work of pure, unadulterated genius on every single level. The bassline is one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable in music history. The drum beat is a masterpiece of minimalist, driving funk. The production is a perfect, atmospheric soundscape of shimmering synths and a haunting string arrangement. And Michael’s vocal performance is a tour de force of emotion, a desperate, hiccuping, and paranoid plea.
The Lasting Impact: The song was a global, culture-defining smash hit. But its legendary status was cemented by a single, televised performance. At the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special in 1983, Michael Jackson performed "Billie Jean" and, for the first time ever, he unveiled his signature dance move: the moonwalk. That single performance is one of the most iconic and electrifying in the history of music. It was the moment he transformed from a superstar into a full-blown, global icon. The song and the performance are a perfect, flawless piece of art. The show’s complex hero is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Best Biopics of All Time.
Where to Buy and Stream: Stream "Billie Jean" and the album Thriller on major music platforms.
Conclusion
To journey through the ten greatest songs of Michael Jackson is to witness the evolution of a true artistic genius. It is to trace the path from the pure, joyful effervescence of a young man breaking free, to the dark, cinematic paranoia of a global superstar grappling with the immense weight of his own fame. These ten songs are more than just a collection of hits; they are a testament to the power of music to transcend genre, to break down barriers, and to create moments of pure, undeniable, and unforgettable magic.
His legacy is not just in the records he broke or the awards he won; it is in the way he redefined what was possible for a pop star. He was a singer, a dancer, a songwriter, a fashion icon, and a visionary filmmaker. The music he created is a timeless, and truly singular, body of work that will continue to inspire, to move, and to make us dance for generations to come. He was, and always will be, the undisputed King of Pop.
Enjoyed what you read? If you found this article insightful and it helps you rediscover the magic of Michael Jackson, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!
Related Articles from That Love Podcast:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Michael Jackson's bestselling album of all time? Thriller, released in 1982, is not only Michael Jackson's bestselling album but is the bestselling album of all time, with estimated sales of over 70 million copies worldwide.
2. Who was Quincy Jones? Quincy Jones is a legendary American record producer, musician, and composer. He was the producer for Michael Jackson's three most iconic solo albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Their collaboration is considered one of the greatest in music history.
3. What is the "Motown 25" performance? The Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special in 1983 is where Michael Jackson performed "Billie Jean" live for the first time and debuted his signature dance move, the moonwalk, to a global audience. It is one of the most famous and influential television performances of all time.
4. Where can I watch Michael Jackson's famous "short films"? Most of his iconic music videos, or "short films" as he preferred to call them, are available to watch in high definition on the official Michael Jackson YouTube channel.
5. What is the "anti-gravity lean" from the "Smooth Criminal" video? The famous forward lean, which seems to defy gravity, was achieved with a specially designed and patented shoe that would hook into a peg on the stage, allowing the dancers to perform the move.
6. Who is the "King of Pop"? "King of Pop" is a nickname that was famously bestowed upon Michael Jackson by his friend, the actress Elizabeth Taylor, in the late 1980s. The title has been synonymous with him ever since.
7. Did Michael Jackson write all of his own songs? While he was a prolific and brilliant songwriter who wrote many of his biggest hits, including "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," he also worked with a variety of other legendary songwriters, such as Rod Temperton, who wrote "Thriller" and "Rock With You."
8. What is the "Michael Jackson aesthetic" that is popular on social media? The "Michael Jackson aesthetic" refers to his iconic and hugely influential sense of style, which includes elements like military-inspired jackets, single white gloves, fedoras, high-water trousers with white socks, and his famous red leather jacket from the "Thriller" video.
9. Are there any good documentaries about Michael Jackson? There are many documentaries about his life and career. The 2016 Spike Lee documentary, Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, is a fantastic and joyful look at his early solo career. The 2009 film, This Is It, which chronicles the rehearsals for his final, planned concert tour, is a powerful look at his incredible work ethic and artistic genius.
10. I'm new to Michael Jackson's music. Where should I start? A greatest hits compilation, such as Number Ones, is a fantastic starting point. For a studio album experience, the album Thriller is the essential, must-listen masterpiece that defined his career and the entire landscape of popular music.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments