Photo by Vicki L. Miller Licensed from Shutterstock
Michael Jackson, a visionary artist who reshaped popular music and culture, was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. Growing up as the eighth of ten children in a family passionate about music, Jackson’s journey to superstardom began when he joined his older brothers in the Jackson 5. The group quickly rose to fame in the late 1960s under the guidance of Motown Records, dazzling audiences with hits like “I Want You Back” and “ABC.” Even as a child, Michael’s dynamic stage presence and emotive voice set him apart, foreshadowing the solo career that would later cement his legacy.
The 1970s marked Jackson’s evolution as a solo artist, with albums like Got to Be There and Ben showcasing his ability to balance heartfelt ballads with contemporary pop. His collaboration with Quincy Jones on Off the Wall in 1979 signified a pivotal moment. The album’s infectious tracks, including “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You,” achieved commercial and critical acclaim, selling millions of copies and winning Jackson his first Grammy. This project not only demonstrated his versatility but also hinted at his future dominance of the global music stage.
In 1982, Jackson released Thriller, a cultural phenomenon that transcended music. The album’s innovative production, combined with iconic tracks like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” revolutionized the industry. Its music videos broke new ground, with the short film for “Thriller” becoming a landmark in visual storytelling. Garnering eight Grammy Awards and holding the title of the best-selling album of all time, Thriller solidified Jackson’s reputation as a musical genius and a pop culture juggernaut.
Following the unprecedented success of Thriller, Jackson continued to push boundaries with Bad (1987). With hits such as “Man in the Mirror” and “Smooth Criminal,” the album further showcased his ability to innovate and connect with diverse audiences. Jackson’s elaborate world tours and groundbreaking stage performances, including his signature moonwalk, redefined live entertainment. Albums like Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995) demonstrated his willingness to explore social issues, blending introspection with universal themes of hope and unity.
Throughout his career, Jackson’s influence extended beyond music. He supported numerous charitable causes, including his own Heal the World Foundation, and contributed millions to global humanitarian efforts. His pioneering music videos on MTV, his fashion statements, and his genre-blurring compositions inspired countless artists across generations. Accolades poured in, from Grammy Awards to inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, underscoring his impact as both an entertainer and a cultural icon.
Even as controversies and personal challenges shaped the later years of his life, Jackson’s artistic achievements remained unparalleled. His 2009 death at the age of 50 stunned the world, but his legacy endured through his timeless music and enduring influence. Albums like This Is It, posthumously released, offered glimpses of his creative vision, while his catalog continued to resonate with new audiences.
(A – C)
“2 Bad” – HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
“2000 Watts” – Invincible (2001)
“2300 Jackson Street” – 2300 Jackson Street (1989)
“A Brand New Day” – The Wiz (1978)
“A Place with No Name” – Xscape (2014)
“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Got to Be There (1972)
“Al Capone” – Bad 25 (2012)
“All in Your Name” – Standalone Single (2011)
“All the Things You Are” – Music & Me (1973)
“Another Part of Me” – Bad (1987)
“Baby Be Mine” – Thriller (1982)
“Bad” – Bad (1987)
“Be a Lion” – The Wiz (1978)
“Beat It” – Thriller (1982)
“Beautiful Girl” – The Ultimate Collection (2004)
“Behind the Mask” – Michael (2010)
“Ben” – Ben (1972)
“Best of Joy” – Michael (2010)
“Billie Jean” – Thriller (1982)
“Black or White” – Dangerous (1991)
“Blood on the Dance Floor” – Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997)
“Blue Gangsta” – Xscape (2014)
“Break of Dawn” – Invincible (2001)
“Burn This Disco Out” – Off the Wall (1979)
“Butterflies” – Invincible (2001)
“Call on Me” – Farewell My Summer Love (1984)
“Can’t Get Outta the Rain” – B-side of “The Girl Is Mine” (1982)
“Can’t Let Her Get Away” – Dangerous (1991)
“Carousel” – Thriller (Special Edition) (2001)
“Centipede” – Centipede (1984)
“Cheater” – The Ultimate Collection (2004)
“Chicago” – Xscape (2014)
“Childhood” – HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
“Cinderella Stay Awhile” – Forever, Michael (1975)
“Come Together” – HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
“Cry” – Invincible (2001)
(D – F)
“D.S.” – HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
“Dangerous” – Dangerous (1991)
“Dapper-Dan” – Forever, Michael (1975)
“Dear Michael” – Forever, Michael (1975)
“Dirty Diana” – Bad (1987)
“Do You Know Where Your Children Are” – Xscape (2014)
“Doggin’ Around” – Music & Me (1973)
“Don’t Be Messin’ ‘Round” – Bad 25 (2012)
“Don’t Let It Get You Down” – Farewell My Summer Love (1984)
“Don’t Matter to Me” – Scorpion (2018)
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” – Off the Wall (1979)
“Don’t Walk Away” – Invincible (2001)
“Earth Song” – HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
“Ease on Down the Road” – The Wiz (1978)
“Eaten Alive” – Eaten Alive (1985)
“Euphoria” – Music & Me (1973)
“Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” – Ben (1972)
“Fall Again” – The Ultimate Collection (2004)
“Farewell My Summer Love” – Farewell My Summer Love (1984)
“Fly Away” – Bad (Special Edition) (2001)
“For All Time” – Thriller 25 (2008)
“Free” – Bad 25 (2012)
(G – J)
“Get It” – Characters (1987)
“Get on the Floor” – Off the Wall (1979)
“Ghosts” – Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997)
“Girl Don’t Take Your Love from Me” – Got to Be There (1972)
“Girl You’re So Together” – Farewell My Summer Love (1984)
“Girlfriend” – Off the Wall (1979)
“Give In to Me” – Dangerous (1991)
“Gone Too Soon” – Dangerous (1991)
“Got the Hots” – Thriller 25 (Japanese Edition) (2008)
“Got to Be There” – Got to Be There (1972)
“Greatest Show on Earth” – Ben (1972)
“Happy” – Music & Me (1973)
“Heal the World” – Dangerous (1991)
“Heartbreaker” – Invincible (2001)
“Heaven Can Wait” – Invincible (2001)
“Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” – Farewell My Summer Love (1984)
“HIStory” – HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
“Hold My Hand” – Michael (2010)
“Hollywood Tonight” – Michael (2010)
“Human Nature” – Thriller (1982)
“I Can’t Help It” – Off the Wall (1979)
“(I Can’t Make It) Another Day” – Michael (2010)
“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” – Bad (1987)
“(I Like) The Way You Love Me” – Michael (2010)
“I Wanna Be Where You Are” – Got to Be There (1972)
“If’n I Was God” – Looking Back to Yesterday (1986)
“I’ll Come Home to You” – Forever, Michael (1975)
“I’m in Love Again” – Love Lives Forever (1980)
“I’m So Blue” – Bad 25 (2012)
“In Our Small Way” – Got to Be There (1972)
“In the Back” – The Ultimate Collection (2004)
“In the Closet” – Dangerous (1991)
“Invincible” – Invincible (2001)
“Is It Scary” – Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997)
“It’s the Falling in Love” – Off the Wall (1979)
“Jam” – Dangerous (1991)
“Je Ne Veux Pas la Fin de Nous” – Bad 25 (2012)
“Johnny Raven” – Music & Me (1973)
“Just a Little Bit of You” – Forever, Michael (1975)
“Just Friends” – Sometimes Late at Night (1981)
“Just Good Friends” – Bad (1987)
(K – O)
(T )
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Complete List of Michael Jackson Songs From A to Z article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
About The Author
Brian Kachejian
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.