History AwesomeMusic / MichaelJackson

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTUINfx2XbY "Blood on the Dance Floor"]] combines elements of funk and new jack swing to bring a dark, catchy tune that wouldn't sound out-of-place in a ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' game; it helps that the percussion track seems to be the basis for [[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Knuckles's theme]] (note that the song was originally supposed to be included on the ''Dangerous'' album).

** Imposter or not, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgzdLoSjOZg "Monster"]] is a pretty catchy song. And features a rap solo from Music/FiftyCent.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4tpuu-Up90 "You Rock My World"]] is easily the best song on it, and its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-7ABIM2qjU music video]] is even more awesome, as it co-stars Chris Tucker and freaking '''Marlon Brando'''!

** Imposter or not, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgzdLoSjOZg "Monster"]] is a pretty damn catchy song. And features a rap solo from Music/FiftyCent.

* Not for nothing is ''Music/{{Thriller}}'' by far the best-selling album of all time by any artist, ever. Jackson wanted to assemble an album with no filler tracks, resulting in nine songs of which ''seven'' were released as singles, with every one reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard charts.[[note]] "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" were both #1 hits, "The Girl is Mine" reached #2, "Thriller" topped out at #4, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" made it to #5, "Human Nature" peaked at #7, and "P.Y.T." managed to sneak in at #10.[[/note]] "Thriller", "Beat It", and "Billie Jean" were also matched to videos which collectively revolutionised the medium of the music video. The album hits the ground running full speed with two songs in the same disco/funk style as most of ''Music/OffTheWall'', but even more so:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uj3zitETs4 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"]] starts with a driving bass and drum beat and adds a first rate horn section in counterpoint to Jackson's angry vocals about rumourmongering for the sake of starting fights. Despite its fast tempo and major key, it is one of the most frightening yet fascinating tracks he ever recorded.
** The impeccably scored [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG9OzYVSg3c "Baby Be Mine"]] meshes the lyrics of a plaintive love ballad with more outstanding drums, bass, brass, and keyboards. It was one of just two songs on the album not to be released as a single,[[note]] It was, however, released as the B-side to "Human Nature".[[/note]] which is a shame, as it more than holds its own against the album's more famous tracks.

* Not for nothing is ''Music/{{Thriller}}'' by far the best-selling album of all time by any artist, ever. Jackson wanted to assemble an album with no filler tracks, resulting in nine songs of which ''seven'' were released as singles, with every one reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard charts.[[note]] "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" were both #1 hits, "The Girl is Mine" reached #2, "Thriller" topped out at #4, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" made it to #5, "Human Nature" peaked at #7, and "P.Y.T." managed to sneak in at #10.[[/note]] "Thriller", "Beat It", and "Billie Jean" were also matched to videos which collectively revolutionised the medium of the music video.
** The album hits the ground running full speed with two songs in the same disco/funk style as most of ''Music/OffTheWall'', but even more so:
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uj3zitETs4 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"]] starts with a driving bass and drum beat and adds a first rate horn section in counterpoint to Jackson's angry vocals about rumourmongering for the sake of starting fights. Despite its fast tempo and major key, it is one of the most frightening yet fascinating tracks he ever recorded.
*** The impeccably scored [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG9OzYVSg3c "Baby Be Mine"]] meshes the lyrics of a plaintive love ballad with more outstanding drums, bass, brass, and keyboards. It was one of just two songs on the album not to be released as a single,[[note]] It was, however, released as the B-side to "Human Nature".[[/note]] which is a shame, as it more than holds its own against the album's more famous tracks.

** The Rod Temperton-penned "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0 Rock with You]]" was the album's second ''Billboard'' chart-topper, and is another great disco/post-disco track, with an awesome TruckDriversGearChange after the instrumental break. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0 video]] follows the trajectory from PerformanceVideo to ConceptVideo started by "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", with Michael singing and dancing in a sequined suit, lit from behind in bright green.

** "Unbreakable," which is not only a killer "fuck the haters" song by has one of the most ''insanely'' catchy {{ear worm}}s of any MJ song. A perfect start for the album.

** Even critics at the time who dismissed the album called "2000 Wats" an exceptional dance track. It's also one of the few where MJ sings in his normal, deeper voice[[note]]To elaborate, that high-pitched, feminine voice of his was a put on, the result of his infamous fear of aging. His real voice was more bassy and masculine.[[/note]] and it is ''awesome''. Not to mention that rhythm could rival even the hottest Music/{{Nsync}} tracks from the time.

** Even critics at the time who dismissed the album called "2000 Wats" an exceptional dance track. It's also one of the few where MJ sings in his normal, deeper voice[[note]]To elaborate, that high-pitched, feminine voice of his was a put on, the result of his infamous fear of aging. His real voice was more bassy and masculine.[[/note]] and it is ''awesome''. Not to mention that rhythm could rival even the hottest Music/Nsync tracks from the time.

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEEMi2j6lYE "Stranger in Moscow"]], which does a great job capturing the emotional devastation of his first child molestation trial. The music almost feels like a proto-{{downtempo}} song.

** "Who Is It", a brooding yet effectively dark song that tells the tale of a man left in complete despair after losing his love to someone else.

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P4A1K4lXDo "Scream"]], in the expensive spaceship with Music/JanetJackson. A video that, to this day, is one of the most expensive music videos ever made (topping out at about $7 million).
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEEMi2j6lYE "Stranger in Moscow"]], another lesser-known song from the album.

* Even his last album, ''Music/{{Invincible}}'' -- while easily not his best at the time -- has several superb songs on it that we only ''wish'' others could adequately perform, let alone his larger than life 1980s songs. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4tpuu-Up90 "You Rock My World"]] is easily the best song from ''Invincible'', and its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-7ABIM2qjU music video]] is even more awesome, and co-stars Chris Tucker and '''Marlon Brando'''!

** The peppy [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZ_urpj4As "The Way You Make Me Feel"]] shows Michael as a flirtatious smooth talker rather than the streetwise rebel of "Bad" or the lover of "I Can't Stop Loving You", and its sheer energy really captures the thunderbolt that LoveAtFirstSight can deliver.

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZ_urpj4As "The Way You Make Me Feel"]].
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZr_1K5oY_k "Speed Demon"]].
** "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps Man in the Mirror]]". A slow buildup leading into perhaps the most glorious TruckDriversGearChange in music history:

* ''Music/OffTheWall'' was the first of the triptych of Michael Jackson albums (along with ''Music/{{Thriller}}'' and ''Music/{{Bad}}'') produced by jazz legend Music/QuincyJones, and marks the point where his solo career really took off:
** "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yURRmWtbTbo Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough]]", his first big solo smash.
** "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0 Rock With You]]". More great disco/post-disco, with an awesome TruckDriversGearChange after the instrumental break.
** "On The Floor", featuring absolutely furious slap-bass from Louis Johnson, who co-wrote the song with Michael and later played the famous bassline on "Billie Jean".

* Most of his songs. Even his last album, ''Music/{{Invincible}}'' -- while easily not his best at the time -- has several superb songs on it that we only ''wish'' others could adequately perform, let alone his larger than life 1980s songs. Jackson's music pretty much WAS the music of the '80s if you weren't into [[NewWaveMusic New Wave]] or HairMetal, and most likely helped inspire or kickstart a few new musical genres on its own.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2wYZFji0Cs Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)]]". [[EpicRocking Eight minutes]] of pure, concentrated awesome. If one listens closely, they can even hear what must be an early inspiration for "Thriller".

** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T88J6IzWAFg title track]] is another first rate entry in the funk/disco style that was part of Michael's sound in the late 1970s, and although the LaughingMad intro is a bit hammy, it's hard to resist the song's entreaties to just cut loose on the dance floor.

** "On The Floor", featuring absolutely furious slap-bass from Louis Johnson, who co-wrote the song with Michael and later played the famous bassline on "Billie Jean".

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4tpuu-Up90 "You Rock My World"]] is easily the best song from ''Invincible'', and its [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-7ABIM2qjU music video]] is even more awesome, and co-stars Chris Tucker and '''Marlon Brando'''!

* From ''Music/OffTheWall'':

** "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0 Rock With You]]". More great disco/post-disco.

* Two songs recorded with the great Music/FreddieMercury, but never released: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbkFiM15Yhc State of Shock]] ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Shock later released by The Jacksons with]] Music/MickJagger) and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooKEHgeH884 There Must Be More to Life than This]]. WhatCouldHaveBeen...

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbHI1yI1Ndk "Jam"]], a lesser-known song.

** "Give In To Me", also a lesser-known but awesome song. It is the same rock type as "Beat It" and "Dirty Diana" and is incredibly passionate.

* From ''Music/{{Xscape}}'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG08ukJPtR8 "Love Never Felt So Good",]] especially the duet version with Music/JustinTimberlake.

-->'''Michael:''' If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make that...\\

** "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps Man in the Mirror]]". That TruckDriversGearChange!

* Most of his songs. Even his last album, ''Music/{{Invincible}}'' -- while easily not his Best at the time-- has several superb songs on it that we only ''wish'' others could adequately perform, let alone his larger than life 1980s songs. Jackson's music pretty much WAS the music of the '80s if you weren't into [[NewWaveMusic New Wave]] or HairMetal, and most likely helped inspire or kickstart a few new musical genres on its own.

* Most of his songs. Even his last album, ''Music/{{Invincible}}'' -- while easily his worst -- has several superb songs on it that we only ''wish'' others could adequately perform, let alone his larger than life 1980s songs. Jackson's music pretty much WAS the music of the '80s if you weren't into [[NewWaveMusic New Wave]] or HairMetal, and most likely helped inspire or kickstart a few new musical genres on its own.