Michael Jackson’s Masterpieces and Popular Songs

ABCMaikeru Jakuson

The Jackson 5 – ABC

In April 1970, this song leapt past the Beatles’ “Let It Be” to the top of the charts.

There’s even a theory that it was originally titled “ABCD,” but since Michael frequently sings “ABC,” perhaps that was just a working title before the song was finished.

Naughty by Nature’s “O.P.P.” is based on this track, and I also recall it being used in commercials for an English conversation school in Japan.

It’s an extremely boyish, cute song.

Michael’s glory with “ABC” had already begun here.

BADMaikeru Jakuson

Michael Jackson – Bad (Official Long Video Version) 1/2

Released in September 1987 as the second single from the album BAD.

The synth’s electrical rhythm is very striking.

The music video was directed by socially conscious filmmaker Martin Scorsese, known for works like Taxi Driver, and it feels like a modern-day West Side Story.

It’s even more polished than Thriller and truly worthy of the title King of Pop.

Incidentally, Michael plays a student in the video, but to me—as a junior high schooler at the time—he didn’t look like one… Well, he was a king, after all.

State Of ShockMaikeru Jakuson

Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger ~ State of Shock

After brother Jermaine’s departure, younger brother Randy joined, and in 1984 the Jacksons released Victory—their only album as a six-piece.

This song was the first single from that record.

Featuring a collaboration with Mick Jagger, it turned into a rock tune with intensely ringing guitars.

It reached No.

3 on the pop chart.

Interestingly, it was originally supposed to be a duet with Queen’s Freddie Mercury, but apparently they had a falling out, leading to the collaboration with Mick instead.

We’re lucky these days—you can also hear the Freddie version.

It’s truly a clash of two distinct personalities.

Hmm, it’s hard to pick a favorite between them.

The Girl Is MineMaikeru Jakuson

Michael Jackson Ft Paul Mccartney The Girl Is Mine With Lyrics

A duet with Paul McCartney released in November 1982 from the album Thriller.

In 1998, Brandy and Monica also had a huge hit with The Boy Is Mine, a song inspired by this one.

Despite the lyrics about two men competing for the same woman, their unison strangely gives off a fun, mature, and captivating vibe.

By the way, the song ends with an exchange of spoken lines between the two, and I used to enjoy lip-syncing both parts myself as “Air Michael & Paul.”

Wanna Be Startin’SomethingMaikeru Jakuson

Michael Jackson – Thriller – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

A song credited as the first track on the monster album “Thriller.” It was also performed right at the start of the 1987 world tour, and I think it’s truly a number worthy of opening the show.

The tension builds toward the latter half with a cappella clapping and chorus, and it seems that the chorus that begins with “Ma…” was modeled after a piece by Manu Dibango, a saxophonist from Cameroon in Africa.

We Are The WorldMaikeru Jakuson

Michael Jackson et al. – We Are the World (1985)

A song co-written with Lionel Richie in ’85, created for the “USA for AFRICA” charity.

It’s still fresh in our memories that his sister Janet crafted a new “We Are The World” while preserving Michael’s voice as-is.

Listening again, you realize just how star-studded the lineup was—almost to the point of excess.

These top artists pour their hearts into delivering a clear, accessible message.

No matter how many times I hear it, it brings me to tears.

By the way, assigning parts and singing it at a karaoke box is a lot of fun.

No matter how you try, it somehow always turns into an impersonation—why is that, I wonder?

You Are Not AloneMaikeru Jakuson

Michael Jackson – You Are Not Alone (Official Video)

Released as the second single from the 1995 album “HIStory.” In the short film, he appears nude with his former wife, Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley), which… well, stirred up quite a buzz among fans.

Nevertheless, it’s a track that makes you rediscover Michael’s outstanding vocal prowess, and the extended falsetto in the latter half is downright mesmerizing.

These days, it’s often used on variety shows, so you get to hear it fairly often.