Top 20 Greatest Michael Jackson Songs of All Time
# Michael Jackson: Top 20 Songs
This musical artist produced no shortage of great songs over the years. For this list, we’ll be ranking the most enduring and memorable jams from the King of Pop. Our countdown includes “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Dirty Diana”, “Black or White", "Beat It", “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, and more! What’s your favorite MJ song? Let us know in the comments!
## 20. "Rock with You" (1979)
## 19. "Remember the Time" (1992)
## 18. "Leave Me Alone" (1989)
## 17. "Human Nature" (1982)
## 16. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (1982)
## 15. "Bad" (1987)
## 14. "Scream" (1995)
## 13. "They Don't Care About Us" (1995)
## 12. "You Rock My World" (2001)
## 11. "Smooth Criminal" (1988)
## 10. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (1987)
## 9. "Dirty Diana" (1988)
## 8. "Black or White" (1991)
## 7. "Heal the World" (1991)
## 6. "Beat It" (1982)
## 5. "Man in the Mirror" (1988)
## 4. "Thriller" (1982)
## 3. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1979)
## 2. "Billie Jean" (1982)
## 1. "Earth Song" (1995)
Michael Jackson's discography is filled with timeless hits that continue to inspire and entertain generations. What's your favorite MJ song? Let us know in the comments below!
This musical artist produced no shortage of great songs over the years. For this list, we’ll be ranking the most enduring and memorable jams from the King of Pop. Our countdown includes “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Dirty Diana”, “Black or White", "Beat It", “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, and more! What’s your favorite MJ song? Let us know in the comments!
## 20. "Rock with You" (1979)
## 19. "Remember the Time" (1992)
## 18. "Leave Me Alone" (1989)
## 17. "Human Nature" (1982)
## 16. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (1982)
## 15. "Bad" (1987)
## 14. "Scream" (1995)
## 13. "They Don't Care About Us" (1995)
## 12. "You Rock My World" (2001)
## 11. "Smooth Criminal" (1988)
## 10. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (1987)
## 9. "Dirty Diana" (1988)
## 8. "Black or White" (1991)
## 7. "Heal the World" (1991)
## 6. "Beat It" (1982)
## 5. "Man in the Mirror" (1988)
## 4. "Thriller" (1982)
## 3. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1979)
## 2. "Billie Jean" (1982)
## 1. "Earth Song" (1995)
Michael Jackson's discography is filled with timeless hits that continue to inspire and entertain generations. What's your favorite MJ song? Let us know in the comments below!
Transcript
00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 20 Michael Jackson
00:12songs.
00:17For this list, we're ranking the most enduring and memorable jams from the king of pop.
00:22What's your favorite MJ song?
00:24If you like what you're hearing, be sure to check out the full song at the link below.
00:43Number 20.
00:44The Way You Make Me Feel
00:46This list is going to be a bit different than many other music videos we've done in the
00:50fact that you're probably going to know all of these songs.
00:53Watch was the transcendent power of Michael Jackson's music, as well as the crossover
00:58power of nearly all his singles.
01:07The Way You Make Me Feel was the third single off of MJ's Bad album, and grooves with a
01:12synth-heavy mid-pace, while Jackson's vocals are firmly in command.
01:16In fact, Michael's background work in the studio creates a nice vocal orchestra that
01:21lends The Way You Make Me Feel a certain level of size and volume.
01:31It's just a warm and welcoming way to kick off our list of Michael Jackson classics.
01:35Number 19.
01:36We Are Here To Change The World
01:38Okay, so maybe we cheated a little bit with our lead in the last entry when we said there
01:43weren't going to be any obscurities on this list.
01:49Just because We Are Here To Change The World is perhaps the closest our top 20 comes to
01:54a deep cut, because this track was featured in the short film MJ did to accompany the
01:58Captain EO ride at Disney theme parks.
02:01Captain EO was a glorious and imaginative excuse for Jackson to indulge his biggest
02:06Star Wars fantasies alongside writer George Lucas and director Francis Ford Coppola.
02:16The song and its accompanying tune, Another Part Of Me, tap into the same visual vibe
02:21as Thriller, only here presented as a wildly fun science-fiction synth-pop romp.
02:28Number 18.
02:29Human Nature
02:30Michael Jackson's Thriller album was in no shortage of singles, today being largely remembered
02:36for its upbeat and universally appealing pop vibe.
02:38Human Nature was a touching and tender ballad on that record, one that wouldn't sound out
02:43of place on one of MJ's earlier efforts, or even from the Jackson 5.
02:47The demo version of the song was actually written by Steve Porcaro of the rock band
02:51Toto, and benefits greatly from its keen sense of melody.
02:55Human Nature didn't change too much from its compositional stage, with Jackson adding in
03:00his own vocal flavor to what was already a tender and beautiful track.
03:11Number 17.
03:13Speed Demon was one of Michael Jackson's more aggressive-sounding tracks, one that thrives
03:18on MJ's enthusiastic vocal performance, honestly wouldn't sound out of place on a Prince or
03:23Rick James album from the same period, thanks to copious amounts of slap bass and synth.
03:35Speed Demon was featured on both Jackson's Bad album, as well as the semi-animated anthology
03:40film Moonwalker.
03:41The version featured on the latter actually featured Jackson and a claymation rabbit dueling
03:46in a dance-off, which is just as wild as it sounds.
03:53The song itself is fast-paced and fun, and showcased Jackson's own writing chops when
03:57it came to kicking out single jams.
04:00Number 16.
04:02Pretty Young Thing.
04:03We've mentioned the role of synthesizers within MJ's music a lot thus far, but that is in
04:08no way a slight.
04:10These instruments were very important to the pop music landscape of the 70s and 80s,
04:14and they provide a great little melodic hook to our next song, PYT, also known as Pretty
04:20Young Thing.
04:27It hits right after MJ sings the title, and burrows itself into your brain forever.
04:33Jackson's vocal is also light and breezy, seemingly having fun with this upbeat, funky
04:37pop track.
04:38PYT is a quick in-and-out at just around four minutes, but definitely bears repeated plays
04:44as something of an underrated Jackson jam.
04:53Number 15.
04:54Wannabe Startin' Somethin'.
04:56The song that opens up Michael Jackson's thriller practically screams 1982, and we are here for
05:02it.
05:03From that syncopated drum machine and bass to Jackson's in-charge vocals, this one just
05:08builds and builds to a fever pitch of awesomeness.
05:17Wannabe Startin' Somethin' wouldn't sound out of place on one of Michael Jackson's older
05:21albums, with the song's finale directly adapting Manu Dibango's classic disco-funk jam Sol
05:26Macosa to a newer generation.
05:35It all works, too, and has endured to this day as an all-time Michael Jackson song from
05:40an all-time Michael Jackson album.
05:43Number 14.
05:44Earth Song.
05:45It's time to shift gears a little bit, and break from the 80s for our next pick.
05:50The music of Michael Jackson was definitely not limited to a single decade, but instead
05:54possesses that timeless and multi-generational appeal.
06:02Earth Song fits that description perfectly, having been released in 1995 on Jackson's
06:07ninth album, History, Past, Present, and Future, Book One, and offering proof that the man
06:13was still very much in his prime during this era.
06:16There's an operatic sense of grandeur to Earth Song that lends it weight and heft, while
06:21simultaneously showcasing perhaps the most technically impressive vocal performance from
06:25Jackson in a long time.
06:32Simply stated, MJ goes for it on Earth Song, and we, the fans, are all the better for it.
06:39Number 13.
06:40Rock With You.
06:41We mentioned earlier how much of Michael Jackson's early solo career was influenced by disco,
06:47just as much as the soulful grooves that defined his work with the Jackson 5.
06:58Rock With You came from Jackson's breakthrough Off The Wall album, and is very much cut from
07:03this post-soul, late 70s disco mold.
07:05And that is definitely a good thing.
07:07The grooves are immediately danceable, yet never overstay their welcome.
07:15Instead, Rock With You very much follows the prototypical pop song formula, barely lasting
07:23three minutes, but burning up the dance floor nonetheless.
07:27Number 12.
07:28Man In The Mirror.
07:30Just as soul, disco, and R&B thrived during the 1960s and 70s, so too did traditional
07:36gospel music embrace commercial appeal and become increasingly funky during these decades.
07:41That feeling of religious, gospel-influenced sentiment is palpable on Michael Jackson's
07:46Man In The Mirror, a smash hit from MJ's 1987 album Bad.
07:55The lyrics are inspirational, and can be applied to just about anyone, which definitely helps
08:00Man In The Mirror strike a chord with fans around the world.
08:03There's no gimmick or needless polish on display, and Man In The Mirror, as a result, feels
08:08refreshingly bare and confessional.
08:15Number 11.
08:16Ben.
08:17Michael Jackson's affection for horror and science fiction films has been well-documented,
08:22but one of the man's early hits was actually a soundtrack from a classic 70s horror shocker
08:27Ben.
08:28The film was a sequel to the cult hit Willard, and holds the esteemed position as being the
08:32only Michael Jackson song about a killer rat that can make you cry.
08:43Ben benefits from having esteemed lyricist Don Black at the helm, while the young Jackson's
08:48fragile emotional performance hits home and the heartstrings in a big way.
08:53Seriously, try and listen to this one without turning on the waterworks.
08:56We dare you.
09:04Number 10.
09:05Dirty Diana.
09:06This one is slinky, sexy, and perhaps just a little bit sleazy.
09:11And we love it.
09:17Dirty Diana practically crawls across the floor with an irresistibly hot groove, a rock
09:22jam that even features Billy Idol axeman Steve Stevens ripping out some tasty licks.
09:28Meanwhile, MJ's vocal is impassioned, indignant, and practically on the verge of tears as he
09:34tells the tale of a woman backstage who seeks out musicians with prestige.
09:45We honestly don't know why this absolutely killer Jackson jam isn't discussed a bit more,
09:50but we have no problem laying it smack dab in the middle of our top 20.
09:54Number 9.
09:55Black or White.
09:56For those of you who weren't around back during the halcyon days of music videos, just take
10:00our word for it when we say that a fresh Michael Jackson clip debuting on television was a
10:05big deal.
10:11And occasionally controversial too, since the video for Black or White was criticized
10:15and edited after its initial release due to a coda section where MJ turns into a panther
10:20and smashes a bunch of cars.
10:22It may seem tame now, but it did elevate the hype behind Black or White, which was the
10:27first single from Jackson's Dangerous album.
10:35This was an MJ for the 90s, complete with a fresh new attitude.
10:39Number 8.
10:41How difficult is it to believe that one of the best songs off of Michael Jackson's Bad
10:46album was initially omitted from the vinyl and cassette versions in the US and Canada?
10:57Thankfully, Leave Me Alone served as the closing track on the CD and on later editions of Bad,
11:04with a profile that was boosted with a cool satirical video clip.
11:07This song plays on the persistent rumors and news articles about Jackson from the press,
11:12and MJ's vocal is large and in charge, delivering on his defiance.
11:22Leave Me Alone is funky and fun, but with a definite message and fire that are infectious.
11:28Number 7.
11:29Remember the time.
11:30We're back to the 90s and back again to the age of the music video as cinema.
11:35Oh, sure, there are artists today, like Lady Gaga comes to mind, that utilize the music
11:40video medium as a venue to express themselves in a cinematic way.
11:44It could be argued, however, that Michael Jackson absolutely perfected this art form.
11:59Remember the time piggybacked off earlier large-scale themes a la Smooth Criminal or
12:04Thriller with a tale set in ancient Egypt, while the music grooves with
12:08feels similar to the New Jack swing style that was popular at the time.
12:18MJ does some unique ad-libbing and vocalizing on the track too,
12:22but we defy anyone to listen to Remember the Time and not imagine Eddie Murphy and Iman.
12:28Number 6.
12:29Don't stop till you get enough.
12:31Michael Jackson had tons of success prior to the release of Off the Wall in 1979,
12:36but it was this fifth solo album that seemed to signify a shift, a sort of coming-out party
12:42for MJ as a solo artist firmly in control of his future destiny.
12:53Don't Stop Till You Get Enough was written by Jackson and is very much an all-time disco
12:59jam, the sort of barn burner that gets feet moving and body shaking.
13:02We're sure there was absolutely no room on the dance floor when Don't Stop Till You
13:07Get Enough first got into the hands of DJs, and it is a song that still packs him in today.
13:16Who said disco was dead?
13:18Number 5.
13:19Smooth Criminal.
13:20The legend of Michael Jackson is larger than life and will endure forever,
13:25but it seems as if Jackson's songs themselves even possess this power to transcend themselves.
13:38Such is the case of Smooth Criminal and its widescreen cinematic greatness.
13:42It's difficult to separate the recorded version's hard-edged 80s funk style from
13:47the accompanying video, dance moves and fresh duds.
13:50Can one exist without the other?
13:56We'd definitely say yes, because Smooth Criminal would be an all-time killer even
14:03without the iconic video.
14:05Jackson's songwriting is impeccable here.
14:08The melodies and arrangements elicit goosebumps.
14:11What can we say?
14:12It's a perfect storm.
14:13Number 4.
14:14Bad.
14:15The working relationship between Michael Jackson and music industry legend Quincy
14:19Jones was well documented as a recipe for success by the time Bad was released in 1987.
14:25MJ was seeking something new for both his image and musical direction,
14:29and it was this album that signified the end of their working relationship.
14:39As a result, Bad, both the album and the song, possess more of an edge and less of the classic
14:45soul and funk elements that defined earlier releases.
14:48Oh, Bad is still funky as hell, make no mistake, but the arrangement incorporates more of a
14:52rock vibe while remaining quintessential Michael Jackson through and through.
15:03And we'll tell you once again, this song rules.
15:07Number 3.
15:08Thriller.
15:09Spoiler alert, our top three picks are all taken from the same album, and we think you
15:14all know full well which one.
15:16Thriller was a cultural milestone that may never be replicated.
15:20An album and song that was magnetic and captivated millions of people around the world.
15:32Was it an example of the power of music videos?
15:34Sure.
15:35But there's also the power of how well Thriller was composed by disco
15:39keyboardist and songwriter Rod Temperton.
15:41The song is Jackson's tribute and ode to horror cinema,
15:45and features Hollywood icon Vincent Price delivering that classic closing narration.
15:56Thriller isn't just for Halloween.
15:57We celebrate this bad boy year round.
16:00Number 2.
16:02Beat It.
16:02Michael Jackson was the universal solvent,
16:05bringing together seemingly disparate elements to create a sound all his own.
16:09Beat It was the crossover smash delivered by Jackson to his fans before they knew they
16:14wanted it.
16:15A truly inspired example of MJ and Quincy Jones reading the proverbial room.
16:26Gloomy, ominous synths sound the charge.
16:29Eddie Van Halen's guitar wails for all it's worth during the solo,
16:33while Jackson swings for the fences and knocks it out of the damn park.
16:37Beat It distills so much songwriting perfection into a scant four minutes
16:41that we can barely believe we humans were worthy enough to receive such greatness.
17:08Number 1.
17:08Billie Jean.
17:10You know it.
17:10You love it.
17:11You can sing the entire thing right from the opening drum beat and bass line.
17:15It's Billie Jean, and it's the best Michael Jackson song of all time.
17:26This is because there's so much going on to the composition of the song.
17:29So much that comes down to not only Jackson as the songwriter,
17:33but all of the studio musicians and producers that made it possible.
17:41Layers of guitar, strings, synth, and more go into the sonic stew,
17:46while the mix is textured to the point where the audio tape should be framed and hung in a museum.
17:57Billie Jean is a fine example of everything coming together in a way that created magic.
18:02A song that will truly live forever.
18:11Do you agree with our picks?
18:14Let us know in the comments.
18:15And hey, if you're a fan of the song playing right now,
18:17be sure to check out the music video for it right here.