American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson recorded songs for ten studio albums, two posthumous studio albums, seventy-two compilation albums, three soundtrack albums, one live album and seven remix albums.
Jackson debuted on the professional music scene at age five as a member of the Jackson 5. The group set a chart record when its first four singles—"I Want You Back" (1969), "ABC" (1970), "The Love You Save" (1970), and "I'll Be There" (1970)—peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. As Jackson began to emerge as a solo performer in the early 1970s, he maintained ties to the Jackson 5 and Motown. Between 1972 and 1975, Michael released four solo studio albums with Motown: Got to Be There (1972), Ben (1972), Music & Me (1973), and Forever, Michael (1975). "Got to Be There" and "Ben", the title tracks from his first two solo albums, became successful singles, as did a cover of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin". In June 1975, the Jackson 5 signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS Records, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984. Michael, the group's lead songwriter during this time, wrote hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980). Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), co-produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Songwriters for the album included Jackson, Rod Temperton, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney. Off the Wall was the first solo album to generate four top 10 hits in the United States: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You". This album helped Jackson win three awards at the American Music Awards and a Grammy Award for his solo efforts. Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, including a demo of "State of Shock", "Victory", and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". Jackson went on to record the single "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984). In 1982, Jackson combined his interests in songwriting and film when he contributed the song "Someone in the Dark" to the storybook for the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The song, with Jones as its producer, won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children in 1983.
Jackson's sixth album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. The album earned Jackson seven Grammys and eight American Music Awards. Thriller was the first album to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Jackson's seventh album Bad (1987) produced nine singles with seven charting in the United States. Five of these singles ("I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror", and "Dirty Diana") reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a record for most number-one Hot 100 singles from any one album. In 1991, he released his eighth album, Dangerous, co-produced with Teddy Riley. The album produced four top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including one number-one hit "Black or White", "Remember the Time", "In the Closet" and "Will You Be There" which produced and performed by Jackson the theme for the film Free Willy. In 1993, Jackson composed most of the music for the video game Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994). In June 1995, Jackson released his ninth album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, a double album. The first disc, HIStory Begins, is a 15-track greatest hits album. The second disc, HIStory Continues, contains 13 original songs and two cover versions. The album features hits like "Scream", a duet with Jackson's youngest sister Janet Jackson, "Earth Song", "They Don't Care About Us", and "You Are Not Alone". "You Are Not Alone" holds the Guinness World Record for the first song ever to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Jackson worked with collaborators including Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerkins to produce his tenth solo album, Invincible (2001). Invincible spawned two singles, "You Rock My World" and "Cry".
Michael Jackson's recorded music also encompasses providing background vocals for other artists like Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Janet Jackson, Barry Gibb, and 3T. He collaborated with singers and musicians including the Jackson 5, Paul McCartney, and Freddie Mercury.
Songs
+ List of songs, showing title, year of release, originating album, writer(s), notes and references. Title Year Album Writer(s) Notes "2 Bad"1995HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book IMichael JacksonBruce SwedienRené MooreDallas AustinShaquille O'Neal Rap by Shaquille O'Neal Featured in the film Michael Jackson's Ghosts (1996)"2000 Watts"2001InvincibleMichael JacksonTeddy RileyTyrese GibsonJaron Henson Backing vocals by Riley"2300 Jackson Street"19892300 Jackson StreetJermaine JacksonJackie JacksonTito JacksonRandy JacksonGene GriffinAaron Hall The Jacksons with Michael, Marlon, Rebbie and Janet"A Brand New Day"1978The WizLuther Vandross Diana Ross, Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross"A Place with No Name"2014XscapeMichael JacksonElliot "Dr. Freeze" StraiteDewey Bunnell Written and recorded in 1998 Based on "A Horse with No Name", a hit song by rock band America"Ain't No Sunshine"1972Got to Be ThereBill Withers Bill Withers cover"Al Capone"2012Bad 25Michael Jackson Recorded at Hayvenhurst during 1985–1986 Evolved into "Smooth Criminal""All in Your Name"2011Barry GibbMichael Jackson Barry Gibb duet with Michael Jackson Recorded in 2002 Released by Gibb on June 25, 2011, the second anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, as a standalone single "All the Things You Are"1973Music & MeOscar Hammerstein IIJerome Kern Hiram Sherman cover"Another Part of Me"1987BadMichael Jackson Featured in the film Captain EO (1986)"Baby Be Mine"1982ThrillerRod Temperton"Bad"1987BadMichael Jackson Originally intended as a duet with Prince Remix with Afrojack, DJ Buddha and Pitbull released on Bad 25 (2012)"Be a Lion"1978The WizCharlie Smalls Diana Ross, Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross"Beat It"1982ThrillerMichael Jackson Guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen Demo released on This Is It (2009) Remix with Fergie, titled "Beat It 2008", released on Thriller 25 (2008)"Beautiful Girl"2004The Ultimate CollectionMichael Jackson Previously unreleased demo recorded between 1998 and 2004 during the Invincible sessions"Behind the Mask"2010MichaelMichael JacksonChris MosdellRyuichi Sakamoto Featuring additional background vocals by Shanice Greg Philinganes recorded this song on the album Pulse (1984) with the contribution of Michael's background vocals An agreement to share the royalties equally between Jackson, Chris Mosdell and Ryuichi Sakamoto broke down when the management of Yellow Magic Orchestra disagreed which prevented the song to be released on Jackson's sixth studio album, Thriller (1982) Demo released on Thriller 40 (2022)"Ben"1972BenWalter ScharfDon Black Theme from Ben (1972)"Best of Joy"2010MichaelMichael Jackson Evolved from "The Toy" and reworked in 1991 One of the last songs that Jackson recorded during his lifetime, having recorded it in November 2008 in Los Angeles, California, the year before his death"Billie Jean"1982ThrillerMichael Jackson 1981 demo released on Thriller (Special Edition) (2001) Remix with Kanye West, titled "Billie Jean 2008", released on Thriller 25"Black or White"1991DangerousMichael JacksonBill Bottrell Rap by L.T.B."Blood on the Dance Floor"1997Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the MixMichael JacksonTeddy Riley Originally recorded for the Dangerous album"Blue Gangsta"2014XscapeMichael JacksonElliot "Dr. Freeze" Straite Recorded in 1998"Break of Dawn"2001InvincibleMichael JacksonElliot "Dr. Freeze" Straite Background vocals by Dr. Freeze"Burn This Disco Out"1979Off the WallRod Temperton Recorded in June 1979"Butterflies"2001InvincibleAndre HarrisMarsha Ambrosius Remix with Eve"Call on Me"1984Farewell My Summer LoveFonce MizellLarry Mizell Original version released on Anthology (1995) Working title "Fussin' and Fightin'""Can't Get Outta the Rain"1982Michael JacksonQuincy Jones An overdubbed version of The Wiz song "You Can't Win" (1978) Later released on The Essential Michael Jackson 3.0 (2008)"Can't Let Her Get Away"1991DangerousMichael JacksonTeddy Riley"Carousel"2001Thriller (Special Edition)Michael SembelloDon Freeman Short version released on Thriller (Special Edition) (2001) Full version released on several editions of King of Pop (2008) and on Thriller 40 (2022)"Centipede"1984CentipedeMichael Jackson Rebbie Jackson featuring background vocals by Michael Jackson, La Toya Jackson and the Weather Girls"Cheater"2004The Ultimate CollectionMichael JacksonGreg Phillinganes Recorded in 1986"Chicago"2014XscapeCory Rooney Recorded in 1999 under the title "She Was Lovin' Me""Childhood"1995HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book IMichael Jackson Theme from Free Willy 2 (1995)"Cinderella Stay Awhile"1975Forever, MichaelMichael Burnett SuttonMack David Recorded in December 1974 and produced by Hal Davis"Come Together"1995HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book IJohn LennonPaul McCartney The Beatles cover Recorded in 1986 and appeared in the film Moonwalker (1988) Full version released on the single "Remember the Time" (1992) Edited version released on HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)"Cry"2001InvincibleR. Kelly Recorded in 2000"D.S."1995HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book IMichael Jackson Guitar by Slash"Dangerous"1991DangerousMichael JacksonBill BottrellTeddy Riley Evolved from "Streetwalker" Early version released on The Ultimate Collection (2004)"Dapper-Dan"1975Forever, MichaelDon Fletcher"Dear Michael"1975Forever, MichaelHal DavisElliot Willensky Recorded in December 1974"Dirty Diana"1987BadMichael Jackson Guitar by Steve Stevens"Do You Know Where Your Children Are"2014XscapeMichael Jackson Written and recorded between 1986 and 1990"Doggin' Around"1973Music & MeLena Agree 1960 song written by Lena Agree and originally performed by Jackie Wilson"Don't Be Messin' 'Round"2012Bad 25Michael Jackson Features Jackson playing the piano"Don't Let It Get You Down"1984Farewell My Summer LoveMel LarsonJerry MarcellinoDeke Richards Original version released on Anthology (1995)"Don't Matter to Me"2018ScorpionMichael JacksonPaul AnkaAubrey GrahamNoah ShebibPaul JefferiesNana RoguesNegin Djafari Drake with Jackson Original vocals by Jackson recorded in 1980"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"1979Off the WallMichael Jackson 1978 demo released on Off the Wall (Special Edition) (2001)"Don't Walk Away"2001InvincibleMichael JacksonTeddy RileyRichard StitesReed Vertelney"Earth Song"1995HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book IMichael Jackson Originally written and composed by Jackson in 1988"Ease On down the Road"1978The WizCharlie Smalls Diana Ross and Jackson"Eaten Alive"1985Eaten AliveBarry GibbMaurice GibbMichael Jackson Diana Ross with Jackson and Barry Gibb"Euphoria"1973Music & MeLeon WareJacqueline Hilliard"Everybody's Somebody's Fool"1972BenGladys HamptonRegina AdamsAce Adams Originally recorded by Connie Francis"Fall Again"2004The Ultimate CollectionWalter AfanasieffRobin Thicke Recorded in 1999"Farewell My Summer Love"1984Farewell My Summer LoveKeni St. Lewis Original version released on Anthology (1995) Working title "Let Me Count the Ways""Fly Away"2001Bad (Special Edition)Michael Jackson Recorded by Rebbie Jackson for her album Yours Faithfully (1998), with Michael's backing vocals"For All Time"2008Thriller 25Steve PorcaroMichael Sherwood Recorded during the Dangerous sessions