Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs

Owned by: Francis Russel De Vera

He was the King of Pop, the Gloved One, or simply MJ. Join me as we count down the picks for the top 10 Michael Jackson songs. For this list, I’ve based my choices on a mixed of chart billboard successes, song quality, critical acclaim, and popularity. Also I’ve excluded duets, collaborations, covers, and songs from the Jackson 5.

10. Black or White (1991)

This is the first song released by Michael Jackson in his album, ‘Dangerous’. Treated listeners to an unforgettable medley of pop, rock, and dance. At a powerful message about human race, a rap breakdown, and some heavy metal guitars in this worldwide chart topper made Michael Jackson the first artist with a billboard hot 100 number one in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Its music videos also made history when 500 million tuned in for its television premiere.

9. The Way You Make Me Feel (1987)

This song would make us fall in love thanks to its funky R&B, loose harmonies, and pop flavors. Such a rhythmic and romantic song that lead to the top of the billboard hot 100, this is Michael Jackson’s third single in his album ‘Bad’. Its sexy music video had the King of Pop flurting his incomparable dance moves while trying to win a beautiful woman which he does, ofcourse.

8. Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough (1979)

As the first solo single from his first non-Motown album, ‘Off the Wall’. This song proved that Michael Jackson can find success when he took over singing and songwriting techniques. By capitalizing on the disco era, the young chart topper melded pop and funk with an unforgettable melody and won Michael Jackson his first solo grammy award. It also introduced many vocal techniques that would later become his trademarks including his unmistakable fall setup.

7. Rock With You (1979)

Michael Jackson followed up his first single from ‘Off the Wall’ with this pop, funk, and R&B infused track, thanks to its sensational beat, smooth vocals, and carefully arrange strings and horns this number one song will make you rock with Michael Jackson all night. As one of the biggest and propably last smashes of the disco era, this song also had us dancing with its simply and sparkly but effective music video.

6. Smooth Criminal (1987)

Even though we’re not quite sure who Annie is? And whether or not she is in fact ok? There’s no way you’ll ever forget the fusion of funk, dance, and pop that made ‘Smooth Criminal’ one of Michael Jackson’s signiture tunes. You will also propably never forget seeing ‘the Gloved One’ break out the anti-gravity lean in the video.

5. Man in the Mirror (1988)

Though he was most known for his versatile vocals and unrivaled choreography, Michael Jackson also used music to convey powerful themes. So ‘Man in the Mirror’ wasn’t the entertainer’s fourth straight chart topper of his album ‘Bad’ for nothing. By skillfully incorporating a gospel choir, the grammy nominated the tune simultaneously that it enchanced its pop, R&B, and soul flavors also strengthened its inspiring theme.

4. Bad (1987)

While wearing a black leather and leading a group of street dancers, Michael Jackson really showed us who’s bad. His music video for the title track of his 1987 album was the perfect accompaniment to the song’s dance pop. It not only confirmed, Michael Jackson could adapted his style to suit the music but it also allowed him to display his cool moves in the process, and the song itself also became a number one hit.

3. Thriller (1983)

Whether its the red leather jacket, those dancing zombies, or Vincent Price’s haunting voice over. While a creepy bassline and some synthesizers that gave the song a supernatural feel, its the song’s catchy chorus and funky disco sounds that thrill us the most. The title track was also the best selling album’s 7th billboard hot 100 top ten singles.

2. Beat it (1983)

Although he was known more for pop, soul, R&B, disco, and funk nevertheless Michael Jackson showed us that he could rock hard with ‘Beat it’. By mixing heavy guitars including Eddie Van Halen driving solo with a rhythm in blues and an unforgettable backbeat, this song topped both the pop and R&B charts. The success of the grammy winning tune and the popularity of its much aired music video also helped Michael Jackson becoming an international superstar.

1. Billie Jean (1983)

With its unmistakable bassline and Michael Jackson’s trademark vocal hiccups, ‘Billie Jean’ so captivated music fans but it topped the billboard hot 100 for seven weeks. Its perfect blend of dance, pop, and R&B cemented Michael Jackson’s place in music history while its music video helped popularized ‘MTV’ or ‘music televison’ and shatter racial boundaries. He also further solidify his pop culture presence when he did the first moonwalk performance during a television show to celebrate Motown 25.

The First Moonwalk (1983)

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Michael Jackson song?

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