Michael Jackson’s Masterpieces and Popular Songs

Off The WallMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson – Off The Wall (Official Video)

The title track from the album Off the Wall.

It’s amusing how it starts with Michael’s signature yelp.

The song itself seems to have peaked at only No.

10 on the charts, but Michael’s powerful yet beautiful voice and the synth-driven groove make you want to dance.

This album was his first solo release after moving to Epic, and when Michael, who was looking for a producer, asked Quincy, “Is there anyone you could recommend?” Quincy replied, “How about me?” A surprised Michael supposedly stammered, “R-really? You’d do it for me?” Quincy apparently teased him about that for a long time.

Personally, I wish we could have heard the two of them collaborate once more.

The Way You Make Me FeelMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson – The Way You Make Me Feel (Official Video)

It was released in November 1987 as the third single from the album Bad.

Up to that point, he had been co-producing with Quincy, but from this album onward, many of the works were created through Michael’s own independent production.

This song is one of those, and yet it still seems to carry a hint of that Motown flavor—perhaps a lingering influence of Quincy’s touch.

Amid its breezy, poppy vibe, the music video shows Michael dancing to snaps and call-and-response shouts.

The beautiful woman who had ignored the Michael chasing after his own image suddenly changes her attitude the moment she sees that scene—and I think that was the right reaction.

DangerousMichael Jackson

Too cool — Michael Jackson, Dangerous

The title track from the 1991 album “Dangerous.” However, there’s a rumor that “Dangerous” was actually a candidate title for the “BAD” album, so it might be a song that existed even earlier.

A performance you can’t miss is the one at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards: Michael, dressed in a black hat and suit, dances amid echoing gunshots in a scene reminiscent of “Smooth Criminal.” On a personal note, I’ll never forget when Yuko Sumida, the only Japanese female dancer in the show, demonstrated this choreography at a workshop.

Who’s Lovin’YouMichael Jackson

The Jackson 5 “Who’s Loving You” on The Ed Sullivan Show

A song released as the B-side to the debut single “I Want You Back.” The original is by Smokey Robinson.

It’s well known that when Michael auditioned for Motown Records, he sang “Tobacco Road,” a song by an American country singer, and Motown founder Berry Gordy was absolutely floored when he heard it.

Michael could master everything from blues to pop at that age.

Simply outstanding.

ABCMichael Jackson

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.

BADMichael Jackson

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.

Beat ItMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson – Beat It (Official 4K Video)

Released in April 1983 as the third single from the album Thriller, it hit No.

1 on both the Pop and R&B charts.

It’s no surprise that the album is listed in Guinness as the best-selling album in the world.

This track, one of the most rock ’n’ roll–leaning on the album, features Eddie Van Halen—then at the peak of his fame—on guitar, and the mid-song guitar solo surely electrified many aspiring band kids at the time.

It was, of course, performed on tour as well, with Michael making a dramatic entrance on a crane and dancers delivering powerful acrobatics—one of the highest-energy moments of the show.