Michael Jackson’s Albums

OFF THE WALL

Written and composed by: Michael Jackson

Released: July 28, 1979

Produced by: Quincy Jones

Label: Epic

Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough was Michael’s first solo track he had sole control over having written it himself.  This recognized his talents not only as a singer but also as a song writer.

Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough was the lead single from Off the Wall Album, the first album away from Motown records and the first debut album for Epic records.

The song was one of the first to feature some of Michael’s well known singing trademarks such as the falsetto voice,  which would become even more well known for on some of his later releases. Up until then no one had had heard Michael singing in falsetto.

Released on July 28th 1979, it became Michael’s first number one in the US.  In 7 years it sold over 2 million copies and went Gold within 3 months. This song hit number 3 in the UK charts and hit number one spots in many other countries including Australia, Norway and S. Africa.

This single was re released as part of the visionary: The singles video in the UK and other European countries on February 20th 2006, second time round it hit number 17 in the UK charts.

In 1980 Michael won his first solo Grammy award and his first AMA (American Music Award) for Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.

The Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough was Michael’s first solo video, it was first shown on television October 1979. What made this video so special at this time was the effect of Michael dancing in triplicate, as this had never been seen or done before.

Michael’s brother Randy Jackson played percussion for this song, and Janet Jackson played percussion for the demo.

In 2001 Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough was featured in the film Rush Hour 2 with Chris Tucker.

Music Videos that accompanied released singles.
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough Video
Rock With You Video
She’s Out Of My Life Video

Song Tracks

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Rock With You
Working Day And Night
Get On the Floor
Off The Wall
Girlfriend
She’s Out Of My Life
I Can’t Help It
It’s The Falling In Love
Burn This Disco Out

THRILLER

Released: November 30, 1982

Produced by: Michael Jackson
Quincy Jones

Label: Epic

Sales: 100+ Million

As an adult solo artist Michael Jackson set his sights as high as possible and dreamed of creating the best selling album in the world.

Michael’s first album, “Off The Wall” had sold very well, over 15 million copies and Michael worked again with Quincy Jones as producer and Rod Temperton on writing some of the songs including the title “Thriller”.

The album’s aim was for every single to be a stand out track, and 7 of the albums 9 songs were released as singles. The exceptions being “Baby Be Mine” and “Lady In My Life”.

In promoting the album, Michael was one of the first to use music videos to promote some of the songs. He created videos for 3 of the singles, Billie Jean, Beat It, and the Thriller video. After a slow start and some reported pressure from Michael the videos received regular plays on MTV which at the time was the worlds main satellite music channel.  The release of the Thriller video sent album sales soaring.

Each video portrayed a story to go with the song, Michael often used to refer to these as short films rather than music videos.

Michael also teamed up again with Paul McCartney for the track “The Girl Is Mine” which was the first single to be released from the album.

Michael’s sisters Janet Jackson and LaToya Jackson featured on back up vocals on “Pretty Young Thing”.

Awards
The Thriller album won a recording breaking 8 Grammy Awards, including album of the year 1984. Michael wore a blue and gold outfit, and white glitter glove.

It also won 8 American Music Awards in 1984.

The album has been released on cd, cassette and vinyl. There are also picture disc versions of the album.

Sales figures vary, but its believed the album has sold well over 100 million copies worldwide.

Music Videos that accompanied released singles.
Billie Jean Video
Beat It Video
Thriller Video – The most popular music video of all time.

Song Tracks

1. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
2. Baby Be Mine
3. The Girl Is Mine
4. Thriller
5. Beat It
6. Billie Jean
7. Human Nature
8. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
9 The Lady In My Life

BAD

Released: August 31, 1987

Produced by: Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones.

Label: Epic

Sales: 30+ Million

In August 1987, Michael had devoted two and a half years to recording the follow up to the Thriller album, which at the time of the Bad albums release had sold over 40 million records and was the world best selling album.

Michael again worked with Quincy Jones as producer.

Michael wrote all but 2 of the songs on the album. “Man In the Mirror” a great self message song co-written by Siedah Garrett who co sings on the love song “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Just Good Friends” the duet with Stevie Wonder were the only other tracks not written by Michael.

The first 5 singles from the album all went to Number One in the U.S Billboards charts. To this day it remains the only album to have 5 number one singles.

On the Cd, new technology allowed space for an extra track “Leave Me Alone” a simple message and along with the video gets the message across of him wanting some privacy and trying to dispel some of the ludicrous stories constantly surrounding the now global superstar.

The album has sold over 50 million copies.

Awards
The album won 2 Grammy Awards.

The album was released in cd, vinyl and cassette format. Picture discs were also released.

Other factors that helped in the promotion of the albums and singles started up to a year before the Bad album was released when Michael had starred in the Disney video Captain EO which featured the song “Another Part of Me”. This 3D movie was shown at the Disneyland theme parks from 1986 to 1984.

Michael also released his short biographical film Moonwalker which was basically a collection of most his short films from the album as well as featuring snippets of various Jackson 5 and Jackson singles.

Michael Jackson launched his first solo world tour which was split into 2 legs from September 1987 to January 1989.  He played live to over 4 million fans.

Music Videos that accompanied released singles.
Bad Video
The Way You Make Me Feel Video
Man In The Mirror Video
Dirty Diana Video
Another Part Of Me Video
Smooth Criminal Video
Leave Me Alone Video
Liberian Girl Video – features an array of celebrities.

Song Tracks

1. Bad
2. The Way You Make Me Feel
3. Speed Demon
4. Liberian Girl
5. Just Good Friends (Duet with Stevie Wonder)
6. Another Part of Me
7. Man in the Mirror
8. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
9. Dirty Diana
10. Smooth Criminal

Extra track on the CD
11. Leave Me Alone

DANGEROUS

Released: November 26, 1991

Produced by: Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Bill Bottrell.

Label: Epic

Sales: 30+ million

The Dangerous album was released on November 26, 1991, and became the fastest selling number one album, breaking the records by entering the charts at #1 only 3 days after it’s release! It was also the first album released by Sony Music that had a Thursday release date, rather than the traditional Monday release.

This was the first solo album by Michael Jackson that was not produced by Quincy Jones. For this album Michael worked on production with Teddy Riley and Bill Bottrell. The album is classed as New Jack Swing in genre and is the biggest selling New Jack Swing album of all time.

The ‘Dangerous’ album produced 9 singles from it’s 14 tracks; “Black Or White”, “Remember The Time”, “Jam”, “In The Closet”, “Heal The World”, “Who Is It”, “Will You Be There”, and “Gone Too Soon”. The “Black Or White” single made a 32-spot jump on the Pop singles charts, breaking the Beatles’ record set by their song “Let It Be” in 1970.

Guest appearances on this album were made by rapper L.T.B, Princess Stephanie of Monaco (credited as the Mystery Girl in In The Closet), and Slash (Give In To Me).

Awards
The album won 1 Grammy Award.

The album was released in cd, double vinyl and cassette format. Picture discs were also released.

One of the factors that lead to a huge increase in the albums sales was Michael’s performance at the 1993 Super bowl half time show which was watched by a reported 120 million people, making it one of the most viewed television audiences of all time.

Michael allowed Oprah Winfrey to interview him at his Neverland Ranch for a 90 minute TV Special which also boosted album sales.

Michael also launched the 2 leg dangerous world tour which run from June 1992 to November 1993 performing to an audience totaling approximately 3.4 million people.

Music Videos that accompanied released singles.

Black Or White Video
Remember The Time Video – featuring Eddie Murphy and Iman.
Come Together Video
In The Closet Video -featuring Naomi Campbell.
Who Is It Video
Jam Video – featuring Michael Jordan.
Heal The World Video
Give In To Me Video – featuring Slash on guitar.
Will You Be There Video – Features scenes from “Free Willy”.
Gone Too Soon Video

Song Tracks

1. Jam
2. Why You Wanna Trip On Me
3. In The Closet
4. She Drives Me Wild
5. Remember The Time
6. Can’t Let Her Get Away
7. Heal The World
8. Black Or White
9. Who Is It
10. Give In To Me
11. Will You Be There
12. Keep The Faith
13. Gone Too Soon
14. Dangerous

HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE BOOK  1

Released: June 20, 1995

Produced by: Michael Jackson, James Harris, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis, Teddy Riley, Dallas Austin, Bill Bottrell, David Foster, R. Kelly.

Label: Epic

Sales: 20+ Million
The HIStory album was released on June 20, 1995, and was Michael’ a two disc album with a total of 30 songs. The first disc “HIStory Begins” was a collection of 15 of Michael’s greatest hits as an adult solo artist. All greatest hits songs are the same as the original album versions.

The second disc “HIStory Continues” of this album contained 15 brand new songs, 12 of which were composed and written by Michael himself.  The track “Come Together” was recorded in 1987 and released as a double A- Side with “Remember the Time” as well as having been featured in the Moonwalker movie many years earlier.

The second disc of the ‘History’ album also credited Michael for the first time with playing the keyboards, Synthesizer, drums and percussion, and guitar.

Special appearances on the album were made by Janet Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal, Notorius B.I.G, Boyz II Men, and Slash.

The album was considered controvercial – Michael’s reply to the press and allegations that had been plaguing his life and career over the previous few years, as well as had a softer edge with ballads such as “You Are Not Alone”, “Earth Song”, “Stranger In Moscow” and “Smile”. Shortly after it’s release the ‘HIStory’ album was pulled from the shelves due to the the controvercial lyrics in the song “They Don’t Care About Us”, and new copies of the album were released with a formal apology written by Michael to those who may have been offended by the lyrics.

5 singles were released off of this album; “Scream”, “Earth Song”, “You Are Not Alone”, “Stranger In Moscow”, and “They Don’t Care About Us”. The album hit #1 in 19 countries around the world, with world wide sales of over 15 million. The “You Are Not Alone” single broke a world record when it became the first-ever single to debut at #1 on the Billboard music charts.

Special editions of the HIStory album were released in Canada, Germany, Holland, and France in which Michael spoke directly to his fans of these countries thanking them for their support over the years and promising to tour their countries soon.

Michael Jackson launched his final world tour, the HIStory Tour from September 2006 to October 2009 and performed to over 4.5 million fans.

Music Videos that accompanied released singles.
Scream – the most expensive music video of all time.
You Are Not Alone Video featuring Lisa Marie Presley.
Earth Song Video
They Don’t Care About Us Video
Stranger In Moscow Video
HIStory Video

Song Tracks

DISC ONE:
1. Billie Jean
2. The Way You Make Me Feel
3. Black Or White
4. Rock With You
5. She’s Out Of My Life
6. Bad
7. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
8. Man In The Mirror
9. Thriller
10. Beat It
11. The Girl Is Mine
12. Remember The Time
13. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
14. Wanna Be Startin’ Somthin’
15. Heal The World
DISC TWO
1. Scream (Duet with Janet Jackson)
2. They Don’t Care About Us
3. Stranger In Moscow
4. This Time Around
5. Earth Song
6. D.S
7. Money
8. Come Together
9. You Are Not Alone
10. Childhood
11. Tabloid Junkie
12. 2 Bad
13. HIStory
14. Little Susie
15. Smile

BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Released: May 20, 1997

Produced by: Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Bill Bottrell, Dallas Austin, David Foster, Janet Jackson and R. Kelly.

Label: Epic

Sales: 6+ Million

This 13 track album was released in May, 1997 and contained 5 new songs in addition to 8 remixed tracks from the HIStory album. The album went on to become the best selling remix album of all time.  Due to the fact that Michael was on the History world tour at the time of recording the album, many of the tracks were recorded and mixed in countries around the globe such as Sweden, Switzerland and Germany.

The album was originally planned to be a promotional tool for the European leg of the HIStory tour, and for this reason was not widely publicized in most of the world. The album ended up being widely successful around the globe, despite the low promotions, with the album and/or the title single reaching #1 in over 10 countries.

There were two singles released for this album. The first one ‘Blood On The Dance Floor’ was released around the world, and the second single ‘History/Ghosts’ was released in Europe and Australia.

2 of the tracks, “Ghosts” and “Is It Scary” were used in the 39 minute short movie Ghosts.

To date the Blood On The Dance Floor album has sold 6 Million copies world wide.
Music Videos that accompanied released singles.
Blood On The Dance Floor
History
Ghosts – features footage from the Ghosts movie.
Song Tracks
1. Blood On The Dance Floor
2. Morphine
3. Superfly Sister
4. Is It Scary
5. Scream Louder – Flyte Time Remix
6. Money – Fire Island Radio Edit
7. 2 Bad – Refugee Camp Mix
8. Stranger In Moscow – Tee’s In-House Club Mix
9. This Time Around – D.M Radio Mix
10. Earth Song – Hani’s Club Experience
11. You Are Not Alone – Classic Club Mix
12. History – Tony Moran’s History Lesson

INVINCIBLE

Released: October 30, 2001

Produced by: Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Teddy Riley, Kenneth “Baby face” Edmonds, R. Kelly and Dr. Freeze.

Label: Epic

Sales: 8+ Million
Invincible was released 29th/30th October 2001 and featured 16 new tracks. The album was released on CD, and vinyl and released with 5 different covers those being white/silver, blue, green, red and orange, to make collecting the CDs “more fun” for fans!

The album debuted at Number One in 12 different countries.

Up to now the album has reportedly sold 16 million copies.  Although a high selling album compared to other artists it was much lower than Michael’s previous releases. This was primarily due to the lack of promotion by Sony Music. Michael and the music company fell out and he accused them of not promoting the album. After the first single “You Rock My World” was released it became clear that Sony Music were not interested in promoting the album. Only 1 more single “Cry” written by R. Kelly was released and that was without a proper music video.

The only event that helped in the promotion of the album was the September 2001 30th Anniversary celebration in Madison Square Gardens  2 concerts held on 7th and 10 September. A host of stars including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Usher, Justin Timberlake and many more sang Michael songs. Michael also performed solo and with his brothers. Even this event was overshadowned by the attacks on 9/11.
Michael also attended a Virgin Mega Store in New York and signed a number of cd albums for fans.
Music Videos that accompanied released singles.
You Rock My World Michaels last appearance in his own video.
Cry This video had nothing to do with Michael.

3Song Tracks

1. Unbreakable
2. Heartbreaker
3. Invincible
4. Break Of Dawn
5. Heaven Can Wait
6. You Rock My World
7. Butterflies
8. Speechless
9. 2000 Watts
10. You Are My Life
11. Privacy
12. Don’t Walk Away
13. Cry
14. The Lost Children
15. Whatever Happens
16. Threatened

THRILLER 25TH ANNIVERSARY  SPECIAL EDITION

Released: February 11, 2008 Europe

Released: February 12, 2008 USA

Label: Sony

Originally released in the US 25 years ago on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records, Thriller, Michael Jackson’s sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, rocketed the former child-star lead singer for the J a ckson5 into the stratosphere of international super stardom. Introducing the “robot” and the “moonwalk” into the international lexicon of clubland dance moves via the pulsing sounds of Thriller , Michael Jackson re volutionized all aspects of mainstream pop culture — from radio airwaves to the newly emerging art form of music videos — becoming the world’s most popular entertainer in the process.

The original Thriller spent an astounding 80 consecutive weeks in the American Top 10, 37 of those at #1. Seven of the album’s original nine tracks became Top 10 singles o n the Billboard Hot 1 00 while Individual singles from Thriller reached #1 chart positions in the US, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada.

Thriller made history as the first and only record to be America’s top-selling album two years running (1983 and 1984).

Thriller has been certified 27x platinum by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond Award status in the US. In addition, the album has achieved Diamond or Multi-Platinum status in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which re mains unsurpassed to this day.

In February 1984, Michael Jackson held a record-breaking 12 Grammy nominations, going on to win eigh t, which stands as the record for most Grammy Awards to be won by anyone in a single year. Seven of Michael’s Grammys that year were for Thriller: Album of the Year; Record of the Year (“Beat It”); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (“Thriller”); Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical (Thriller); Best Male Rock Vocal Performance (“Beat It”); Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (“Billie Jean”); Best R&B Song (“Billie Jean”). (Michael’s eighth Grammy that year was in the Best Recording For Children – Single or Album, Musical or Spoken category for “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”). That same year, Michael Jackson took home eight American Music Awards and three MTV Video Music Awards. The following year, “The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller” took home the Best Video Album trophy at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards.

Named the “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time” by the Guinness World Records, Michael Jackson is among the most highly acclaimed and influential artists in pop culture. He was named the World Music Award’s Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium and received the American Music Award’s Artist of the Century Award. He has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5 and as a solo artist in 2001.

The Thriller – 25th Anniversary Edition includes the original album in its entirety as well as eight bonus tracks and a DVD featuring Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking short films from Thriller (“Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean”) and the artist’s Emmy-nominated breakout performance of “Billie Jean” from the legendary “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” television special (first broadcast on NBC on May 16, 1983).

The expanded version of Thriller premieres five tracks previously unreleased in any form: a new Kanye West remix of “Billie Jean”; a new 2008 version of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” with Akon and will.i.am; will.i.am remixes of “The Girl Is Mine” and “P.Y.T.”; and “For All Time,” a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson.

Additional bonus material on the Thriller – 25th Anniversary Edition includes “Someone In The Dark,” “Carousel,” and Michael Jackson’s original demo recording of “Billie Jean.”

The deluxe Thriller – 25th Anniversary Edition packaging contains a personal greeting from Michael Jackson to his fans penned exclusively for this special release.

Thriller 25 tracks:

01 – Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
02 – Michael Jackson – Baby Be Mine
03 – Michael Jackson – The Girl Is Mine (ft Paul McCartney)
04 – Michael Jackson – Thriller
05 – Michael Jackson – Beat It
06 – Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
07 – Michael Jackson – Human Nature
08 – Michael Jackson – P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)
09 – Michael Jackson – The Lady In My Life
10 – Michael Jackson – Vincent Price Except (From Thriller)
11 – Michael Jackson – The Girl Is Mine 2008 (ft Will.i.am)
12 – Michael Jackson – P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 (ft Will.i.am)
13 – Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008 (ft Akon)
14 – Michael Jackson – Beat It 2008 (ft Fergie)
15 – Michael Jackson – Billie Jean 2008 (ft Kanye West)
16 – Michael Jackson – For All Time (Unreleased from Thriller)

THIS IS IT

Released: October 27, 2009

Label: Sony

The first album released since Michael Jackson’s death entitled “This Is It” which is the same name given to Michael Jacksons  concerts he announced early in March 2009, for a 50 shows in London’s 02 Arena. Michael died June 25th 2009, just weeks before the concert dates were due to start.

The soundtrack album was released to coincide with the international release of “This Is It Movie” which is to feature behind the scenes footage of Michael rehearsing for the concert dates.

This album is a double album, with the first half classic hits and a second cd of previously unreleased song versions. Included on the album is 2 versions of a single entitled “This Is It” which was originally recorded around the time of the Jackson’s Triumph album, but not chosen for the album.

The album features a 36 page booklet featuring exclusive photos of Michael in rehearsals for the “This Is It”

This Is It Tracks:

Disc 1:

1. Wanna Be Startin Something

2. Jam

3. They Dont Care About Us

4. Human Nature

5. Smooth Criminal

6. The Way You Make Me Feel

7. Shake Your Body

8. I Cant Stop Loving You

9. Thriller

10. Beat It

11. Black or White

12. Earth Song

13. Billie Jean

14. Man In The Mirror

15. This Is It

Disc 2:

1. This Is It (orchestra version)

2. Shes Out Of My Life (demo)

3. Wanna Be Starting Something (demo)

4. Beat It (demo)

5. Planet Earth (poem)