Can You Feel It---Essential Michael Jackson

In truth, I always felt that his best solo song was 'Wanna Be Startin' Something' off of 'Thriller'. I love how the African chorus comes in towards the end to just carry it into the stratosphere.

While listening to a greatest hits the other night at my friends', I was struck by the fact that "Man in the Mirror" is not only Jackson's best "message song" (I'll take it over "Black or White" any day and, obviously, waaaay over "We Are the World"), but a pretty fine piece of pop songwriting.

It was a big shock to me, because my 8th grade brain couldn't get around how thoroughly un-cool it was to listen to Michael Jackson, which rendered all of Bad laughable at the time. In retrospect, of the singles I heard, at least "Man in the Mirror," "Smooth Criminal," and "The Way You Make Me Feel" deserved more props than I was willing to give at the time. Maybe "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," too, but it's literally been decades since I've heard that one. I've never even heard the non-single album tracks.

As for Thriller, it's easiest to listen to "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "P.Y.T." and "Human Nature" for me, because they're amazing songs that weren't beaten into the ground like "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and "Thriller," but after not hearing "Beat It" for years, that muscular opening guitar line has regained its power for me, and it's still hard to beat that controlled strut of "Billie Jean." "Thriller," though... it mainly coasts on nostalgia.

Though it was released on some Remix CD he put out in the late nineties (post HIStory), I always found 'Blood on the Dance Floor' a catchy, little-bit-dark song that tends to get overlooked. It was supposed to be on Dangerous and as such has a lot of resemblance to the other tracks on that album. It's not a huge song, barely remembered, but it's one I always seem to find myself listening to when it comes up on random in my iTunes. It's got a great, if slightly derivative, opening hook that grabs ahold of you.

So in that regards, I'll say it's essential post-peak Michael Jackson.

Can't claim to be particularly knowledgeable about the guy's catalogue, but I can say that 'Butterflies' is a rather lovely embarrassment-era song.

I'll agree that "Beat It" is among the overdone Jackson songs, but I happened to pick up a clearance copy of Guitar Hero World Tour for $20 the other day, and I had just played "Beat It" for the first time the night before he died, and it was quite a blast.

And as much as I enjoy Off The Wall and Thriller, the Jackson songs most likely to pop up on my mp3 player are still "I Want You Back" and "ABC."

Billie Jean tends to be my favorite, and I to this day cannot think of a catchier riff than Smooth Criminal.

With that said though, "Who is it" has always been the one song that just pumps me up as soon as I hear it. That dark, aggressive drum and bass, and the multi-layered hook. Not to mention a video by David Fincher.

Edit: Oh yeah, not to mention my favorite cover of all time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qsn-iH4jOk

"Leave Me Alone" is a pretty underrated track.

It's interesting that while "Bad" as an album sold much less than "Thriller" (of course), it actually had more number one singles. In fact, "Bad" has the record for the most number one singles ever - from ANY album (5). It's also his peak as a songwriter as he wrote 9 of the 11 tracks.

"Bad" does have it's achievements even in the overwhelming shadow of "Thriller".

I'll be the guy to admit he likes 'Say Say Say" quite a bit, even though it's a duet and not strictly a Jackson tune.

Re: His later stuff: They Don't Really Care About Us, both as song and video(s), lead that pack for me.

It made me believe Michael Jackson might last more than 5 minutes in prison. That's powerful shit right there.

After a marathon session in front of the TV on Saturday night, watching an "Every MJ Video Ever Made!" tribute they cobbled together, I've decided that "Black or White" is my favourite of his songs. It has a feelgood guitar riff, and the album version doesn't outstay its welcome.

My 2nd favourite is "Girlfriend". But then, it would be.

"Blood on the Dancefloor" is the funniest example of MJ's "angry voice". Many of the verses are completely inaudible, to a humorous extent!

Smooth Criminal is the best Jackson tune for me. Sure there are at least 10 others that I'd listen to but if you tell me I could only hear one Jacko tune for the rest of my days, Smooth Criminal is it.

Also have to throw some love out there to Remember The Time. As a song, That Teddy Riley influence fits with MJ perfect. The video? It's a close running third for favorite dance routine behind Smooth Criminal and Thriller, only made awkward by the fact that WHATTHEFUCKHE'STONGUINGDAVIDBOWIE'SWIFE.

I like The Girl is Mine myself. So I hear ya there. In terms of my absolute favorite songs of his, I'd lean towards Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, She's Out of My Life and Rock with You.

Always wondered how Bad would have turned out had Prince agreed to do it. It's a great song (and video), but it's weird looking back that it was intended to be a duet with the Purple One.

The Jacksons' Heartbreak Hotel is woefully underrated.

Semi-clumsy rap by Heavy D aside, I'm kinda partial to 'Jam' off DANGEROUS.

God, I loved that song growing up and thought the video was the coolest thing ever then found out later he used Fred Astaire's The Band Wagon as inspiration.

General Jackson 5 stuff, I Want You Back and Can You Feel It are simply two of my favorite songs ever, and both insanely catchy, I just never tire of them.

Of Jacksons solo stuff, I was reminded how much I used to adore Smooth Criminal lately as well, but that said, I'm with Dave in that it's kinda stunning how well Man In The Mirror holds up these days, I find it almost, well, moving (I know I'm shocked too).

Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough is still incredibly danceworthy, and PYT may be my personal fave off of Thriller.

Of all of Jacksons duets tho, I may be the only one who loves Scream overall, but then I was a pretty big Janet fan as a kid too.

I'll echo all the sentiment for MJ's Smooth Criminal, love love love that sound, god help anyone in a bar with touchtunes who doesn't like it cause i'll usually put it on

Some fave "essentials" off the top of my head:

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Off the Wall) - I'll never, ever tire of this opening scorcher. Its slinky, sexy groove powered with MJ's soulful serenade makes me want to dance all night long.

Off the Wall (Off the Wall) - Its disco-tinged flavor drives its kinetics and sexually-charged R&B greatness.

Girlfriend (Off the Wall)- One of MJ's most affecting and gorgeous slow numbers. Before he was a smooth criminal he was the ultimate smooth crooner.

Thriller (Thriller) - The video seems to always get more merits than the song itself, and while the video is a great example of unadulterated imagination and invention in the medium of music video, it wouldn't be as timeless as it is without the song. Right when Vincent Price's soliloquy is about to kick in is when the song's funky awesomeness really shines through.

Beat It (Thriller) - MJ proved he could rock with the best of 'em, with a little help from Mr. Eddie Van Halen. The bass on this tune is a monster unleashed. Pure adrenaline.

Human Nature (Thriller) - So sensual and soothing, it could be equated to the morning after sex. Might be my fave MJ ballad.

The Way You Make Me Feel (Bad) - Makes me feel unstoppable. This is a great showcase for MJ being in control of his vocal prowess. There's no shyness or naivety left in MJ's performance.

Speed Demon (Bad) - The production gives the tune a tough exterior, and the chug-a-chug rhythm just makes things sound even more tense. Caution: When Driving. I'll never forget watching the claymation mini-film when I was 10.

I Just Can't Stop Loving You (Bad) - Siedah Garrett and MJ's vocals are perfect parallels, harmoniously united. Quite a moving duet.

Dirty Diana (Bad) - Just like 'Speed Demon', the production provides an aggressive canvas for MJ to light his masochism. And he takes it to the max.

Smooth Criminal (Bad) - A song so good that even a cover by Alien Ant Farm couldn't tarnish it. When it comes to MJ's vocals in the "breathy" style, you won't find a better showcase.

Leave Me Alone (Bad) - It's hard to imagine this wasn't on the original pressings of the album. It even sorta sounds like a light throwaway track that just didn't fit in with the rest of the songs, but there's no doubting that incessant, addictive chorus and the appeal of MJ's signature yelps.

Jam (Dangerous) - MJ perfects his new jack swing with this pulse-pounding jolt of electricity. Could be my fave MJ album opener.

In the Closet (Dangerous) - It's the details in the clean, professional-sounding production that harness MJ's bid for a sexy, epic number. This one sizzles all the way through.

Remember the Time (Dangerous) - A taut, efficient dance-pop number with a chorus that anyone looking for mainstream success would die for.

Black or White (Dangerous) - Didn't love this when it was first released, but it has grown on me exponentially throughout the years. The song's polish and irresistible groove allow me to ignore the mawkish lyrics.

Will You Be There (Dangerous) - The album version is nearly 8 minutes long, and that's the version I actually prefer. MJ's backing orchestra really brings this beautiful gospel-influenced gem to life. MJ could be subtle and over-the-top at the same time, and here's a primary example of that.

Heartbreaker (Invincible) - Would've made a great lead single. Fresh, fiery, and fierce.

Break of Dawn (Invincible) - MJ's vocals were still in fine form in 2001. Relaxing his vocal intonations, the soul comes out fully and naturally. A nice slow-fire jam.

Speechless (Invincible) - If I wanted to prove to a cynical MJ listener that he was one of the greatest vocalists of his time and any other, this tune would be in contention as a sampling of his exceptional gift.

Watching some of Michael Jackson's clips on youtube, I came across this clip of MJ performing Billie Jean at his 30th Anniversary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l74Y_p6or00

I think that might be the last truly great performance he gave, the build-up is just incredible.

I've avoided most of BAD on that I wasn't exposed to from videos. You can't top Thriller, and even moreso Off the Wall. The Jackson Five did a lot of filler, they were Motown artists, but their version of It's Your Thing is on par with the Isley Brother's, I especially love Michael's Sha-Boom-Boom-Wop.

As much as I love both Off the Wall and Thriller, my biggest connection to MJ's music came with both Bad and Dangerous. Nostalgia has a lot to do with that, with me being born in 1978, but when I think of quintessential MJ, Bad is like a greatest hits album for me.

The 80's production is overwhelming at times, though I'm not going to deny that some of the songs are excellent.

I was at the prime age to take in MJ's work when Dangerous came out, and while the videos and singles from that album make me very nostalgic for that era, it's actually my least favorite MJ album.

Thriller and Off the Wall, are of course, without peer in Jackson's catalog. Just wall to wall brilliance, with PYT, Baby Be Mine, and Rock With You being my favorite cuts from both albums.

Bad has always been a little iffy for me. I love some cuts (Liberian Girl, Just Good Friends, Man in the Mirror), but others don't click with me at all (Dirty Diana, the title track, Another Part of Me).

HIStory is an album that I really dig, though. Stranger in Moscow remains my favorite Michael Jackson song ever, and there are a few really unique, underrated tunes here. Money, They Don't Care About Us, Scream, Smile, You Are Not Alone... good stuff.

Invincible has an amazingly consistent first half, with some of MJ's best work (The stretch of Break of Dawn, Heaven Can Wait, You Rock My World and Butterflies is simply stunning). But then the cracks start to show later in the album, when it becomes a rewrite of themes well-tread in both Dangerous and HIStory.

Underrated album though, for sure. That first half is just pure gold.

Edit: And before I forget, Blood on the Dancefloor is worth buying for Ghosts and Is It Scary? alone. Just a duo of sharp, killer pop tunes with genuine frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

You bet your ass it is. That was the song that made me an MJ fan as a little kid. I'm sure there's home video somewhere of me trying to do the lean from the video and doing a face-plant instead.

But I've got a real soft spot for "Who's Loving You" thanks to my mom (it's her fav), who can remember sitting in front of the TV with her family watching this live.

Remember this?

Human Nature would make it in my top ten tracks of Wacko Jacko. The Jacksons' "Show you the way to go" is a brilliant track.

Jackson Held Patent On Special Shoes

Ha, I had a good laugh a few years ago when I heard about the shoes. Until I saw that story, the mystery seriously bugged me for years, wondering how the hell he did it. But then I've heard that his backup dancers used the shoes, and MJ did it naturally!

You all have hit the classics. Personally "Off the Wall" is my favorite album because I prefer the more disco tunes to the rock ones, but IMO MJ hasn't put out a bad album. I honestly love them all. One song that hasn't been mentioned* that I absolutely love is "You Rock My World". "Scream" is also a fave duet; like Rain Dog, I was way obsessed with Janet. And from the J5 years, "I Want You Back" gets constant rotation. I absolutely adore that song.


*Edit: Actually Belmont mentioned it. :P

ou know what's funny? Up until I read this thread, I thought these were the same song.

I was in a big Michael Jackson phase just prior to me discovering alternative music. When that happened I disowned all my previous mainstream albums. Now that so much of the music is on the airwaves , I'm remembering exactly how much I used to like Jackson's music.

Strangely it's the post peak stuff I really got into. I always thought he had a lot of musical talent, but was also fond of trying new and interesting sound design. Songs like Scream (especially with the video clip) were quite awesome to my impressionable young mind. There's a bit toward the end where it breaks into a strange space guitar solo which still strikes me as genius.

Definitely. It's utterly insidious, especially when he starts scatting.

"IN THE PARK! ON THE BEACH! YOU AND ME! IN SPAIN!
BUT WHAT ABOUT! WHAT ABOUT!
DRRRROP, DOP DOP DOP, DRRRROP, DOPUDOP!"