1. "Billie Jean" - 1983
"Michael Jackson - "Billie Jean""Courtesy Epic Records
If any single song signaled that Michael Jackson's legacy as one of
the top pop artists of all time would be secure, it was "Billie
Jean." The song remains a pop milestone and masterpiece. It was
written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. Inspired by
a real life experience in which Jackson was accused of fathering a
baby of one of his fans, the slight sense of paranoia, instantly
memorable bass line, and Michale Jackson's trademark vocal yelps and
hiccups combined to make "Billie Jean," the second single from
Thriller, a keystone in Michael Jackson's career. It spent seven
weeks at the top of the pop singles chart in 1983.2. "Black Or
White" - 1991
"Michael Jackson - "Black Or White""Courtesy Epic Records
It had been four years since the album Bad generated five
consecutive #1 singles and some in the music industry wondered if
Michael Jackson would maintain his commercial clout when Dangerous
was released in 1991. All of those questions were soon answered as
the lead single "Black Or White" became the second biggest hit
single of Michael Jackson's career staying at #1 or seven weeks. All
stops were out on celebrity participation with Guns 'n Roses' Slash
contributing a guitar solo and Home Alone's Macaulay Culkin starring
in the accompanying video. The song itself is a powerful plea for
racial unity.
3. "Say Say Say" with Paul McCartney - 1983
"Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney - "Say Say Say""Courtesy
Parlophone
The first time Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney teamed up on "The
Girl Is Mine" in 1982 it was a smash success hitting #2 on the pop
singles chart. The pair went back to the studio with Beatles
producer George Martin for "Say Say Say" and the result was an even
bigger hit staying at #1 for six weeks.
"Rock With You" - 1979
"Michael Jackson - "Rock With You""Courtesy Epic Records
Following the uptempo smash "Don' Stop 'Till You Get Enough" that
introduced the album Off the Wall, Michael Jackson proved he was
adept with a laidback, soulful tune as well. Rod Temperton wrote
"Rock With You," and it was part of the last gasp of the disco era.
5. "Beat It!" - 1983
"Michael Jackson - "Beat It""Courtesy Epic Records
The album Thriller, was already a smash hit, and "Billie Jean" was
an acknowledged classic. Then the third single from the album, "Beat
It!," tore down any remaining walls for Michael Jackson as a
recording artist. Featuring a blistering guitar solo from rocker
Eddie Van Halen and accompanied by a video that tore down barriers
for black recording artists at MTV, "Beat It!" was an instant hit.
6. "Man In the Mirror" - 1988
"Michael Jackson - "Man In the Mirror""Courtesy Epic Records
Accompanied by a gospel choir, "Man In the Mirror" is known as one
of Michael Jackson's most uplifting hit songs. It was nominated for
a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Released in January of 1988,
the song was the fourth consecutive #1 hit from the album Bad.
7. "Bad" - 1987
"Michael Jackson - "Bad""Courtesy Epic Records
The title song from Michael Jackson's Bad was the second consecutive
#1 hit from the album. It was originally conceived as a duet with
Prince. "Bad" was accompanied by an 18 minute short film as its
music video. It only took the song six weeks to hit the top of the
charts.
8. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" - 1979
"Michael Jackson - "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough""Courtesy Epic
Records
Michael Jackson's group with his brothers, the Jackson 5, was one of
the most successful family acts of all time. They first hit the pop
charts in 1969 when Michael Jackson was 11. By 1979, Jackson was a
young adult, and he had not released a major solo hit in seven
years. He collaborated with Quincy Jones to blend disco and
contemporary R&B with vocals featuring one of the most arresting
falsetto voices in pop music. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" hit
the top of the charts, and Michael Jackson's adult recording career
had begun.
9. "You Are Not Alone" - 1995
"Michael Jackson - "You Are Not Alone""Courtesy Epic Records
Singer R. Kelly wrote this song in response to his own personal
difficulties. When a demo reached Michael Jackson he decided to
record "You Are Not Alone" as part of his greatest hits collection
HIStory. Co-produced by Kelly, the song debuted at the top of the
pop singles chart, the first hit to do so in the history of the
Billboard Hot 100.
10. "The Way You Make Me Feel" - 1987
"Michael Jackson - "The Way You Make Me Feel""Courtesy Epic Records
"The Way You Make Me Feel" was the third #1 hit from the album Bad.
Reportedly, Michael Jackson recorded the song in response to a
request from his mother Katherine to record a song with a shuffling
rhythm. Michael Jackson performed the song live at the 1988 Grammy
Awards.
|
