Top 50 Michael Jackson Singles, by KevinScream [#1 REVEALED]

[LonelyDreamer]

I know MJ was such a towering defining figure of the 1980's, but its hard to believe how dismissive people have been of the latter work just because of Thriller. Even to an extent I've seen people dismiss Bad. On another forum not long ago, I saw someone (this guy is a 50-something obsessed with The Beatles and Woodstock who hates pop mind you, he claims that Madonna was a tool sent to "destroy" rock music if that means anything) who posted about how Dangerous was the reason why grunge had to happen in 1991-1992. There were a lot of reasons why grunge needed to happen, but Dangerous wasn't one of them. That album pretty much defined r&b in the first half of that decade.

What a bizarre way of thinking! I hate those snobs!
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DIDN'T MAKE THE TOP 50:
SHE'S OUT OF MY LIFE (1980)

US: #10 / UK: #3

SHORT-FILM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DQJPL9Yuq0

Now some people will cry blood for seeing this out of the Top 50 (LOL)!

Well, 'She's Out Of My Life' is a very nice ballad, and although I like it (specially the DEMO VERSION, which it's even better), I don't think it's one of his best efforts - and its music video is MJ's worst one.

[Andreita2994]

Living your chart do far, I listen to his 90's stuff more than anything, a few weeks ago I was obessessed with the new songs from blood on the dancefloor album, specially "morphine", mj has a diverse variety of music from dark to anthem, from fun to serious sOngs. I hAv le to bring lyric from my fav song to my class tomorrow, I don't which one to bring, what do you recommend , I war a strong mj song

[LonelyDreamer]

Living your chart do far, I listen to his 90's stuff more than anything, a few weeks ago I was obessessed with the new songs from blood on the dancefloor album, specially "morphine", mj has a diverse variety of music from dark to anthem, from fun to serious sOngs. I hAv le to bring lyric from my fav song to my class tomorrow, I don't which one to bring, what do you recommend , I war a strong mj song

"Morphine" is one of my favourites!!

Well, if you have to show some strong lyrics, I recommend "We've Had Enough".

[LonelyDreamer]

42. Rock With You (1979)

US: #1 / UK: #7

SHORT-FILM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0

Lovely song! One of my faves of Off The Wall and the last big hit of the Disco Era.

I love its music video, despite being so modest... and I can't at those green lights - so funny (!), makes me wanna go to a club!!

41. I Just Can't Stop Loving You (1987)
Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu / Je Ne Veux Pas La Fin de Nous

Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett
US: #1 / UK: #1

LIVE PERFORMANCE (DANGEROUS TOUR, 1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snoj64jNKoM
SPANISH VERSION: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzFNiS3c3vc
FRENCH VERSION: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agNGyqgWrG0

What a curious thing: I remember this as my very-first MJ favourite song, and it's one of the most overplayed tracks of my Number Ones CD too.

Simple lyrics, but a timeless love song - and MJ made it even better during This Is It rehearsals (I love the new ending).

>> Siedah Garrett wasn't orginally intended to be part of this duet - it was firstly offered to Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Agnetha Fältskog (former ABBA member), but all of them couldn't record it due to contract conflicts and other obligations. During Bad World Tour, Sheryl Crow performed Siedah's part all concerts.

>> There are other two versions: "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu" and "Je Ne Veux Pas La Fin de Nous". I always listen to TMAET wondering how would be if Michael ever recorded a song in Portuguese, since Spanish is quite similar.

P.S.: It's the first single off Bad, but there's no official music video! Anyway, IJCSTLY was huge hit worldwide!

[NothingFails]

Rock With You is definitely a classic for the ages. Funny that later on he'd be famous for the "moonwalk" but yet the Rock With You video looked like he was dressed for the moon

I Just Can't Stop Loving You is okay. In hindsight it was a peculiar choice to be the leadoff to the Bad era, especially as people had been waiting for a couple of years by summer 1987 to hear Michael again, but I think it was a nice little tune to let people prepare themselves for another mega-era and to get the word out that Michael was back before the real "blockbuster" singles/videos kicked in, much like how The Girl Is Mine couldn't have at all predicted what was to follow. I figured you'd post the Bad tour clip where he was singing with a pre-fame Sheryl Crow.

[BeeFan]

I'm okay with Rock but Just Can't Stop is way too low IMO....it really grew on me over some years and I used to listen to this a lot after MJ passed away ...love that song

[LonelyDreamer]

Guys, I'm DEEPLY sorry...
I've been listening to all these songs over and over again this week, and I've changed my mind, plus I realized that I missed an amazing single.

So, here's the news:
* 'I Wanna Be Where You Are" will drop out the list (Sorry, Play);
* 'Is It Scary' will be replaced at the #43, to take a new rank yet to be announced;
* 'We Are The World', 'What More Can I Give' and 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' will drop one place each (#47 to #48; #46 to #47; #45 to #46), and I'll announce the new #45 tonight.


It won't happen again!


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Edit:
* UPDATED! *

COUNTDOWN SO FAR:
50. Happy
49. The Way You Make Me Feel
48. We Are The World
47. What More Can I Give
46. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
45. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

45. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (1983)

US: #5 / UK: #8

LIVE PERFORMANCE (HIStory Tour, 1996) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7KId9cxRDs

A must-have for any Michael Jackson tour!

The first time I listened to the "Vegetable Song" was through the official 'MJ MEGAREMIX' (HIStory Vol. II VCD exclusive bonus), which shows 'Smooth Criminal' video scenes while playing WBSS. I love it since then - and, unexpectedly, I think the video fits very well.

44. Black Or White
43. Ghosts

43. Ghosts (1997)
GHOST OF JEALOUSY

* Released as a double A-side single - 'HIStory/Ghosts' *
US: -- / UK: #5

SHORT-FILM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9Cp4rd7mI

A hidden treasure from Blood On The Dance Floor! And what amazing production!

It's one of my favourites songs, and I think it had potential to be a smash worldwide - unfortunately, it wasn't!

>> 'Ghosts' was released as 'Ghost Of Jealousy' in the Middle East.

P.S.: 'Ghosts' and 'Is It Scary' share most of their lyrics. You can find these following lyrics in both songs (but they sound totally different in each one): There's a ghost down in the hall / There's a ghoul upon the bed / There's something in the walls (...) / There's a tappin in the floor / There's a creak behind the door / There's a rocking in the chair / But nobody's sitting there / There's a ghostly smell around / But nobody to be found / And a coughin' and a yawnin' / Where a restless soul is going.

42. Rock With You
41. I Just Can't Stop Loving You

[Chun]

^ sweet. That shows how much you really care about this. And that's why I started my Björk countdown in the middle of the list. I repositioned songs a lot.

[Play]

It's just great to see Black & White at its right place! I really don't understand why people think it's up there with Billi Jean or Smooth Criminal etc.

She's Out Of My Life

One should not listen to this song too much... too heart breaking!

[Wardo]

Not a big fan of I Just Can't Stop Loving You.

But Rock With You that low?

It's my jam!

[LonelyDreamer]

:P ^ sweet. That shows how much you really care about this. And that's why I started my Björk countdown in the middle of the list. I repositioned songs a lot.

Thanks, Chun!

By the way, I'll check your Björk countdown to review it all.

But Rock With You that low?

Because I'm... bad (?). Shamon!
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40. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (1983)

US: #10 / UK: #11

AUDIO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-3JYuv9w4U

One of his catchiest songs, but a very underrated single if compared to the other Thriller releases . I love the fact he created a cute new expression (“pretty young thing”) and the female ‘na na na na na’… and I think this is the most joyful moment of the album.

Furthermore, 'P.Y.T.' has one of the most interesting demo versions – it sounds COMPLETELY different, but still AMAZING. I suggest you to listen the DEMO plus the 2008 VERSION (by Will.I.Am), both as great as the final album/single one.

39. Jam (1992)

US: #26 / UK: #12

SHORT-FILM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbHI1yI1Ndk

‘Jam’ is the perfect intro for Dangerous , the album that reinvented R&B/Pop music in the 90s! As you can notice, this song is completely different from everything out that time, even his previous works. It was the first clue to another music experimentalism started by MJ.

The “Dangerous Sessions” united the use of ‘external elements’ (e.g., the sound of glass breaking, cars, motors, people on the streets, etc.) - before only heard very briefly on the ‘alternative’ genre -, to a brand-new kind of production (merged to electronic beats and synthesizers), resulting in the most revolutionary piece of music of the last two decades - and you can easily find its influence nowadays.

>> The music video, starring Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson, is another masterpiece! What about two big legends (MJ & MJ) playing basketball, when the ‘tiny’ M. Jackson won the game to greatest player ever, and then teaches him how to moonwalk?! I love it!

[Andreita2994]

I love jam. P.Y.T is also good. When I play jam. Mj performance is on my head, sometimes I'm so into the music that I sing and try to imitate his dance while I'm walking. What I forget is that I'm the only one listening, people may think I'm weird or have some kind of issue, but I don't care...
You are going to fast, but it's ok. Im trying to catch up
I wonder when you'll place is it scary, which is one of my fav songs .
Very nice job u've done, I like your chart. Although Ill chart the way you make feel inside my top 10

[LonelyDreamer]

I love jam. P.Y.T is also good. When I play jam. Mj performance is on my head, sometimes I'm so into the music that I sing and try to imitate his dance while I'm walking. What I forget is that I'm the only one listening, people may think I'm weird or have some kind of issue, but I don't care...
You are going to fast, but it's ok. Im trying to catch up
I wonder when you'll place is it scary, which is one of my fav songs .
Very nice job u've done, I like your chart. Although Ill chart the way you make feel inside my top 10

The same happens to me sometimes!

Actually, I want everybody to enjoy each song, perhaps read the little note I wrote for them (I usually quote some curious facts + my opinion) or watch the music video.

Now that I already posted the first 10 singles, I'll take more time between the next ranks. I don't want to hurry up the countdown.

[Wardo]

Nooooo PYT crashing already! I know that all my comments look the same right now

The “Dangerous Sessions” united the use of ‘external elements’ (e.g., the sound of glass breaking, cars, motors, people on the streets, etc.) - before only heard very briefly on the ‘alternative’ genre -, to a brand-new kind of production (merged to electronic beats and synthesizers), resulting in the most revolutionary piece of music of the last two decades - and you can easily find its influence nowadays.

I loved this!!! But... didn't Pink Floyd use it before?

[biscuits]

She's Out of My Life - not a big fan of it.

Rock With You - one of my favourites! It never gets old, despite being over 30 years old. I think I would prefer to party to this song over anything released in the past year.

I Just Can't Stop Loving You - I like it and think it is underrated.

Wanna Be Startin Somethin - another classic MJ song. I think this one became more popular long after it was released (maybe helped by Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music?)

P.Y.T. - not one of his most famous songs at all, but still quite cool.

Jam - never really liked 'Jam'. Sounds like a 'Rhythm Nation 1814' leftover IMO.

[LonelyDreamer]

I do think so, biscuits! Since "Don't Stop The Music" sampled WBSS, it became much more popular.

The “Dangerous Sessions” united the use of ‘external elements’ (e.g., the sound of glass breaking, cars, motors, people on the streets, etc.) - before only heard very briefly on the ‘alternative’ genre -, to a brand-new kind of production (merged to electronic beats and synthesizers), resulting in the most revolutionary piece of music of the last two decades - and you can easily find its influence nowadays.

I loved this!!! But... didn't Pink Floyd use it before?

Pink Floyd is an alternative rock band. Anyway, as I said, they (and other acts) used it "very briefly" (I mean superficially), not as "Dangerous", nor that much. That was the first time those elements were widely used in music, specially pop/R&B, plus MJ and Teddy Riley also reinvented the 'new jack swing' with their own production techniques.

To take a more evident example, check "She Drives Me Wild" instrumental. It's gorgeous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq7cnVgeXoE

[biscuits]

Janet did similar with State of The World and The Knowledge I think. To a lesser extent though.

[Tiger]

SHE'S OUT OF MY LIFE (1980)
44. Black Or White (1991)
41. I Just Can't Stop Loving You (1987)
39. Jam (1992)

What?! I Just Can't Stop Loivng you is GREAT

[Wayne]

Black or White is fantastic.

She's Out of My Life - that song is amazing! So sad to see it miss the countdown.

[LonelyDreamer]

Being out of the Top 50, or even a Top 40, 30... well, that doesn't mean I dislike the song.

There's no MJ song I dislike, actually. I love most of them, and I like others.
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DIDN'T MAKE THE TOP 50:
The Girl Is Mine (1982)
+ The Girl Is Mine 2008

Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney
US: #2 / UK: #8


Michael Jackson & Will.I.Am
US: -- / UK: #32

AUDIO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y96mdVTMByk
AUDIO (2008 version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dq0Pk1Qzc8

Another classic song off Thriller and the second (out of 4) collaboration with the former Beatles member Paul McCartney.

Although I think it's MJ weakest first single as an adult, still a great stuff. The '2008 remix' by Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas) is also a gem, sounds like a very 00s hit... but none of the versions made my top 50.

[GoodBoyGoneBad]

Jam is amazing, a perfect track to open the album and the live show!

[NothingFails]

Love P.Y.T., that and Human Nature were actually the songs that got me into MJ as a little boy in 1983 and had the 7" singles for them (I discovered a world of music from my much older sister who also got me into Madonna, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Pat Benatar, The Police, etc... back then), then I heard Beat It, Thriller and Billie Jean and asked for the album and got a copy and played the vinyl until it was all scratched up

Jam is underrated. Not the biggest fan of basketball so the video didn't really do much for me, but it is one of his greatest album openers.

The Girl Is Mine is neither here nor there IMO. I've never hated the song but always felt like it was the weak link on Thriller. Much preferred "Say Say Say" which I felt was more up to Michael and Paul's standards.

[stevyy]

i haven't made my list yet, but one of my next countdowns (after Mariah and Madonna) will be Michael and Wanna be startin' something could easily end up in my top 10. It's really amazing.

rock with you one of the most memorable 70's songs I know. I really love it.

[CrazyCrazy]

I Looove Jam, true what NF said. Rock With You is too low, disco heaven.

[LonelyDreamer]

38. Music And Me (1973)

US: -- / UK: --

LIVE PERFORMANCE (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfHzy7oShCY

It's probably his most underrated single of the 70's! Only charted in Holland (peaked at #34) and Turkey (#49), I personally think it had as much potential as the Billboard Top 5 singles 'Ben' (#1) and 'Got To Be There' (#4), although I'm not sure if it was properly released in the United States.

'Music And Me' is my second favourite song from the eponymous album (the #1 is 'Up Again'), and its highest single in this countdown.

37. Human Nature (1983)

US: #7 / UK: #35 (2009)

AUDIO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgmbYALa0no
LIVE ('This Is It'): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfR7TTeMSDQ

The fourth single off the marvelous Thriller and one of his most covered songs (Stevie Wonder's version / Alicia Keys' version).

* And if they say why? Why? Tell them that is human nature (...) * Well, it makes me think of several things... specially about how easy could life be if we just love the simple things and care about the others, no matter how they are. A strong message from a lovely song.

>> It wasn't released as single in the United Kigdom, but peaked at #35 in 2009, with digital sales.

>> 'Human Nature' was the last song selected for the album tracklist, replacing the [also AMAZING!] 'Carousel'.