filmandmusic
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I wanted to write a thread in celebration of my 25 most favorite MJ tracks. I hope some folks here enjoy reading my thoughts on these songs and hopefully some other fans will get inspired to do the same or maybe they even get to know some songs they didn't know yet as I understood recently that MJ still attracts new fans in 2022 (to my honest but delighted surprise). I thought 25 was a nice number to cut off as I could go on and on, I simply love the vast majority of his recording career but one has to end somewhere. These 25 are all very special to me and I hope you all enjoy reading my write up 
(I LIKE) THE WAY YOU LOVE ME
- A fine rare treat of Michael's last decade with an outro for the ages. The remixed version on "Michael" completely destroys that magical ending by letting the chorus run over it again. It seemed to me Michael again found some happiness and joy in his life judging by some of his later era recordings. This is the finest example of it imo.
BILLIE JEAN (EXTENDED)
- Story goes the full song was too long for the album so it needed some cutting, Michael was very sad about this and I understand why. The complete version has an extended intro and features a lengthier outro with more adlibs. He basically used the long version for the live shows.
THE LADY IN MY LIFE (EXTENDED)
- This extended version has a similar background to Billie Jean, it just needed to be cut because it wouldn't fit the album. There is an extra verse here and an even lengthier outro with more adlibs. Michael apparently got embarrassed while singing these and asked Quincy to dim the lights. The result is a sexy steamy song reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's similar content. Michael at his most soulful.
DON'T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH
- Michael singing the entire song in falsetto voice marks the beginning of a new era. He did it before on the Destiny album but this time the entire world heard it, loved it and danced to it even now in 2022 it is a banger on the dance floor. Absolutely love the percussion work in it and I was so happy to hear it was already part of the song in the home demo.
SHAKE YOUR BODY (DOWN TO THE GROUND)
- Perhaps Michael's first "true" Michael Jackson song featuring many of his trademark vocal tics that he came to be known for in the 80s. Extremely danceable track, the 2 minute instrumental ending is so funky and edgy, feet can't keep still. This is the real deal!
SOMEONE IN THE DARK
- This superb track got omitted from the ET film and I cannot understand why, it would have fit the film perfectly. A perfect bedtime lullaby for a peaceful night. This is my favorite Michael Jackson ballad because it is so heartwarming with a beautiful message. I'm surprised this hasn't been picked up yet for a Disney film, if this would ever happen there is no doubt in my mind that this would become an iconic track for the ages. Michael's delivery is drop dead gorgeous.
SCARED OF THE MOON
- This has the same magical qualities as the song above. Though there is something sinister here in the lyrics, it could have some dark underlying meanings or maybe I'm looking too much into it. The song is completely carried by Michael's voice as the instrumental arrangements are sparse but beautiful. A stripped down Michael album would be magic for my ears.
BE NOT ALWAYS
- Michael's most heartbreaking vocal performance, holding back tears throughout several parts of the song and this time it doesn't feel fabricated but completely real. Another song with sparse arrangements of just violins, acoustic guitar and a harp making it clear we have to focus on the lyrical content and Michael's vocal ability. He pulls it off brilliantly. This song contains some of his best written lyrics imo. Also notable is the odd song structure which starts with the chorus and ends with the chorus. I always like when songs venture out of the box.
CAROUSEL
- This song didn't make the final cut of the thriller album and it would be sacrilege were it not that I don't have a clue what other song would have to be left out for this one. It is a testament to the great thriller album that a track as strong as carousel couldn't make it...
WHO IS IT
- It needed an impromptu a cappella version complete with beatboxing on a tv interview for us all to understand what a brilliantly written track this is. I personally already realized this before the interview aired but I am happy it happened because when something is that good you just want to share it with the world. Lyrics wise it is a mystery. What happened here, what event in his personal life is Michael singing about? There is a lot of pain and anger in the vocals. Musically this is my favorite Michael Jackson beat.
I CAN'T HELP IT
- Through this writing I want to thank Stevie Wonder to gift this song to Michael. It wouldn't feel misplaced on any of Stevie's classic 70s albums, this is a very strong track but he gave it to his friend, a true friend Stevie should be cherished. He never saw Michael so his judgement couldn't be clouded, he felt Michael was a fragile but hopeful soul with tremendous energy and passion for life and people. This might be Michael's most jazzy track and it suited his vocals very well.
WORKING DAY AND NIGHT
- I see this as a companion piece to DSTYGE. It has the same wild and funky percussion ideas, lyrically it is different but sonically it isn't. Michael gives us another classic piece of falsetto vocals, it just always elevates every song when he sings like that.
WHO'S LOVING YOU (LIVE)
- I heard a couple of live versions (one on the J5 live at the Forum album and one on the goin back to Indiana album) both times it beats the studio version by far. There is an energy here together with the crowd's enthusiastic reception that elevates this to stardom. Michael knocks it out of the park and to think he was 11 to 13 year old when he sang this song is just humbling. It is no surprise to me that his version is the most famous version and rightly so.
ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE
- For this song I go back to my own memories I have of it. I remember one early morning when my dad drove me to school he said to me he found a tape in his collection with an MJ song I surely never heard before. During the trip to school I launched dozens of titles at him I shouted excitedly "is it bad, smooth criminal, beat it"? I was sure I knew every Michael song in existence. He said "nope none of those are right". He told me to wait till school ended so I could hear it. I guarantee you I couldn't wait for the bell to ring, it was the only thing I could think about all day long.
Finally home I listened to the tape and the song touched me greatly, I was so happy that all my expectations were met. It was a sound I wasn't familiar but I immediately fell in love with. Thanks dad.
WE'RE ALMOST THERE
- This is apparently Björks favorite Michael Jackson track. I can see why as it sounds different than the songs he did at the time. I love it's uplifting inspirational message, it is a well produced track, It has this dreamy vibe and I love the bass in this that just surges forward pushing you in the back, don't give up, keep going on.
It was only a modest hit back then but it doesn't take anything away from the brilliance of the song.
WILL YOU BE THERE
- I remember when I heard this on the radio for the first time in 1993, I was just a wee little lad but the sensations and emotions I felt that day during this song were so strong I have never forgotten them. This angelic piece of music gave me goosebumps all over my body when I sat awestruck in the sofa listening to this beauty. When eventually the Choir kicks in and Michael duels with it I got really emotional... There I sat on a Saturday afternoon as a ten year old with tears streaming down my face. The power of music, the power of a voice! This is such a strong memory...
LOVE NEVER FELT SO GOOD (piano version)
- When this thing got leaked on the internet I listened to it extensively for weeks. At that point I had not heard Michael yet in an acoustic setting, it was new to me and I felt the energy surging through my body, it was so exciting to hear the joy and passion in the vocals. This was especially strong since it leaked after an era of angry Michael Jackson music. This reminded me he was different and happier during the 80s, it was a breath of fresh air even if it was really a very old song.
MUSIC AND ME
- The opening acoustic guitar intro immediately sends out melancholic vibes, I always react strongly to nostalgia. It is funny that this song is sung by a young Michael, lyrics wise it would have been a fitting final song for his entire career. This same studio magic gets recreated on stage during the mid 70s which is a testament to Michael's strong vocal ability.
GONE TOO SOON
- This song admittedly has only recently grown to be one of my faves. A couple of years ago I discovered the live performance of the track at the Clinton gala. That performance was magical like only Michael could do it, the entire crowd of politicians gave a standing ovation, it was perfect vocal performance. Hillary Clinton had tears in her eyes and so did I. When you finally understand the backstory of this track the message just doubles up on you, devastating stuff.
PUSH ME AWAY
- Another ballad with perfect vocal delivery. A perfect song to end a stressful day. Just close your eyes and feel it. Absolutely love the swelling strings and all the other instruments here, together they create this very special dreamy laid back vibe. Lyrically it is a heartbreaker but aren't these often the best tracks?
BEN
- A track with a personal anecdote. When Michael died I had planned a night of going out and drinking with my friends. I didn't particularly feel sad at the time as I had so much other things going on in my mind, my baddest Michael Jackson craze had been over for many years though everyone still remembered me as the crazy MJ fan. Anyway we went to this club and the DJ played MJ songs for hours, literally. Everybody danced, nobody complained, it was a great night, every danceable track you can think of got played from start to finish. When the club got to closing time, the DJ put on a final ending track, this was Ben, as the place was emptying I sat on a stool and little Michael's angelic voice got to me, I finally realized my boyhood idol had passed away...
CHILDHOOD
- Michael returned here to the same magic when he created scared of the moon or someone in the dark. This time the lyrics are personal, autobiographical. For once he didn't write an angry scathing track to all the false allegations but he dug deep into his soul and produced Childhood. Complete with a Disney like videoclip, swelling strings this is the type of music I think Michael liked the best. Unfortunately due to circumstances we got robbed of an undoubedtly special live performance of this song on the cancelled "one night only" show in 1995.
GIVE IN TO ME
- For once I am not aiming all my praise at Michael but also at Slash. The guy played like a possessed man here, when he starts soloing the song becomes epic. Combine that with Michael's soaring vocals over the solo, pure electricity, as is shown in the videoclip! This one is up there with the other 90s epic rock ballads, sadly snowed under these days but it was quite the big hit back then.
ANOTHER PART OF ME
- Maybe not the most spectacular track but it such a fun tune, elevated by a mesmerizing live performance with Michael Jackson smiling and having fun and it is just Michael, no backup dancers necessary to party.
TO MAKE MY FATHER PROUD
- I don't know why this didn't make one of the studio albums during his Motown career. In hindsight songs like these tell such important stories. Who knew back then Michael would have such a troubled life? But he sings here the words every child wants to sing, that he did his best in life and that his parents are ok with the choices he made. Be proud of yourself Michael like we all are proud of you, you did good for the world...
In my eleventh hour
I'll be a man aware
To face whatever falls my way
Prepared then unashamed
To just be called a part of God
For which I have been named
A man and woman's youngest son
While growing still a child
And that will make my father proud
And make my mother smile
Amen, Rest In Peace my friend
(I LIKE) THE WAY YOU LOVE ME
- A fine rare treat of Michael's last decade with an outro for the ages. The remixed version on "Michael" completely destroys that magical ending by letting the chorus run over it again. It seemed to me Michael again found some happiness and joy in his life judging by some of his later era recordings. This is the finest example of it imo.
BILLIE JEAN (EXTENDED)
- Story goes the full song was too long for the album so it needed some cutting, Michael was very sad about this and I understand why. The complete version has an extended intro and features a lengthier outro with more adlibs. He basically used the long version for the live shows.
THE LADY IN MY LIFE (EXTENDED)
- This extended version has a similar background to Billie Jean, it just needed to be cut because it wouldn't fit the album. There is an extra verse here and an even lengthier outro with more adlibs. Michael apparently got embarrassed while singing these and asked Quincy to dim the lights. The result is a sexy steamy song reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's similar content. Michael at his most soulful.
DON'T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH
- Michael singing the entire song in falsetto voice marks the beginning of a new era. He did it before on the Destiny album but this time the entire world heard it, loved it and danced to it even now in 2022 it is a banger on the dance floor. Absolutely love the percussion work in it and I was so happy to hear it was already part of the song in the home demo.
SHAKE YOUR BODY (DOWN TO THE GROUND)
- Perhaps Michael's first "true" Michael Jackson song featuring many of his trademark vocal tics that he came to be known for in the 80s. Extremely danceable track, the 2 minute instrumental ending is so funky and edgy, feet can't keep still. This is the real deal!
SOMEONE IN THE DARK
- This superb track got omitted from the ET film and I cannot understand why, it would have fit the film perfectly. A perfect bedtime lullaby for a peaceful night. This is my favorite Michael Jackson ballad because it is so heartwarming with a beautiful message. I'm surprised this hasn't been picked up yet for a Disney film, if this would ever happen there is no doubt in my mind that this would become an iconic track for the ages. Michael's delivery is drop dead gorgeous.
SCARED OF THE MOON
- This has the same magical qualities as the song above. Though there is something sinister here in the lyrics, it could have some dark underlying meanings or maybe I'm looking too much into it. The song is completely carried by Michael's voice as the instrumental arrangements are sparse but beautiful. A stripped down Michael album would be magic for my ears.
BE NOT ALWAYS
- Michael's most heartbreaking vocal performance, holding back tears throughout several parts of the song and this time it doesn't feel fabricated but completely real. Another song with sparse arrangements of just violins, acoustic guitar and a harp making it clear we have to focus on the lyrical content and Michael's vocal ability. He pulls it off brilliantly. This song contains some of his best written lyrics imo. Also notable is the odd song structure which starts with the chorus and ends with the chorus. I always like when songs venture out of the box.
CAROUSEL
- This song didn't make the final cut of the thriller album and it would be sacrilege were it not that I don't have a clue what other song would have to be left out for this one. It is a testament to the great thriller album that a track as strong as carousel couldn't make it...
WHO IS IT
- It needed an impromptu a cappella version complete with beatboxing on a tv interview for us all to understand what a brilliantly written track this is. I personally already realized this before the interview aired but I am happy it happened because when something is that good you just want to share it with the world. Lyrics wise it is a mystery. What happened here, what event in his personal life is Michael singing about? There is a lot of pain and anger in the vocals. Musically this is my favorite Michael Jackson beat.
I CAN'T HELP IT
- Through this writing I want to thank Stevie Wonder to gift this song to Michael. It wouldn't feel misplaced on any of Stevie's classic 70s albums, this is a very strong track but he gave it to his friend, a true friend Stevie should be cherished. He never saw Michael so his judgement couldn't be clouded, he felt Michael was a fragile but hopeful soul with tremendous energy and passion for life and people. This might be Michael's most jazzy track and it suited his vocals very well.
WORKING DAY AND NIGHT
- I see this as a companion piece to DSTYGE. It has the same wild and funky percussion ideas, lyrically it is different but sonically it isn't. Michael gives us another classic piece of falsetto vocals, it just always elevates every song when he sings like that.
WHO'S LOVING YOU (LIVE)
- I heard a couple of live versions (one on the J5 live at the Forum album and one on the goin back to Indiana album) both times it beats the studio version by far. There is an energy here together with the crowd's enthusiastic reception that elevates this to stardom. Michael knocks it out of the park and to think he was 11 to 13 year old when he sang this song is just humbling. It is no surprise to me that his version is the most famous version and rightly so.
ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE
- For this song I go back to my own memories I have of it. I remember one early morning when my dad drove me to school he said to me he found a tape in his collection with an MJ song I surely never heard before. During the trip to school I launched dozens of titles at him I shouted excitedly "is it bad, smooth criminal, beat it"? I was sure I knew every Michael song in existence. He said "nope none of those are right". He told me to wait till school ended so I could hear it. I guarantee you I couldn't wait for the bell to ring, it was the only thing I could think about all day long.
Finally home I listened to the tape and the song touched me greatly, I was so happy that all my expectations were met. It was a sound I wasn't familiar but I immediately fell in love with. Thanks dad.
WE'RE ALMOST THERE
- This is apparently Björks favorite Michael Jackson track. I can see why as it sounds different than the songs he did at the time. I love it's uplifting inspirational message, it is a well produced track, It has this dreamy vibe and I love the bass in this that just surges forward pushing you in the back, don't give up, keep going on.
It was only a modest hit back then but it doesn't take anything away from the brilliance of the song.
WILL YOU BE THERE
- I remember when I heard this on the radio for the first time in 1993, I was just a wee little lad but the sensations and emotions I felt that day during this song were so strong I have never forgotten them. This angelic piece of music gave me goosebumps all over my body when I sat awestruck in the sofa listening to this beauty. When eventually the Choir kicks in and Michael duels with it I got really emotional... There I sat on a Saturday afternoon as a ten year old with tears streaming down my face. The power of music, the power of a voice! This is such a strong memory...
LOVE NEVER FELT SO GOOD (piano version)
- When this thing got leaked on the internet I listened to it extensively for weeks. At that point I had not heard Michael yet in an acoustic setting, it was new to me and I felt the energy surging through my body, it was so exciting to hear the joy and passion in the vocals. This was especially strong since it leaked after an era of angry Michael Jackson music. This reminded me he was different and happier during the 80s, it was a breath of fresh air even if it was really a very old song.
MUSIC AND ME
- The opening acoustic guitar intro immediately sends out melancholic vibes, I always react strongly to nostalgia. It is funny that this song is sung by a young Michael, lyrics wise it would have been a fitting final song for his entire career. This same studio magic gets recreated on stage during the mid 70s which is a testament to Michael's strong vocal ability.
GONE TOO SOON
- This song admittedly has only recently grown to be one of my faves. A couple of years ago I discovered the live performance of the track at the Clinton gala. That performance was magical like only Michael could do it, the entire crowd of politicians gave a standing ovation, it was perfect vocal performance. Hillary Clinton had tears in her eyes and so did I. When you finally understand the backstory of this track the message just doubles up on you, devastating stuff.
PUSH ME AWAY
- Another ballad with perfect vocal delivery. A perfect song to end a stressful day. Just close your eyes and feel it. Absolutely love the swelling strings and all the other instruments here, together they create this very special dreamy laid back vibe. Lyrically it is a heartbreaker but aren't these often the best tracks?
BEN
- A track with a personal anecdote. When Michael died I had planned a night of going out and drinking with my friends. I didn't particularly feel sad at the time as I had so much other things going on in my mind, my baddest Michael Jackson craze had been over for many years though everyone still remembered me as the crazy MJ fan. Anyway we went to this club and the DJ played MJ songs for hours, literally. Everybody danced, nobody complained, it was a great night, every danceable track you can think of got played from start to finish. When the club got to closing time, the DJ put on a final ending track, this was Ben, as the place was emptying I sat on a stool and little Michael's angelic voice got to me, I finally realized my boyhood idol had passed away...
CHILDHOOD
- Michael returned here to the same magic when he created scared of the moon or someone in the dark. This time the lyrics are personal, autobiographical. For once he didn't write an angry scathing track to all the false allegations but he dug deep into his soul and produced Childhood. Complete with a Disney like videoclip, swelling strings this is the type of music I think Michael liked the best. Unfortunately due to circumstances we got robbed of an undoubedtly special live performance of this song on the cancelled "one night only" show in 1995.
GIVE IN TO ME
- For once I am not aiming all my praise at Michael but also at Slash. The guy played like a possessed man here, when he starts soloing the song becomes epic. Combine that with Michael's soaring vocals over the solo, pure electricity, as is shown in the videoclip! This one is up there with the other 90s epic rock ballads, sadly snowed under these days but it was quite the big hit back then.
ANOTHER PART OF ME
- Maybe not the most spectacular track but it such a fun tune, elevated by a mesmerizing live performance with Michael Jackson smiling and having fun and it is just Michael, no backup dancers necessary to party.
TO MAKE MY FATHER PROUD
- I don't know why this didn't make one of the studio albums during his Motown career. In hindsight songs like these tell such important stories. Who knew back then Michael would have such a troubled life? But he sings here the words every child wants to sing, that he did his best in life and that his parents are ok with the choices he made. Be proud of yourself Michael like we all are proud of you, you did good for the world...
In my eleventh hour
I'll be a man aware
To face whatever falls my way
Prepared then unashamed
To just be called a part of God
For which I have been named
A man and woman's youngest son
While growing still a child
And that will make my father proud
And make my mother smile
Amen, Rest In Peace my friend
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So I guess these truly are my favorite tracks then!
that was cruel, I'm sorry... I know Marlon is your man!