The Discussion of MJ's Unreleased Tracks

[SeriousFX]

So I did a quick count out of curiosity. MJ worked on between 60 and 65 songs during the Bad sessions according to John Barnes. Rolling Stone pegged it at exactly 62, so let’s use that figure for the sake of argument. Of those songs:

• 11 were released on Bad;
• 2 were released on the 2001 reissue;
• 3 were released on The Ultimate Collection (4 if you count the “We Are the World” demo, which is debatable)
• 7 were released posthumously (6 on Bad 25 and 1 on XSCAPE); and
• 3 have leaked online in full or in part (5 if you count “Groove of Midnight” and “Bumper Snippet,” which are also debatable).

We’ve only heard 26-29 of the songs from this era, meaning there are 33-36 more to hear. And we haven’t even discovered all of the titles yet.

Of course, not to pressure you! Who knows when more from that era will surface? But if you’re worried about spoiling the vault, there’s plenty more to hear from that era

Specifically (assuming "We Are Here To Change The World" was also considered for BAD), we know the titles of 47 songs, are aware of the existence of 13 more thanks to Brian Malouf, and there's three more titles we still don't know of.

And we've essentialy heard 30 of those. 11 from the album, and 19 that were released or leaked after the fact.

(which means we can remake the now-debunked 3-disc concept that was being bounced around years ago)

 

[Saka21]

I wonder what people would think if Black or White or Heal The World were shelved and released now.

In an alternate universe, after collectors leaked stuff like Garbage, Time Marches On, and Homeless Bound, another track pops up with a title no one's ever heard before… "Black Or White", and this is the version people hear.

How do you think people would've reacted to it?

 

[Victorious]

An apology from who, though? The majority of the songs he worked on aren't great (IMO), and I'm glad Dangerous sounds nothing like any of those songs. He has no reason to be bitter. MJ went with another producer and the album did very well. He needs to make peace with that. "She's Got It" and "Superfly Sister" are the only songs that would be in my rotation.

I'm not a fan of the MJCast, but he came across poorly all on his own. Also, looking for money from MJ fans for songs that leaked that he worked on was bonkers.

Like I said, 'Do The Bartman' was a great song for it's purpose and I was very Michael. I believe I even hear and see stuff in DTB that MJ later used (Homer yelling to turn it down, the harmonies, the street scene of BoW, the guitar of TDCAU..?)

The rest are all demo's, a lot we haven't heard yet. From '7 Digits' we can hear parts that seem to have inspired 'D.S'. and 'History'..

I agree Teddy was the right man for the job, and 'In The Closet' and 'Remember the Time' (although inspired by 'Rock With You') were amazing, but his sound was also getting outdated at the time (yes I'm old) and a lot of stuff he did for MJ turned out to be filler material IMHO...

 

[Victorious]

I'm in the minority that thinks GYWOOM is better than most of the songs on Invincible, yeah? I keep forgetting about that song.

Did a better quality version leak recently enough?

I agree, I think it's because the vocals of GYWOOM actually sound like the soulful MJ we knew from before

 

[ChanceToDance]

This recreation sounds pretty good, are the vocals here real? If not, is the melody accurate at least? @GYWOOM

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

In an alternate universe, after collectors leaked stuff like Garbage, Time Marches On, and Homeless Bound, another track pops up with a title no one's ever heard before… "Black Or White", and this is the version people hear.

How do you think people would've reacted to it?

“Y’all still listen to Michael Jackson? He fell off after he released Turning Me Off as the follow up to Starlight.

No but the song came out the womb ready to dominate the charts.

 

[Victorious]

Yes the TMO demo is still way too repetitive, but you gotta admit the chorus is an absolute earworm.. The bridge is nice too and the synth experimentation is fresh: it has hit potential IMHO. Such a pity they never finished this

 

[SmoothMel7]

regarding Paradise, Midas, Obsession and Out of the Dark:

Matt Forger: „This is a movie and there may have been some liberties taken and I can not tell you where these titles came from. Those were not titles or songs that were in fact considered for the Thriller album.“

I'm revisiting this post. Have there been any mentions of other unreleased tracks featuring Matt Forger and Brian Vibberts?

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

2025 - what a great year!
Turnin' Me Off, Man in Black, Throwin' Your Life Away

And I Was The Loser.

 

[smoothcriminal09]

And I Was The Loser.

and 70 5-sec snippets

 

[Korgnex]

I found this on another forum a while back, I think Korgnex posted it?

Originally intended for a children charity project, but due to the late 2003 child molestation accusations and the resulting arrest on the 18th November of that year, the track has been dropped. Michael Jackson has been working throughout 2003 on a brand-new studio album (initially intended for release sometime in 2004). At that time (2003), Dieter Wiesner was Michael Jackson's manager and he introduced young music artist Nisha Kataria, his newest protégé, to Michael. Michael Jackson invited Nisha on to his Neverland Valley Ranch to record with her some tracks in his private recording studio (contrary to claims by some individuals, Michael Jackson had such a place at his home). She stayed there for about six weeks and Michael wrote this song and they both recorded it as a duet. After Michael's dramatic moral conduct in November 2003, all plans have been put on hiatus since. At the present moment (June 2009) it is still unknown if and when the track will be used. It could possibly be included on Nisha Kataria's forthcoming debut album, set for release THIS YEAR (2009). Source: Dieter Wiesner (manager of Michael Jackson, 1996-2003)

The last part is interesting to me though, didn't Nisha say she tried to release "World Of Candy" but she got denied by the Estate?

That is all correct. Same like MJ having had a role in a certain movie that was released in 2004 named "Miss Castaway and the Island Girls (2004)". And MJ did also seek to play the lead role Willy Wonka in Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005), that's also true.

 

[mjfp]

I'm revisiting this post. Have there been any mentions of other unreleased tracks featuring Matt Forger and Brian Vibberts?

No

 

[Saka21]

That is all correct. Same like MJ having had a role in a certain movie that was released in 2004 named "Miss Castaway and the Island Girls (2004)". And MJ did also seek to play the lead role Willy Wonka in Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005), that's also true.

I sometimes check out those old forums, like JacksonVillage, just out of curiosity to see what people were talking about back then. It's fascinating how some early 00s forums still have threads from those days.

Sometimes, while reading through those old posts, I keep running into your messages from 2007-09, especially in the unreleased tracks threads. It was one of the first real attempts to gather all the titles into a proper list, and every time I see those posts I can't help but wonder: did you already had some of the tracks that only started leaking in recent years (WoC, GYWOOM, etc.)?
Just curious!

 

[mjfp]

which means we can remake the now-debunked 3-disc concept that was being bounced around years ago

that was just a thought but immediately cancelled by Quincy, never had any type of concept iirc

 

[OnirMJ]

Specifically (assuming "We Are Here To Change The World" was also considered for BAD), we know the titles of 47 songs, are aware of the existence of 13 more thanks to Brian Malouf, and there's three more titles we still don't know of.

And we've essentialy heard 30 of those. 11 from the album, and 19 that were released or leaked after the fact.

(which means we can remake the now-debunked 3-disc concept that was being bounced around years ago)

What are the 13 titles Brain Malouf mentioned? And where did he mentioned them? Thanks.

 

[Fuzball]

that was just a thought but immediately cancelled by Quincy, never had any type of concept iirc

What we know, as of now, apart of the 11 songs that made it onto the album, only two more songs, Streetwalker and Price of Fame, were seriously considered by the A team.

 

[Fuzball]

What are the 13 titles Brain Malouf mentioned? And where did he mentioned them? Thanks.

He's mentioned in an interview he's created 14 full masters with Michael during 1983/84 - some of them made it onto Bad. That's it.

Out of the songs that didn't make the album, we only have confirmation for Abortion Papers being from those sessions.

 

[Korgnex]

I sometimes check out those old forums, like JacksonVillage, just out of curiosity to see what people were talking about back then. It's fascinating how some early 00s forums still have threads from those days.

Sometimes, while reading through those old posts, I keep running into your messages from 2007-09, especially in the unreleased tracks threads. It was one of the first real attempts to gather all the titles into a proper list, and every time I see those posts I can't help but wonder: did you already had some of the tracks that only started leaking in recent years (WoC, GYWOOM, etc.)?
Just curious!

That would differ from track to track, item to item or quality to quality. Also of note is the info that was in the public space and the info that was private between individuals. I gave up updating the info because of that.

 

[mjfp]

Released songs: Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Speed Demon, Liberian Girl, Just Good Friends, Another Part Of Me, Man In The Mirror, I Just Can‘t Stop Loving You, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone, Streetwalker (88), Fly Away, Scared Of The Moon, We Are Here To Change The World, Cheater, Don‘t Be Messin‘ Round (2012 Mix), I‘m So Blue, Abortion Papers, Free, Price Of Fame, Al Capone, Loving You, Do You Know Where Your Children Are

Alternate released recordings: Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu, Je Ne Veux Pas La Fin De Nous

Complete leaked songs: Streetwalker (Hayvenhurst), Streetwalker (Westlake), Throwin‘ Your Life Away, Turnin‘ Me Off, Chicago 1945, Someone Put Your Hand Out

Demos of released songs: Speed Demon, Smooth Criminal (incomplete), We Are The World

Recordings shortly before (83) and after Bad sessions (88): Dream Away (2010s Remix), There Must Be More To Life Than This, State of Shock, Earth Song (Demo - incomplete), The Way You Make Me Feel (Intro)

Unreleased and unleaked: Apocalypse Now, Bad Girl, What You Do To Me Crack Kills, Eaten Alive, Changes, Groove Of Midnight, Make Or Break (Alright Now), African Groove, Tomboy, You‘re The One, A Way With Worlds — Pre Bad-Sessions: Buffalo Bill, Make A Wish, I‘m Peter Pan, Neverland Landing, Victory, Take My Time

updated this a bit

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I guess nothing more interesting was discussed during the recent live stream?

 

[LucianoWalker]

That is all correct

Wait… MJ working in a album in 2003 is also true ?

 

[JamesCMJJ]

Wait… MJ working in a album in 2003 is also true ?

I thought this was common knowledge. It would've been out in 2004-2005. After the trial, he started rough ideas of Number 11. Unfortunately we can't see where he would've gone with those tracks

 

[NetflexKing]

I thought this was common knowledge. It would've been out in 2004-2005. After the trial, he started rough ideas of Number 11. Unfortunately we can't see where he would've gone with those tracks

Since we're talking about it, there was a rumour about a song/Album Title years ago going by the name "The World is No Church". The album title seems like fan fiction, but as a track title , I see it being real. Any info on that?

 

[SmoothGangsta]

MJ only planned to focus on film in 03. He had no plans for a new album.

Unless there's more info came out that I'm unaware of?

After the trial is a different conversation, really.

 

[JamesCMJJ]

Since we're talking about it, there was a rumour about a song/Album Title years ago going by the name "The World is No Church". The album title seems like fan fiction, but as a track title , I see it being real. Any info on that?

it was done in 1999. That's all I know

 

[Fuzball]

Wait… MJ working in a album in 2003 is also true ?

Actually, 2002. After breaking ties with Sony, Michael begun revisiting "old friends" - e.g. Escape/Xscape, which has leaked from those sessions.

 

[Korgnex]

Since we're talking about it, there was a rumour about a song/Album Title years ago going by the name "The World is No Church". The album title seems like fan fiction, but as a track title , I see it being real. Any info on that?

It's a finished recording, never an album title.

 

[JamesCMJJ]

It's a finished recording, never an album title.

finished you say? interesting

 

[NetflexKing]

It's a finished recording, never an album title.

Is it a writer's demo or a full Mike's recording?

 

[JamesCMJJ]

Is it a writer's demo or a full Mike's recording?

the implication is that it's a Mike recording.