The Discussion of MJ's Unreleased Tracks

And the fact he kept it for bad shows the song could’ve really been a hit. And notice how bill bottrell thought it was a bad song but John Barnes thought it was amazing race definitely plays apart 🤣
 
There’s no leaks it’s just the title appears on a bulletin board for 1 second in one of the trailers 😭

Whether or not they’ll have unreleased music? I doubt it, even if it does it’ll 10000% be all stuff we’ve already heard and had for many years. But I’m open to being wrong obviously
I don't see why they wouldn't release it. People will see the song title in the film and will look up the track and hear the leak. Wouldn't the estate wanna just release it so they get the money?
 
And the fact he kept it for bad shows the song could’ve really been a hit. And notice how bill bottrell thought it was a bad song but John Barnes thought it was amazing race definitely plays apart 🤣
John Barnes didn't even know the song was further worked on with Bruce and Matt.
 
Also, Buffalo Bill as a video concept (Cowboys more than likely) would’ve been cheesy and lame. Al Capone, Smooth Criminal, gangsters, that imagery was so much more impressive and stylish in the long run.

It could be a great song but its single potential would be dampened by a video that wouldn’t work.

Interestingly enough, he wanted a western video for Whatever Happens but by that point it would’ve gone over way way better.
U are right I feel like that was the route he was gonna take aesthetic wise for whatever his next project would’ve been with that song and those pics he took at that ranch in 84. But yeah the 1940s gangsta route def hit different and fits better
 
I always found it interesting that people are grasping so hard onto “Buffalo Bill” solely because MJ said it was a hit, meanwhile we’re dissecting and criticizing the music he thought was good enough to release. I’m definitely dying to hear it, but I’m trying to temper expectations because that’s how you wind up with “Chicago 1945.”
MJ never said Chicago 1945 was a hit, some fan blog did.

Again, you have fascinating taste haha. We love you tho

Release Buffalo Bill now plz
 
There must be some backstory as to why Buffalo Bill got the axe and Be Not Always made final tracklist.

Not sure how BB gets hyped up in the media, gets his brothers to provide backing vocals, and then fails to make the album. Replaced for a slow, boring song with no hit potential.
Likely wasn't finished in time. During early 1984, Michael was playing the song for people to get the hype going for Victory but probably pulled the song back because he felt it was too good to be on Victory and chose to save it for Bad. Even though the brothers provided background vocals, it was probably to flesh out the chorus but with them already being in the studio, I don't see why it would hurt to have them do it.

He submitted 5 songs, assuming they were Be Not Always, Buffalo Bill, Liberian Girl, State of Shock and probably Dream Away as Toto was scheduled to co-produce the album.
 
I'd take 1 sole MJ composition from the 80's over 10 demos recorded post HIStory. He used to present songs exactly as they sounded in his head (or as best he could) rather than work around someone else's beat and hook.
He went from knowing the beat and then creating the lyrics to creating the lyrics solely, which isn't bad ofc. Teddy Riley presented his instrumental ideas and Michael basically did what he wanted with them
 
The remix is definitely my favorite but I love the demo. I love the original song. Ryuichi Sakamoto was a genius composer imo.
There is apparently a much more completed version from 1982 that was produced by QJ (the one on Thriller 40 is the 1981 demo) and has a different vocal take from Michael iirc. From what I've read, its a completed track and is much more funkier than the demo. It was gonna be on Thriller, but didn't make it due to royalty stuff with Yellow Orchestra and shit. Im guessing the 1982 version couldn't be released on Thriller 40 since it's a QJ track
 
Likely wasn't finished in time. During early 1984, Michael was playing the song for people to get the hype going for Victory but probably pulled the song back because he felt it was too good to be on Victory and chose to save it for Bad. Even though the brothers provided background vocals, it was probably to flesh out the chorus but with them already being in the studio, I don't see why it would hurt to have them do it.

He submitted 5 songs, assuming they were Be Not Always, Buffalo Bill, Liberian Girl, State of Shock and probably Dream Away as Toto was scheduled to co-produce the album.
Dirty Diana as well
 
That's easy to answer. All songs that Michael's crafted out of his own imagination & were released on an album are solid stuff. Whereas tracks presented to him by third parties are on a range from hit to miss.
Not sure I agree with that. “Speechless,” “Be Not Always,” “The Girl is Mine,” “D.S.,” “State of Shock,” “The Lost Children,” and plenty of other solo compositions get some degree of criticism within the fan community.
What’s wrong with Chicago 1945?
One of the best leaks and among the best unreleased songs?
Nothing! But the general response to it when it leaked was, “This is pretty good,” which was incredibly muted given that that track had been hyped for nearly two decades. I feel this will wind up being the same with “Buffalo Bill.”
MJ never said Chicago 1945 was a hit, some fan blog did.

Again, you have fascinating taste haha. We love you tho

Release Buffalo Bill now plz
“Fascinating taste?”

That’s it. On my way to the estate archives to delete every digital copy and burn every physical of “Buffalo Bill.” Everybody say thank you to Mister_Jay_Tee for ruining it.
 
He went from knowing the beat and then creating the lyrics to creating the lyrics solely, which isn't bad ofc. Teddy Riley presented his instrumental ideas and Michael basically did what he wanted with them
Yeah basically like a rapper, just flowing on a groove. Interesting creative process. But still you got songs that are totally his, most of them on HIStory. Tabloid Junkie for sure.
 
There is apparently a much more completed version from 1982 that was produced by QJ (the one on Thriller 40 is the 1981 demo) and has a different vocal take from Michael iirc. From what I've read, it’s a completed track and is much more funkier than the demo. It was gonna be on Thriller, but didn't make it due to royalty stuff with Yellow Orchestra and shit. Im guessing the 1982 version couldn't be released on Thriller 40 since it's a QJ track
That just further proves my point. It’s the lost Thriller smash hit.
 
Nothing! But the general response to it when it leaked was, “This is pretty good,” which was incredibly muted given that that track had been hyped for nearly two decades. I feel this will wind up being the same with “Buffalo Bill.”
But genuinely this is why leaks are bad. With enough hype drummed up, LNFSG became a smash hit for most of us. If Buffalo Bill gets presented in the right way, it can have staying power.
 
The remix is definitely my favorite but I love the demo. I love the original song. Ryuichi Sakamoto was a genius composer imo.
There is apparently a much more completed version from 1982 that was produced by QJ (the one on Thriller 40 is the 1981 demo) and has a different vocal take from Michael iirc. From what I've read, its a completed track and is much more funkier than the demo. It was gonna be on Thriller, but didn't make it due to royalty stuff with Yellow Orchestra and shit. Im guessing the 1982 version couldn't be released on Thriller 40 since it's a QJ track
Might be another version around. Greg said they were listening to it and once they found out Michael wasn't going to use it, he asked Michael if he can have it and he said "sure".
 
Might be another version around. Greg said they were listening to it and once they found out Michael wasn't going to use it, he asked Michael if he can have it and he said "sure".
Michael could have pulled it outta the vault during Victory sessions for whatever reasons. #WeNeedBillsVictoryNotes
 
Michael could have pulled it outta the vault during Victory sessions for whatever reasons. #WeNeedBillsVictoryNotes
I wouldn't doubt it but if he wanted that much of a percentage during Thriller, I imagine he'd want even more in 84
 
I'd take 1 sole MJ composition from the 80's over 10 demos recorded post HIStory. He used to present songs exactly as they sounded in his head (or as best he could) rather than work around someone else's beat and hook.
Plenty of times he didn't have a beat in mind and worked through other people's ideas. Off the Wall and Thriller are filled with it. A lot of grooves for Bad were created by Bill at Hayvenhurst, and you can literally hear MJ directing Bryan to just play chords to make something up for Don't Believe It. He still did the Billie Jean process during those eras yeah, but it's not like he didn't for Invincible. The abomination known as The Lost Children was made that way.
 
There is apparently a much more completed version from 1982 that was produced by QJ (the one on Thriller 40 is the 1981 demo) and has a different vocal take from Michael iirc. From what I've read, its a completed track and is much more funkier than the demo. It was gonna be on Thriller, but didn't make it due to royalty stuff with Yellow Orchestra and shit. Im guessing the 1982 version couldn't be released on Thriller 40 since it's a QJ track
I still question why nobody that worked on the project never talks about a more finished version than that demo. Are we 100% sure it was further worked on with Quincy at Westlake?
 
There is apparently a much more completed version from 1982 that was produced by QJ (the one on Thriller 40 is the 1981 demo) and has a different vocal take from Michael iirc. From what I've read, its a completed track and is much more funkier than the demo. It was gonna be on Thriller, but didn't make it due to royalty stuff with Yellow Orchestra and shit. Im guessing the 1982 version couldn't be released on Thriller 40 since it's a QJ track
Sounds like the 81 demo was started from scratch to the drums are different from the ymo version he could’ve gotten the stems from them as well
 
Are we 100% sure it was further worked on with Quincy at Westlake?
The 2010 remix is sourced from different material, and this ⬇️

111588_l.jpg

A group of Michael Jackson scores for the following songs: "Hot Street" sketch score marked "(Not Used)" and dated "7-20-82"; "Slapstick" sketch score marked "Demo," title is crossed out and "Hot Street" written as the new title, dated "7-12-82"; "She's Trouble" sketch score marked "(Not Used)" and dated "8-3-82"; "Carousel" sketch score marked "(Not Used)" and dated "8-3-82"; "Nightline" sketch score marked "(Not Used)" and dated "8-3-82"; and "Behind the Mask" sketch score marked "(Not Used)."
Largest, 14 by 17 inches
 
I still question why nobody that worked on the project never talks about a more finished version than that demo. Are we 100% sure it was further worked on with Quincy at Westlake?
The demo was recorded at Hayvenhurst but it could've been taken to Westlake for further production but once YMO declined Michael's offer, it was likely discarded.
 
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