The Michael Soundtrack Album - what should the Estate do?

[8701girl]

Taylor Swift is not the same thing. She re-recorded her earlier albums because she didn't own the masters to them and still doesn't. They're not remixed unreleased songs, and not the original recordings either. If people want the versions they originally heard, they'll have to buy Taylor's original albums and not the new versions. The difference is that Taylor gets more money if the re-recorded versions are bought and/or streamed or if companies want to license certain songs. She has no control over the original albums.

Yep snoop dogg said that

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

On that note. I had an idea that may be interesting: They re-release 'Michael' with new mixes of the tracks on there more faithful to MJs original vision (bc tbh i do not like how BTM or HT turned out, and I wish it was someone else other than Akon on HMH but thats just me), with some new unreleased tracks like CGYWOOM, Dreams Away, etc.. Call it like 'Michael: 2024 Edition' or something along those lines. If taylor swift can do it, why cant the MJE? very bad and unrealistic idea ik, just wanted to throw that out there lmao.

I can see them doing this with Xscape this year, since it's 10 years old as a set. But otherwise, it's not necessary. Just decanonize Michael and make something that really resembles a follow-up to Invincible.

That's for another thread though.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

I think the desire to have unreleased songs should not overtake making a product. The film needs to pick songs that fit the narrative and the soundtrack follows suit.

As a product though, if Jaafar sings the songs, that's more unique than more MJ tunes on a CD. And yeah, remixes are still unique.

Anything would be more interesting than just recreating the Essential 3.0 or a better Michael.

 

[SmoothGangsta]

Obviously MJ is well known, but the biopic will be bringing lots of new people in, so all that's needed really is a greatest hits album (soundtrack) or playlist.

I'd like more, of course, it'd be cool if they included some demos of already released tracks like with TII soundtrack. I doubt they'd include any fully unheard songs.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

Obviously MJ is well known, but the biopic will be bringing lots of new people in, so all that's needed really is a greatest hits album (soundtrack) or playlist.

I'd like more, of course, it'd be cool if they included some demos of already released tracks like with TII soundtrack. I doubt they'd include any fully unheard songs.

That's a fair point, actually. Two very good points I was too sleepy to think of yesterday.

 

[Superstition]

Hopefully the knuckleheads who run the estate dont accept any “basement demos” sung by impostors.

Honestly, some original songs by other artists wouldn’t be a bad idea, with a few covers. If they have that version of I’ll Be There from the Pepsi commercial in full, or an MJ re-recording of Never Can Say Goodbye, those would be nice to have on there.

 

[mjfanboy27]

you shouldn't expect anything it will definitely be a best of album from songs from biopic you have everything already several times history greatest hits number ones ultimate collection the essential this is it it's enough for me

 

[Hot_Street]

you shouldn't expect anything it will definitely be a best of album from songs from biopic you have everything already several times history greatest hits number ones ultimate collection the essential this is it it's enough for me

Prince Jackson in the MJ Las Vegas Event, stated that they are looking over unreleased music for the movie. And based on other previous Biopics there is always a soundtrack that is featured including rare or unreleased material. #MJBiopic #MichaelJackson #Biopic

https://twitter.com/x/status/1712502072153624836

 

[mjfanboy27]

Prince Jackson in the MJ Las Vegas Event, stated that they are looking over unreleased music for the movie. And based on other previous Biopics there is always a soundtrack that is featured including rare or unreleased material. #MJBiopic #MichaelJackson #Biopic

https://twitter.com/x/status/1712502072153624836

That would be a surprise

 

[Smooth72]

They can have a soundtrack with the hits and release a new album of unreleased tracks. Who ever said we can’t have both. A few months after the biopic release would be a good strategy for releasing new music. Of course a new single release a few week prior to the movie release. Me personally, I am done buying repackaged songs that I have had for decades.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

I very very strongly suspect and actually hope they'll manufacture a duet between Michael and Jaafar. Just like Love Never Felt So Good in 2014, they can release the Solo version, and the Collaboration version.

Jaafar will be a star, period, the most successful way to get a Number 1 is that way. Hedge their bets.

 

[Inthestudiowithmj]

I hope they include these as the unreleased songs in film:

1. Michael McKeller (J5 era sad scene)
2. Neverland Landing (Neverland scene)
3. Boy No (with Paris Jackson) (getting kicked out of hotels due to missed payments in 2008)
4. Just remember (with Paris Jackson) (pre-credits) (set to unreleased 4k film footage of MJ throughout his life)

 

[Sawyer Grubb]

I very very strongly suspect and actually hope they'll manufacture a duet between Michael and Jaafar. Just like Love Never Felt So Good in 2014, they can release the Solo version, and the Collaboration version.

Jaafar will be a star, period, the most successful way to get a Number 1 is that way. Hedge their bets.

Throwing Your Life Away, Chicago 1945, Buffalo Bill, Get Your Weight Off Of Me, Best Of Joy (original 2008 demo) are just a few songs that could be hits and included in the biopic. The dream would be one solo unreleased song and a duet sourced from a very incomplete unreleased song from MJ’s later years along with the original demo.

 

[Hot_Street]

I'd say that's a safe bet:
Price of Fame feat. The Weeknd produced by Max Martin

 

[R1chard]

Maybe it'll be like TII OST - with an additional bonus disc with few tracks like original versions of HT/Another Day/MTS.

And... Everybody thinks the TII album was garbage, primarily because Sony didn't know what they wanted to do.

Put it another way - when people today look back and pick the best MJ compilation, they never pick TII. Therefore, it's entirely redundant.

I can imagine that Price of Fame feat. The Weeknd could be a number one hit.

I don't understand why people keep saying this. What's his connection? Did he even meet MJ?!

Obviously MJ is well known, but the biopic will be bringing lots of new people in, so all that's needed really is a greatest hits album (soundtrack) or playlist.

That is a good way to do it.

But maybe a better way is not to release anything. Remember how none of the MJ albums did that well when he died? None of them outshone the others. It's because there's so many "best of" compilations that nobody knew which one to get. Can you imagine if everybody in the world went out and bought the same album?

I'd like more, of course, it'd be cool if they included some demos of already released tracks like with TII soundtrack. I doubt they'd include any fully unheard songs.

It's just really frustrating to listen to the TII CD. So nobody does. As a result, those songs are wasted on that album.

you have everything already several times history greatest hits number ones ultimate collection the essential this is it it's enough for me

Exactly.

Me personally, I am done buying repackaged songs that I have had for decades.

Well said.

The dream would be one solo unreleased song and a duet sourced from a very incomplete unreleased song from MJ’s later years along with the original demo.

That would make for a terrible album. Who would be the target audience? And aren't you sick of having to dig out an album and skipping through and only listening to the one new song?

Like, y'all realize this is a BIOPIC, right? It's his biography. It's not a movie called "MJ talks about his unreleased songs".

 

[Sawyer Grubb]

Well the biopic needs a soundtrack, no matter what you think about adding on to the million complications.

Also you may want to include unreleased songs in scenes of songwriting.

The Weekend is a popular artist and a new MJ song with a newer artist will boost popularity and sales. That pretty much answers who the target audience is and I’m not tired of skipping through every song cause I don’t have to. I can just pick that one song to listen to or add it to my own playlist, it’s not that difficult.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

Well the biopic needs a soundtrack, no matter what you think about adding on to the million complications.

Also you may want to include unreleased songs in scenes of songwriting.

The Weekend is a popular artist and a new MJ song with a newer artist will boost popularity and sales. That pretty much answers who the target audience is and I’m not tired of skipping through every song cause I don’t have to. I can just pick that one song to listen to or add it to my own playlist, it’s not that difficult.

You're talking to a defiant stickler of physical media. They're not going to understand the way things are difficult.

But it is true, a lot of this stuff will go by the way side. That's why it would be good to do something different. Immortal is no one's favorite but it is unique and has its own purpose, so it affords to coexist with the greatest hits, ironically more than the Essential MJ dies with Number Ones...

 

[Sawyer Grubb]

You're talking to a defiant stickler of physical media. They're not going to understand the way things are difficult.

But it is true, a lot of this stuff will go by the way side. That's why it would be good to do something different. Immortal is no one's favorite but it is unique and has its own purpose, so it affords to coexist with the greatest hits, ironically more than the Essential MJ dies with Number Ones...

Don’t worry, I am a collector too with a collection worth over $12,000 (though it is not much compared to others), and love physical media. I just don’t mind it when it comes to a soundtrack. Another greatest hits would just be terrible, and I believe that the soundtrack will be more than just a greatest hits and will offer more.

And recently I have been listening to the This Is It soundtrack and the Michael album. It’s nice to have a wide range of really anything when you get tired of listening to the other same albums.

 

[R1chard]

Well the biopic needs a soundtrack, no matter what you think about adding on to the million complications.

MJ's first biopic (Moonwalker) didn't have a soundtrack. It just had a massive picture at the end that said "Go and buy Bad". Imagine if this movie promoted Number Ones or Essential instead. Then maybe one of those albums would have a chance to reach a significant sales milestone.

Also you may want to include unreleased songs in scenes of songwriting.

I see where your going.... And the fact is, nobody gives a shit how he wrote Buffalo Bill, because they simply have no connection to the song.

But people would love to know what was the inspiration for Earth Song. People would love to know how he worked with Steve Stevens on Dirty Diana...

The Weekend is a popular artist

Bingo.

And that's the only reason you name-dropped him. Not because he has any connection with MJ. You're trying to force something that doesn't belong. Just like that nonsense with Will.i.am and Fergie.

and a new MJ song with a newer artist will boost popularity and sales.

Maybe, or maybe not.

But either way, it will not make for a good album.

It simply can't flow if some of it is the required greatest hits, some of it is demos, some of it it remixes and some of it is live. That's just a recipe for a mess.

That pretty much answers who the target audience is

It doesn't. Is it diehard fans who already have these songs on a bootleg? Is it normal MJ fans who have all the albums? Is it the public who likes MJ? Is it people who aren't into MJ?

I’m not tired of skipping through every song cause I don’t have to. I can just pick that one song to listen to or add it to my own playlist

Exactly. You've just explained why it doesn't need to be on the soundtrack album.

Another greatest hits would just be terrible

It would be great for people who like Smooth Criminal but don't own it. Imagine if that song lost its spot to Throwing Your Life Away. Outrage, lol.

But even better would be if Number Ones was the official album of the movie.

And recently I have been listening to the This Is It soundtrack and the Michael album. It’s nice to have a wide range of really anything when you get tired of listening to the other same albums.

Yeah, you want new material. Clearly. Everybody does. I get it.

But that doesn't mean the movie is the best way to release it.

You're just trying to crowbar in some song titles that you heard online into a place they don't belong.

It would be much better to wait a year and have a FULL album of unreleased songs.

Like, we're all glad Xscape didn't have Beat It, aren't we?

 

[welp]

if throwing your life away doesnt get released or isnt in the film i swear dude

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

Just like that nonsense with Will.i.am and Fergie.

Except they actually did have connection with MJ....

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

But even better would be if Number Ones was the official album of the movie.

What difference to a casual does it make? What difference does it make to you? Gonna buy number ones twice?

 

[AmitLal92]

We’re bound to a have a few new tracks and I bet “Hot Fun In The Summertime” will be one of them. Save this comment.

 

[Sawyer Grubb]

MJ's first biopic (Moonwalker) didn't have a soundtrack. It just had a massive picture at the end that said "Go and buy Bad". Imagine if this movie promoted Number Ones or Essential instead. Then maybe one of those albums would have a chance to reach a significant sales milestone.


I see where your going.... And the fact is, nobody gives a shit how he wrote Buffalo Bill, because they simply have no connection to the song.

But people would love to know what was the inspiration for Earth Song. People would love to know how he worked with Steve Stevens on Dirty Diana...


Bingo.

And that's the only reason you name-dropped him. Not because he has any connection with MJ. You're trying to force something that doesn't belong. Just like that nonsense with Will.i.am and Fergie.


Maybe, or maybe not.

But either way, it will not make for a good album.

It simply can't flow if some of it is the required greatest hits, some of it is demos, some of it it remixes and some of it is live. That's just a recipe for a mess.


It doesn't. Is it diehard fans who already have these songs on a bootleg? Is it normal MJ fans who have all the albums? Is it the public who likes MJ? Is it people who aren't into MJ?


Exactly. You've just explained why it doesn't need to be on the soundtrack album.


It would be great for people who like Smooth Criminal but don't own it. Imagine if that song lost its spot to Throwing Your Life Away. Outrage, lol.

But even better would be if Number Ones was the official album of the movie.

Yeah, you want new material. Clearly. Everybody does. I get it.

But that doesn't mean the movie is the best way to release it.

You're just trying to crowbar in some song titles that you heard online into a place they don't belong.

It would be much better to wait a year and have a FULL album of unreleased songs.

Like, we're all glad Xscape didn't have Beat It, aren't we?

It’s really not about what you want though, haven’t you learned that?

I am making assumptions based on what has been said about the soundtrack (that has been confirmed by the way). Prince has already stated that they are looking over unreleased music.

Moonwalker didn’t need a soundtrack because Bad was basically the soundtrack, the difference is that the Michael movie will feature way more songs than what the Essential and Number Ones have.

Also, it Don’t Matter To Me if they don’t have a connection to the artist, as long as they released the original demo with it.

You act like waiting a year will do anything. We have been waiting for 2 years already since we got unreleased material from Thriller 40, and like 10 years since Xscape for a full album worth.

It’s just a soundtrack tho.. why do you care if it includes 1 or 2 unreleased songs? What is the problem? I would love for a mix of live, demos, new mixes, etc. That would not be a mess, that is how soundtracks usually look like. Have you not seen any other biopic?

You are weird for thinking a greatest hits that has been released for years should be a soundtrack for a movie. Plus, I think MJ is for everyone to enjoy no matter who you are, which is what MJ was all about.

I will agree tho… demos of Dirty Diana and Earth Song would be pretty cool to include in the biopic.

P.S. If you don’t own Smooth Criminal, you live under a rock.

 

[ChanceToDance]

We’re bound to a have a few new tracks and I bet “Hot Fun In The Summertime” will be one of them. Save this comment.

It better be the Xscape remix if it does. If that version is as great as some people say it'd be a waste to never release it.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

It better be the Xscape remix if it does. If that version is as great as some people say it'd be a waste to never release it.

Summers not timing any slower.

 

[wonderouzmj]

Maybe no Mary J Blige. She's kinda a weirdo

How?

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

How?

Never mind. I hadn't done my homework.

 

[R1chard]

It’s really not about what you want though, haven’t you learned that?

Huh? I don't want anything. It's not about me. I'm like 99% positive I won't be buying whatever they release. The only thing I'd buy is an album that was all live, or an album that was all demos. Nothing else.

Prince has already stated that they are looking over unreleased music.

And does he have a history of releasing good albums? No, I thought not.

Moonwalker didn’t need a soundtrack because Bad was basically the soundtrack

Exactly.

And of the 18 songs on Number Ones, probably 10 of them are gonna be in the movie. So whether you like it or not, Number Ones is the soundtrack to this movie. If it's not then they did something wrong with the movie.

You act like waiting a year will do anything. We have been waiting for 2 years already since we got unreleased material from Thriller 40, and like 10 years since Xscape for a full album worth.

Yeah, a decade. It's been too long. I'm just saying a biopic isn't how you launch a bunch of new demos. People won't want that.

It’s just a soundtrack tho.. why do you care if it includes 1 or 2 unreleased songs? What is the problem?

I'm not buying, do it doesn't affect me. I'm just saying what would make the best album. It's never a good idea if the album goes
Hit song - Obscure demo - Live track - Hit song - Obscure demo - Hit song - Remix - Hit song - Live track.

I would love for a mix of live, demos, new mixes, etc. That would not be a mess

It's literally the reason people don't care for BOTDF or TUC, and why a dozen great songs have been completely overlooked, and why nobody was asking for a Moonwalker CD.

that is how soundtracks usually look like. Have you not seen any other biopic?

There was a Kurt Cobain one in 2015. I think it's literally the worst CD I own. It's down there with Beatles Anthology, all of which are very unlistenable (ie nobody ever took those albums with them in the car because they just had to listen to them again).

P.S. If you don’t own Smooth Criminal, you live under a rock.

It's like it said about a week ago. Who would be the target audience? A different target audience requires a different album. Go think about who would be the target audience and get back to me.