The Essential Michael Jackson

~ Release by Michael Jackson (see all versions of this release, 19 available)

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleRatingLength
1I Want You Back
recording of:
I Want You Back
lyricist and composer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
publisher:
EMI April Music Inc. and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
イーエムアイ音楽出版 フジパシフィック事業部 (EMI Music Publishing Japan, Fujipacific Division) (until 2021-06-30) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
2:58
2ABC
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
drums (drum set):
Gene Pello (in 1970-01)
electric bass guitar:
Wilton Felder (in 1970-01) and Bob West (US session bassist, producer & songwriter) (in 1970-01)
guitar:
Don Peake (in 1970-01), Louis Shelton (in 1970-01) and David T. Walker (in 1970-01)
keyboard:
Freddie Perren (in 1970-01)
background vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Marlon Jackson (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1970-01)
lead vocals:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) (in 1970-01), Jermaine Jackson (soul/pop singer, of Jackson 5) (in 1970-01) and Tito Jackson (in 1970-01)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1970)
recorded at:
Sound Factory (1969–1980) in Los Angeles, California, United States (in 1970-01)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 174)
recording of:
ABC (in 1970-01)
writer:
Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer)
composer:
Erik Huber (audio engineer, producer, composer)
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc.
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング フジパシフィック事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., Fujipacific Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.12:57
3The Love You Save
recording of:
The Love You Save
writer:
Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer)
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc.
part of:
MJ: The Musical
3:05
4Got to Be There
recording of:
Got to Be There
lyricist and composer:
Elliot Willensky
vocals arranger:
Willie Hutch
3:25
5Rockin’ Robin
recording of:
Rockin’ Robin
lyricist and composer:
Jimmie Thomas
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), J. Albert & Son and Recordo Music Pub.
part of:
Baby It’s You! (jukebox musical, book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott)
2:32
6Ben
recording of:
Ben
lyricist:
Don Black (English lyricist)
composer:
Walter Scharf
publisher:
Jobette Music (in 1972)
part of:
The 45th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
2:46
7Blame It on the Boogie
recording of:
Blame It on the Boogie
writer:
Dave Jackson (Motown songwriter, aka Dave Jackson-Rich), Mick Jackson (English singer-songwriter, “Blame It On the Boogie” co-writer) and Elmar Krohn
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP), Carlin Music Ltd. and Peterman & Co. Ltd.
part of:
MJ: The Musical
3:30
8Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
3:45
9Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1979)
edit of:
Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (album version) by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
recording of:
Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (in 2003)
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.253:56
10Off the Wall
recording of:
Off the Wall
lyricist and composer:
Rod Temperton
3:46
11Rock With You
recording of:
Rock With You
lyricist and composer:
Rod Temperton
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP), Rodsongs (publisher) and Rondor Music (London) Ltd.
sub-publisher:
ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division), ヤマハミュージックパブリッシング (Yamaha Music Publishing) (until 2017-03-31) and ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) (from 2017-04-01 to present)
3:23
12She’s Out of My Life
recording of:
She’s Out of My Life
lyricist and composer:
Tom Bahler
publisher:
Careers-BMG Music, Careers–BMG Music Publishing, Inc., Fiddleback Music Publishing Co., Inc., Kidada Music, Inc. (publisher), Sunbury Music Ltd. and Universal Music Careers
part of:
MJ: The Musical
3:37
13Can You Feel It
producer:
The Jacksons (formerly “The Jackson 5”)
bass:
Nathan Watts
drums (drum set):
Ollie E. Brown (US drummer, session musician & record producer)
guitar:
Tito Jackson and David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
keyboard:
Ronnie Foster, Greg Phillinganes and Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
vibraphone [vibes]:
Gary L. Coleman (US percussionist)
choir vocals:
Lita Aubrey, Paulette Brown, Brigette Bush, Soloman Daniels, Rock Deadrick, Carolyn Dennis (American singer), Venetta Fields, Roy Galloway (soul singer), Gerry Garrett, Rhonda Gentry, Jim Gilstrap, Gerry Gruberth, Bunny Hull, Roger Kenerly II, Josie James, Roger Kenerly-Saint, Yolanda Kenerly, Bob Mack, Arnold McCuller, Paulette McWilliams, Louis Price, Lisa Roberts, Stephanie Spruill (American soul/disco singer, songwriter, and percussionist), Phyllis St. James, Brian Stilwell, Audra Tillman, Carmen Twillie, Ronald Vann, Peter Wade and Gregory Wright
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Randy Jackson (brother of Michael and Janet)
strings arranger:
Tom Tom 84
arranger:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1980)
recording of:
Can You Feel It
writer:
Jackie Jackson (member of the Jackson 5) and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–) and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.253:50
14The Girl Is Mine
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Steve Porcaro
producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
Jeff Porcaro (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
electric bass guitar:
Louis Johnson (bass, member of Brothers Johnson) (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
guitar:
Steve Lukather (guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger) (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16) and Dean Parks (American session guitarist) (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
piano:
David Paich (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
Rhodes piano:
Greg Phillinganes (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
synthesizer:
David Foster (Canadian music producer, arranger and composer) (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
violin:
Gerald Vinci (American violinist and strings conductor) (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
guest lead vocals:
Paul McCartney (The Beatles) (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
conductor:
Jerry Hey (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
percussion arranger:
David Paich
strings arranger:
Jerry Hey
synthesizer arranger:
David Foster (Canadian music producer, arranger and composer)
arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Quincy Jones
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Cherokee Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
recording of:
The Girl Is Mine (from 1982-04-14 until 1982-04-16)
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
3.63:41
15Billie Jean
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
bass guitar:
Louis Johnson (bass, member of Brothers Johnson)
drums (drum set):
Leon Ndugu Chancler
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
Rhodes piano and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
synthesizer:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
conductor:
Jeremy Lubbock
percussion and synthesizer arranger and synthesizer arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
strings arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
edit of:
Billie Jean (long version) by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
music videos:
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 4), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 7), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-23 (number: 15), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-16 (number: 17), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-20 (number: 18), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-06 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-13 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-30 (number: 32), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-09 (number: 38), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 44), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 58) and Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 95)
recording of:
Billie Jean
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music, Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09)
sub-publisher:
Neue Welt Musikverlag GmbH & Co. KG (– 2017) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.14:53
16Beat It
recording engineer:
Donn Landee and Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Steve Porcaro
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set):
Jeff Porcaro
electric bass guitar and electric guitar:
Steve Lukather (guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger)
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
keyboard:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
percussion [drum case beater], background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
Rhodes piano and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
solo electric guitar:
Edward Van Halen
synclavier:
Tom Bahler
synthesizer:
Steve Porcaro
synthesizer [Synergy synthesizer]:
Greg Smith (Producer/Keyboards)
vibraslap:
Chris Shepard
percussion arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Quincy Jones
arranger:
Rod Temperton
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
samples:
Untitled (side A) by Denny Jaeger
music videos:
Beat It by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time (2026-05-04) (number: 12), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, NME: 50 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time (2012-10-25) (number: 18), VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 21), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-23 (number: 29), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-16 (number: 32), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-30 (number: 47), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 185), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 209) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 337)
recording of:
Beat It
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.354:18
17Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
edit of:
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
recording of:
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Byefall Productions, Inc. and Sony/ATV Harmony
quotes lyrics from:
Soul Makossa
part of:
MJ: The Musical
part of:
MJ: The Musical
54:17
18Human Nature
recording of:
Human Nature
lyricist:
John Bettis
composer:
Steve Porcaro
publisher:
John Bettis Music and Mystical Light Music
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing France, Warner Chappell Music France, ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) (, from 2017-04-01 to present), ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division) and ヤマハミュージックパブリッシング (Yamaha Music Publishing) (until 2017-03-31)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
3:46
19P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Greg Phillinganes
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
Leon Ndugu Chancler
electric bass guitar:
Louis Johnson (bass, member of Brothers Johnson)
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
handclaps:
James Ingram (R&B singer), Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), Greg Phillinganes and Steven Ray (80s US R&B producer/performer)
handclaps and keyboard and keyboard:
James Ingram (R&B singer)
handclaps and synthesizer and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
vocoder:
Michael Boddicker
additional background vocals:
Howard Hewett and James Ingram (R&B singer)
background vocals [P.Y.T.'s]:
Bunny Hull, Janet Jackson, La Toya Jackson and Becky Lopez
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
arranger:
James Ingram (R&B singer) and Quincy Jones
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
recording of:
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
writer:
James Ingram (R&B singer) and Quincy Jones
publisher:
Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Yellowbrick Road Music, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division), フジパシフィック音楽出版 BMG事業部 (until 2014-12-31) and フジパシフィックミュージック BMG事業部 (Fujipacific Music Inc., BMG Division) (from 2015-01-01 to present)
3.93:58
20I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
recording of:
I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
4:11
21Thriller
recording of:
Thriller
lyricist and composer:
Rod Temperton
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP), Chrysalis Music Ltd. (music publisher, affiliated with PRS), Rodsongs (publisher), Rondor Music (London) Ltd., Universal Music Publishing France (not for release label use!) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
is based on:
Starlight
part of:
MJ: The Musical
5:14
2▶CD