As the news of Michael Jackson’s forthcoming biopic continues to take over the social media timelines, many people are using it as an excuse to revisit Jackson’s extensive discography.
Suggested Reading
From his early days as part of the Jackson 5 to his decades long solo career, there’s so much good music to stream, so many music videos to watch, and songs to jam to–you could easily get lost. By that same token, because there are so many songs, there’s unfortunately going to be some that fall through the cracks and wind up not getting the proper play or recognition they deserve.
That’s why we thought we’d round up a few of the King of Pop’s most slept on and/or underrated songs that we feel deserve to get a “push play” on. Keep reading to get into it and don’t blame us if you start dancing around your home. Blame it on the boogie!
“We Are Here to Change the World”
Not too many people remember or even talking about “Captain EO,” the 1986 sci-fi short film starring Jackson, but if there’s one thing we need to talk about it’s the song “We Are Here to Change the World.” Not only is it perfect for the storytelling aspect of the movie, but it’s also just a catchy song that could be a standalone bop if he really wanted it to be.
“Ben”
Knowing the backstory of this song (it being about the friendship between a boy and his pet rat), makes this song that much more puzzling yet endearing. Who knew you could so sweetly and tenderly about a rodent? A young Michael Jackson, that’s who knew.
“Say, Say, Say”
OK, so technically, this is Paul McCartney’s song but it’s was too good not to mention. Hearing Jackson’s falsetto voice harmonizing with McCartney’s just proves we needed way more musical collabs from the two of them.
“Baby Be Mine”
We all know that Thriller is just that album, but “Baby Be Mine” doesn’t get nearly enough kudos for being on here as “P.Y.T.” or “Billie Jean.” And that’s such a shame because as far as upbeat 80s love songs go, the lyrical content alone in this song knocks a whole lot of other ones out the water.
“I don’t need no dreams when I’m by your side. Every moment takes me to paradise??” Come on now, that man was too smooth with it.
“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”
A really fun fact about “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” is that both Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand were approached to do this duet. But if we’re completely honest, at this point, we can’t imagine anybody but Siedah Garrett doing this one. They gotta give her a bit more props!
“Heaven Can Wait”
Blame TikTok for the recent resurgence of this song, but “Heaven Can Wait” also needs to applauded more for it’s lyrics and harmonies. Jackson lowkey (read: highkey) did what he needed to do on this song.
“Smile”
Scootch over Charlie Chaplin, “Smile” belongs to Michael Jackson now as far as we’re concerned. The rawness, the emotion, the heart that you can feel behind this song is so palpable–folks really have got to give MJ waaaay more credit for his singing abilities.
“2300 Jackson Street”
“2300 Jackson Street” may always be home to the Jackson family, but it’s a sleeper song that invokes feelings of familial love, nostalgia, and an overall warmth that’s refreshing to see and hear.
“I Can’t Help It”
“Off the Wall” is a stellar album but one of the more lower tempo songes, a.k.a. “I Can’t Help It” doesn’t get talked about enough. And it’s really a shame seeing as how Stevie Wonder was the person behind the pen on this song.
“The Lady in My Life”
While some people may be fans of this 1982, “quiet storm”-esque songs, “The Lady in My Life” didn’t get as much recognition of the rest of the amazing songs off “Thriller.”
“Butterflies”
Yet another amazing song off “Invincible,” “Butterflies” is one of those neo-soul jams that flew by under the radar but those who know, know that MJ gives us some ultra-smooth falsettos on this one. Plus, with those background vocals from Marsha Ambrosius, this song has to get more flowers than it’s been given.
“She’s Out of My Life”
One of Jackson’s most emotionally vulnerable songs, “She’s Out of My Life” came about during one of the pop star’s most difficult periods of his life, according to his autobiography “Moonwalk.” This song was so emotionally taxing for the singer, he ended up crying at the end of nearly every take of this song. Eventually, his producer Quincy Jones just decided to keep the rawness in there.
“Stranger in Moscow”
Jackson’s “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I” album was home to a lot of his previous hits, but “Stranger in Moscow” is one that folks sometimes forget about. Why? We don’t know because it slaps on it’s own, but hey. You can’t force people to have good taste!
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