Michael Jackson's 50 best songs, ranked as his movie hits theaters

There is only one word to describe Michael Jackson’s musical output: staggering.

The bestselling solo artist of all time who also crafted the bestselling album of all time with “Thriller,” is impossible to catalog.

Reports indicate he released nearly 300 songs and recorded more than 1,000, starting with his childhood tenure as the breakout fireball in The Jackson 5.

Although Jackson died almost 17 years ago, he achieved another chart record last fall. According to Billboard, with the ascent of Jackson’s “Thriller”song to No. 10 on the Nov. 15 Hot 100 chart, he became the first artist to rank in the Top 10 in six separate decades, the 1970s through the 2020s.

Expect more chart returns from Jackson classics with the theatrical release of the “Michael” biopicApril 24.

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But we won’t bore you with too many stats because everyone knows that Jackson’s creative output was unparalleled.

What they don’t necessarily know is that “Off the Wall” is a superior album to “Thriller,” a point I will happily argue with anyone.

As challenging as it was to whittle Jackson’s sprawling catalog to 50 of his best songs, we accepted the assignment with gusto. Debate away.

50. 'Ghosts' (1997)

By the late-‘90s, many of Jackson’s songs – list this one – that would have sounded innovative years before were mere retreads of his glory years.

49. 'In the Closet' (1991)

Despite speculation, the title referred to a secret relationship, not sexual orientation. Also despite speculation, the female voice on the song is not Madonna, but Princess Stephanie of Monaco, credited as “Mystery Girl.”

48. 'Unbreakable' (2001)

The defiant song that opens Jackson’s “Invincible” album is really only worth inclusion because of its feature from The Notorious B.I.G.

47. 'Tabloid Junkie' (1995)

Jackson is in full retribution mode as he beatboxes and seethes about media coverage, taking aim at those who "speculate to break the one you hate."

46. 'Jam' (1991)

Mostly remembered for its use in NBA promotional ads in 1992. And also for inviting Heavy D to drop in a rap verse.

45. 'Torture' (1984)

The Jacksons’ song from 1984’s “Victory” album is exactly the cash grab expected to capitalize on Michael’s post-“Thriller” success.

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44. 'This Is It' (2009)

Released posthumously in 2009 and cowritten with Paul Anka decades earlier, the midtempo finger-snapper isn’t Jackson’s most memorable work, but it does justice to his memory.

43. 'Scream' (1995)

Janet Jackson joined her brother for the first time since 1984 as a show of sibling support on the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-produced buzzy-electro-funk-rocker that found Jackson lashing out at his detractors.

42. 'You Rock My World' (2001)

The lead single from Jackson’s final album, 2001’s “Invincible,” sticks to the more generic R&B of the latter part of his career.

41. 'Leave Me Alone' (1989)

Tabloids were exceptionally cruel to Jackson because of his eccentricities (haven’t we all slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at some point?) and by the late-'80s he was mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.

40. 'State of Shock' (1984)

Once you’ve worked with Paul McCartney, where else is there to go except Mick Jagger, even if he was somewhat goofy in his exaggerated delivery?

39. 'Earth Song' (1995)

There is no doubting the genuine intentions of Jackson to save the environment, but this blend of blues, jazz and gospel with a pop overlay would have been more effective had it not carried on for almost seven minutes.

38. 'Dancing Machine' (1973)

Another fun R&B/pop outing from The Jackson 5 hit machine best remembered for popularizing the robot dance, which Michael performed on a 1973 episode of “Soul Train.” 

37. 'Heal the World' (1992)

Michael was on a mission and there is no quibbling with his sincerity to improve a better place for all.

36. 'Stranger in Moscow' (1996)

The Russian imagery was symbolic, as Jackson was really singing about the isolation stemming from the scrutiny he endured during child sexual abuse allegations.

35. 'Got to Be There' (1972)

Basking in the success of The Jackson 5, Michael dropped his solo debut single in 1971, blending soul and soft rock with his honeyed voice.

34. 'You Are Not Alone' (1995)

Well, it was written by R. Kelly. But we’ll allow it because of how Jackson used his own anguished soul to turn the song into an affecting mechanism to pull us out of the quicksand.

33. 'Remember the Time' (1992)

Combining new jack swing with an airy, finger-popping cadence, Jackson floats through this “Dangerous” track.

32. 'She’s Out of My Life' (1980)

The melancholy ballad affected Jackson so deeply that he began to cry while recording the final line. After numerous attempts still yielded tears, producer Quincy Jones let it stay – and introduced us to Jackson’s humanity.

31. 'Dangerous' (1991)

The title track of Jackson’s 1991 album was cowritten by Teddy Riley, prodding Jackson to adopt a new jack swing element in his music.

30. 'Ben' (1972)

So it was about a rat (in the 1972 horror film also titled “Ben”). It’s also about friendship. With a rat. We fail to see a problem with it.

29. 'Smile' (1995)

Jackson often cited Charlie Chaplin as an influence and his cover of the 1936 song from Chaplin’s “Modern Times” film – originally an instrumental but given its sensitive lyrics in 1954 – was a pairing long expected.

28. 'Gone Too Soon' (1991)

The tender ballad from “Dangerous” was dedicated to the memory of Ryan White, an Indiana teenager thrust in the national spotlight and expelled from school for having HIV/AIDS. Jackson memorably befriended the young man, who died in 1990 at age 18.

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27. 'Workin' Day and Night' (1979)

The relentless pulse infuses the “Off the Wall” hit with a breathless intensity akin to a gym visit.

26. 'I Just Can’t Stop Loving You' (1987)

After Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston turned down invites to duet with Jackson on the swoony ballad, he paired with Siedah Garrett (who cowrote “Man in the Mirror”) to sparkling effect.

25. 'We Are the World' (1985)

The definition of a magnum opus. Was it treacly? Yes. Was it overplayed to the point of nausea? No doubt. But this charity anthem written by Jackson and Lionel Richie defied probability (the lineup of all-stars – aka U.S.A. for Africa – who crowded into the studio for a one-night-only recording session is still a head-spinning feat) and achieved its goal of raising tens of millions for humanitarian aid in Africa and the U.S.

24. 'The Love You Save' (1970)

Along with its liftoff of a chorus, this Jackson 5 hit was notable for the spotlighting of Jermaine Jackson’s vocals alongside Michael’s. Fans also noted the interesting references to historical figures, including Benjamin Franklin and Isaac Newton.

23. 'ABC' (1970)

The title track of the second Jackson 5 album continued their endearing formula of a hooky chorus paired with Jackson’s boyishly pure vocals.  

22. 'Human Nature' (1983)

One never knew when Quincy Jones might be listening, as he was when he overhead a demo of the sashaying ballad written by Toto keyboardist Jeff Porcaro (several band members played on “Thriller”).

21. 'I’ll Be There' (1970)

Just look over your shoulder, honey, and revel in Michael’s sweet vocal packed with assurances, even as an 11-year-old in The Jackson 5.

20. 'They Don’t Care About Us' (1996)

Jackson’s protest anthem targeting racism, police brutality and injustice caused an uproar because of an antisemitic lyric Jackson said he used to prove his point. The lyric was changed for future versions of the “HIStory” album that bore it.

19. 'Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)' (1979)

That rolling rhythm will definitely make you dance and shout. Recorded for The Jacksons’ 1978 album, “Destiny,” it’s also noted as the last song the brothers performed live as a group (at the 30^thanniversary concerts Jackson held for himself at Madison Square Garden in September 2001) before Michael’s death in 2009.

18. 'The Girl Is Mine' (1982)

Jackson and Paul McCartney had already established camaraderie, musical and otherwise, with McCartney's “Say Say Say.” The lilting melody is sublime, but it’s amusing to envision either of these mannered gentlemen coming to fisticuffs over a woman.

17. 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)' (1983)

Inspired by the words on lingerie purchased by Quincy Jones’ wife Peggy Lipton the spongy funk-pop track arrived with a chorus built for repetition. Trivia note: Mindy Cohn of “The Facts of Life” fame sings backup with Janet and LaToya Jackson.

16. 'Ease on Down the Road' (1978)

Soul, meet giddy. The sound and feeling collide in Jackson’s duet with Diana Ross, the theme song for the film version of “The Wiz.” It was also one of Jackson’s first collaborations with Quincy Jones.

15. 'Black or White' (1991)

An instant No. 1 hit upon its release, surely having more to do with that slicing guitar riff (no, it is not Slash on record, only video) and theme of racial harmony than the Macaulay Culkin-starring video.

14. 'Blame It on the Boogie' (1978)

Originally meant for Stevie Wonder, this unshakable disco bauble instead found its way to The Jacksons, led by Michael’s animated vocals. And remember, don’t blame it on the sunshine. Or the moonlight. Or the good times.

13. 'Dirty Diana' (1988)

It was a struggle to believe Jackson as a snarler embroiled with a groupie. But much like Eddie Van Halen’s guitar cameo on “Beat It,” “Diana” featured Billy Idol’s longtime axe-wielder Steve Stevens on the solo, which augmented Jackson’s rock bona fides.

12. 'Bad' (1987)

The title track of Jackson’s follow-up to “Thriller” was the first indication he intended to get edgier and become a musical trash talker. And it was also very, very good.

11. 'Off the Wall' (1979)

With a cackling, space-wavy intro that could have been the blueprint for “Thriller” a few years later, the song grabs you with its insinuating groove and then zigzags to a carefree chorus about casting troubles aside.

10. 'The Way You Make Me Feel' (1987)

The playfulness in the “West Side Story”-influenced video is the same sentiment that powers this so-in-love shuffle. Sheryl Crow, who sang backup on the Bad World Tour, assumed the role of female foil to mimic the video during a 1988 Jackson show at Wembley Stadium.

9. 'Rock with You' (1979)

Jackson is in full seduction mode as he glides through the finger snapper. As legend has it, Karen Carpenter turned down the Rod Temperton-penned song, deeming it "too funky."

8. 'Thriller' (1982)

No one can mention the title track of the bestselling album worldwide without referencing its groundbreaking video (recreated to almost eerie perfection in “Michael”). But as a piece of music, touches of mystery, cinematic flair and a creepy spoken coda from horror movie star Vincent Price remain timeless.

7. 'Man in the Mirror' (1988)

Jackson again demonstrated his chameleonic abilities with this gospel-tinged ballad promoting introspection and personal accountability. And when Michael Jackson told you to make a change circa 1988, you listened.

6. 'I Want You Back' (1969)

The debut single from The Jackson 5 in 1969 arrived with not only one of the (still) most glorious introductions – that jangly guitar riff and burrowing bassline are *chef’s kiss – but a signal that these kids were something special.

5. 'Beat It' (1982)

While Eddie Van Halen is rightfully hailed for a guitar solo that solidifies Jackson’s rock cred, it’s also the slashing fretwork from Toto’s Steve Lukather throughout the song that instills the edginess not previously heard in Jackson’s work.  

4. 'Smooth Criminal' (1988)

Another Jackson classic forever tied to its slick video (that anti-gravity lean never gets old). But also another indication of his gradual treading from smooth R&B pop to hissing rock.  

3. 'Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough' (1979)

Who hasn’t wanted to let out that “whoooo” Jackson drops after a murmured intro where he coyly conveys why he’s on fire and melting? The lead song on “Off the Wall” was also Jackson’s first self-penned hit (and earned his inaugural Grammy) and put everyone on notice that he could be … sexy.

2. 'Billie Jean' (1982)

Not since “I Want You Back” had a bassline figured so prominently in a Jackson song. That steady musical heartbeat powered the tenseness, paranoia and defiance Jackson would unspool while also prompting our feet to move.

1. 'Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’' (1982)

The rhythm, the horns, the percussion – they all lure you in under the spell of a shuffling backbeat that is simply kinetic. And even though no one really knew what he was singing at the time (the "mama-say mama-sa mama-coo-sa" refrain, which came from Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango’s 1972 song, “Soul Makossa”), the message didn’t matter on the dance floor.