100 ESSENTIAL MICHAEL JACKSON SONGS: #85-81. Continues tomorrow.

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100

 ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

MICHAEL JACKSON

Audiences around the world were first in awe of Michael Jackson’s talent in 1969 when the wunderkind was still only 11 years of age and singing lead on “I Want You Back”. Soon, his solo career would eclipse the Jackson 5’s success. The brothers would quit the Motown label in 1975 and became The Jacksons. Michael remained a member, but his solo output went into overdrive with the albums ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Bad’ and the record-breaking ‘Thriller’. This period forever cemented his place among pop music’s greatest influences. Here are the 100 most essential recordings- solo and with his siblings- in terms of influence, popularity and quality. The tracks span the years 1969-2014.

85

ALL NIGHT DANCIN'

THE JACKSONS

By the time of the 1978 album 'Destiny', The Jacksons were in control of their musical direction. The brothers wrote 7 of its 8 tracks. For the first time, the group produced an entire album. "All Night Dancin'" was a funky dance track written by the 2 youngest members: Michael and Randy Jackson.

84

BREAK OF DAWN

MICHAEL JACKSON

The slow groove of "Break Of Dawn" is a standout track on 'Invincible', Michael's 2001 album release. The song was written and produced by him and Dr Freeze.

83

PETALS

JACKSON 5

"Petals" is a clone of previous singles from The Jackson 5 on Motown. It was written by the team known by the moniker The Corporation. The track was part of the 1971 album 'Maybe Tomorrow'.

 

82

CRY

MICHAEL JACKSON

"Cry" was the 2nd single lifted off 'Invincible'. R. Kelly penned the ballad and co-produced it with Michael. Along with climbing to #25 in the U.K., the single made the Top 10 in some European countries.

81

I CAN'T QUIT YOUR LOVE

JACKSON 5

Fellow Motown group The Four Tops originally recorded the upbeat "I Can't Quit Your Love" for the 1972 album 'Nature Planned It'. The vocal group would soon join the exodus from the label, followed later by The Jackson 5. The siblings' version of the song is on the 1973 LP 'Skywriter'.