100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY THE JACKSON FAMILY. 

Now: #20-16. More: next week.

Caffè Lattè presents:

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY THE

JACKSON FAMILY

Michael. Janet. Jermaine. Randy. Tito. Marlon. Jackie. 3T. La Toya. Rebbie.

The family from Gary, Indiana has dominated the music scene for over 5 decades. Here are 100 of the siblings’ most significant songs in terms of sales, influence and impact…

 

J20

LOVE WILL NEVER DO (WITHOUT YOU)

Janet Jackson

When this song was lifted as the seventh single off ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’ in 1990, it became the parent album’s fourth #1 on the American chart. This was also Janet’s overall fifth US chart-topping single. The track was written and produced by her producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Herb Alpert played on this track. Janet had previously performed guest vocals on his hit single “Diamonds” which reached #5 in America three years earlier.

J19

OFF THE WALL

Michael Jackson

Rod Temperton wrote the title track for the significant album that had Michael poised for worldwide record-breaking success. Released as the LP’s third single, the disc made the US Top 10 in 1979.

J18

MISS YOU MUCH

Janet Jackson

As the lead single from ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’, this single’s success augured well for the new project. The disc reached #1 in America, becoming the singer’s second release to do so. At the time, its 4 weeks at the top made this Janet’s longest running #1 song. The song, written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, also topped the US R&B and Dance charts.

J17

WANNA BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’

Michael Jackson

One of the standout tracks on ‘Thriller’, this hit was the album’s fourth single. The coda’s refrain comes directly from Manu Dibango’s 1972 song “Soul Makossa”. Jackson’s transatlantic Top 10 hit was sampled on Rihanna’s 2007 hit “Don’t Stop The Music”.

 

J16

BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE

The Jacksons

The Mick Jackson listed among this song’s co-authors was an English singer/ songwriter. In 1978, the Jackson brothers recorded a remake which was included on the group’s ‘Destiny’ album. Released in late 1978, their cover became a Top 10 hit in the UK, various European countries, Australia and New Zealand.