It’s no small task narrowing down the greatest songs from an artist whose career reshaped the entire landscape of pop. Michael Jackson defined eras, broke records, and rewrote the rules of what a pop star could be. From soul and disco to rock and cinematic spectacle, his best tracks weren’t just catchy – each of them marked cultural shifts.
In 2024, Smooth Radio published their definitive list of Jackson’s top 30 songs, admitting: “It was really difficult just picking 30 songs, let alone ranking them!”
Here are the top five tracks that stood above the rest, or the essential Michael Jackson playlist:
5. The Way You Make Me Feel (1987)
Released as the third single from Bad, this track showed a new side of Jackson’s evolving image – confident, flirtatious, and cinematic. Built around a slick, shuffling rhythm and sharp horn stabs, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ became a dancefloor staple and a fan favourite thanks to its mix of old-school R&B charm and modern production polish.
The music video marked a turning point. Featuring dancer Tatiana Thumbtzen as Jackson’s love interest, it was the first time a romantic storyline played out across a Jackson short film.
The live performance at the 1988 Grammys, featuring a stripped-back intro and explosive choreography, earned a spot as one of his standout stage moments.
4. Thriller (1982)
A true staple of its time, and arguably the most famous music video of all time. Written by English disco pioneer Rod Temperton, ‘Thriller’ started life as a track called ‘Starlight’, but it evolved into a pop-horror juggernaut.
The song’s blend of funk, disco, and spooky theatrics was already something special. But when paired with the now-legendary 14-minute John Landis-directed video – complete with werewolves, zombies, and the undead dance routine that every kid in the ’80s tried to imitate – it became a global phenomenon.
Vincent Price’s creepy mid-song monologue added even more edge. Remarkably,
Even now, over 40 years later, the video is still studied, parodied, and celebrated – not just for its innovation but for how it redefined what a music video could be.
3. Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (1979)
The track that announced the arrival of Michael Jackson the solo artist, separate from the Jackson 5 and determined to take creative control of his own sound. It was the lead single from Off the Wall and the first song Jackson had full say over.
Then, came the birth of his iconic falsetto, the hiccups, and more mannerisms that would define his style going forward. The groove, carved out by Quincy Jones’ production and a tightly wound rhythm section, was pure post-disco euphoria.
2. Beat It (1983)
A bold fusion of rock and pop at a time when such a crossover was far from guaranteed. ‘Beat It’ was Jackson’s answer to a challenge from Quincy Jones, who wanted a rock track to balance ‘Thriller’’s pop and funk. Jackson, who wasn’t a rock fan at the time, delivered a genre-defying anthem – and got a little help from Eddie Van Halen along the way.
Van Halen’s guitar solo, offered as a favour and famously compensated only with two six-packs of beer, became one of the most iconic in pop history. And the video – featuring rival gangs dancing instead of brawling – became a staple of early MTV.
Lyrically, the song addressed street violence and peer pressure, topics Jackson hadn’t tackled before.
1. Billie Jean (1983)
At number one is the landmark ‘Billie Jean’. From the hypnotic bassline to the instantly recognisable vocal phrasing, it’s a song that feels effortlessly cool, musically sophisticated, and laced with mystery.
The lyrics sparked endless speculation, supposedly based on a woman who claimed one of the Jackson brothers had fathered her twins. Michael later said the story was inspired by groupies he had encountered, though the ambiguity only added to its legend.
The track shattered both musical and cultural barriers. The Motown 25 performance where Jackson debuted the moonwalk in loafers and a sequined jacket also marked th era.