Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, and became one of the most influential entertainers in music history. An American singer, songwriter, dancer and performer, he began his professional career as a child with the Jackson 5 before launching his solo career in 1971. His music blended pop, R&B, funk, soul, disco and rock, while his innovative production, choreography and visual style helped reshape popular music. Albums such as Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory established him as a global superstar and earned him the title “King of Pop.” Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50; as of August 2026, he would have been 67. His official catalog continues to expand through archival releases, posthumous projects and soundtrack appearances.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Michael Joseph Jackson
Date of Birth: August 29, 1958
Age: 50 at the time of his death
Birthplace: Gary, Indiana, USA
Nationality: American
Profession: Singer, songwriter, dancer, performer
Genres: Pop, R&B, soul, funk, disco, rock
Active Since: 1964
Michael Jackson Songs
Michael Jackson’s catalog stretches across more than four decades, from his early Motown solo recordings to the groundbreaking albums that defined modern pop. His solo discography includes 10 studio albums released during his lifetime, followed by the posthumous albums Michael and Xscape, as well as archival collections, soundtrack releases and officially released demos and previously unreleased recordings. His most important songs include “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Black or White,” “Earth Song,” “They Don’t Care About Us” and “You Are Not Alone.”
Complete Unique Michael Jackson Song List
The list below contains distinct officially released Michael Jackson recordings and songs on which he is an official lead or featured performer. A song is listed only once here even when it later appeared on a compilation, anniversary edition, remix project, soundtrack or live release.
- Got to Be There
- Ain’t No Sunshine
- I Wanna Be Where You Are
- Girl Don’t Take Your Love from Me
- In Our Small Way
- Rockin’ Robin
- Wings of My Love
- Maria
- Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone
- You’ve Got a Friend
- Ben
- Greatest Show on Earth
- People Make the World Go Round
- We’ve Got a Good Thing Going
- Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool
- My Girl
- What Goes Around Comes Around
- Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
- You Can Cry on My Shoulder
- With a Child’s Heart
- Up Again
- All the Things You Are
- Happy
- Too Young
- Doggin’ Around
- Johnny Raven
- Euphoria
- Morning Glow
- Music and Me
- We’re Almost There
- Take Me Back
- One Day in Your Life
- Cinderella Stay Awhile
- We’ve Got Forever
- Just a Little Bit of You
- You Are There
- Dapper-Dan
- Dear Michael
- I’ll Come Home to You
- Don’t Let It Get You Down
- You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
- Melodie
- Touch the One You Love
- Girl You’re So Together
- Farewell My Summer Love
- Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
- To Make My Father Proud
- Call on Me
- When I Come of Age
- Teenage Symphony
- Love’s Gone Bad
- Lonely Teardrops
- That’s What Love Is Made Of
- I Like You the Way You Are
- Who’s Looking for a Lover
- If ‘N’ I Was God
- We’re Almost There
- Off the Wall
- Get on the Floor
- Workin’ Day and Night
- Girlfriend
- I Can’t Help It
- It’s the Falling in Love
- Burn This Disco Out
- Rock with You
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- She’s Out of My Life
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Baby Be Mine
- The Girl Is Mine
- Thriller
- Beat It
- Billie Jean
- Human Nature
- P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
- The Lady in My Life
- Someone in the Dark
- Carousel
- Can’t Get Outta the Rain
- Starlight
- Got the Hots
- Who Do You Know
- Behind the Mask
- The Toy
- Sunset Driver
- What a Lovely Way to Go
- She’s Trouble
- Bad
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Speed Demon
- Liberian Girl
- Just Good Friends
- Another Part of Me
- Man in the Mirror
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Dirty Diana
- Smooth Criminal
- Leave Me Alone
- Don’t Be Messin’ Around
- I’m So Blue
- Song Groove (A/K/A Abortion Papers)
- Free
- Price of Fame
- Al Capone
- Streetwalker
- Fly Away
- Jam
- Why You Wanna Trip on Me
- In the Closet
- She Drives Me Wild
- Remember the Time
- Can’t Let Her Get Away
- Heal the World
- Black or White
- Who Is It
- Give In to Me
- Will You Be There
- Keep the Faith
- Gone Too Soon
- Dangerous
- Scream
- They Don’t Care About Us
- Stranger in Moscow
- This Time Around
- Earth Song
- D.S.
- Money
- Come Together
- You Are Not Alone
- Childhood
- Tabloid Junkie
- 2 Bad
- HIStory
- Little Susie
- Smile
- Blood on the Dance Floor
- Morphine
- Superfly Sister
- Ghosts
- Is It Scary
- Unbreakable
- Invincible
- Heartbreaker
- Heaven Can Wait
- You Rock My World
- Butterflies
- Speechless
- 2000 Watts
- You Are My Life
- Privacy
- Don’t Walk Away
- Cry
- The Lost Children
- Whatever Happens
- Threatened
- One More Chance
- The Way You Love Me
- Hold My Hand
- Hollywood Tonight
- Best of Joy
- (I Can’t Make It) Another Day
- Much Too Soon
- Behind the Mask
- Breaking News
- Monster
- Keep Your Head Up
- I Like the Way You Love Me
- Love Never Felt So Good
- Chicago
- Loving You
- A Place with No Name
- Slave to the Rhythm
- Do You Know Where Your Children Are
- Blue Gangsta
- Xscape
- Love Never Felt So Good with Justin Timberlake
- This Is It
- Another Day
- State of Shock
- There Must Be More to Life Than This
- We Are the World
- Just Can’t Stop Loving You (Spanish Version)
- Je Ne Veux Pas La Fin de Nous
- Todo Mi Amor Eres Tú
The early Motown albums established Jackson’s solo identity, while Off the Wall and Thriller transformed him into a global superstar. The later albums broadened his songwriting into social commentary, personal themes and increasingly experimental production. The official Michael Jackson site confirms the core album tracklists for Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory, Blood on the Dance Floor and Invincible.
Michael Jackson Albums and Songs
Got to Be There
Released in 1972, Got to Be There was Michael Jackson’s debut solo studio album and arrived while he was still performing with the Jackson 5. The album introduced his individual voice to audiences beyond the group and included his early solo hit “Got to Be There.”
Complete official tracklist:
- Ain’t No Sunshine
- I Wanna Be Where You Are
- Girl Don’t Take Your Love from Me
- In Our Small Way
- Got to Be There
- Rockin’ Robin
- Wings of My Love
- Maria
- Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone
- You’ve Got a Friend
Ben
Released in 1972, Ben was Jackson’s second solo studio album and continued his work with Motown. Its title song became his first solo number-one hit in the United States and remains one of the defining songs from his childhood career.
Complete official tracklist:
- Ben
- Greatest Show on Earth
- People Make the World Go Round
- We’ve Got a Good Thing Going
- Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool
- My Girl
- What Goes Around Comes Around
- In Our Small Way
- Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
- You Can Cry on My Shoulder
Music & Me
Released in 1973, Music & Me was Jackson’s third solo studio album for Motown. The record captures his transition from child performer toward a more mature vocalist and features a mixture of pop, soul and ballad material.
Complete official tracklist:
- With a Child’s Heart
- Up Again
- All the Things You Are
- Happy
- Too Young
- Doggin’ Around
- Johnny Raven
- Euphoria
- Morning Glow
- Music and Me
Forever, Michael
Released in 1975, Forever, Michael was Jackson’s fourth Motown solo studio album and his final studio album for the label. Songs such as “We’re Almost There” and “One Day in Your Life” showed his increasingly mature vocal style shortly before his move to Epic Records.
Complete official tracklist:
- We’re Almost There
- Take Me Back
- One Day in Your Life
- Cinderella Stay Awhile
- We’ve Got Forever
- Just a Little Bit of You
- You Are There
- Dapper-Dan
- Dear Michael
- I’ll Come Home to You
Farewell My Summer Love
Released in 1984, Farewell My Summer Love is a Motown compilation built from previously recorded material from Jackson’s teenage years, with updated production for the 1980s market. It is not a new studio album recorded after Thriller, but it is an official Michael Jackson release containing archival solo recordings.
Complete official tracklist:
- Don’t Let It Get You Down
- You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
- Melodie
- Touch the One You Love
- Girl You’re So Together
- Farewell My Summer Love
- Call on Me
- Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
- To Make My Father Proud
Looking Back to Yesterday
Released in 1986, Looking Back to Yesterday collected previously unreleased Motown-era recordings from Jackson’s youth. The compilation is especially valuable for documenting material that had remained outside his main album catalog, including “When I Come of Age” and “I Like You the Way You Are.”
Complete official tracklist:
- When I Come of Age
- Teenage Symphony
- I Hear a Symphony
- Give Me Half a Chance
- Love’s Gone Bad
- Lonely Teardrops
- You’re Good for Me
- That’s What Love Is Made Of
- I Like You the Way You Are
- Who’s Looking for a Lover
- I Was Made to Love Her
- If ‘N’ I Was God
Note: The compilation includes several recordings credited to The Jackson 5 as well as Michael Jackson solo recordings. Only the Michael Jackson solo recordings are counted in the main unique Michael Jackson song list.
Off the Wall
Released in 1979, Off the Wall was Michael Jackson’s fifth solo studio album and the project that established him as a major adult solo star. Produced primarily by Quincy Jones, the album fused disco, funk, R&B and pop and produced classics including “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You.”
Complete standard tracklist:
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- Rock with You
- Workin’ Day and Night
- Get on the Floor
- Off the Wall
- Girlfriend
- She’s Out of My Life
- I Can’t Help It
- It’s the Falling in Love
- Burn This Disco Out
Thriller
Released in 1982, Thriller became the defining album of Jackson’s career and one of the most influential albums in popular music. Its nine-song original album includes “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Human Nature” and “Thriller,” while its success helped Jackson become a global cultural phenomenon.
Complete standard tracklist:
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Baby Be Mine
- The Girl Is Mine
- Thriller
- Beat It
- Billie Jean
- Human Nature
- P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
- The Lady in My Life
Thriller 40
Released in 2022 to mark the 40th anniversary of Thriller, Thriller 40 combined the original album with a second disc of officially released demos and rarities from the recording sessions. These archival recordings are important because several previously unavailable titles became officially released for the first time through this project. The official Michael Jackson catalog lists tracks including “Starlight,” “Got the Hots,” “Carousel,” “Sunset Driver” and “She’s Trouble.”
Original album:
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Baby Be Mine
- The Girl Is Mine
- Thriller
- Beat It
- Billie Jean
- Human Nature
- P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
- The Lady in My Life
Officially released archival tracks:
- Starlight
- Got the Hots
- Who Do You Know
- Carousel
- Behind the Mask
- Can’t Get Outta the Rain
- The Toy
- Sunset Driver
- What a Lovely Way to Go
- She’s Trouble
The archival material is counted in the unique song list because these recordings became officially available, even though several are demos or alternate recordings rather than new studio-album tracks.
Bad
Released in 1987, Bad continued Jackson’s partnership with Quincy Jones and presented a sharper, more aggressive sound than Thriller. The album produced five consecutive U.S. number-one singles, including “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Dirty Diana” and “Smooth Criminal.”
Complete standard tracklist:
- Bad
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Speed Demon
- Liberian Girl
- Just Good Friends
- Another Part of Me
- Man in the Mirror
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Dirty Diana
- Smooth Criminal
- Leave Me Alone
Bad 25
Released in 2012, Bad 25 celebrated the 25th anniversary of Bad and expanded the original album with demos, unreleased recordings, remixes and live performances. The official Michael Jackson archive lists previously unreleased material including “Don’t Be Messin’ Around,” “I’m So Blue,” “Price of Fame,” “Al Capone,” “Streetwalker” and “Fly Away.”
Original album:
- Bad
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Speed Demon
- Liberian Girl
- Just Good Friends
- Another Part of Me
- Man in the Mirror
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Dirty Diana
- Smooth Criminal
- Leave Me Alone
Previously unreleased and bonus recordings:
- Don’t Be Messin’ Around
- I’m So Blue
- Song Groove (A/K/A Abortion Papers)
- Free
- Price of Fame
- Al Capone
- Streetwalker
- Fly Away
International-language versions:
- Todo Mi Amor Eres Tú
- Je Ne Veux Pas La Fin de Nous
Official remixes:
- Bad (Afrojack Remix featuring Pitbull)
- Speed Demon (Nero Remix)
- Bad (Afrojack Club Mix)
Dangerous
Released in 1991, Dangerous marked a major change in Jackson’s sound as he moved away from the Quincy Jones era and embraced new jack swing, harder rhythms and socially conscious songwriting. The album produced major songs including “Black or White,” “Remember the Time,” “Heal the World” and “Dangerous.”
Complete official tracklist:
- Jam
- Why You Wanna Trip on Me
- In the Closet
- She Drives Me Wild
- Remember the Time
- Can’t Let Her Get Away
- Heal the World
- Black or White
- Who Is It
- Give In to Me
- Will You Be There
- Keep the Faith
- Gone Too Soon
- Dangerous
HIStory – Past, Present and Future – Book I
Released in 1995, HIStory was a double album combining a greatest-hits collection with a second disc of new material. The first disc revisited major songs from Jackson’s earlier career, while HIStory Continues presented darker and more personal new recordings such as “Scream,” “Earth Song,” “They Don’t Care About Us” and “Stranger in Moscow.”
HIStory Begins – Disc 1:
- Billie Jean
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Black or White
- Rock with You
- She’s Out of My Life
- Bad
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Man in the Mirror
- Thriller
- Beat It
- The Girl Is Mine
- Remember the Time
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Heal the World
HIStory Continues – Disc 2:
- Scream
- They Don’t Care About Us
- Stranger in Moscow
- This Time Around
- Earth Song
- D.S.
- Money
- Come Together
- You Are Not Alone
- Childhood
- Tabloid Junkie
- 2 Bad
- HIStory
- Little Susie
- Smile
Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix
Released in 1997, Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix combines five new Michael Jackson songs with remixes of material from HIStory. The project is partly a remix album and partly a collection of new recordings, with “Blood on the Dance Floor,” “Morphine,” “Superfly Sister,” “Ghosts” and “Is It Scary” representing the newly recorded material.
Complete official tracklist:
- Blood on the Dance Floor
- Morphine
- Superfly Sister
- Ghosts
- Is It Scary
- Scream Louder
- Money
- 2 Bad
- Stranger in Moscow
- This Time Around
- Earth Song
- You Are Not Alone
- HIStory
Invincible
Released in 2001, Invincible was Michael Jackson’s final studio album released during his lifetime. The project explored contemporary R&B, pop and electronic production and included “You Rock My World,” “Butterflies,” “Cry,” “Whatever Happens” and the title track.
Complete official tracklist:
- Unbreakable
- Heartbreaker
- Invincible
- Break of Dawn
- Heaven Can Wait
- You Rock My World
- Butterflies
- Speechless
- 2000 Watts
- You Are My Life
- Privacy
- Don’t Walk Away
- Cry
- The Lost Children
- Whatever Happens
- Threatened
Number Ones
Released in 2003, Number Ones is a compilation covering major chart-topping songs from Jackson’s solo career. It also included the previously unreleased “One More Chance,” making the compilation significant beyond its retrospective purpose.
Complete official tracklist:
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- Rock with You
- Billie Jean
- Beat It
- Thriller
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Bad
- Smooth Criminal
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Man in the Mirror
- Dirty Diana
- Black or White
- You Are Not Alone
- Earth Song
- You Rock My World
- Break of Dawn
- One More Chance
- Ben
This Is It
Released in 2009 alongside the documentary Michael Jackson’s This Is It, this project brought together recordings connected to Jackson’s planned concert residency and the film. It includes major live-performance recordings and two versions of the newly released song “This Is It.”
Complete official tracklist:
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Jam
- They Don’t Care About Us
- Human Nature
- Smooth Criminal
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Thriller
- Beat It
- Black or White
- Earth Song
- Billie Jean
- Man in the Mirror
- This Is It
- This Is It (Orchestra Version)
Michael
Released in 2010, Michael was the first posthumous studio album to carry Michael Jackson’s name and contained recordings developed from material he had worked on before his death. The official album includes “Hold My Hand,” “Hollywood Tonight,” “Best of Joy,” “Behind the Mask” and “Much Too Soon,” among other tracks.
Complete standard tracklist:
- Hold My Hand
- Hollywood Tonight
- (I Like) The Way You Love Me
- Best of Joy
- (I Can’t Make It) Another Day
- Behind the Mask
- Much Too Soon
Additional official tracks associated with the project:
- Breaking News
- Monster
- Keep Your Head Up
These songs were officially released as part of the broader Michael project and its editions.
Immortal
Released in 2011, Immortal was created for the Cirque du Soleil production Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. Rather than functioning as a conventional studio album, it combines and reworks Jackson’s songs into new arrangements, medleys and theatrical sequences.
Complete official tracklist:
- Workin’ Day and Night
- The Immortal Intro
- Childhood
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
- Dancing Machine / Blame It on the Boogie
- Ben
- This Place Hotel
- Smooth Criminal
- Dangerous
- The Mime Segment: (I Like) the Way You Love Me / Speed Demon / Another Part of Me
- The Jackson 5 Medley: I Want You Back / ABC / The Love You Save
- Speechless / Human Nature
- Is It Scary / Threatened
- Thriller
- You Are Not Alone / I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Beat It / State of Shock
- Jam
- Planet Earth / Earth Song
- Scream / Little Susie
- Gone Too Soon
- They Don’t Care About Us
- Will You Be There
- I’ll Be There
- Immortal Megamix: Can You Feel It / Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough / Billie Jean / Black or White
- Man in the Mirror
- Remember the Time / Bad
Xscape
Released in 2014, Xscape was Michael Jackson’s second posthumous studio album and consisted of eight previously unreleased songs that had been reworked for contemporary production. The official album includes “Love Never Felt So Good,” “Chicago,” “Slave to the Rhythm,” “Blue Gangsta” and the title track.
Complete standard tracklist:
- Love Never Felt So Good
- Chicago
- Loving You
- A Place with No Name
- Slave to the Rhythm
- Do You Know Where Your Children Are
- Blue Gangsta
- Xscape
Deluxe Edition additional recordings:
- Love Never Felt So Good (Original Version)
- Chicago (Original Version)
- Loving You (Original Version)
- A Place with No Name (Original Version)
- Slave to the Rhythm (Original Version)
- Do You Know Where Your Children Are (Original Version)
- Blue Gangsta (Original Version)
- Xscape (Original Version)
- Love Never Felt So Good with Justin Timberlake
The official Michael Jackson store confirms the Deluxe Edition’s original versions and the Justin Timberlake collaboration.
Official Standalone Singles or Songs Not Included on the Main Studio Albums
Michael Jackson also recorded and released numerous songs outside his main studio albums. These include soundtrack songs, collaborations, charity recordings and material released on other artists’ projects.
Soundtrack and Film Songs
- Ben
- Someone in the Dark
- Say Say Say
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Will You Be There
- Childhood
- This Is It
“Ben” was associated with the 1972 film of the same name, while “Someone in the Dark” was released in connection with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. “This Is It” became the title song connected to Jackson’s 2009 concert documentary.
Major Collaborations
- The Girl Is Mine — with Paul McCartney
- Just Good Friends — with Stevie Wonder
- Scream — with Janet Jackson
- State of Shock — with Mick Jagger
- Say Say Say — with Paul McCartney
- The Man — with Paul McCartney
- There Must Be More to Life Than This — with Freddie Mercury
- Hold My Hand — with Akon
- (I Can’t Make It) Another Day — with Lenny Kravitz
- Love Never Felt So Good — with Justin Timberlake
These releases are included where Michael Jackson is an official vocalist or credited performer.
Charity and Special Releases
- We Are the World
- What More Can I Give
- Heal the World
- Earth Song
- Man in the Mirror
“We Are the World” was co-written by Jackson and Lionel Richie and performed by the large charity ensemble USA for Africa. It is therefore part of Jackson’s broader official recorded legacy, although it is not a Michael Jackson solo album track.
2026 Official Release: Michael: Songs From the Motion Picture
Released on April 24, 2026, Michael: Songs From the Motion Picture is the official companion soundtrack to the Michael biographical film. The 13-song collection covers music from Jackson’s early years with the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons as well as his solo career, including eight Michael Jackson solo performances.
Complete official soundtrack tracklist:
- I’ll Be There — Jackson 5
- Never Can Say Goodbye — Jackson 5
- Who’s Lovin’ You — Jackson 5
- Medley: I Want You Back / ABC / The Love You Save — The Jacksons
- Ben — The Jacksons
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough — Michael Jackson
- Beat It — Michael Jackson
- Thriller — Michael Jackson
- Billie Jean — Michael Jackson
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ — Michael Jackson
- Human Nature — Michael Jackson
- Working Day and Night — Michael Jackson
- Bad — Michael Jackson
The soundtrack does not add a new previously unreleased Michael Jackson song to his unique catalog; instead, it brings several established recordings together for the 2026 film.
Final Wrap-Up
Michael Jackson’s official song catalog traces an extraordinary musical evolution, beginning with his early Motown recordings and developing through Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory and Invincible. His posthumous albums, archival projects, collaborations and soundtrack releases have continued to introduce additional recordings and versions to listeners, while the 2026 Michael: Songs From the Motion Picture soundtrack has brought several of his classic performances to a new generation. His combination of songwriting, vocals, production, rhythm, choreography and visual storytelling remains central to his enduring place in popular music.
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