The Icon, The Legend, The Moment: Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson didn’t just make music. He rewrote what pop could be. Starting as the magnetic frontman of the Jackson 5 in the 1960s, he transformed from a child prodigy belting out Motown hits into the most influential solo artist the world had ever seen, according to Billboard. By the time the 1980s rolled around, he was untouchable.

His impact on music is the kind you can’t really overstate without sounding dramatic, but here’s the thing: he genuinely changed it all. The dancing. The videos. The way albums were made and sold.

Thriller alone sold over 51 million copies and became a cultural phenomenon that transcended music itself. He turned the music video into an art form, brought choreography to the forefront of pop, and broke down racial barriers on MTV when that actually mattered.

From moonwalking anti-heroes to heartfelt pleas for the planet, these are the songs that crowned Michael Jackson the King of Pop. And now, with concerts more accessible than ever, TGV has brought the magic to the big screen through unforgettable #ConcertsAtTGV experiences with artists from around the world.

1. Billie Jean (1983)

Release Date: Jan 1983
Billboard Charts: #1 on Hot 100,
Awards & Recognitions: 2 Grammy Wins (1984) – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song

Released as the second single from Thriller, “Billie Jean” turned into Jackson’s best-selling solo track.

What made “Billie Jean” different was its stripped-down production. That iconic bassline, the finger snaps, the 29-second intro Jackson insisted on keeping despite pushback—it all created what one critic called “sleek, post-soul pop music.”

The groove blended post-disco, R&B, and funk into something you could feel in your chest.

The track won two Grammy Awards and was named the greatest dance record of all time by BBC Radio 2 listeners. Not bad for a song the producer initially wanted to title “Not My Lover.”

2. Beat It (1983)

Release Date: Feb 1983
Billboard Charts: #1 on Billboard Hot 100 (3 weeks), #1 on Hot Black Singles
Awards & Recognitions: 2 Grammy Wins (1984) – Record Of The Year, Best Male Rock Vocal Performance

Released as the third single from Thriller, “Beat It” arrived with a mission: prove that Jackson could rock as hard as anyone. The lyrics tackle gang violence and walking away from confrontation, wrapped in a message that feels both street-smart and surprisingly tender.

Critics and fans responded with immediate enthusiasm, sending it straight to the top of multiple charts while recognizing its crossover appeal.

What made “Beat It” special was Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo, which he recorded in two takes without charge because he thought it might be a prank call at first. The track blended hard rock, funk, and dance into something that hadn’t quite existed before—a pop song that got played on rock radio without apology.

Its music video, featuring real gang members dancing side by side, became just as iconic as the song itself, helping establish Jackson as a global cultural force rather than just another singer with hit records.

3. We Are The World (1985)

Release Date: Mar 1985
Billboard Charts: 1 Hot 100 (4 weeks), #1 Hot Black Singles (2 weeks)
Awards & Recognitions: Grammy Wins (1986) – Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Music Video (Short Form)

We Are the World brought together Michael Jackson and a superstar lineup to create more than just a song — it became a global anthem for hope.

With its unforgettable chorus and heartfelt message, fans everywhere felt the power of music uniting people for a cause that mattered.

The track was an instant sensation, topping charts around the world and raising millions for famine relief in Africa.

Its success showed how music could make a real difference, turning a simple recording into a historic moment of generosity, collaboration, and inspiration.

4. Rock With You (1979)

Release Date: Nov 1979
Billboard Charts: #1 US Pop Chart (4 weeks), #1 R&B Chart (5 weeks)
Awards & Recognitions: #354 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Rock With You marked the moment Michael Jackson embraced smooth sophistication over flash. The disco-funk track is effortless and intimate, built on silky melodies and a vocal performance that feels controlled, charming, and quietly magnetic — a quality even Rolling Stone praised for its restraint.

The song spent weeks at No. 1 on both pop and R&B charts and became one of disco’s final major anthems, while its laser-lit music video helped define Jackson’s early solo image.

5. Thriller (1983)

Release Date: Nov 1983
Billboard Charts: 1 Billboard 200 (37 weeks), #1 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (37 weeks)
Awards & Recognitions: Grammy Win (1984) – Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, One of the most awarded music videos in history

Thriller by Michael Jackson wasn’t just a song — it became a cultural phenomenon that redefined pop music. Released as a single from the landmark album Thriller, the track blended pop and funk with spooky sound effects and a dramatic spoken-word part by horror actor Vincent Price, instantly capturing global attention.

Its commercial success skyrocketed after the groundbreaking 14-minute music video premiered on MTV, revolutionising the music video format and driving massive album sales.

“Thriller” helped the album become the best-selling of all time, dominated international charts, and cemented Jackson’s status as the King of Pop while setting new standards for music marketing and global pop stardom.

Fun Fact: While Michael Jackson has long been crowned the “King of Pop, G-Dragon reigns in his own lane as the “King of K-Pop,” a title earned through his undeniable influence, artistry, and cultural impact.

6. Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough (1979)

Release Date: Jul 1979
Billboard Charts: 1 Hot 100 (1 week), #1 Soul Singles (6 weeks)
Awards & Recognitions: First Solo Grammy Win (1979) – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough was the moment Michael Jackson stepped fully into his grown, confident era — and fans felt it instantly.

From that irresistible opening groove to his soaring falsetto, the song radiated pure joy, proving he wasn’t just evolving — he was owning the dance floor like never before.

Fans turned it into a global smash, sending it to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts and celebrating it as the start of something legendary.

Its electrifying energy, iconic dance moves, and feel-good vibe helped launch a new chapter of superstardom that would only get bigger from there.

7. Man In The Mirror (1988)

Release Date: Jan 1988
Billboard Charts: #1 on Billboard Hot 100 (2 weeks)
Awards & Recognitions: Grammy Nomination (1989) – Record of the Year

This is the song where Michael Jackson stopped dancing for a minute and decided to actually lecture us. But here’s the thing—it worked. Written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, “Man in the Mirror” asks you to look at yourself before pointing fingers at the world’s problems.

The song became Jackson’s ninth number-one single in the US and went triple platinum. Critics praised it as one of his most accessible social statements, with Time calling it “the best-ever use of a gospel choir in a pop song.”

The music video took an unusual approach—Jackson barely appears in it.

Instead, you get a montage of historical footage featuring everyone from Mother Teresa to Martin Luther King Jr., turning the whole thing into a visual essay on global change.

The song topped iTunes downloads following his death in 2009, and an instrumental version was played at his memorial service.

8. The Way You Make Me Feel (1987)

Release Date: Nov 1987
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #1 (January 23, 1988)
Awards & Recognitions: Grammy nomination (1989) – Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

This is Jackson showing you his flirtatious side, and honestly, it’s kind of sweet how earnest he gets about it. The track started as one of over sixty songs he’d written for Bad, and when Quincy Jones convinced him to narrow it down to a single album, this playful pop-R&B number made the cut.

You hear Jackson’s vocals dancing across blues harmonies with that signature lightness. Critics at the time called it “brilliantly crafted” with its upbeat shuffle rhythm, though some noted the lyrics don’t stray far from the title’s promise.

But that simplicity works—it’s infectious joy set to music, and audiences responded by sending it straight to the top of multiple charts worldwide.

What made the song special was how it balanced confidence with vulnerability. While much of Bad had Jackson asserting himself, this track let his guard down. The iconic music video, inspired by West Side Story, shows him pursuing model Tatiana Thumbtzen through Los Angeles streets—a charming chase that feels more earnest than aggressive.

It became a staple of every one of his solo world tours, and you can see why. The song captures romantic pursuit without trying too hard, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

9. Black Or White (1991)

Release Date: Nov 1991
Billboard Charts: #1 US Billboard Hot 100 (7 weeks), #1 in 20+ countries
Awards & Recognitions: Grammy nomination (1992) – Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Best-selling single worldwide of 1992,

You know that moment when a song arrives and somehow manages to sound like classic rock and cutting-edge pop at the same time? That’s “Black or White.”

Jackson and producer Bill Bottrell spent 18 months building this track—humming riffs, layering guitars, tweaking drum machines—until they had something that could fill stadiums and radio playlists in equal measure.

The message about racial harmony wasn’t subtle, but it didn’t need to be.

The response was immediate and borderline absurd. Radio stations added it to their playlists within 24 hours. It hit #1 on the Hot 100 faster than any song since The Beatles’ “Get Back” in 1969, making Jackson the first artist to top the charts across three decades.

The music video premiered in 69 countries simultaneously to 500 million viewers, which remains one of the most-watched television events ever.

What made it work wasn’t just the catchy guitar riff (often misattributed to Slash, who only appeared in the intro skit). It was the way Jackson blended pop-rock swagger with dance grooves and a rap verse—yes, performed by Bottrell himself after months of trying to book someone else.

The song felt effortless, even though Jackson’s original scratch vocal from day one ended up in the final mix. Sometimes the first take really is the best one.

10. Bad (1987)

Release Date: Sep 1987
Billboard Hot 100: #1 (2 weeks)
Awards & Recognitions: Grammy nomination (1988) – Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

Jackson wrote “Bad” after reading about a student from a rough neighbourhood who attended private school, only to face conflict when returning home during breaks. The song’s about proving you’re still tough, still real, even when you’ve changed.

Critics noted it gave Jackson an edgier image, moving away from the softer persona of previous hits.

The track blends dance-pop and funk with a bassline rooted in pentatonic blues, featuring a four-note brass intro that references James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.”

The 18-minute music video directed by Martin Scorsese starred a young Wesley Snipes and was filmed in a Brooklyn subway station, drawing inspiration from West Side Story.

It became one of the most recognised music videos in pop history, with Jackson’s leather outfit influencing fashion for years afterwards.