Michael Jackson is widely regarded as the greatest entertainer of all time.

Over the course of his legendary career, Jackson broke barriers, shattered records, and crafted some of the most iconic pop songs in history. While his entire discography is filled with hits, certain songs stand out as defining different eras and aspects of his incredible journey. From his early successes with The Jackson 5 to his groundbreaking solo work, these 7 songs capture the brilliance and evolution of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.

I Want You Back – The Jackson 5 (1969)

The story of Michael Jackson truly begins with “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5 in 1969. Released when Michael was just 11 years old, this energetic song showcases the youthful charm and undeniable talent of the group. With its catchy lyrics and infectious melody, “I Want You Back” became The Jackson 5’s first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song launched the group into superstardom and laid the foundation for Michael’s future success as a solo artist.

While Michael was still a child during this era, “I Want You Back” demonstrated his innate musical gifts and charisma. His powerhouse vocals shine on the track and helped propel The Jackson 5 to the top of the charts. The song perfectly captures the joyful, carefree spirit of Motown’s early years. For Michael, “I Want You Back” was just the beginning – it established him as a star and set the stage for his evolution into a global pop icon.

Billie Jean – Thriller (1982)

By the early 1980s, Michael had fully transitioned into a solo artist with global fame. His 1982 masterpiece album Thriller took his career to unprecedented heights and contained two of his most iconic songs – “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.” “Billie Jean” exemplifies the era-defining sound and themes of Thriller.

With its hypnotic bassline and dance-driven rhythm, “Billie Jean” is a true funk classic. Lyrically, the song delves into themes of paranoia, denial, and the rumors surrounding Michael and Billie Jean’s relationship. The music video, featuring Michael’s signature moonwalk, cemented his status as a trendsetting performer. Commercially, “Billie Jean” was a massive success, topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The single demonstrated Michael’s unparalleled ability to fuse catchy pop melodies with complex subject matter.

To this day, “Billie Jean” remains one of Michael’s most recognizable songs. It perfectly captured the essence of Thriller and defined Michael’s solo artistry during the peak of his popularity. The single’s impact was so profound that it is often credited with popularizing rap in pop music and influencing countless artists. “Billie Jean” stands as one of the greatest pop songs ever made.

Beat It – Thriller (1982)

Alongside “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” was another defining moment on Thriller. Breaking the mold of his usual ballads, “Beat It” showed Michael’s willingness to experiment with new genres like rock. The song features a legendary guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen and tackles the serious topic of gang violence.

The music video for “Beat It” took Michael’s innovative spirit to new heights. He worked with legendary choreographer Michael Peters to devise a groundbreaking dance sequence mimicking a gang fight. The video, featuring Michael performing complex choreography alongside professional dancers, cemented him as a master of performance. It was among the first music videos played in heavy rotation on MTV, exposing Michael’s talent to an even wider audience.

Commercially, “Beat It” was a massive success, topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and Rock charts. The single demonstrated Michael’s rare ability to appeal to fans of both pop and rock. Its anti-gang message also highlighted Michael’s desire to use his platform to promote positive change. To this day, “Beat It” remains one of the greatest rock-pop crossover hits of all time. It showed the boundless creativity and vision that made Thriller an unmatched commercial and critical success.

Man in the Mirror – Bad (1987)

After Thriller, Michael faced intense pressure to top its unprecedented commercial performance with his follow-up album Bad (1987). The introspective ballad “Man in the Mirror” stood out among Bad’s dance-pop hits by showcasing Michael’s desire for positive social change.

With its inspiring lyrics asking the listener to start “making that change” through personal growth and compassion, “Man in the Mirror” resonated deeply. The song’s message encouraged self-reflection and taking responsibility for enacting change – both on a societal and individual level. Michael’s powerful vocals are perfectly paired with the uplifting message.

Commercially, “Man in the Mirror” was another massive success, topping the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video featured Michael performing for a live audience, highlighting his ability to connect emotionally with fans through performance. To this day, “Man in the Mirror” endures as an anthem of hope, inspiring countless charitable campaigns and movements around the world. The song demonstrated Michael’s ability to use his platform to spread messages of empowerment and unity.

Black or White – Dangerous (1991)

By 1991, Michael had cemented his status as the biggest pop star on the planet with Dangerous. Its lead single, “Black or White,” showed that Michael remained unafraid to push boundaries and start important conversations.

Musically, “Black or White” is a funky, rhythmic track with an infectious groove. Lyrically, Michael preaches a message of racial unity and togetherness. The song asks listeners to move past surface-level differences and judge others based on the “beat of their heart” rather than skin color. To accompany the release, Michael debuted one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking music videos ever produced.

Directed by John Landis, the video featured cutting-edge morphing techniques to visually represent its themes of unity. While controversial upon release due to its brief depictions of violence, the video broke viewing records. It showed that Michael remained committed to using his platform to spread messages of equality and social justice.

Commercially, “Black or White” was another massive worldwide hit. Its cultural impact proved Michael had lost none of his relevance in addressing important issues. The song stands as one of his most memorable singles and a true statement of his visionary creative spirit.

Heal the World – Dangerous (1991)

Also from Dangerous, the inspirational ballad “Heal the World” demonstrated Michael’s deep passion for humanitarian causes, especially those involving children. With its message of global unity, love, and hope for future generations, “Heal the World” perfectly captured Michael’s philanthropic spirit.

Michael supported numerous charities over the years and often used his music as a vehicle to raise awareness for important issues. “Heal the World” exemplified this, with its lyrics asking listeners to make the planet a better place through compassion. Michael also founded the Heal the World Foundation to support environmental protection and children’s charities worldwide.

Commercially, “Heal the World” was another major success for Michael on the charts. More importantly, its message has endured and inspired countless humanitarian efforts over the decades. The song’s timeless message of unity and hope for children still resonates deeply today. “Heal the World” highlighted Michael’s lifelong commitment to using his platform to positively impact the world.

You Are Not Alone – HIStory (1995)

By 1995, Michael faced renewed controversies following accusations of child sexual abuse. During this challenging time, he released the introspective double-album HIStory. Its lead single “You Are Not Alone” stood out as a soulful love song that reminded fans of Michael’s enduring artistry.

Featuring Michael’s breathtaking vocals paired with a lush arrangement, “You Are Not Alone” is a beautiful pop ballad. Its lyrics speak to the universal human desire for intimacy and belonging. Despite facing intense media scrutiny, the song became a massive worldwide success, reaching number one in over 20 countries.

“You Are Not Alone” proved that Michael’s raw vocal talents and ability to connect emotionally with listeners remained undiminished. Even during periods of personal turmoil, his music provided comfort and solace and reminded fans why he was beloved. The single demonstrated Michael’s resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. It stands as one of his most romantic and vulnerable recordings.

Conclusion: The Legacy of an Icon

These seven songs are only a small sampling of Michael Jackson’s immense creative output. However, they capture the evolution and brilliance of his incredible career across different eras and genres. From his early successes with The Jackson 5 to his groundbreaking solo work, Michael continuously broke new ground and crafted anthems that still resonate deeply today.

Whether delivering feel-good dance hits, introspective ballads, or socially conscious messages, Michael proved himself a true visionary. He redefined what was possible for a pop artist and left an indelible mark on popular culture. Most importantly, his music provided joy and inspiration to millions worldwide.

Even after his tragic death in 2009, Michael Jackson’s legacy as the King of Pop lives on.