United StatesMichael Jackson

Artist rating: 73.56 % (ranking: not set)
Highest rating: 73.92 % (1995)
Most recent trend: 54.18 % (2001)
Highest trend: 79.86 % (1987)

Works
Tracks (A-Ö)
Writing credits
Statistics

Data

Born: 1958-08-29
Died: 2009-06-25

Age: 50
 

External links

Genres

Associated artists

Paul McCartney (1), Diana Ross (1), Donna Summer (1)

1975
43.59 %
1979
68.59 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1987
79.36 %
1991
63.83 %

Thriller

Michael Jackson - Thriller
87.47 %
(2013-05-25)
Date released: 1982-12-01
Type: studio

In collection: CD (2009-12-30)
Best track: Billie Jean
Average track length: 04:42
Average track rating:

Ranking

Michael Jackson:
1
/
10
Year (1982):
2
/
75
Decade (1980's):
20
/
780
Overall:
85
/
2711

Tracks

Credits

Artist

4Michael Jackson (24)
lead vocals, background vocals (1, 4–7, 9), programming (1, 4), drum case beater (5), handclaps (8), horn arrangements and bathroom stomp board (1), vocal arrangements (1, 3, 5, 6), rhythm arrangements (1, 5, 6), synthesizer arrangements (6)

Session works

4Tom Bahler (39)
synclavier (5)
4Michael Boddicker (29)
synthesizers (1, 2), Emulator (6–9), Vocoder (8), background vocals (1, 2)
15Paulinho da Costa (34)
percussion (1, 7)
5David Foster (33)
synthesizer (3), synthesizer arrangement (3)
4James Ingram (30)
background vocals (1, 8), keyboards, handclaps, musical arrangements (8)
4Janet Jackson (16)
backing vocals (8)
4Quincy Jones (49)
rhythm arrangements (1, 3, 5), vocal arrangements (3), musical arrangements (8)
4Steve Lukather (25)
guitars (3, 5, 7), bass guitar (5), musical arrangements (7)
4David Paich (28)
synthesizers (2, 7, 9), rhythm arrangements (3), piano (3), musical arrangements (7)
4Greg Phillinganes (26)
keyboards (2, 4), synthesizers (1, 2, 4–6, 8), Fender Rhodes (1, 3, 5, 6, 9), synthesizer programming (8), handclaps (8)
4Jeff Porcaro (28)
drums (3, 5, 7, 9)
4Steve Porcaro (25)
synthesizers (5, 7, 9), synthesizer programming (2, 3, 5, 7), musical arrangements (7)
2Rod Temperton (33)
synthesizer (4), rhythm arrangements (2, 4, 9), vocal arrangements (2, 4, 9)
4Eddie Van Halen (27)
guitar solo (5)

Guest artists

2Paul McCartney (40)
lead vocals (3)

Producers

Engineers

Lyrics

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
06:03
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)

I took my baby to the doctor
With a fever, but nothing he found
By the time this hit the street
They said she had a breakdown
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', lyin'
Sayin' you just wanna be startin' somethin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)

You love to pretend that you're good
When you're always up to no good
You really can't make him hate her
So your tongue became a razor
Someone's always tryin' to keep my baby cryin'
Treacherous, cunnin', declinin'
You got my baby cryin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable
Still they hate you, you're a vegetable
You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable
They eat off of you, you're a vegetable

Billie Jean is always talkin'
When nobody else is talkin'
Tellin' lies and rubbin' shoulders
So they called her mouth a motor
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', spyin'
Sayin' you just wanna be startin' somethin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable
Still they hate you, you're a vegetable
You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable
They eat off of you, you're a vegetable

If you can't feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
Then don't have a baby (yeah, yeah)
And don't think maybe (yeah, yeah)
If you can't feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
You'll be always tryin'
To stop that child from cryin'
Hustlin', stealin', lyin'
Now baby's slowly dyin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)

Lift your head up high
And scream out to the world
I know I am someone
And let the truth unfurl
No one can hurt you now
Because you know what's true
Yes, I believe in me
So you believe in you
Help me sing it, ma ma se,
Ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa
Ma ma se, ma ma sa,
Ma ma coo sa
Baby Be Mine
04:20
I don't need no dreams when I'm by your side
Every moment takes me to paradise
Darlin', let me hold you
Warm you in my arms and melt your fears away
Show you all the magic that a perfect love can make
I need you night and day

So baby, be mine (baby you gotta be mine)
And girl I'll give you all I got to give
So baby, be my girl (all the time)
And we can share this ecstasy
As long as we believe in love

I won't give you reason to change your mind
(I guess it's still you thrill me, baby, be mine)
You are all the future that I desire
Girl, I need to hold you
Share my feelings in the heat of love's embrace
Show you all the passion burning in my heart today
It's never gonna fade

So baby, be mine (baby you gotta be mine)
And girl I'll give you all I got to give
So baby, be my girl (all the time)
You're everything this world could be
The reason that I live

Won't you stay with me until the mornin' sun
I promise you now that the dawn will be different
Lady can't you see that heaven's just begun
It's livin' here inside our hearts

There'll be no more mountains for us to climb
(I can't be still you thrill me, baby, be mine)
This will be a love lasting for all time
Girl you got to hold me
We can touch the sky and light the darkest day
Hold me, only you and I can make sweet love this way
There's no more I can say

So baby, be mine (baby you gotta be mine)
And girl I'll give you all I got to give
So baby, be my girl (all the time)
You're everything this world could be
The reason that I live

Baby be my girl
And girl I'll give you all I got to give
So baby, be mine, baby, be mine
You're everything this world could be to me

C'mon, girl, c'mon girl
So baby, be mine
You're everything this world could be to me
The Girl Is Mine
03:42
(Michael)
Every night she walks right in my dreams
Since I met her from the start
I'm so proud I am the only one
Who is special in her heart

The girl is mine
The doggone girl is mine
I know she's mine
Because the doggone girl is mine

(Paul)
I don't understand the way you think
Saying that she's yours not mine
Sending roses and your silly dreams
Really just a waste of time

Because she's mine
The doggone girl is mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine

(Paul)
I love you more than he
(Take you anywhere)

(Michael)
But I love you endlessly
(Loving we will share)

(Michael & Paul)
So come and go with me
Two on the time

(Michael)
But we both cannot have her
So it's one or the other
And one day you'll discover
That she's my girl forever and ever

(Paul)
Don't build your hopes to be let down
'Cause I really feel it's time

(Michael)
I know she'll tell you I'm the one for her
'Cause she said I blow her mind

(Michael)
The girl is mine
The doggone girl is mine
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine

(Michael & Paul)
She's mine, she's mine
No, no, no, she's mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine

(Paul)
The girl is mine, (yep) she's mine
The girl is mine, (yep) she's mine

(Michael)
Don't waste your time
Because the doggone girl is mine
The girl is mine, the girl is mine

(Paul)
Michael, we're not going to fight about this, okay

(Michael)
Paul, I think I told you, I'm a lover not a fighter

(Paul)
I've heard it all before, Michael, she told me that I'm her forever
lover, you know, don't you remember

(Michael)
Well, after loving me, she said she couldn't love another

(Paul)
Is that what she said

(Michael)
Yes, she said it, you keep dreaming

(Paul)
I don't believe it

(Michael & Paul)
The girl is mine (mine, mine, mine)
Thriller
05:58
It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes
You're paralyzed

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for life inside a killer, thriller tonight

You hear a door slam and realize there's nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see the sun
You close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination
But all the while you hear the creature creepin' up behind
You're out of time

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
There ain't no second chance against the thing with forty eyes
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting to survive inside a killer, thriller tonight

Night creatures call
The dead start to walk in their masquerade
There's no escapin' the jaws of the alien this time (they're open wide)
This is the end of your life

They're out to get you, there's demons closing in on every side
They will possess you unless you change the number on your dial
Now is the time for you and I to cuddle close together
All thru the night I'll save you from the terrors on the screen
I'll make you see

That it's a thriller, thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more than any ghost who would dare to try
Girl, this is thriller, thriller night
So let me hold you tight and share a killer, diller, chiller
Thriller here tonight

Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'awl's neighborhood
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse's shell
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller
Beat It
04:18
They told him don't you ever come around here
Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it

You better run, you better do what you can
Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you wanna be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it

They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man
You wanna stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it

You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they beat you,
Then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you wanna be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

Beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

Beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right

Beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Billie Jean
04:54
She was more like a beauty queen
From a movie scene
I said, 'don't mind
But what do you mean
I am the one
Who will dance on the floor, in the round'
She said, 'I am the one who will dance
On the floor in the round'

She told me her name was Billie Jean
As she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes
That dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor, in the round

People always told me,
'Be careful of what you do
And don't go around
Breaking young girls' hearts'
And mother always told me,
'Be careful of who you love
And be careful what you do
'Cause the lie becomes the truth'

The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that
I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
But the kid is not my son

For forty days and forty nights
Law was on her side
But who can stand
When she's in demand
Her schemes and plans
'Cause we danced on the floor, in the round
So take my strong advice
Just remember to always think twice
(Do think twice)
Do think twice

She told my baby
We danced till three
And she looked at me
Then showed a photo
My baby cried
His eyes were like mine
Can we dance on the floor, in the round, babe

People always told me,
'Be careful of what you do
And don't go around
Breaking young girls' hearts'
(Don't break no hearts)

But you came and stood right by me
Just a smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
She called me to her room

The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that
I am the one
But the kid is not my son
No, no, no, no, no

The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that
I am the one
But the kid is not my son
No, no
She says I am the one
(Oh, babe)
But the kid is not my son

She says I am the one
But the kid is not my son
No, no, no
The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that
I am the one
(You know what you did to me, babe)
But the kid is not my son
No, no, no, no

She says I am the one
But the kid is not my son

She says I am the one
You know what you did
She says he is my son
Breaking my heart, babe
She says I am the one

The Billie Jean is not my lover
The Billie Jean is not my lover
The Billie Jean is not my lover
The Billie Jean is not my lover
Human Nature
04:06
Looking out
Across the night-time
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs

Get me out
Into the night-time
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite

If they say -
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say -
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way

Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are ev'rywhere
See that girl
She knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare

If they say -
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say -
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
I like lovin' this way
I like lovin' this way (instrumental section)

Looking out
Across the morning
Where the city's heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I'm dreaming of the street

If they say -
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say -
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
I like lovin' this way
I like lovin' this way
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
03:59
Where did you come from lady
And ooh won't you take me there
Right away won't you baby
Tendoroni you've got to be
Spark my nature
Sugar fly with me
Don't you know now
Is the perfect time
We can make it right
Hit the city lights
Then tonight ease the lovin' pain
Let me take you to the max

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin' care
I'll take you there

Background
Anywhere you wanna go

Nothin' can stop this burnin'
Desire to be with you
Gotta get to you baby
Won't you come, it's emergency
Cool my fire yearnin'
Honey, come set me free
Don't you know now is the perfect time
We can dim the lights
Just to make it right
In the night
Hit the lovin' spot
I'll give you all I've got

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin' care
I'll take you there

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin' care
I'll take you there

Pretty young things, repeat after me
(Michael) I said na na na
(P.Y.T.'s) na na na
(Michael) I said na na na na
(P.Y.T.'s) na na na na
(Michael) I said na na na
(P.Y.T.'s) na na na
(Michael) I said na na na na na
(P.Y.T.'s) na na na na na
(Michael) I wanna take you there

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin' care
And I'll take you there
I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty Young Thing
You need some lovin' (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin' care
I'll take you there
The Lady in My Life
04:59
There'll be no darkness tonight
Lady our love will shine
Just put your trust in my heart
And meet me in paradise
You're every wonder in this world to me
A treasure time won't steal away

So let me keep you warm
Through the shadows of the night
Let me touch you with my love
I can make you feel so right
Just come into my arms
While the world goes spinnin' by
And in the glow of candlelight
I will show you you're the lady in my life

Don't need no fortune or fame
I just want you close to me
No time for castles in space
Or livin' in make believe
I'd trade it all for just a rainy day
As long as I know you'll be there

So listen to my heart
Lay your body next to mine
Let me fill you with my dreams
I can make you feel so right
And baby through the years
Gonna love you more each day
So I promise you tonight
That you'll always be the lady in my life

Lay back in my tenderness
Let's make this a night we won't forget
Girl, I need your sweet caress
Reach out to a fantasy
Two hearts in the beat of ecstasy
Come to me

And I will keep you warm
Through the shadows of the night
Let me touch you with my love
I can make you feel so right
And baby through the years
Even when we're old and gray
I will love you more each day
'Cause you will always be the lady in my life