King of Pop (album)

King of Pop
Greatest hits album by Michael Jackson
Released August 22, 2008
Recorded 1969–2007
Genre Pop, R&B, rock, soul, disco, funk, new jack swing
Length Various
Label Epic, Sony BMG
Producer Michael Jackson
Various
Michael Jackson chronology

Thriller 25
(2008)		 King of Pop
(2008)		 50 Best Songs – The Motown Years: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]

King of Pop is a compilation album by American recording artist Michael Jackson released in commemoration of Michael Jackson's 50th birthday. The album differs significantly in each country it was released because fan voting was employed to determine the songs for each country's version. The album's title comes from the title Jackson acquired approximately 20 years earlier. The album's launch was made public on June 20, 2008, with the official announcement of the Australian version. The first release came with the German edition (which is identical to the Swiss edition) on August 22, 2008.

Fans in countries where Sony BMG operates national offices were given the opportunity to vote for songs from a list of Jackson's back catalogue to be included in their country's version of the album. Aside from the tracks selected by fans, a megamix of five songs from the Thriller album by Jason Nevins was also included in the pool. The album has been released in a total of 26 countries. Each pool list and release date differed slightly by country. "Billie Jean" is the only song to appear on all versions of the album. There has been no announcement of a release in North America.

Background

Prior to the release of King of Pop, Jackson issued the double-disc album Thriller 25, a 25th anniversary edition of Thriller. It was a commercial success, having done particularly well as a re-issue, peaking at number one in eight countries and Europe. It reached number two in the US, number three in the UK and top 10 on over 30 national charts.[2][3][4] In the US, Thriller 25 was just 14,000 copies short of reaching the peak position, selling 166,000 copies. It was ineligible for the Billboard 200 chart as a re-release, but entered atop the Pop Catalog chart, where it stayed for 10 non-consecutive weeks and had the best sales on that chart since December 1996.[5][5][6][7][8][9]

A few months afterward, Sony announced the release of regional editions of the King of Pop compilation, in celebration of Jackson's 50th birthday. The album's title is a reference to the same title Jackson acquired approximately 20 years ago[10][11] when actress and friend Elizabeth Taylor presented Jackson with an "Artist of the Decade" award at the 1989 Soul Train Awards, proclaiming him "the true king of pop, rock and soul".[12] MTV, VH1, FOX, and Jackson's record label began marketing Jackson as the "King of Pop" to coincide with the release of Dangerous and the music video for "Black or White", the album's first single.[10]

Versions

Argentina

On November 11, the Argentinian version of the compilation was released. It contains 2 bonustracks: the song Come Together (that is featured in Moonwalker and also the HIStory album, released in 1995) and a radio edit of the Megamix of the Thriller album. 2 tracks on the album, Billie Jean and Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough were named incorrectly as "Billy Jean" and "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough".

Austria

On July 20, the Austrian version of the double disc compilation was announced; it was released on Jackson's birthday. The pool list fans got to choose from contained 100 tracks.[14] This is the only version of the album to contain the single ABC, which is the earliest song on any version of the album.

Australia

The Australian version was announced by Sony BMG Australia on June 20, 2008, and was released on Jackson's birthday. Starting on June 21, 2008, Australian fans had three weeks to vote for their 30 favourite tracks for the album; made up of Jackson's prior material.[16][17] Each fan could choose five songs from the pool; made up of all the tracks from Off the Wall, Thriller (2001 special edition, including "Carousel"), Bad (2001 special edition), Dangerous, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix, Invincible and the track "For All Time" from Thriller 25. The pool of songs also included seven from Jackson's time in The Jackson 5/The Jacksons. These songs were "Blame It on the Boogie", "Can You Feel It", "ABC", "I Want You Back", "I'll Be There" and "Ben".[16][17] King of Pop was released in two editions: The first was a limited edition digipak that featured the names of selected voters, messages left by the fans and a fold-out poster that follows Jackson through his musical career; The second edition was a standard release of the album without the poster.[16] This is the only version of the album to contain the single You Can't Win. This Australia version contains the full 9-minute version of Thriller Megamix instead of the radio edit commonly found on other versions.

Belgium

On July 26, it was announced that the double disc album would be released August 25. Fans could vote for their 5 favorite tracks from a pool of 124, on the web site of the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.[19] This is the only version of the album to contain the single Girlfriend.

Brazil

The Brazilian edition was released on October 17.[13] This is the only version of the album to contain the single The Girl Is Mine 2008 and not contain Smooth Criminal

China

On December 18, 2009, China version named "Michael Jackson King Of Pop The China Collection" released by Sony Music China.[21][22]

Different from the other versions, Fans in China were not given the opportunity to vote for songs included in China's version, and this version was not released in 2008 to celebrate Michael Jackson's birthday, but after his death in late 2009. The songs in China's version were a selection from the Hong Kong Version with the exclusion of Smooth Criminal, Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough, and Blood on the Dance Floor.[21] Spine of slipcase incorrectly mentions the title as "King Of Pop - The Hong Kong Collection".[22]

Finland

The Finnish edition was released on October 1.[23]

France

"King of Pop - The French Fans' Selection" was released on December 12.

Germany & Switzerland

On July 14, it was announced that German fans had until July 28 to choose their top 30 songs from an extensive pool of 121 tracks; The German version was released on August 22. The German pool list contained almost every song Jackson released in his solo career. Notably expansions on the pool choice included: A larger option of tracks from Thriller 25 and the inclusion of 12 tracks from The Ultimate Collection. There were also 8 tracks included from the singers time in The Jackson 5/Jacksons; slightly more than the other versions.[26][27] The German edition was also released in Switzerland on the same day.[28] In Germany, King of Pop is the fourth most downloaded album of all time.[29]

Greece

The 32-track double-CD Greek edition was released on November 17, 2008. Sony BMG Greece teamed up with music television channel Mad TV through which fans cast votes for their favourite songs.[30]

Hong Kong

On August 6, it was announced that the double disc album would be released August 28. Fans could vote for 10 of their favorite tracks on the web site of Sony BMG Hong Kong.

Hungary

On July 9, it was announced that Hungarian fans had until July 27, to choose their songs from an extensive pool of 122 tracks, in a two-stage process. The pool list contained almost every song Jackson has released in his solo career. Notably expansions on the pool choice included: A larger option of tracks from Thriller 25 and the inclusion of 12 tracks from The Ultimate Collection (these are not available in the Australian or New Zealand version). In the first round (July 9 - July 15) the fans were able to vote for their top 50 tracks. In round two (July 16 - July 27) the 50 were cut down to the album tracklist.[32]

India

Sony BMG India partnered with ibibo.com to roll out the Indian version of 'Michael Jackson - King Of Pop'. The double CD collection was available in stores by January 2009 and is a special selection of Michael Jackson songs collectively voted by community members of ibibo.com. Additionally the best moon walkers were selected by the Ibibo community along with Sony BMG and could win laptops and iPods.

Disc One
No. TitleWriter(s)Album Length
1. "Billie Jean"  Michael JacksonThriller 4:54
2. "Bad"  Michael JacksonBad 4:06
3. "Thriller"  Rod TempertonThriller 5:58
4. "Black or White" (rap lyrics by Bill Bottrell)Michael JacksonDangerous 4:18
5. "Heal The World"  Michael JacksonDangerous 6:26
6. "Smooth Criminal"  Michael JacksonBad 4:18
7. "Jam"  Michael Jackson, Rene Moore, Bruce Swedien, Teddy RileyDangerous 5:40
8. "The Way You Make Me Feel"  Michael JacksonBad 4:58
9. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (feat. Siedah Garrett)Michael JacksonBad 4:12
10. "They Don't Care About Us"  Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 4:44
11. "In The Closet" (feat. Mystery Girl)Michael Jackson, Teddy RileyDangerous 6:32
12. "Baby Be Mine"  Rod TempertonThriller 4:20
13. "Stranger in Moscow"  Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 5:44
14. "Come Together" (Beatles cover)John Lennon, Paul McCartneyHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 4:02
15. "Will You Be There"  Michael JacksonDangerous 7:40
Disc Two
No. TitleWriter(s)Album Length
1. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"  Michael JacksonOff the Wall 6:04
2. "Beat It"  Michael JacksonThriller 4:18
3. "Dangerous"  Bill Bottrell, Teddy RileyDangerous 7:00
4. "Dirty Diana"  Michael JacksonBad 4:40
5. "You Are Not Alone"  R. KellyHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 5:46
6. "Remember The Time"  Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Bernard BelleDangerous 4:00
7. "Earth Song"  Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 6:46
8. "Off the Wall"  Rod TempertonOff the Wall 4:06
9. "You Rock My World"  Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Nora PayneInvincible 5:40
10. "Man in the Mirror"  Siedah Garrett, Glen BallardBad 5:18
11. "Break of Dawn"  Dr. Freeze, Michael JacksonInvincible 5:30
12. "Butterflies"  Marsha Ambrosius, Andre HarrisInvincible 4:40
13. "Blood on the Dance Floor"  Michael Jackson, Teddy RileyBlood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix 4:14
14. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"  Michael JacksonThriller 6:02
15. "Billie Jean 2008"  Michael JacksonThriller 25 4:38

Italy

"King of Pop - The Italian Fans' Selection" was released on October 3.[34] It was the first collection to feature the full version of "Carousel" from the Special Edition of Thriller, and the only version of the album to contain "Tabloid Junkie".

Japan

On July 18, the Japanese edition "キング・オブ・ポップ-ジャパン・エディション" (King of Pop - Japan edition) was announced with fans picking from a selection pool of 120 tracks. The compilation was released on September 24 by Sony Music Japan.[35]

Netherlands

On July 22, it was announced that Dutch fans could vote for their favorite Jackson tracks, choosing 5 songs from a list of 100. The release date of the album was August 22.[37]

New Zealand

On July 3, it was announced that fans in New Zealand would have until July 20, to vote for their version of King of Pop. In New Zealand, the compilation was released on August 25. Fans could vote for five songs in a pool that differed slightly from the Australian song pool. The songs available from Thriller 25 were different; "For All Time" had been replaced by "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008". "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu" from Bad (2001 special edition) was not available. While the Australian pool included seven songs from Jackson's group career, the New Zealand pool had only three: "Blame It on the Boogie", "Can You Feel It" and "State of Shock".[39]

Philippines

Sony BMG Philippines and MYX Music Channel announced the Philippine release of the King of Pop. Filipino fans were asked to send their Top 10 all-time favorite Michael Jackson tracks via e-mail. The album was released on August 28, 2008.[40] This is the only version of the album to contain the single Gone Too Soon.

Poland

On August 29, it was announced that the double disc album would be released in Poland on October 20. Fans could vote for 20 of their favourite tracks from a pool of 120 on the special web site of Sony BMG Poland. That site was launched on August 29 (on Michael Jackson's 50th birthday) and voting was closed on September 17.[42]

Portugal

The Portuguese edition was released on December 9, 2008.[43]

South Korea

"King of Pop - The Korean Limited Edition" was released on December 11, 2008.

Spain

"King of Pop - Edición Exclusiva España" was released in Spain on January 13, 2009. This is the only version of the album to contain the song Unbreakable.

Sweden

The Swedish edition was released on October 15.[46]

Taiwan

On July 31, 2009, double disc album called "King of Pop (The Taiwan Colletion)" released by Sony Music Taiwan. This version released after Michael Jackson's death, and the track listing is exactly the same as Hong Kong Version.

Turkey

"King of Pop - The Turkish Collection" was released on November 24.

United Kingdom

On July 18, the United Kingdom version of the compilation was announced, with a release date of August 25. Sony BMG UK teamed up with GMTV and The Sun allowing fans, until August 10, to pick 18 tracks from the song pool. The pool list, at only 50 tracks, is the least diverse; there were no songs included from Jackson's group career.[50][51][52] 66,000 people took part in the vote.[53] Despite the pool conducting a possible 18 tracks, only 17 are included. Most notable is the fact that "Scream" is included on the album, as this song had not appeared on any compilation album in the United Kingdom prior due to legal rights with Janet Jackson's label Virgin Records.

King of Pop UK: Standard Edition[53]
No. TitleWriter(s)Album Length
1. "Billie Jean" (Single Version)Michael JacksonThriller 4:54
2. "Bad" (7" Single Mix)Michael JacksonBad 4:06
3. "Smooth Criminal"  Michael JacksonBad 4:11
4. "Thriller" (Radio Edit)Rod TempertonThriller 5:57
5. "Black or White"  Michael Jackson, Bill BottrellDangerous 4:18
6. "Beat It"  Michael JacksonThriller 4:18
7. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" (7" Edit)Michael JacksonThriller 6:02
8. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (7" Edit)Michael JacksonOff the Wall 6:04
9. "The Way You Make Me Feel"  Michael JacksonBad 4:58
10. "Rock With You" (7" Remix)Rod TempertonOff the Wall 3:38
11. "You Are Not Alone" (LP Edit)R. KellyHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 5:45
12. "Man in the Mirror"  Siedah Garrett, Glen BallardBad 5:18
13. "Remember the Time"  Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Bernard BelleDangerous 4:00
14. "Scream" (feat. Janet Jackson)Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry LewisHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 4:40
15. "You Rock My World" (Album Edit)Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Nora PayneInvincible 5:38
16. "They Don't Care About Us" (LP Edit)Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 4:44
17. "Earth Song" (Radio Edit)Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 6:46

Deluxe box set

In the United Kingdom, a three disc version was released on September 29, 2008. The third disc was advertised as featuring "Rarities and Classic 12"s", although many of the mixes were already remastered and re-released on the 2006 boxset Visionary: The Video Singles.

The album tracks are:

King of Pop UK: Deluxe Edition CD 1
No. TitleWriter(s)Album Length
1. "Billie Jean" (Single Version)Michael JacksonThriller 4:54
2. "Bad" (7" Single Mix)Michael JacksonBad 4:06
3. "Smooth Criminal"  Michael JacksonBad 4:11
4. "Thriller" (Radio Edit)Rod TempertonThriller 5:57
5. "Black or White"  Michael Jackson, Bill BottrellDangerous 4:18
6. "Beat It"  Michael JacksonThriller 4:18
7. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" (7" Edit)Michael JacksonThriller 6:02
8. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (7" Edit)Michael JacksonOff the Wall 6:04
9. "The Way You Make Me Feel"  Michael JacksonBad 4:58
10. "Rock With You" (7" Remix)Rod TempertonOff the Wall 3:38
11. "You Are Not Alone" (LP Edit)R. KellyHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 5:45
12. "Man in the Mirror"  Siedah Garrett, Glen BallardBad 5:18
13. "Remember the Time"  Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Bernard BelleDangerous 4:00
14. "Scream" (feat. Janet Jackson)Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry LewisHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 4:40
15. "You Rock My World" (Album Edit)Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Nora PayneInvincible 5:38
16. "They Don't Care About Us" (LP Edit)Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 4:44
17. "Earth Song" (Radio Edit)Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I 6:46
King of Pop UK: Deluxe Edition CD 2
No. TitleWriter(s)Album Length
1. "Dirty Diana" (7" Version)Michael JacksonBad 4:54
2. "Say Say Say" (Paul McCartney feat. Michael Jackson)Michael Jackson, Paul McCartneyPipes of Peace 3:55
3. "Off the Wall"  Rod TempertonOff the Wall 4:06
4. "Human Nature"  Steve Porcaro, John BettisThriller 4:06
5. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"  Michael JacksonBad 4:12
6. "Heal the World" (7" Edit)Michael JacksonDangerous 6:24
7. "Will You Be There" (Radio Edit)Michael JacksonDangerous 7:40
8. "Stranger in Moscow" (LP Edit)Michael JacksonHIStory: Past, Present and Future 5:45
9. "Speechless"  Michael JacksonInvincible 3:18
10. "She's Out of My Life"  Tom BahlerOff the Wall 3:38
11. "The Girl is Mine" (feat. Paul McCartney)Michael JacksonThriller 3:42
12. "Butterflies"  Andre Ballard, Marsha AmbrosiusInvincible 4:40
13. "Who Is It" (7" Edit)Michael JacksonDangerous 6:38
14. "Ghosts"  Michael Jackson, Teddy RileyBlood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix 5:14
15. "Blood on the Dance Floor"  Michael Jackson, Teddy RileyBlood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix 4:15
16. "Workin' Day and Night"  Michael JacksonOff the Wall 5:14
17. "HIStory" (7" HIStory Lesson Edit)Michael Jackson, James Harris III, Terry LewisBlood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix 4:15
18. "Give in to Me" (feat. Slash)Michael Jackson, Bill BottrellDangerous 5:28
King of Pop UK: Deluxe Edition CD 3[54]
No. TitleWriter(s)Album Length
1. "Can't Get Outta the Rain" (Single Version)Michael JacksonThe Girl is Mine B-side 4:06
2. "On the Line"  Michael Jackson, BabyfaceThe Ultimate Collection 4:55
3. "Someone Put Your Hand Out"  Michael Jackson, Teddy RileyThe Ultimate Collection 5:25
4. "Is It Scary" (Single Radio Edit)Michael Jackson, James Harris III, Terry LewisBlood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix 4:11
5. "Smile" (Short Version)John Turner, Geoffrey ParsonsHistory: Past, Present and Future 4:10
6. "Billie Jean" (Original 12" Version (aka Long Version))Michael JacksonThriller 25 6:26
7. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Extended 12" Mix (aka Long Version))Michael JacksonWanna Be Startin' Somethin B-side 6:33
8. "Bad" (Dance Extended Mix Includes "False Fade")Michael JacksonBad B-side 8:22
9. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Extended Dance Mix)Michael JacksonThe Way You Make Me Feel B-side 7:22
10. "Another Part of Me"  Michael JacksonAnother Part of Me B-side 6:18
11. "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix)Michael JacksonSmooth Criminal B-side 7:46
12. "Black or White" (The Cilvilles & Cole House/Club Mix)Michael Jackson, Bill BottrellBlack or White B-side 7:36
13. "Thriller" (Megamix)Rod Temperton  4:08

Comparison

The songs included on each international version and format are summarised below, with their disc and track numbers (interactively sortable using the track order on an edition).

Song AUS AUT BEL BRA FRA
SIN		 FIN GER
SWI		 GRE HKG
MAS		 HUN IND INA
THA		 ITA JPN MEX NED NZL PHI POL POR RUS KOR ESP SWE TWN ARG TUR UK Σ
2 Bad 1.10 1
ABC 2.01 1
Another Part of Me 1.08 2.09 2
Another Part of Me (Extended Dance Mix) 3.11 3.10 2
Baby Be Mine 1.09 1.12 2
Bad 2.05 1.03 1.10 2.02 1.05 1.05 1.04 1.02 1.06 1.02 1.03 2.10 1.06 1.07 1.12 1.09 1.12 2.13 1.04 1.08 1.03 1.04 1.02 1.04 1.06 1.02 26
Bad (Dance Extended Mix) 3.08 3.08 2
Beat It 1.04 2.08 1.02 1.07 1.03 1.03 1.02 1.02 2.02 1.07 2.03 1.04 1.06 1.05 1.01 1.03 1.07 1.08 2.03 1.03 1.02 1.04 1.03 2.02 1.02 1.10 1.06 27
Beautiful Girl 1.16 1
Ben 1.16 1.14 2.06 3
Billie Jean 1.01 1.03 1.01 1.03 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.05 1.01 1.01 2.02 1.01 1.01 1.09 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.03 1.01 28
Billie Jean (Original 12" Version) 3.10 3.06 2
Billie Jean 2008 2.15 2.16 2.15 3
Black or White 1.08 1.05 1.04 1.02 1.07 1.07 1.08 1.12 1.02 1.04 1.01 1.02 1.07 1.11 1.09 1.05 2.03 1.02 1.02 1.07 1.03 1.06 1.05 1.12 1.03 1.04 1.05 27
Black or White (Clivillés & Cole House/​Club Mix) 3.13 3.12 2
Blame It on the Boogie 1.07 2.12 1.15 2.16 1.06 1.01 1.10 1.10 8
Blood on the Dance Floor 1.14 1.04 1.12 1.16 2.13 2.14 1.16 2.11 2.14 2.11 1.07 1.13 1.13 2.13 2.15 15
Break of Dawn 1.19 2.12 1.15 3
Burn This Disco Out 2.03 1
Butterflies 1.18 2.13 2.12 3
Can't Get Outta the Rain 3.01 1
Can't Let Her Get Away 2.04 1
Can You Feel It 2.02 1.06 2.04 2.05 2.01 2.06 2.02 7
Carousel 3.01 2.17 2
Childhood 1.15 3.07 2.04 2.10 2.18 5
Come Together 1.17 2.06 1.14 1.14 2.05 1.14 1.11 7
Cry 1.20 2.12 2
D.S. 2.14 1
Dangerous 1.11 2.16 2.09 1.17 2.03 1.13 2.04 1.09 2.05 1.16 1.07 2.03 12
Dirty Diana 1.13 1.11 1.12 2.07 1.08 1.06 1.07 2.04 1.08 2.05 1.08 1.05 1.14 2.07 1.15 1.05 2.09 1.11 2.04 2.01 20
Don’t Stop 'til You Get Enough 1.12 1.13 1.02 2.01 1.17 2.06 1.11 2.01 2.02 1.07 2.13 1.03 1.06 1.03 1.02 2.14 1.13 2.04 1.10 1.09 2.01 1.07 1.11 1.08 24
Don't Walk Away 2.20 1
Earth Song 2.07 1.14 1.14 1.06 1.09 2.08 2.09 1.05 2.08 2.14 1.15 1.14 1.13 2.08 1.04 1.08 1.09 2.08 2.01 2.09 1.17 21
Fall Again 2.09 1.14 2
For All Time 2.19 1
Ghosts 2.15 2.02 1.10 2.13 1.05 1.13 2.17 1.11 1.05 2.14 10
Girlfriend 2.15 1
Give In to Me 2.02 1.13 2.07 2.08 1.14 1.13 2.09 2.02 2.18 9
Gone Too Soon 2.04 1
Got the Hots 2.07 1.16 2.17 2.15 2.16 2.18 2.16 2.08 8
Heal the World 1.15 2.01 1.05 1.15 1.11 1.10 1.07 1.10 1.05 2.02 2.15 1.08 1.15 1.12 2.02 1.13 1.12 1.04 1.14 1.14 1.07 1.05 2.06 23
HIStory 2.08 1.16 2.17 3
Human Nature 1.08 2.10 1.09 1.09 2.07 2.07 1.11 1.10 1.04 2.08 1.10 1.14 2.07 1.06 2.04 15
I Just Can't Stop Loving You 2.10 2.05 1.10 2.07 1.11 1.09 2.08 1.06 1.15 2.02 2.03 1.11 1.10 2.05 14
I'll Be There 2.12 2.04 2
In the Back 2.12 1
In the Closet 1.12 1.11 2.13 1.17 1.09 5
Invincible 2.14 2.12 2
Is It Scary 3.06 3.04 2
Jam 2.16 1.05 1.09 1.07 1.14 1.10 1.09 7
Keep the Faith 2.15 1
Leave Me Alone 2.11 1
Liberian Girl 2.12 1.15 2.04 1.13 2.03 1.16 1.15 1.16 1.17 9
Man in the Mirror 1.02 1.01 2.18 1.14 1.07 1.14 1.08 2.12 2.08 2.11 2.10 1.03 1.02 2.08 1.07 1.04 1.14 2.04 1.09 1.04 1.11 1.07 1.08 2.08 1.09 1.12 26
Morphine 2.08 1
Off the Wall 1.04 2.02 2.09 1.10 1.07 1.15 2.03 2.11 1.04 2.14 1.18 2.03 12
On the Line 1.10 2.10 3.02 3
One More Chance 2.14 1.13 2.17 2.13 4
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2.08 2.06 1.11 3
Remember the Time 1.17 1.06 2.11 1.08 1.16 2.11 2.06 1.11 2.07 1.11 2.04 1.14 2.12 2.06 1.15 2.01 1.05 1.16 1.13 1.09 2.06 1.07 1.13 23
Rock with You 1.15 2.09 2.17 1.08 2.04 2.14 1.06 2.11 2.12 1.09 1.02 1.17 1.10 1.03 1.12 1.14 2.03 1.12 1.10 19
Say Say Say 2.04 2.03 1.05 1.06 1.16 1.16 2.03 1.03 1.12 2.13 1.12 2.01 2.15 2.15 1.06 2.05 1.03 2.02 18
Scream 2.05 2.14 2.13 1.13 2.11 1.09 1.10 1.15 1.13 1.13 2.06 1.08 2.06 1.10 1.12 1.14 16
Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) 2.04 2.07 2
She's Out of My Life 2.10 2.09 2.02 1.05 2.12 2.10 2.10 7
Smile 2.16 3.05 2
Smooth Criminal 1.03 1.02 2.09 1.06 1.04 1.04 1.03 1.08 1.04 1.06 1.02 1.05 1.03 1.10 1.04 1.08 1.16 2.01 1.05 1.06 1.14 1.05 1.06 1.08 1.08 1.02 1.03 27
Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix) 3.11 1
Someone Put Your Hand Out 2.11 2.09 3.03 3
Speechless 2.10 1.13 2.07 2.09 4
State of Shock 2.06 2.11 2
Stranger in Moscow 1.16 2.12 3.03 2.13 1.15 1.13 2.15 2.04 1.17 2.12 1.12 2.08 12
Sunset Driver 2.10 1
Tabloid Junkie 2.02 1
The Girl Is Mine 3.04 1.14 2.11 2.06 2.05 1.06 1.12 1.13 2.11 2.11 10
The Girl Is Mine 2008 1.16 1
The Way You Love Me 3.05 1
The Way You Make Me Feel 1.11 1.04 1.13 2.05 1.14 2.10 2.07 1.08 1.09 2.09 1.09 1.11 1.11 1.13 2.11 1.11 1.15 1.08 1.07 2.07 1.14 1.09 22
The Way You Make Me Feel (Dance Extended Mix) 3.12 3.09 2
They Don't Care About Us 1.06 1.10 2.06 1.12 1.11 2.05 1.13 1.09 1.10 1.17 1.10 2.15 1.08 1.16 2.07 2.05 1.11 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.05 1.16 22
Thriller 1.05 2.04 2.06 1.01 1.05 1.02 1.03 2.01 1.04 1.03 1.03 1.06 2.01 1.04 1.05 1.02 1.02 1.07 1.03 1.07 1.06 1.01 1.02 1.04 1.01 1.04 26
Thriller Megamix 2.16 1.17 2.16 2.15 2.16 1.16 1.17 2.17 2.16 2.16 2.16 1.12 3.13 14
Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu 2.16 1
Unbreakable 1.16 1
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 1.10 1.09 2.03 1.18 2.05 1.10 2.14 2.15 1.08 1.12 2.07 1.10 2.09 1.02 2.10 1.15 2.14 1.08 1.07 19
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Extended 12" Mix) 3.09 3.07 2
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 1.15 2.03 2.14 2.15 4
We've Had Enough 1.12 1.15 1.08 1.17 2.14 5
We Are Here to Change the World 2.12 1
We Are the World 2.11 2.15 1.15 3
We Are the World (Demo) 2.13 1.15 2.01 2.05 1.11 2.13 1.03 1.09 1.17 1.15 10
Whatever Happens 2.11 2.01 1.04 1.16 4
Who Is It 1.07 2.06 1.11 1.12 2.06 2.10 2.13 1.09 1.08 2.17 1.13 2.13 12
Will You Be There 2.01 1.14 1.12 2.13 2.10 1.06 2.01 2.05 2.14 2.10 2.01 1.06 2.07 13
Workin' Day and Night 2.14 2.16 2
You Are My Life 2.13 1
You Are Not Alone 2.03 1.07 1.11 2.09 1.09 2.02 2.09 2.05 1.15 2.06 2.03 2.14 1.12 2.03 2.09 2.08 1.06 1.05 2.05 1.16 1.11 21
You Can't Win 2.08 1
You Rock My World 1.09 2.13 2.15 2.12 2.12 2.10 1.12 1.14 1.13 2.07 2.10 1.10 2.11 2.12 1.15 1.15 16
Originating album - key to color codes
Motown/The Jackson 5 Off the Wall Thriller (including re-releases) Bad Dangerous
HIStory Blood on the Dance Floor Invincible Single A or B-side The Ultimate Collection

Charts and certifications

Country/Chart Peak
position
(2008)		 Peak
position
(2009)
Australia 5[55] 6[55]
Austria 1[56] 1[57]
Belgium (Vl) 4[58] 1[57]
Belgium (Wa) 9[58] 1[57]
Finland 29[59] 14[59]
Germany 6[60] 1[57]
Hungary 4[61]
Ireland (UK version import) 3[62]
Italy 1[63]
Japan 10[64] 4[65]
Mexico 3[66]
Netherlands 4[67] 1[57]
New Zealand 13[68] 6[68]
Poland 7[69] 1[69]
Spain 38[57] 1[70]
Sweden 9[71] 3[71]
Switzerland 26[72] 1[57]
United Kingdom 3[73] 5[74]

Year-end charts

Year Country Chart Ranking
2009 Germany Media Control End of Year Albums 2
Poland OLiS Albums Chart[75] 1
Japan Oricon Albums Chart[76] 12
2010 Europe European Top 100 Albums 95
Germany Media Control End of Year Albums 66
Japan Oricon Albums Chart[77] 51

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[78] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[79] 4× Platinum 80,000x
Belgium (BEA)[80] Platinum 30,000*
Germany (BVMI)[81] 5× Gold 500,000^
Hungary (MAHASZ)[82] Platinum 6,000x
Italy (FIMI)[83] 2× Platinum 140,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[84] 3× Platinum 750,000^
Mexico (AMPROFON)[85] Gold 40,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[86] Gold 7,500^
Poland (ZPAV)[87] Diamond 100,000*
Russia (NFPF)[88] Platinum 20,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[89] Gold 40,000^
Sweden (GLF)[90] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[91] Platinum 300,000^
Summaries
GCC (IFPI Middle East)[92]
The Hong Kong Edition		 Platinum 6,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date
Germany August 22, 2008
Netherlands
Switzerland
Belgium August 25, 2008
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Philippines August 28, 2008
Hong Kong
Austria August 29, 2008
Australia
Hungary
Region Date
Japan September 24, 2008
Finland October 1, 2008
Italy October 3, 2008
Sweden October 15, 2008
Brazil October 17, 2008
Poland October 20, 2008
Greece November 17, 2008
Turkey November 24, 2008
South Korea December 11, 2008
France December 12, 2008
Spain January 13, 2009
China December 18, 2009

Notes

  1. ↑ "Allmusic review". Allmusic.com. 2008-08-25. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  2. ↑ "Zona Musical" (in Spanish). zm.nu. Archived from the original on 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  3. ↑ "Thriller the best selling album of all time". digitalproducer. 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  4. ↑ "Michael Jackson Thriller 25". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Grein, Paul (2008-05-18). "Diva Smackdown". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  6. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (2008-02-20). "Big Grammy Gains For Many; King of Pop Returns". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  7. ↑ Hasty, Katy (2008-02-20). "Johnson Remains No. 1; Winehouse, Hancock Soar". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
  8. ↑ "US fans shun CD". BBC. 2005-07-30. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  9. ↑ Friedman, Roger (2008-05-16). "Jacko: Neverland East in Upstate New York". Fox News Channel. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Solters/Roskin/Friedman. (November 29, 1991). "Michael Jackson's Black or White Blues". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  11. ↑ Keehner, Jonathan; Mider, Zachary R. (2008-05-11). "Michael Jackson's Neverland Loan Sold by Fortress to Colony". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  12. ↑ Jackson, Michael. HIStory booklet. Sony BMG. p 3
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "King of Pop - Brazilian Collection". www.kingofpop.com.br. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  14. ↑ "Krone.at". krone.at. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  15. ↑ "SONY BMG - Michael Jackson - Diskografie". www.sonybmg.at. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Choose The Tracks On Michael Jackson's 50th Birthday Album!". Sony BMG. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "MJ50 - Michael Jackson". mj50.com. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  18. ↑ "JACKSON, MICHAEL / KING OF POP: 50TH ANN EDN". www.sanity.com.au. Archived from the original on 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  19. ↑ "Stel het nieuwe album van Michael Jackson zelf samen!". www.nieuwsblad.be. 2008-07-26. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  20. ↑ "Découvrez la nouvelle compilation de Michael Jackson". www.belrtl.be. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Michael Jackson King Of Pop The China Collection". amazon.cn. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Michael Jackson - King Of Pop (The China Collection)". Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Radio Aalto - Michael Jackson". www.radioaalto.fi/. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  24. ↑ "King of Pop - the French Fans' Selection". www.fnac.com. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  25. ↑ "King of Pop - the French Fans' Selection Deluxe Box Set Edition". www.fnac.com. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  26. ↑ "Klicken Sie auf den Song-Namen, um noch mal reinzuhören!". www.bild.de. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Weltbild.de — King Of Pop von Michael Jackson". www.weltbild.de. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  28. ↑ "SONY BMG - Michael Jackson - Diskografie". www.sonybmg.ch. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
  29. ↑ "Download-LPs: "Stadtaffe" mit den höchsten Verkäufen - media control". Media-control.de. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  30. ↑ "king of pop (Greek edition)". Sony BMG Greece. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  31. ↑ "Best Of Celebrating Michael Jackson's 50th Birthday". tube.hk. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  32. ↑ "M.J.50 - Légy a történelmi Magyar CD részese...". www.slager.hu. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  33. ↑ "slager.hu". www.slager.hu. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "King of Pop - Italian version". www.kingofpop.com.br. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  35. ↑ "King of Pop" (in Japanese). mj50jp.com. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  36. ↑ "King Of Pop - Japan Edition". www.hmv.co.jp. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  37. ↑ "Michael Jackson: King of Pop". Sony BMG. 2008-07-22. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
  38. ↑ "bol.com". www.nl.bol.com. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  39. ↑ "MJ50 Be a part of history...". Stuff.co.nz. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  40. ↑ "Michael Jackson: King of Pop Philippine Edition". Sony BMG. 2008-07-21. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  41. ↑ "Sony BMG Philippines". www.sonybmg.com.ph. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Michael Jackson - King of Pop". SonyBMG Poland. 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  43. ↑ "KING OF POP - EDIÇÃO PORTUGUESA". CDGO.COM. 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  44. ↑ "King Of Pop [The Korean Limited Edition]". www.kyobobook.co.kr. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  45. ↑ "King of Pop - Edición Exclusiva España".
  46. ↑ "cdon.com - Michael Jackson". www.cdon.com/. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  47. ↑ "KING OF POP". kingofpop.se. 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  48. ↑ "Taiwan collection". pchome.com.tw. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  49. ↑ "King of Pop - the Turkish Collection". www.sonybmg.com.tr. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  50. ↑ "You choose hits for new Jacko LP". London: The Sun. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  51. ↑ "Michael Jackson exclusive". GMTV. 2008-07-18. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  52. ↑ "Michael Jackson". GMTV. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Jacko pop picked by you". London: www.thesun.co.uk. 2008-08-11. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  54. ↑ "King of Pop UK Deluxe Edition". www.amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 "King of Pop - Australian version". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  56. ↑ "King of Pop - Austrian version". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 57.4 57.5 57.6 "Michael Jackson Makes History On Euro Charts". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 "King of Pop - Belgium version". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "King of Pop - Finland version". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  60. ↑ "Michael Jackson - King of Pop". acharts.us. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  61. ↑ "Top 40 album- és válogatáslemez- lista - Slágerlisták - MAHASZ - Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége". Mahasz.hu. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  62. ↑ "irishcharts.com - Discography Michael Jackson". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  63. ↑ "italiancharts.com - Michael Jackson - King Of Pop - The Italian Fans' Selection". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  64. ↑ "King of Pop - Japanese version". www.oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  65. ↑ "Michael Jackson: Japan Charts". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  66. ↑ Steffen Hung (2009-09-13). "Mexican Albums Chart Week 27 - 2009". Mexicancharts.com. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  67. ↑ "King of Pop - Netherlands version". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 "King of Pop - New Zealand version". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 "King of Pop - Polish version". ZPAV. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  70. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Michael Jackson - King Of Pop - Spanish Edition". spanishcharts.com. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 "King of Pop - Sweden version". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  72. ↑ "King of Pop - German version". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  73. ↑ Joseph, John (2008-09-07). "The Verve stay top of album charts". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  74. ↑ "UK Charts". theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  75. ↑ "Poland Albums Chart 2011" (in Polish). Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  76. ↑ "2009 Oricon Top 200 Albums". generasia. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  77. ↑ "アルバム 年間ランキング-ORICON STYLE ランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 20, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  78. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  79. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Michael Jackson – King of Pop" (in German). IFPI Austria. Enter Michael Jackson in the field Interpret. Enter King of Pop in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
  80. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2009". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  81. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Jackson; 'King of Pop')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  82. ↑ "Adatbázis – Arany- és platinalemezek – 2010" (in Hungarian). Mahasz.
  83. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Jackson Michael – King of Pop" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Select Album e Compilation in the field Sezione. Enter Jackson Michael in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
  84. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Michael Jackson – King of Pop" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.
  85. ↑ "Certificaciones – Michael Jackson" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas.
  86. ↑ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24.
  87. ↑ "Polish album certifications – Michael Jackson – King of Pop" (in Polish). Polish Producers of Audio and Video (ZPAV).
  88. ↑ "Russian album certifications – Michael Jackson – King of Pop" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPF).
  89. ↑ "Spanish album certifications – Michael Jackson – King of Pop" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Select the "Chart", enter ' in the field "Year". Select ' in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts"
  90. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2009" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
  91. ↑ "British album certifications – Michael Jackson – King of Pop". British Phonographic Industry. Enter King of Pop in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  92. ↑ "IFPI Middle East Awards – 2009". IFPI Middle East.