List of unreleased songs recorded by Michael Jackson

An African American man in his mid-twenties wearing a sequined military jacket and dark sunglasses. He walks and waves his right hand, which is adorned with a white glove. His left hand is bare.
Michael Jackson in 1984

Michael Jackson was an American musician and entertainer. He is known to have written, recorded and filmed material that has never been officially released. Many of the pop singer's unreleased songs have been registered—usually by his company Mijac Music—with professional bodies such as the United States Copyright Office, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) and EMI Music Publishing.[1] This list, however, only documents the songs explicitly cited as being unreleased and, therefore, does not contain every unreleased Jackson song registered with such bodies.

Jackson—along with Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Joseph Jackson—faced a copyright infringement suit in 1993. The lawsuit came after three songwriters alleged that the pop star and his fellow defendants had plagiarized the hits "The Girl Is Mine", "Thriller" and "We Are the World".[2][3] During a seven-hour deposition, Jackson named numerous unreleased songs that he had written or co-written.[1][4] Following the testimony, a nine-member jury found the defendants not guilty of plagiarism.[5]

Many officially unreleased Jackson songs had been scheduled, at one point, for release on records by the singer, including his six solo studio albums with music label Epic Records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995) and Invincible (2001). For varying reasons, the tracks were ultimately rejected and, as of 2017, remain unreleased. The pop singer's unreleased material includes songs recorded by Jackson as a solo artist (including covers of songs released by other artists and The Jackson 5 songs) and demo versions, some featuring established artists such as Freddie Mercury and Barry Gibb.

In 2009, after Jackson's sudden death, La Toya Jackson said that she had discovered two hard disks at her brother's home which contain more than 1,000 songs that were never released and that are even not registered by any bodies (excluding some). It has been said that Jackson, in his lifetime, recorded more than 50,000 songs but many of the songs were not released.

Several of Jackson's songs have been leaked onto the Internet without gaining an official release. One example involved the song "A Place with No Name", a 24-second snippet of which was leaked by website TMZ.com following Jackson's death in 2009.[6] At the time of the leak, it was claimed that there were "hundreds" of unreleased songs by the musician, and that they could be issued for several years to come. Commenting on the subject, the curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jim Henke, noted that any future releases would garner significant attention. "I think we are going to see amazing interest in any released Michael Jackson material that will come out in the future or a year from now on."[7][8][9] On March 16, 2010, Sony Music Entertainment signed a record-breaking $250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017 and release ten posthumous albums—some of which will feature unreleased material—over the next decade.[10]

Key

†
 Denotes songs registered with Broadcast Music Incorporated
‡
 Denotes songs registered with EMI Music Publishing
*
 Denotes songs cited by the singer in his 1993 deposition
(Year) Denotes songs registered with the United States Copyright Office and the year of registration
*(Year)
 Denotes Jackson-written songs cited by the singer in his 1993 deposition and the year they were registered with the United States Copyright Office

Songs

Song Writer(s) Notes Ref(s).
"A Baby Smiles"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1979
  • Lyrics to the song were featured as a poem titled "When Babies Smile" in the 1992 book Dancing the Dream
 [11]
"A Deeper Love"Jerkins, RodneyRodney Jerkins
Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1999 for Invincible
 [12]
"A Pretty Face Is"Wonder, StevieStevie Wonder
  • Written c. 1974
  • The song was originally intended for The Jackson 5 or as a duet between Wonder and Jackson. The two reportedly recorded the song for Wonder's 1987 Characters album
 [12]
"Addams Groove"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [12]
"Adore You"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
, Bradley BuxerBradley Buxer
  • Title listed on a note in Jackson's bedroom
  • Written and recorded in 2009 during Michael Jackson's This Is It rehearsals.
 [13]
"Alright Now"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [14]
"Angel"Edmonds, Kenneth "Babyface"Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
  • Recorded by Jackson around 1998
  • Had been scheduled to be featured on a shelved greatest hits compilation
 [15]
"Attitude"‡Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Wakefield, KathyKathy Wakefield
Pierre, MichelMichel Pierre
  • Recorded during "Thriller" sessions
  • Failed to make the "Thriller" album
 [16]
"Bassouille"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Swedien, BruceBruce Swedien
  • Written in 1994 but failed to make Jackson's HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I album
  • Also known as "Basszouille"
 [17]
"Be Me 4 a Day"†Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Days, Gray CalixGray Calix Days
  • Written in 1987
  • Also known as "Be Me for a Day", "Just for One Day Be Michael", "Just for a Day", "Me 4 a Day" and "Be Michael"
 [18]
"Belong 2", Michael JacksonMichael Jackson
Riley, TeddyTeddy Riley		 [19]
"Bottle of Smoke"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1991
  • Failed to make the Dangerous album.
 [20]
"Breathe"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2009
  • Planned for the cancelled "This Is It" concerts
  • One of the last songs recorded in Jackson's lifetime
[21]
"Buffalo Bill"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1983 for The Jacksons' Victory album in 1984. The song is about William Cody
 [22]
"Butter Funk"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Song title found on note in Jackson's bedroom
[23]
"California Grass"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded during the Dangerous studio sessions.
  • Failed to make the Dangerous album.
  • Completed in 1993.
 [24]
"Can't Get Your Weight Off of Me"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Swedien, BruceBruce Swedien
  • Written in 2000
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
  • Short snippets are online
 [25]
"Can't Stop Loving You"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [25]
"Cheater Ft. Fats"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Reworked during "Invincible" sessions
  • Failed to make the "Invincible" album
  • Features rapper "Fats"
  • Song title listed on note in Jackson's bedroom
[25]
"Chicago 1945"Pocaro, SteveSteve Pocaro
  • Written and recorded during "Bad" sessions
  • Unrelated to "Al Capone"
  • Considered for "Xscape" album but was ultimately rejected by the song writer because of its inevitability of being remixed
  • The song was reworked during the "Invincible" sessions
  • The lyrics tell a story about two girls who went out at night and disappeared
  • Hook is "Never to be found again"
 [26]
"Color of My Soul"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Michael's brother, Randy Jackson, recorded a demo titled "Color of Love"
  • Written in 2000.
  • Possibly recorded in 2006 with Whitney Houston background vocals.
 [27]
"Crack Kills"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Recorded in 1986
  • Planned to have been recorded with rappers Run–D.M.C. for Jackson's Bad album, but was shelved.
  • Lyrics consisting of two verses put up for auction in November 2005, and again on the Internet auction site eBay a year later.
  • Run–D.M.C.'s verse was released on the remastered version of Tougher Than Leather.
  • DMC claims the song wasn't finished due to an incident where Bubbles accidentally bit Jam Master Jay according to an interview he gave to HipHopStan.com, which is available to watch on YouTube and he also noted the experience they had with Michael Jackson was positive rather than negative as rumored.
  • Run–D.M.C. was thanked on the Bad album regardless.
 [28]
"Coco Butter"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Title listed on a note in Jackson's bedroom
  • Also known as "Cocoa Butter"
 [13]
"D.I.E."Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Found on a list taped to the wall in Jackson's bedroom on June 25
  • Stands for "Dance Is Entertainment"
  • Written in 2006.
 [29]
"Dark Lady"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Song title found on note in Jackson's bedroom
 [30]
"Days in Gloucestershire"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Durham, MichaelMichael Durham
Buxer, BradleyBradley Buxer
  • Also known as "Gloucestershire"
  • Written and recorded in 2004
  • Leaked online
[31]
"Dead or Alive"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2004.
 [31]
"Deep in the Night"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1987
 [31]
"Destruction"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2005
  • Sequel to "Scream"
  • Duet with Janet Jackson
  • Planned for Janet's comeback album, "Unbreakable", but was ultimately cancelled
[31]
"Dig It"Lennon, JohnJohn Lennon
  • Cover song from The Beatles
  • Leaked online in low quality and with incomplete vocals
[31]
"Do You Love Me"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Edmonds, Kenneth "Babyface"Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
  • Written and recorded in 1998
 [32]
"Do You Want Me"Sisqó
Hill, DruDru Hill
  • Written c. 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [32]
"Doing Dirty"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Jackson, MarlonMarlon Jackson		 [33]
"Don't Walk Away"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Recorded in 2009
  • Unrelated to song on the "Invincible" album with the same name
[34]
"Dreams"†Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Recorded in 1993
 [35]
"Easy"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1999 for an album that was shelved due to contract difficulties.
 [36]
"Eaten Alive"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Gibb, MauriceMaurice Gibb
Gibb, BarryBarry Gibb
  • Original version of the song written by the Gibb brothers, but was reworked by Jackson
  • Later recorded by Diana Ross and released on the Eaten Alive album in 1985
 [37]
"Ekam Satyam (The One Truth)"Rahman, A.R.A.R. Rahman
Parthasarathi, A.R.A.R. Parthasarathi
Bharat, Kanika MyerKanika Myer Bharat
  • Recorded as a duet c. September 1999 with Jackson (singing in English) and Rahman (singing in Sanskrit)
  • Intended to be on the upcoming album in 2003 but cancelled
 [38]
"Elizabeth, I Love You"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and performed by Jackson as a tribute to his friend Elizabeth Taylor in 1997
  • Studio version is known to exist
 [38]
"Faces"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Failed to make the "HIStory" album
  • Also known as "Face"
  • Originally intended to feature an intro by Nelson Mandela
  • Features a performance by the percussion group STOMP
  • Cancelled due to Mandela's advisors not allowing him to record the song because of the scandals surrounding Jackson during this time
  • Snippet leaked online
 [39]
"Fanfare Transition"(1992)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1992
  • Also known as "Fanfare 1992"
 [39]
"Fantasy"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Jackson, JermaineJermaine Jackson
  • Recorded in 1983
 [40]
"Far, Far Away"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Recorded in 1983
 [40]
"Fear"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written c. 1993
  • Failed to make HIStory album
 [41]
"Fever"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Loren, BryanBryan Loren
  • Written and recorded in 1991 during Dangerous sessions
  • One of around 20–25 songs Jackson been working with Bryan Loren
 [41]
"From the Bottom of My Heart"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [42]
"Ghost of Another Lover"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded during the "Dangerous" sessions
  • Song title found on note in Jackson's bedroom
  • Leaked online
 [43]
"Girl of Another"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Also known as "Girl of Another Love"
  • Written during the "Bad" session
  • Snippet leaked online
[24]
"Goin' to Rio"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Bayer Sager, CaroleCarole Bayer Sager		 [44]
"Got to Find a Way Somehow"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1979
  • Failed to make "Off the Wall"
 [45]
"Groove of Midnight"Temperton, RodRod Temperton
  • Written in 1987 for "Bad"
  • A demo by Jackson surfaced on the Internet in 2003 in low quality
 [46]
"Halloween Night"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2004
  • Features a guitar solo by Slash
  • Short instrumental snippet is online
[47]
"Heaven Is Here"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1991
 [24]
"He Who Makes the Sky Grey"Jackson, JermaineJermaine Jackson
Sheik Abdullah of Bahrain
  • Featured vocals by Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2005
 [48]
"Higher Ground"Wonder, StevieStevie Wonder
  • A Stevie Wonder song that musician Donny Osmond confirmed he had been working with Jackson on in a 2003 television interview
  • Recorded in 2003
 [47]
"Holiday Inn"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1976
  • Recorded in 1984
 [49]
"Hollywood"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Not to be confused with "Hollywood Tonight"
  • Written and recorded in 2000
  • Reworked in 2006
 [14]
"Hot Fever"(1985)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [49]
"Hot Fun In The Summertime"Stone, SlySly Stone
  • Recorded in 1993
  • Cover song of Sly Stone
  • With Mary J Blige and D Angelo
  • A new version, completed in 2012, was planned for "Xscape", but was ultimately cancelled
[50]
"Hot Street"Temperton, RodRod Temperton
  • Recorded in 1982
  • Early demo version called "Slapstick"
  • Failed to make the Thriller album
  • In the 1993 deposition Michael is quoted as saying "Yes I like 'Hot Street', but Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton said it wasn't good enough."
  • Leaked online
[49]
"H2O"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Title found on a note in Jackson's bedroom
[49]
"I Am a Loser"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Buxer, BradBrad Buxer
  • Early version of "I Was the Loser"
  • Also known as "The Loser"
  • Written and recorded in January 2003
  • This song is cited, among others, on a list found taped to the wall in Jackson's bedroom on June 25.
  • Leaked online
 [51]
"I Am Forever"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2009
  • Planned to be the final song for the final night of the cancelled "This Is It" concerts
  • Demo version of "Best of Joy"
  • Leaked online in low quality
[52]
"I Can't Get You Off My Mind"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Jackson worked on the song in the early 1970s
  • A demo version/mono acetate is known to exist
 [53]
"I Don't Live Here Anymore"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written c. 2001
  • Also known by the title "I Don't Live Anymore"
  • Was supposed to be a promo for a shelved 2002 album.
 [54]
"I Forgive You"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2007 possibly with will.i.am.
 [55]
"I Have This Dream"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Bayer Sager, CaroleCarole Bayer Sager
Foster, DavidDavid Foster
  • Re-written as "From the Bottom of My Heart" (see above).
  • Also known as "I Have a Dream"
  • An instrumental version leaked online in 2006.
 [56]
"I Love You"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2004
  • According to Jackson, it's the best song about Love
 [56]
"I Love You More"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2005
  • Recorded by Jackson featuring Britney Spears
  • According to Jackson, it's a continuation of the song "I Love You" (see above)
  • Also known as "I Love You Too"
[56]
"I Was the Loser"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Also known as "The Loser"
  • This song is cited, among others, on a list found taped to the wall in Jackson's bedroom on June 25.
  • Short snippets are online
[56]
"If You Don't Love Me"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1991
  • Failed to make the Dangerous album
  • Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album.
  • Leaked online in 2006 in low quality
 [57]
"I'm Still the King"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
, will.i.amwill.i.am
  • One of the songs Jackson worked on with will.i.am in 2006
  • Also known as "Still the King"
  • Failed to make the Michael album
  • Instrumental snippets are online
[14]
"In the Valley"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • May have written in the 1990s
  • Recorded with Tyrese Gibson during "Invincible" sessions
  • While working on the song with the singer, Michael found the song "2000 Watts" and included it on "Invincible"
 [58]
"Innocent Man"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1993 after winning the trials
  • Failed to make the "HIStory" album
 [59]
"Iowa"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • "I have seen him write things which I don't think the public will ever hear," said Janet Jackson. "He has a song called 'Iowa' that he wrote. People will never hear that song. Just before he left to film The Wiz, he put all the songs he had written on to tape in the studio in our parents' house. Not one of them has been heard and those were songs to cry for. There are things that he's written for orchestras that are classical music, I swear to you. Like something by Bach or Beethoven."
  • Recorded in 1977
 [60]
"Joy"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Riley, TeddyTeddy Riley
  • Written in 1991
  • Failed to make the Dangerous album
  • Riley mentioned "Joy" in a radio interview that Jackson had recorded a solo version of this track and that he would endeavour to hand the tapes over to the Estate.
  • Leaked Online
  • Later released as a single for Blackstreet's 1994 debut album.
 [61]
"Kick It"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Daniels, LaShawnLaShawn Daniels
Jerkins, RodneyRodney Jerkins
Jerkins III, FredFred Jerkins III
  • Written and recorded during the Invincible sessions.
 [62]
"Kentucky"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in the mid-1970s
  • Recorded around 1975
 [62]
"Kreeton Overture"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Winding, JaiJai Winding
Paich, MartyMarty Paich
Leonard, PatrickPatrick Leonard
  • Written in 1984 for the opening of The Jacksons' Victory Tour
 [63]
"Learned My Lesson"(1985)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1981
  • Two versions of the song were registered with the United States Copyright Office.
  • Alternate recording of "Much Too Soon" featuring either alternate lyrics or music.
 [49]
"Let Him Burn"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
, will.i.amwill.i.am
  • One of the songs Jackson worked on with will.i.am in 2006
  • Failed to make the Michael album
 [14]
"Little Girls"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Possibly recorded for Dangerous album
 [64]
"Llama Lola"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Possibly recorded for Dangerous album
 [64]
"Lonely Bird"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Possibly recorded for Dangerous album
 [65]
"Lonely Man"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Possibly recorded for Dangerous album
 [65]
"Lucy Is in Love with Linus"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Possibly recorded for Dangerous album
 [66]
"Maybe We Can Do It"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Jerkins, RodneyRodney Jerkins
Combs, SeanSean Combs
  • Written and recorded in 2000/2001
  • Features Sean Combs
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [67]
"Men in Black"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1990 for Dangerous album
  • Planned for release on the cancelled greatest hits compilation album "Decade"
  • One of around 20–25 songs that Michael and Bryan Loren worked on
  • Also known as "Man in Black"
  • Hook is "You can't hide from the Men in Black"
 [68]
"Michael McKellar"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1991
  • Failed to make the Dangerous album
 [69]
"Midnight Man"Temperton, RodRod Temperton
  • Written and recorded in 1981 during "Thriller" sessions
  • Evolved into "Thriller"
  • On coming up with the title "Thriller", Rod Temperton said, "I went back to the hotel, wrote two or three hundred titles and came up with Midnight Man. The next morning I woke up and I just said this word. Something in my head just said, 'This is the title'. You could visualise it at the top of the Billboard charts. You could see the merchandising for this one word, how it jumped off the page as 'Thriller'."
 [70]
"MJ Melody"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1982
  • Recorded in 1992
 [71]
"Monster"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1999 during "Invincible" sessions
  • Completely unrelated to track on "Michael" album with the same name
  • Bassist CJ DeVillar (produced "Break of Dawn") revealed the song in a recent interview "Now, I guess Monster is the name of it - the hook I recorded, he sang "you created a monster", There was an orchestra laid out, huge amount of percussion... It was very experimental. It sounded like a very personal Michael Jackson song to me. It was like one of his SGT Pepper songs, that he went kind of 'art' instead of hitting us with 'pop'. He reached down to a different place with this song, it's more challenging to listen to."
 [72]
"Neverland Landing"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1993
 [73]
"Nite Line"Ballard, GlenGlen Ballard
  • Written in 1982
  • Failed to make the Thriller album
  • Full song leaked on the internet
  • As Michael rejected "Nite Line", it was instead recorded by The Pointer Sisters on Break Out the following year.
 [74]
"Not Guilty"Harrison, GeorgeGeorge Harrison
  • Recorded in 1994 after winning the trials
  • Failed to make the History album
  • Featured The Notorious B.I.G.
 [75]
"Nymphette Lover"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1981
  • Failed to make the Thriller album
 [76]
"Ode to Sorrow"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1977
  • Recorded in 1984
 [77]
"On My Anger"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Riley, TeddyTeddy Riley
  • Written and recorded in 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [78]
"People Have to Make Some Sort of Joke"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 2000
 [79]
"People of the World"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Friends, JJ Friends
  • Written and produced in 1998 for the Japanese fund raising group J-Friends. The song was released by J-Friends on January 13, 1999.
  • Original demo leaked online
 [79]
"Peter Pan"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Song mentioned by Jackson on the 1993 CD The Michael Jackson Interview
  • Written and recorded in 1983
 [80]
"Pressure"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Failed to make the "Invincible" album
  • Short snippet is online
 [81]
"Pyramid Girl"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [82]
"Resurrection"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Working title for cancelled 2003 album
  • Early speculation suggests that it would have been a double album, similar to "HIStory"
  • Another report suggested the album would also feature remixes from "Invincible"
  • Cancelled due to increased speculation around Jackson and "Number Ones" was released instead
  • Several tracks from the album were instead put on the final disc of "The Ultimate Collection"
 [83]
"River Ripple"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Recorded in 2009
  • Planned for the cancelled "This Is It" concerts
  • It is the last song recorded by Michael Jackson, and was recorded just a few days before his death
  • Short instrumental snippet is online
 [84]
"Rocker"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Song found on note in Jackson's bedroom
  • Also known as "Rock Tonight"
  • Similar to Queen's smash hit "We Will Rock You"
 [85]
"Rolling the Dice"*Temperton, RodRod Temperton
  • Written and recorded in 1981 for Thriller
  • In the 1993 deposition Michael is quoted as saying "Yes, 'Rolling the Dice' [...] we did a demo that day we rehearsed but we never released it. We never thought it was strong enough."
 [86]
"Satisfy"Lewis, TerryTerry Lewis
Harris III, JamesJames Harris III		 [87]
"Saturday Woman"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1990/1991 for Dangerous
  • Cited in the book My Friend Michael.
 [88]
"Saved By the Bell"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Jackson, JermaineJermaine Jackson		 [89]
"Seduction"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Myrick III, Shelby LeeShelby Lee Myrick III
  • Written and recorded in 2001
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [90]
"Seeing Voices"Fine, SidneySidney Fine
Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1999
  • from Invincible era
  • Song features The Ray Charles Choir
  • Leaked online
 [91]
"Serious Effect"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Riley, TeddyTeddy Riley
  • Recorded in 1991 for "Dangerous"
  • Features LL Cool J
  • Scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of Dangerous
  • Leaked online
 [91]
"Seven Digits"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Loren, BryanBryan Loren
  • Also known as "7 Digits"
  • One of the 20 songs the pair worked on together
 [92]
"She Got It"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Bottrell, BillBill Bottrell
Riley, TeddyTeddy Riley
  • Recorded in 1991 for Dangerous
  • Scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
  • Leaked online
 [93]
"She's Not a Girl"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Citied by Jackson at Mexican Depostion in 1993
  • A demo he did at his home studio at Hayvenhurst Encino.
 [94]
"She's Not It"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 2002
  • Reworked "Billie Jean"
 [94]
"She's Only Fifteen"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Scratch demo made in 1999 during "Invincible" sessions
  • Early version of "Hollywood Tonight"
  • Failed to make the "Invincible" album
  • Later reworked in 2006
  • Song title listed on note in Jackson's bedroom
  • Leaked online
 [94]
"She's Trouble"Shifrin, SueSue Shifrin
Livsey, BillBill Livsey
Britten, TerryTerry Britten
  • Written and recorded in 1981 for "Thriller"
  • Also known as "Trouble"
  • Leaked online
  • Later it was recorded by Musical Youth for their 1983 album Different Style!
 [95]
"Shut Up and Dance"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Durham, MichaelMichael Durham
  • Written in 1999, may have not recorded vocals
  • Found on a list taped to the wall in Jackson's bedroom on June 25
 [94]
"Siegfried & Roy"(1990)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1989 for illusionists Siegfried & Roy
  • Two versions—vocal and instrumental—registered with the United States Copyright Office
  • Thought to be an early version of "Mind Is the Magic"
 [96]
"Silent Spring"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Title listed on a note in Jackson's bedroom
 [13]
"Sister Sue"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson—[97]
"Slapstick"Temperton, RodRod Temperton
  • Written and recorded in 1982 for "Thriller"
  • Early version of "Hot Street"
  • Leaked online
 [98]
"Soldier's Entrance"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Worked on by Jackson in 1999 with a view to have it featured on the Invincible album
 [99]
"Somewhere in Time"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1980
 [100]
"Space Dance"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1998-1999
  • Also known as "Space Channel 5"
  • Used as a promotional song for Sega's "Space Channel 5" video game
  • Leaked online
 [101]
"Spice of Life"*Temperton, RodRod Temperton
  • Recorded in 1981 for "Thriller"
  • Later it was recorded by "The Manhattan Transfer" and released on their "Bodies and Souls" album in 1983
 [91]
"Stand Tall"(1985)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1981
 [102]
"Starlight"*Temperton, RodRod Temperton
  • Recorded in 1981
  • Referred to by Jackson as "Starlight Sun" during his 1993 deposition; he sang, "Starlight ... Starlight Sun ... Gimme some starlight, for a new day has begun"
  • Evolved into "Thriller"
  • Leaked online
 [103]
"Sympathy"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Jackson, RandyRandy Jackson
  • Recorded in 2003 with his brother Randy.
  • Was supposed to be on an album in 2003 but was later cancelled due to trial
  • Demo version recorded December 2, 2002
 [103]
"State of Shock"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Hansen, RandyRandy Hansen
  • One of three songs Jackson worked on with Queen's Freddie Mercury
  • Demo version by Mercury and Jackson was leaked onto the Internet on July 7, 2002 in high quality
  • Different version later released on Victory with Mick Jagger
 [104]
"Stay"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Loren, BryanBryan Loren
  • Written c. 1988
  • Failed to make the "Dangerous" album
 [105]
"Stop the War"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Sager, Carole BayerCarole Bayer Sager
  • Written and recorded in 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [106]
"Susie"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1978
  • Could have evolved into "Little Susie", a song featured on Jacksons 1995 album HIStory; or "Blood On The Dance Floor", a song featured on Jacksons 1997 album Blood On The Dance Floor: HIStory In The Mix
 [107]
"Thank Heaven"(1998)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1998
 [105]
"Thank You for Life"*(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1976
 [106]
"That"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in November 1998
 [106]
"That Kind of Lover"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Ruffin, RayRay Ruffin
  • Written c. 2001
 [106]
"The Children's Hour"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Japanese version released by "J-Friends" in 1998
  • Instrumental leaked online
  • Snippets of demo version are online
 [108]
"The Future"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
, will.i.amwill.i.am
  • One of the songs Jackson worked on with will.i.am in 2006
  • Also known as "In The Future"
  • Failed to make the "Michael" album
  • Instrumental snippets are online
 [109]
"The Gloved One"Sisqó
  • Written c. 2001
  • Also known as "Gloved One"
  • Written by Sisqó for Jackson
 [110]
"The Nightmare of Edgar Allan Poe"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Afanasieff, WalterWalter Afanasieff
  • Written c. 2000
  • Also known as "Edgar Allan Poe"
  • Recorded in 2000 for a canceled indie film of the same name starring Jackson
 [88]
"The Pain"Stockman, ShawnShawn Stockman
Mason, Jay HarveyJay Harvey Mason
Jerkins, RodneyRodney Jerkins
  • Written During the "Invincible" Album Sessions.
 [111]
"The Sky Is the Limit"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Recorded in 1983
 [112]
"The Toy"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1981 for a Richard Pryor movie of the same name.
  • Early version of "Best of Joy"
 [113]
"The Truth on Youth"(1990)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [114]
"The World Is No Church"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1999
  • Had been scheduled to released as an album/compilation in 1999
  • One of the unreleased songs from the Invincible sessions
 [115]
"This Is Our Time"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Hill, LaurynLauryn Hill
Foster, DavidDavid Foster
  • Written and recorded in 1999
  • Despite rumours to the contrary, the song was not recorded as a duet with Hill.
 [116]
"Throwin' Your Life Away"(1988)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1988
 [117]
"To Satisfy You"Loren, BryanBryan Loren
  • Written and recorded in 1990-1992
  • One of the tracks worked on with Bryan Loren
  • Features Jackson on backing vocals
  • Leaked online
 [118]
"Tomboy"*(1985)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1985 for "Bad"
  • Also known as "Townboy"
  • Snippet leaked online
 [119]
"Tragedy of a Cheer-leader"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1991 during Dangerous sessions
  • Instrumental leaked online
 [120]
"Tubeway"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written c. 1999
  • Failed to make the "Invincible" album
 [115]
"Turning Me Off"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1987 during Bad sessions
  • Snippet leaked online
[121]
"Under Your Skin"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1979
  • Also known as "Under My Skin"
 [122]
"Unknown"†Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • It is unclear whether the song is titled "Unknown" or the song title is unknown.
  • Possibly written in 1999 or 1996
 [122]
"Verdicts"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Loren, BryanBryan Loren
  • Written and recorded in 1990 for Dangerous album
  • One of around 20–25 songs that Michael Jackson and Bryan Loren worked on
 [119]
"On the Rain"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1998
 [123]
"Vibrationist"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Riley, TeddyTeddy Riley
  • Written c. 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
  • Alternatively titled "The Vibrationist"
 [124]
"Victory"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Mercury, FreddieFreddie Mercury
  • One of three songs Jackson worked on with Queen's Freddie Mercury in 1983
  • Demo version known to exist
 [124]
"We Are the Ones"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1978
 [125]
"We Be Ballin'"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [126]
"What a Lonely Way to Go"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1975
 [127]
"What About Us"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1988 for Dangerous
  • Scheduled for release on the special edition Dangerous album in 2001
  • Early version of "Earth Song"
  • Leaked online
 [128]
"What You Do to Me"(1985, 1998)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1985
  • First registered with the United States Copyright Office in 1985
  • Re-registered with the United States Copyright Office in 1998
 [129]
"What's a Guy Gotta Do"Williams, PharrellPharrell Williams
  • Written in 2000
 [130]
"What's It Gonna Be"†Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [129]
"What's Your Life"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
Jackson, JermaineJermaine Jackson		 [131]
"When You Wish Upon A Star Medley"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson [132]
"Who Is the Girl with Her Hair Down"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson—[133]
"Why Can't I Be"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1980 for "Triumph"
 [132]
"Why Shy"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson—[132]
"Willing and Waiting"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Failed to make the "HIStory" album
  • Produced by Babyface
  • In an interview, Jackson's assistant engineer said it was one of his favorite songs "A very pretty song - but I think Michael was looking to push things pretty hard on HIStory, Willing and Waiting was maybe a bit softer than the direction he was going"
 [132]
''Work That Body'' Michael Jackson

Bryan Loren
  • Written and recorded for Dangerous
  • Planned for the cancelled special edition version of "Dangerous"
  • Leaked online
"You Ain't Gonna Change Nothin'"*(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1975
 [134]
"You Are a Liar"*Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
  • Also known as "You're a Liar" and "You're a Liar, Brother"
 [134]
"You Are So Beautiful"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Song Jackson began writing in 2005 as a thank you to his fans for their ongoing support
 [135]
"You Told Me Your Lovin'"(1984)Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written in 1979
  • A second version exists, with words and music by Jackson's brother Randy
 [136]
"You Were There"Jackson, MichaelMichael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1989 for Sammy Davis Jr.
 [13]
"You're Supposed to Keep Your Love for Me"Wonder, StevieStevie Wonder
  • Originally recorded in 1975 by Jermaine Jackson, with Wonder, Jackie Jackson and Michael on backing vocals
  • Re-cut solo version by Jermaine featured on his 1980 Let's Get Serious album, replacing the original recording featuring brother Michael
 [137]

Posthumous albums

Following the surge in sales of Jackson's catalogue following his death, Sony Music Entertainment, led by its Columbia/Epic Label Group division, signed a new deal with the Jackson estate to extend distribution rights to his back catalogue until 2015, which was later extended to 2017, as well as permission to release ten new albums with previously unreleased material and new collections of released work. The deal is the most expensive music contract to a single artist in history, with Sony Music reportedly paying $250 million for the deal, and the Jackson estate getting the full sum, as well as a share of royalties for all works released.[138] Here are the albums that have been released as part of the deal:

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. 1 2 Halstead 2007, p. 1.
  2. ↑ Campbell, p. 89
  3. ↑ Grant, p. 168
  4. ↑ Collier, Aldore. Michael Jackson tries to keep career from crumbling as he fights addiction to painkiller drugs and charges of child molestation. Jet. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  5. ↑ Federal jury rules in favour of Michael Jackson. Jet. January 31, 1994. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  6. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (July 20, 2009). "America Respond To Michael Jackson's 'A Place With No Name'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Michael Jackson's second career really takes off this week". San Jose Mercury News. October 28, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  8. ↑ Montgomery, James (July 20, 2009). "America 'Honored' By Michael Jackson's 'A Place With No Name' Sample". MTV. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  9. ↑ Netter, Sarah (July 17, 2009). "Michael Jackson's Unreleased Songs, Continuing the Music Legacy". ABC News. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King'". The Wall Street Journal. March 16, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
  11. ↑ Halstead, p. 6.
  12. 1 2 3 Halstead, p. 8.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Image: 28-songs-MJ-was-working-on.jpg, (720 × 420 px)". damienshields.com. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Halstead, pp. 309–332
  15. ↑ Halstead, p. 17.
  16. ↑ Halstead, p. 20.
  17. ↑ Halstead, p. 25.
  18. ↑ Halstead, p. 26.
  19. ↑ Halstead, p. 32.
  20. ↑ Halstead, p. 51.
  21. ↑ Halstead, p. 51.
  22. ↑ Halstead, p. 53.
  23. ↑ Halstead, p. 53.
  24. 1 2 3 Halstead, p. 389.
  25. 1 2 3 Halstead, p. 388.
  26. ↑ Halstead, p. 70.
  27. ↑ Halstead, p. 70.
  28. ↑ Halstead, p. 73.
  29. ↑ Halstead, p. 383.
  30. ↑ Halstead, p. 383.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 Halstead
  32. 1 2 Halstead, p. 88.
  33. ↑ Halstead, p. 89.
  34. ↑ Halstead, p. 89.
  35. ↑ Halstead, p. 95.
  36. ↑ Halstead, p. 387.
  37. ↑ Halstead, pp. 100–101.
  38. 1 2 Halstead, p. 102.
  39. 1 2 Halstead, p. 107.
  40. 1 2 Halstead, p. 108.
  41. 1 2 Halstead, p. 109.
  42. ↑ Halstead, p. 114.
  43. ↑
  44. ↑ Halstead, p. 125.
  45. ↑ Halstead, p. 129.
  46. ↑ Halstead, p. 130.
  47. 1 2 Halstead, p. 139.
  48. ↑ Halstead, p. 133.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 Halstead, p. 142.
  50. ↑
  51. ↑ Halstead, p. 143.
  52. ↑ Halstead, p. 147.
  53. ↑ Halstead, p. 147.
  54. ↑ Halstead, p. 148.
  55. ↑ Halstead, p. 149.
  56. 1 2 3 4 Halstead, p. 150.
  57. ↑ Halstead, p. 169.
  58. ↑ Halstead, p. 178.
  59. ↑ Halstead, p. 178.
  60. ↑ Q, June 1993
  61. ↑ Halstead, p. 189.
  62. 1 2 Halstead, p. 194.
  63. ↑ Halstead, p. 195.
  64. 1 2 Halstead, p. 204.
  65. 1 2 Halstead, p. 205.
  66. ↑ Halstead, p. 212.
  67. ↑ Halstead, p. 219.
  68. ↑ Halstead, p. 220.
  69. ↑ Halstead, p. 223.
  70. ↑ Halstead, p. 223.
  71. ↑ Halstead, p. 226.
  72. ↑ Halstead, p. 238.
  73. ↑ Halstead, p. 238.
  74. ↑ Halstead, pp. 239.
  75. ↑ Halstead, pp. 240.
  76. ↑ Halstead, p. 241.
  77. ↑ Halstead, p. 242.
  78. ↑ Halstead, p. 243.
  79. 1 2 Halstead, p. 251.
  80. ↑ Halstead, p. 252.
  81. ↑ Halstead, p. 252.
  82. ↑ Halstead, p. 200.
  83. ↑ Halstead, p. 200.
  84. ↑ Halstead, p. 200.
  85. ↑ Halstead, p. 200.
  86. ↑ Halstead, p. 265.
  87. ↑ Halstead, p. 267.
  88. 1 2 Halstead, p. 240.
  89. ↑ Halstead, p. 268.
  90. ↑ Halstead, p. 278.
  91. 1 2 3 Halstead, p. 273.
  92. ↑ In Magazine
  93. ↑ Halstead, p. 276.
  94. 1 2 3 4 Halstead, p. 277.
  95. ↑ Halstead, p. 279.
  96. ↑ Halstead, p. 282.
  97. ↑ Halstead, p. 289.
  98. ↑ Halstead, p. 286.
  99. ↑ Halstead, p. 294.
  100. ↑ Halstead, p. 298-299.
  101. ↑ Halstead, p. 298-299.
  102. ↑ Halstead, p. 300.
  103. 1 2 Halstead, pp. 301.
  104. ↑ Halstead, pp. 306
  105. 1 2 Halstead, p. 309.
  106. 1 2 3 4 Halstead, p. 310.
  107. ↑ Halstead, p. 306.
  108. ↑ Halstead, p. 67.
  109. ↑ Halstead, p.390.
  110. ↑ Halstead, p. 123.
  111. ↑ Halstead, p. 248.
  112. ↑ Halstead, p. 285.
  113. ↑ Halstead, p. 330.
  114. ↑ YouTube
  115. 1 2 Halstead, p. 331.
  116. ↑ Halstead, p. 317.
  117. ↑ Halstead, p. 323.
  118. ↑ Halstead, p. 323.
  119. 1 2 Halstead, p. 332.
  120. ↑ Halstead, p. 333.
  121. ↑ Halstead, p. 332.
  122. 1 2 Halstead, p. 334.
  123. ↑ Halstead 2007, p. 335.
  124. 1 2 Halstead, p. 337.
  125. ↑ Halstead, p. 342.
  126. ↑ Halstead, pp. 345–346.
  127. ↑ Halstead, p. 349.
  128. ↑ Halstead, p. 350.
  129. 1 2 Halstead, p. 352.
  130. ↑ Halstead, p. 353.
  131. ↑ name="Halstead, p. 353.
  132. 1 2 3 4 Halstead, p. 362.
  133. ↑ Halstead, p. 359.
  134. 1 2 Halstead, p. 369.
  135. ↑ Halstead, p. 373.
  136. ↑ Halstead, p. 377.
  137. ↑ Halstead, p. 380.
  138. ↑ "Estate Of Michael Jackson And Sony Music Renew 30-Year Relationship With landmark Recording Deal". MichaelJackson.com. March 16, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
Bibliography
  • Campbell, Lisa (1995). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour. Branden. ISBN 0-8283-2003-9. 
  • Grant, Adrian (2009). Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-261-8. 
  • Halstead, Craig (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. ISBN 978-0-7552-0267-6. 

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.