Page semi-protected

List of unreleased songs recorded by Michael Jackson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Jackson in 1990

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 his 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 unreleased and therefore does not contain every unreleased Jackson song registered with such bodies.

In 1993, Jackson—along with Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Joseph Jackson—faced a copyright infringement suit. 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.[5]

Many officially unreleased Jackson songs had been scheduled, at one point, for release, through ways such as his six solo studio albums with music label Epic Records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), HIStory (1995) and Invincible (2001) and the remix album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997). For varying reasons, the tracks were rejected and, as of 2021, remain unreleased. Jackson's unreleased material includes songs recorded 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 that contained more than 100 unreleased songs, many of which were unregistered.[6]

Several of Jackson's songs have been leaked onto the Internet, such as a 24-second segment of "A Place with No Name" leaked by TMZ.com following Jackson's death.[7] At the time of the leak, it was claimed that there were "hundreds" of unreleased songs by Jackson, and that they could be issued for years to come. The curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jim Henke, noted that any future releases would garner significant attention.[8][9][10] 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 (This however did not come to fruition as only 2 posthumous albums were released).[11]

Key

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

Songs

Song Writer(s) Notes Ref
"11pm"(2010) Michael Jackson
Brad Buxer
  • Written and composed as early as 1989.
  • Later reworked in 2008 with Brad Buxer and Michael Prince.
"A Baby Smiles"* Michael Jackson
  • Lyrics to the song were featured as a poem titled "When A Baby Smiles" in the 1992 book Dancing the Dream
 [12]
"A Pretty Face Is" Stevie Wonder
  • Written circa 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]
"All The Truth"† Bryan Loren
  • One of 20-25 songs recorded with Bryan Loren during sessions for the Dangerous album
  • Loren sings on this song, with Michael in the choruses
 [13]
"Attitude"‡ Michael Jackson
Kathy Wakefield
Michel Pierre		 — [12]
"Baby's Fire"† Michael Jackson
Ryan D.Groves
  • Recorded by Black Yussef.
  • Also known as "Baby's On Fire" and "Higher Baby's Fire".
 [12]
"Bad Girl"* Michael Jackson [14]
"Beatbox 2010"(2009) Michael Jackson
Eric J. Kirkland
Michael Durham Prince		 — [12]
"Be Me 4 a Day"† Michael Jackson
Calix Days Grey
  • 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"
 [14]
"Bio" Michael Jackson
Brad Buxer
  • Recorded in 1997 for Invincible
 [15]
"Blue Powder" Michael Jackson
Brad Buxer
  • Written and recorded in 2000 during the "Invincible" sessions
  • Track was put up for auction in 2018 along with "Jungle City", "What More Can I Give", and a demo of "The Way You Love Me"
 [16]
"Bomb Detonation" Michael Jackson
Sheik Abdullah of Bahrain
  • Written during his stay in Bahrain in 2005 and 2006 for the shelved album promised to be released in late 2007 by 2seas.
  • Rough vocal demo known to exist.
 [14]
"Bottle of Smoke" Michael Jackson
  • Written and possibly recorded by Jackson in 1989
  • Failed to make the Dangerous album
 [14]
"Buffalo Bill"* Michael Jackson
  • Jackson's first studio collaboration with John Barnes, recorded in 1983 during sessions for the Victory album
  • Inspired by poker player Wild Bill Hickok or bison hunter William Cody
  • Failed to make the Bad album
 [14][17][18]
"California Grass"* Michael Jackson — [14]
"Can I Live" Sisqó

Teddy Riley

[14]
"Can You..." Michael Jackson

will.i.am

  • Worked in 2007
 [14]
"Changes" Michael Jackson
  • Worked on with John Barnes during the early Bad sessions in the mid-1980s.
  • Described as "an upbeat piano-driven demo with rolling drum programming" and "incredibly catchy". Features a "really rough" scratch vocal with Jackson mumbling and humming a melody over the music.
  • Revisited during the HIStory sessions, with a gospel performance from the Andraé Crouch choir and a few ad-lib solos added
 [19]
"Chicago 1945"* Michael Jackson
(lyrics)
Steve Porcaro
(music)
  • Recorded during the Victory sessions in 1984, based on one of the grooves Steve Porcaro submitted to Michael
  • Vocally complete song about three girls who went out and mysteriously disappeared throughout the night, with a hook of "never to be found again"
  • Has no connection to either "Al Capone" or "Smooth Criminal"
  • Revisited during the HIStory and Invincible sessions, but was left off both albums
  • Porcaro was approached by the estate about using it on Xscape, but declined to give permission on the basis that the song didn't need any "contemporizing", and that he disapproves of the estate's "straight to remix" approach to Michael's unreleased material.
 [20][21]
"Colour of My Soul" Unknown
  • Known to have been recorded by Jackson, though the date is uncertain
 [22]
"Crack Kills"* Michael Jackson

Darryl McDaniels

Joseph Simmons

  • Planned to have been recorded with rappers Run-D.M.C. for Jackson's Bad album, but the collaboration never came into fruition.
  • The song was recorded with a full vocal in November 1986 and revisited in early 1987 during the Bad sessions
 [22][20]
"Cry"* Michael Jackson — [22]
"Cry" Michael Jackson

Marsha Ambrosius

  • Worked in 2009
 [22]
"Days in Gloucestershire" Michael Jackson
Brad Buxer
  • Written and recorded in 2004 at one of the Neverland Ranch's bungalows.
  • Inspired by Michael's visit with the Jackson 5 to Gloucestershire while on tour three decades earlier; it was still one of his fondest memories.
  • Incomplete - includes only one verse and a chorus.
  • Leaked online in March 2014
 [23]
"Deep In The Night" Unknown
  • LQ version leaked online
"Disco Kids" James Wnitney
  • Recorded between 1976 and 1979
 [22]
"Do You Want Me" Sisqó
Dru Hill
  • Written in 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [24]
"Doing Dirty" Michael Jackson
Marlon Jackson
  • Written around 1988–1990 for a shelved greatest hits album
 [24]
"Don't Believe It" Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
  • One of around 20-25 songs recorded with Bryan Loren during sessions for Dangerous between 1989-1991
  • Recorded at Loren's house around the time Thanksgiving or Christmas
  • Snippet leaked online by Shana Mangatal in August 2019
 [13]
"Dreams"† Michael Jackson — [24]
"D.I.E"(2010) Michael Jackson
Michael Prince
Theron Feemster III
  • Found in 2009 on one of his lists in his bedroom where he wrote songs that he wants to finish.
  • Worked between 2008 and 2009
  • Two versions of the song were registered with the United States Copyright Office (On the first Michael Prince is not credited).
  • Some sources are stating that "D.I.E" states for "Dance Is Entertainment", but this is not confirmed.
 [25]
"Eaten Alive" Michael Jackson
Maurice Gibb
Barry Gibb
  • Original version of the song written by the Gibb brothers, but was reworked by Jackson who was granted co-writer credits
  • A demo version was recorded by Jackson but remains unreleased.
  • Later recorded by Diana Ross
 [26]
"Ekan Satyam (The One Truth)" A.R. Rahman
A.R. Parthasarathy
Kanika Myer Bharat
  • Recorded as a duet in 1999 by Jackson (singing in English) and Rahman (singing in Sanskrit)
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [26]
"Elizabeth, I Love You" Michael Jackson
  • Written and performed by Jackson as a tribute to his friend Elizabeth Taylor in 1997
  • No official release, though bootleg recordings taken from the 1997 performance exist
 [26]
"Face" Unknown
  • Failed to make the HIStory album
 [27]
"Fanfare Transition"(1992) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1992
  • Known alternatively as "Fanfare 1992"
 [27]
"Fantasy"* Michael Jackson
Jermaine Jackson		 — [27]
"Far, Far Away"* Michael Jackson — [27]
"Fear" Michael Jackson
  • Written circa 1993
  • Failed to make the HIStory album
 [27]
"From the Bottom of My Heart" Michael Jackson
  • Written in 2005
  • Was scheduled to be released as a charity recording for the victims of Hurricane Katrina
 [27]
"Get Around"* Michael Jackson [28]
"Get Your Weight Off of Me" Michael Jackson
Rodney Jerkins
  • One of the songs Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins produced for the "Invincible" recording sessions in 1999-2001 but the song failed to make it on the album.
  • The song is completely finished and has full vocals by Michael Jackson, full verses, chorus, climax and lots of ad-libs.
  • Mastered on June 20th, 2004 for "The Ultimate Collection" but again, the song failed to gain a release on that box set.
  • The runtime is 5 minutes and 17 seconds with a BPM of 85.
  • Considered for "Xscape" but never selected.
  • The song was last discussed during a Sony UK meeting before the release of the "Xscape" album.
  • Attempted to be sold on an auction with the minimal bid of $100K in 2018, but no one bidded.
  • The same copy was up for sale on Ebay the same for $500K, but no one bought it.
  • An UK MJ collector bought the 2004 master of the song in 2021 for £1K.
  • Many snippets of the song are circulating on the internet since 2010.
  • The song is also known by the fans as "Can't Get Your Weight Off Of Me", "Get Your Weight Off Me", "Can't Get Your Weight Off Me", "GYWOOM", "CGWOOM", "GYWOM", "CGYWOM" and "Weight Off Of Me"
 [29]
"Ghost Of Another Lover"
  • LQ version leaked online
"Goin' To Rio"* Michael Jackson
Carole Bayer Sager
  • Written in 1976
  • Failed to make the Off the Wall album
 [28]
"Goodness Knows" James Wnitney
  • Recorded between 1976 and 1979
 [28]
"Got to Find a Way Somehow"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1979
 [28]
"Groove of Midnight" Rod Temperton
  • Written around the Bad era
  • A demo by Jackson surfaced on the Internet in 2003
 [28]
"Happy Birthday, Lisa" Michael Jackson [30]
"He Who Makes The Sky Grey" Jermaine Jackson
Sheik Abdullah of Bahrain
  • Featured vocals by Jackson
 [30]
"Heaven's Girl" R. Kelly [30]
"Holiday Inn"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1976
 [30]
"Hot Fever"(1985) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1985
  • Evolved into "The Way You Make Me Feel"
 [30]
"Hot Street" Rod Temperton
  • Failed to make the Thriller album as Temperton and Quincy Jones felt that the song was too weak for inclusion
  • Was leaked online
 [30]
"I Am A Loser"(2009)/"I Was A Loser"(2010) Michael Jackson
Brad Buxer
  • Written and recorded in January 2003 as "I Am A Loser"
  • Updated in late 2008 as "I Was The Loser" when Michael re-sang the choruses.
  • Listed as "The Loser" on a handwritten note in Jackson's bedroom, discovered shortly after his passing
  • Original full-length demo of "I Am A Loser" leaked onto the internet in September 2013
 [31][15]
"I Can't Get You Off My Mind" Michael Jackson
  • Jackson worked on the song in the early 1970s
  • A demo version/mono acetate is

known to exist

[32]
"I Don't Live Here Anymore" Michael Jackson
  • Written circa 2001
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [32]
"I Forgive You"* Michael Jackson — [32]
"I Have This Dream" Michael Jackson

David Foster

Carol Bayer Sager

Conceived as a charity single after Hurricane Katrina and co-written with Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the second son of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of Bahrain. Singers James Ingram, Ciara, Snoop Dogg and Shirley Caesar recorded vocals in Los Angeles. In October 2003, Jackson recorded parts with a orchestra in Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, London, but never completed his vocals and did not attend further sessions. Abdulla said he had spent $2.2m on "I Have This Dream" and cited it, among other songs, in his lawsuit against Jackson in 2008; the parties settled out of court. [32][33]
"I Have This Love of Mine"* Michael Jackson — [32]
"I Will Miss You" Michael Jackson

will.i.am

  • Tribute to James Brown
 [32]
"If We Still Love" Michael Jackson

will.i.am

[32]
"If You Don't Love Me" Michael Jackson
  • Worked on with Bill Bottrell during the Dangerous sessions, but was described by Bottrell as "a bit of an orphan" for the project.
  • Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
  • Was leaked online
 [32][34]
"I'm Dreaming" Michael Jackson

will.i.am

[32]
"I'm Still the King" Michael Jackson

will.i.am

  • Worked in 2006 - 2007
  • Also known as "The King" and "Still The King"
  • Intended to feature artists influenced by Jackson like Usher and Ne-Yo.
  • The song is not finished.
 [32]
"In the Life of Chico" Michael Jackson [32]
"In the Valley"* Michael Jackson — [32]
"Iowa" Michael Jackson
  • Classical piece confirmed by sister Janet Jackson in a 1993 magazine interview
 [32]
"It Was a Very Good Year" Ervin Drake
  • Performed in Diana! special in 1971
 [32]
"It's Not Worth It" Rodney Jerkins

Fred Jerkins Lashawn Daniels

[32]
"Jane Is A Groupie" Unknown
  • LQ version leaked online.
"Jungle City" Michael Jackson
Brad Buxer
  • Written and recorded in 2000 during the "Invincible" sessions
  • Track was put up for auction in 2018 along with "Blue Powder", "What More Can I Give", and a demo of "The Way You Love Me"
 [16]
"Kentucky"* Michael Jackson
  • Written in the mid-1970s
 [35]
"Kick It" Michael Jackson

Rodney Jerkins Lashawn Daniels Norman Gregg

  • Fake version leaked in 2020.
 [35]
"Kreeton Overture"(1984) Michael Jackson
Jai Winding
Marty Paich
Pat Leonard
  • Written in 1984 for the opening of The Jacksons' Victory Tour
 [35]
"Learned My Lesson"(1985) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1981
  • Two versions of the song were registered with the United States Copyright Office
 [25]
"Light the Gulag" Michael Jackson
  • Whiters demio by Stalin. Red Square Funk.
 [25]
"Light the Way" Michael Jackson

Sheik Abdullah of Bahrain

[25]
"Little Girls"* Michael Jackson — [25]
"Llama Lola"* Michael Jackson — [25]
"Lonely Bird"* Michael Jackson — [25]
"Lonely Man"* Michael Jackson — [25]
"Lucy Is in Love With Linus"* Michael Jackson — [25]
"Make a Wish"* Michael Jackson — [36]
"Make or Break"* Michael Jackson
John Barnes
  • Recorded in 1986 during the early Bad sessions with John Barnes
  • Described by Matt Forger as having a "very driving, terrific hook, but never got finished"
 [36][37]
"Maybe We Can Do It" Michael Jackson
Rodney Jerkins
Sean Combs
  • Features Jackson and Sean Combs
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [36]
"Men in Black"† Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
  • Also known as "Man In Black"
  • One of around 20-25 songs recorded with Bryan Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991
  • Supposedly written for a Steven Spielberg movie titled Men In Black
  • Had been scheduled for release on a shelved 1990 greatest hits collection
  • A version with Michael singing in the choruses has leaked online. A more complete version with lyrics is known to exist.
 [36][13]
"Michael McKellar"* Michael Jackson — [36]
"MJ Melody"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1982
 [36]
"Monster"(2010) Michael Jackson
Brad Buxer
Michael Prince
  • Not related to "Monster" on the Michael album
  • Written & Recorded 1999-2001 during the Invincible sessions, but never made it onto the album. Michael only recorded vocals for the choruses: "You Created A Monster".
 [15]
"Neverland Landing"* Michael Jackson — [38]
"Nightline/Nite-line" Glen Ballard
  • Recorded by Michael Jackson in 1982 during the Thriller sessions, but didn't compete with songs like Billie Jean and Beat It.
  • Later recorded by The Pointer Sisters for their 1983 album Break Out
  • Was leaked online
 [38][39]
"Nymphette Lover"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1981
 [38]
"Ode to Sorrow"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1977
 [40]
"On My Anger" Michael Jackson
Teddy Riley
  • Written in 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [40]
"People Have To Make Some Sort of Joke"* Michael Jackson — [41]
"Peter Pan" Michael Jackson
  • Song mentioned by Jackson on the 1993 CD The Michael Jackson Interview
 [41]
"Pressure"† Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
"Pressure" Rodney Jerkins
Fred Jerkins III
Harvey Mason
LaShawn Daniels
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [41]
"Red Eye"*(2010) Michael Jackson
  • Mentioned during the 1993 Mexico Deposition.
  • Reworked in 2008 with Neff U.
  • Found in 2009 on one of his lists in his bedroom where he wrote songs that he wants to finish.
 [42]
"Rolling the Dice"* Rod Temperton
  • Jackson worked on the song with Temperton and Quincy Jones during the Thriller recording sessions
 [42]
"Satisfy" Terry Lewis
James Harris III
  • Mariah Carey song featuring Jackson on backing vocals
  • Failed to make the 2002 Charmbracelet album
 [43]
"Saved By the Bell"* Michael Jackson
Jermaine Jackson		 — [43]
"Seduction" Michael Jackson
Shelby Lee Myrick III
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [43]
"Serious Effect"† Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
  • Features rap by LL Cool J
  • Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
  • Solo demo version by Jackson known to exist
  • Both solo version and LL Cool J were leaked online
 [43][44]
"Set It On Out" Michael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1982
 [43]
"Seven Digits"† Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
  • Failed to make the Dangerous album.
  • Michael originally wanted to finish this song for Blood On The Dance Floor. However, due to time constraints, "Superfly Sister" was chosen instead as it was more complete and demanded less time to finish.
  • Snippet leaked online by Shana Mangatal in August 2019
 [43][45]
"She Got It"† Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
  • Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
  • Was leaked online
 [43][46]
"She's Not a Girl"* Michael Jackson
Jermaine Jackson		 — [43]
"She's Trouble" Sue Shifrin
Bill Livsey
Terry Britten
  • Failed to make the Thriller album
  • Bootleg version known to exist
  • Also known as "Trouble"
  • Was Leaked online
 [43]
"Siegfried & Roy"(1990) Michael 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"
 [43]
"Sister Sue"* Michael Jackson — [43]
"Slapstick" Rod Temperton
  • Worked on by Jackson during the Thriller recording sessions
  • The song is an early demo version of "Hot Street"
  • Was leaked online
 [43]
"Soldier's Entrance" Michael Jackson
  • Worked on by Jackson in 1999 with a view to have it featured on the Invincible album
 [43]
"Somewhere in Time"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1980
 [43]
"Spice Of Life" Rod Temperton
Derek Bramble
  • Was in the running for Thriller, but wasn't included on the final album and went down the wayside
  • Later given to Manhattan Transfer.
 [47]
"Stand Tall"(1985) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1982
 [43]
"Starlight"* Rod Temperton
  • Jackson worked on the song during the Thriller recording sessions.
  • 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"
  • Was leaked online
 [43]
"Stay" Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
  • Written circa 1988
 [43]
"Stop the War" Michael Jackson
Carole Bayer Sager
  • Written circa 1999
 [43]
"Susie"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1978
 [43]
"Thank Heaven"(1998) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1998
 [48]
"Thank You For Life"*(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written circa 1976
 [48]
"That"(1998) Michael Jackson — [48]
"That Kind of Lover" Michael Jackson
Ray Ruffin
  • Written circa 2001
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [48]
"The Children's Hour"* Michael Jackson — [22]
"The Future" Michael Jackson
will.i.am
  • Worked in 2006/07
  • On the 13th of August 2007, will.i.am told reporters at a Black Eyed Peas press conference in South Korea that another track he recorded with Jackson is titled "The Future".
  • Song about environmental issues.
  • A dance track.
 [28]
"The Gloved One" Sisqó
  • Written circa 2001
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [28]
"The Nightmare of Edgar Alan Poe" Michael Jackson
Walter Afanasieff
  • Written circa 2000
  • Had been scheduled to feature in the shelved independently financed film The Nightmare of Edgar Alan Poe, which Jackson was slated to appear in
  • Alternatively titled "Edgar Alan Poe"
 [38]
"The Pain" Shawn Stockman
Jay Harvey Mason
Rodney Jerkins
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [49]
"The Sky is the Limit"* Michael Jackson — [43]
"The Toy"(1981) Michael Jackson [48]
"This Is It"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1980
  • Not to be confused with "This Is It", a song featured on the 2009 compilation album This Is It
 [48]
"This Is Our Time" Michael Jackson
Lauryn Hill
David Foster
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
  • Despite rumours to the contrary, the song was not recorded as a duet with Hill
 [48]
"Throwin' Your Life Away"(1988) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1988
  • Full LQ version leaked online
 [48]
"To Satisfy You" Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
  • Written during the Dangerous recording sessions, but Jackson didn't like it and gave it to Loren for his 1992 album Music From the New World. Jackson only recorded background vocals for it, which Loren kept for the finished record.
 [48][50][13]
"Tomboy"*(1985) Michael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in 1985 with John Barnes during the early Bad sessions
  • Contains a melody identical to the "I bet you remember" line in Remember the Time
  • Features Roger Troutman as guest musician
  • Failed to make the Bad album
  • Mistakenly believed by some fans to have been written by Quincy Jones
 [48][51]
"Tragedy of a Cheer-leader"* Michael Jackson — [48]
"Tubeway" Michael Jackson
  • Written circa 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [48]
"Turning Me Off"* Michael Jackson
  • Written and recorded in January 1986. Worked on with Bill Bottrell and John Barnes
  • Described as "one of Michael's edgier experiments" and "very groove-oriented" by Matt Forger
 [48][52]
"Under Your Skin"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1979
 [53]
"Unknown"† Michael Jackson
  • It is unclear whether the song is titled "Unknown" or the song title is unknown
 [53]
"Vibrationist" Michael Jackson
Teddy Riley
  • Written circa 1999
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [54]
"Victory" Michael Jackson
Freddie Mercury
  • One of three songs Jackson worked on with Queen's Freddie Mercury in 1983
  • The foundation of the track was laid with Mercury's manager Peter Freestone banging on the toilet door in perfect time for 5 minutes as there were no instruments or musicians around at Hayvenhurst
 [54][55]
"Water"(2010) Michael Jackson
Michael Prince
Theron Feemster
  • Apparently recorded in early 2009 at the Carolwood house.
  • The production is complex, with water droplets and a "Stranger in Moscow" aesthetic.
  • Only the chorus was recorded (which MJ sang a snippet of in "This Is It"), but people have described it as "amazing" and "magical".
  • The song has nothing to do with "H2O" and "Water" from the Cascio tracks.
 [56]
"We Are the Ones"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1978
 [56]
"What a Lonely Way to Go"* Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1975
 [56]
"What You Do to Me"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1985
  • First registered with the United States Copyright Office in 1985
  • Failed to make the Bad album
  • Re-registered with the United States Copyright Office in 1998, having possibly been re-written
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [56]
"What's a Guy Gotta Do" Pharrell Williams
  • Written in 2000
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
 [56]
"What's It Gonna Be"† Michael Jackson [56]
"What's Your Life"* Michael Jackson
Jermaine Jackson		 — [56]
"Who Do You Know"* Michael Jackson
  • Written circa 1981
  • Failed to make the Thriller album
 [56]
"Who Is the Girl With Her Hair Down"* Michael Jackson — [56]
"Why Can't I Be"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1980
 [56]
"Why Shy"* Michael Jackson — [56]
"Willing And Waiting" Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
  • A demo of this was recorded in 1994 to present to Michael for possible inclusion on HIStory, with Babyface heavily involved in the production. One of two songs he presented to Michael, the other being "Why" (later given to 3T)
  • Despite being referred to as a demo, the song was quite developed with background vocals, polished instrumentation and completed lyrics - "record ready", in a sense
  • However, as assistant engineer Brad Sundberg asserts, "Michael was looking to push things pretty hard on HIStory [and] Willing and Waiting was maybe a bit softer than the direction he was going"
 [57][58]
"Work That Body" Michael Jackson
Bryan Loren
Berry Gordy
Freddie Perren
Alphonzo Mizell
Deke Richards
  • One of 20-25 songs worked on with Bryan Loren for the Dangerous album
  • Leaked online, longer version is known to exist
  • Borrows the "Sit down girl, I think I love you/no, get up girl, show me what you can do" line from The Jackson 5's ABC. According to Loren, Jackson initially refused to sing that line, but "realized the tongue-in-cheek fun contained behind it"
 [13][50]
"You Ain't Gonna Change Nothin'"*(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1975
 [59]
"You Are a Liar"* Michael Jackson
  • Failed to make the Invincible album
  • Also known as "You're a Liar"
 [59]
"You Are So Beautiful" Michael Jackson
  • Song Jackson began writing during his 2005 child sexual abuse trial, as a thank you to his fans for their ongoing support
 [59]
"You Told Me Your Lovin'"(1984) Michael Jackson
  • Written in 1979
  • A second unreleased version exists, with words and music by Jackson's brother Randy
 [59]
"You're Supposed to Keep Your Love For Me" Stevie 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
 [59]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Halstead 2007, p. 1.
  2. ^ Campbell, p. 89
  3. ^ Grant, p. 168
  4. ^ Collier, Aldore (6 December 1993). Michael Jackson tries to keep career from crumbling as he fights addiction to painkiller drugs and charges of child molestation. Jet. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  5. ^ Federal jury rules in favour of Michael Jackson. Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. January 31, 1994. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  6. ^ Martin, Dan (7 August 2009). "Michael Jackson's last recordings seized by sister LaToya". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  7. ^ Kreps, Daniel (July 20, 2009). "America Respond To Michael Jackson's 'A Place With No Name'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 24, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  8. ^ "Michael Jackson's second career really takes off this week". San Jose Mercury News. October 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  9. ^ Montgomery, James (July 20, 2009). "America 'Honored' By Michael Jackson's 'A Place With No Name' Sample". MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  10. ^ Netter, Sarah (July 17, 2009). "Michael Jackson's Unreleased Songs, Continuing the Music Legacy". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  11. ^ "Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King'". The Wall Street Journal. March 16, 2010. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
  12. ^ a b c d e Halstead, pp. 6–20
  13. ^ a b c d e "Michael Jackson et Bryan Loren".
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h Halstead, pp. 24–54
  15. ^ a b c "Michael Prince Special". themjcast.com.
  16. ^ a b "Lot Detail - Michael Jackson Collection of Unreleased Songs from His Last Recording Sessions and His Personal Playback Machine". Archived from the original on 2019-07-26. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  17. ^ "John Barnes Special". themjcast.com. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  18. ^ Vogel, pp. 435-436
  19. ^ Shields, pp. 64
  20. ^ a b Vogel, pp. 437
  21. ^ "Meeting Steve Porcaro and hearing "Chicago 1945"". 5 July 2014.
  22. ^ a b c d e f Halstead, pp. 57–73
  23. ^ "EXCLUSIVE:Jackson 5 Visit To Gloucestershire Inspires Unreleased Michael Jackson Recording Three Decades Later". damienshields.com. 6 March 2014.
  24. ^ a b c Halstead, pp. 87–95
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halstead, pp. 197–212
  26. ^ a b c Halstead, pp. 100–102
  27. ^ a b c d e f Halstead, pp. 107–114
  28. ^ a b c d e f g Halstead, pp. 115–130
  29. ^ "Lot Detail - Michael Jackson Unreleased C.D. For the Song "Get Your Weight off of Me"". Archived from the original on 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  30. ^ a b c d e f Halstead, pp. 133–142
  31. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: The Origins Of Michael Jackson's "I Am A Loser" Revealed!". damienshields.com. 8 September 2013.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Halstead, pp. 147–180
  33. ^ Bishara, Motez (2021-10-04). "'We wanted to make history': Michael Jackson's bizarre year in Bahrain". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  34. ^ Vogel, pp. 446
  35. ^ a b c Halstead, pp. 194–195
  36. ^ a b c d e f Halstead, pp. 213–232
  37. ^ Vogel, pp. 440
  38. ^ a b c d Halstead, pp. 238–241
  39. ^ Vogel, pp. 428
  40. ^ a b Halstead, pp. 242–243
  41. ^ a b c Halstead, pp. 251–253
  42. ^ a b Halstead, pp. 259–265
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Halstead, pp. 267–306
  44. ^ Serious Effect – The MJCast
  45. ^ "Bryan Loren". www.jackson.ch. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  46. ^ "Bryan Loren: A letter to the fans and enthusiasts of Michael Jackson". bryanloren.com. Archived from the original on 2018-04-08.
  47. ^ de Whalley, Chas (January 1985). "The Producers: Derek Bramble". International Musician. UK. pp. 116–117.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Halstead, pp. 309–332
  49. ^ Halstead, p. 248
  50. ^ a b "Michael and Me". myspace.com. July 11, 2009. Archived from the original on July 27, 2009.
  51. ^ Shields, pp. 34-35
  52. ^ Vogel, pp. 444
  53. ^ a b Halstead, p. 334
  54. ^ a b Halstead, p. 337
  55. ^ "Peter Freestone - former personal assistant to Freddie Mercury – discusses forgotten tracks the singer taped with Michael Jackson". english.radio.cz. February 8, 2013.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halstead, pp. 342–362
  57. ^ "Michael Jackson's HIStory: An Essay". medium.com. 31 December 2019.
  58. ^ "Hit Factory - 1994- Babyface session with the NY Philharmonic". Facebook.
  59. ^ a b c d e Halstead, pp. 369–380

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.
  • Shields, Damien (2015). Xscape Origins: The Songs & Stories Michael Jackson Left Behind. Modegy. ISBN 978-0-986-19910-3.
  • Vogel, Joseph (2011). Man In The Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson (2019 update). Sterling Publishing. ISBN 978-0525566571.

Retrieved from ""