Twenty-seven years after Thriller, decades after the moonwalk first stunned audiences, and years after his passing on June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson's music remains impossible to escape. As fans remember the King of Pop, here are the songs that remain at the heart of his legacy.
Smooth Criminal

Release date: 1988 (single) Album: Bad (1987)

A slick, cinematic track that turned a murder mystery into pop brilliance, Smooth Criminal became iconic largely due to its sharp choreography and the unforgettable “anti-gravity lean” from the music video and stage performances.

Remember the Time

Release date: 1992 (single) Album: Dangerous (1991)

Set in ancient Egypt, the song became a cultural moment because of its star-studded, movie-like music video and its smooth blend of R&B and new jack swing.

The Way You Make Me Feel

Release date: 1987 (single) Album: Bad (1987)

This playful, flirtatious track stood out for its energetic street-style choreography and showed a lighter, more romantic side of Jackson’s “Bad” era.

Dirty Diana

Release date: 1988 (single) Album: Bad (1987)

A harder rock-inspired sound, this song surprised fans with its edgy guitar-driven energy and became famous for its intense live performances.

Bad

Release date: 1987 (single) Album: Bad (1987)

With its iconic “Who’s bad?” hook, this track cemented Jackson’s tougher public image and became a global anthem of confidence and swagger.

Beat It

Release date: 1983 (single) Album: Thriller (1982)

A groundbreaking fusion of pop and rock, Beat It is legendary for its guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen and its message against street violence.

Thriller

Release date: 1984 (single) Album: Thriller (1982)

Famous for its revolutionary music video, zombie choreography, and cinematic storytelling, this track helped redefine what music videos could be.

Billie Jean

Release date: 1983 (single) Album: Thriller (1982)

One of his most defining songs, it became iconic for its bassline, the moonwalk debut performance, and its story of false accusation and fame pressure.

They Don’t Care About Us

Release date: 1996 (single) Album: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)

A protest anthem, this track gained attention for its raw message on injustice and was filmed in powerful real-world locations like Brazil’s favelas.

Black or White

Release date: 1991 (single) Album: Dangerous (1991)

This global hit became known for its message of racial unity and its groundbreaking “morphing” visual effects in the music video.

Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough

Release date: 1979 (single) Album: Off the Wall (1979)

Marking his rise as a solo superstar, this disco-funk track introduced a more mature Michael Jackson with irresistible energy.

Human Nature

Release date: 1983 (single release in some regions) Album: Thriller (1982)

A soft, dreamy track that showed his emotional depth, later becoming one of the most sampled and reinterpreted songs in R&B and hip-hop.

Heal the World

Release date: 1992 (single) Album: Dangerous (1991)

A humanitarian anthem, it became widely associated with Jackson’s global charity work and his vision of a more compassionate world.

Earth Song

Release date: 1995 (single) Album: HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)

One of his most powerful environmental tracks, it stood out for its emotional intensity and dramatic music video addressing global destruction.

Man in the Mirror

Release date: 1988 (single) Album: Bad (1987)

A deeply reflective song, it became famous for its message of personal responsibility and remains one of his most emotionally resonant performances.

We Are the World

Release date: 1985 (single) Album: We Are the World (USA for Africa charity album, 1985)

Co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, this charity anthem became one of the biggest humanitarian music projects in history, uniting global artists for famine relief.