100 ESSENTIAL MICHAEL JACKSON SONGS: #55-51. Continues tomorrow.

Caffe` Latte` presents…

100

 ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

MICHAEL JACKSON

Audiences around the world were first in awe of Michael Jackson’s talent in 1969 when the wunderkind was still only 11 years of age and singing lead on “I Want You Back”. Soon, his solo career would eclipse the Jackson 5’s success. The brothers would quit the Motown label in 1975 and became The Jacksons. Michael remained a member, but his solo output went into overdrive with the albums ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Bad’ and the record-breaking ‘Thriller’. This period forever cemented his place among pop music’s greatest influences. Here are the 100 most essential recordings- solo and with his siblings- in terms of influence, popularity and quality. The tracks span the years 1969-2014.

55

I WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE

MICHAEL JACKSON

Arthur "T-Boy" Ross wrote "I Wanna Be Where You Are" with Leon Ware. The former was Diana Ross' brother. Michael released the song in 1972. It was included on the 'Got To Be There' album. The single reached #2 on the US R&B Chart.

54

CORNER OF THE SKY

JACKSON 5

"Corner of the Sky" is a song from the musical "Pippin". The Jackson 5 covered it on their 1973 'Skywriter' album. It was the parent LP's 1st single. The remake made the US Top 20.

 

53

HEAL THE WORLD

MICHAEL JACKSON

The 1991 album 'Dangerous' featured the single "Heal The World". Michael penned the visionary song. The disc made Top 3 in Europe and the U.K.

52

ENJOY YOURSELF

THE JACKSONS

After breaking ties with Motown, the Jackson boys signed with CBS and released a self-titled album. "Enjoy Yourself" was The Jacksons' debut single on the new label. It was the first to feature Randy. With Jermaine remaining at Motown, the youngest brother replaced him in the ranks. The disc reached #2 R&B and 6 Pop in America.

51

BURN THIS DISCO OUT

MICHAEL JACKSON

Rod Temperton penned some of Michael's most cherished songs. He had tasted pop success as a member of the group Heatwave with the disco US/ UK #2 smash "Boogie Nights". Along with creating hits for MJ, Temperton wrote George Benson's "Give Me The Night" and the US #1 "Baby Come To Me" by Patti Austin and James Ingram. "Burn This Disco Out" was 1 of 3 tracks written by the songwriter for Michael's 1979 LP 'Off The Wall'. Sadly, Temperton passed away in 2016.