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 (1997). For varying reasons, the tracks were rejected and, as of 2024, 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. Between 1974 and 2009, Jackson recorded "at least 1,000–2,000 songs" according to close partners Bill Bottrell and Bruce Swedien. Bottrell claimed "only a small percentage of Michael's full catalog has been released", and that "he recorded a lot of music in his 3 decade career".
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.[1] 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.[2] At the time of the leak, it was claimed that there were "thousands" 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.[3] [4] [5] On March 16, 2010, Sony Music Entertainment signed a $250 million deal with Jackson's estate to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017 and release ten posthumous albums over the next decade, but this did not come to fruition as only three posthumous albums were released.[6]
| Title | Writer(s) | Notes | |
|---|
| "11pm"(2010) |
| - Instrumental track originally produced by Buxer
- Later revision produced by Michael Durham Prince exists
| [7] |
| "A Baby Smiles"* | | - Written and recorded in 1979 for Off the Wall album
- Lyrics to the song were featured as a poem titled "When Babies Smile" in the 1992 book Dancing the Dream
| |
| "A Pretty Face Is" | | - 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
| |
| "Adore You"(2009) | | - Written and recorded during the sessions at the Neverland Ranch which dated from late 2004 to January 2005
- Only some "background vocals" were recorded by Jackson and a full 30 piece choir.
- Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death
| [8] |
| "All My Children"† | | | [9] |
| "All the Truth"† | | - One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991
- Loren sings the verses on this song, with Jackson in the choruses
- Has a runtime of 5:02 minutes
| [10] |
| "Alright Now"* |
| - Originally written and recorded during the 1980s
- Given to Ralph Tresvant to record for his 1990 album Ralph Tresvant
- Tresvant's version of the song features Jackson on background vocals
| |
| "Apocalypse Now" | | - Written and recorded during 1986–1987
- The track consists of numerous military cadences composed by drummer John Robinson
- Described by Robinson in Rhythm magazine as: "There was a track I did called 'Apocalypse Now' that I wrote six and a half minutes of military drum cadences for. I brought in Don Williams, Dan Greco, and Bob Zimmitti. We recorded with four field snares, four piccolo snares, two sets of piatti, and one gran casa. It was a very hip tune, but it never made the record. I was kind of upset about that."
| [11] |
| "Ask Rene" | | - Written and recorded during the Dangerous and HIStory sessions
- Also known as "Ask Rene 3"
- Instrumental groove with no vocals
- Was put up for auction along with other songs such as "Ask DD", "Family Thing", "Revenge" and "The Best Thing"
| [12] |
| "Attitude"‡ |
| - Written and recorded in 1982
- Failed to make the Thriller album
| |
| "Baby's Fire"† |
| | |
| "Bad Girl"* | | | [13] |
| "Bang Your Head"(2010) |
| | |
| "Be Me 4 a Day"† |
| | |
| "Beatbox 2010"(2009) |
| | |
| "Bio" |
| - The name "Bio" was a working title and was not going to be the final title of the song
- Written in late 1997 at Buxer's home studio approximately a week after the HIStory World Tour ended
- One of the first tracks made for Invincible
| [14] |
| "Blue Powder" |
| - Written by Jackson's long time driver, Gary Hearne, who recorded his own demo to serve as a guide to Jackson
- A DAT tape containing Hearne's demo from March 22, 2000, was put up for auction in 2018, along with other tapes containing "Jungle City", "What More Can I Give" and "The Way You Love Me"
| [15] |
| "Bombay Nights" | | - Recorded in 1994
- A DAT tape containing the song was auctioned in 2013
| [16] |
| "Boots Groove" | |
| [17] |
| "Bottom of My Heart"(2010) |
| - Instrumental track
- Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death
| |
| "Boy No"(2009 & 2010) |
| | |
| "Breath" | | | [18] |
| "Broken Chair"(2010) |
| - The name "Broken Chair" was a working title and a placeholder until lyrics were to be written
- Instrumental track
- Features "booming digital drums and rock/electric guitar"
- Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death
| |
| "Bubbles" | | - Written and recorded during the Dangerous sessions
- Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
| [19] |
| "Buffalo Bill"* | | - Jackson's first studio collaboration with John Barnes, recorded in 1983 during sessions for the Victory album
- Inspired by bison hunter William Cody
- Failed to make the Bad album
- The song is vocally complete and ready for release
- Mentioned by Jackson during the 1983 "unauthorized interview"
- Described by Jackson: "We're doing a new album right now: it's the Jackson's album, and I'm writing several songs on it. The latest one I'm writing is called 'Buffalo Bill'; it's about Will Cody, the cowboy, and how he died."
- As described by Bill Bottrell, the chorus lyrics include: "Who shot Buffalo Bill? They said he shot a lot, did he ever get killed?"
| [20] [21] [22] |
| "California Grass"* | | | |
| "Change" | | - Written in early 2009
- Presented to Jackson during the This Is It rehearsals
| [23] |
| "Changes" | | - Worked on with John Barnes during the early Bad sessions in the early-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
| [24] |
| "Chicago 1945"*(1989 & 1995) |
(lyrics)
(music) | - Recorded a week after the release of Thriller in 1982 or in 1983/84 during the Victory sessions
- Vocally complete song about three girls who went out and mysteriously disappeared throughout the night, with a hook of "never to be found again"
- Considered for the Victory album, with a plan to feature Jermaine Jackson
- Failed to make the Bad album
- Revisited during the HIStory sessions, but was left off the album
- 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 disapproved of the estate's "straight to remix" approach to Jackson's unreleased material
- Considered for Thriller 40
- According to Porcaro, Jackson researched the significant events that occurred in 1930's and 1940's Chicago in order to write the lyrics
| [25] [26] [27] |
| "Children's Holiday"† | | - Written and recorded in 1998 as a charity single after the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake
- Given to the Japanese fundraising group J-Friends, along with "People of the World"
- Original demo by Jackson remains unreleased
| [28] |
| "Circles" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [29] |
| "Crack Kills"* |
| - 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
| |
| "Craze" | | - Written and recorded in 1998 during the Invincible sessions
- Was mentioned by Michael Prince in a March 2017 episode of MJCast
- Is reportedly at least six minutes in duration
| |
| "Cry"* | | | |
| "Dancing for Love" |
RedOne | | |
| "Dark Lady" | | - Written and recorded in 2008
- Features a bassline similar to Queen's "Under Pressure"
- Demo has complete vocals on the choruses and scratch vocals on the verses
- Lyrics include: "Dark lady will get what she wants every time, Dark lady don't know what she is."
| [30] |
| "Days in Gloucestershire" |
| - Written and recorded in 2004 at one of the Neverland Ranch's bungalows
- Also known as "Gloucestershire"
- Inspired by Jackson'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
| [31] |
| "Deep in the Night" |
| - Written and recorded for the Dangerous album
- One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991
- Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
| [32] |
| "Diana Ross" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [33] |
| "Disco Kids" | | - Recorded between 1976 and 1979
| |
| "Do What Your Heart Says" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [34] |
| "Doing Dirty"(1982) |
| | |
| "Doing What My Heart" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [35] |
| "Don't Believe It" |
| - One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991
- Recorded at Loren's house around the time of Thanksgiving or Christmas
- The song is about tabloids, with Jackson imitating the voice of journalists, saying things like "strange pictures" and making the sounds of cameras
- The song ends with a beatbox from Jackson, with a dialogue between him and Loren behind heard. The two were tired after their long session
- Has a runtime of 5:56 minutes
| |
| "Don't Make Me Stay"(2010) |
| - Written and recorded in 2009
- Features a scratch vocal
| |
| "Dream Away" |
| - Written and recorded during the Victory sessions, according to Porcaro
- Failed to make the Victory album
- Considered for Xscape
| [36] |
| "Dreaming" |
will.i.am | - Worked on during 2006–2007
- Also known as "I'm Dreamin
- Samples "I Can't Wake Up (I'm a Blunt)" by KRS-One
- Chorus lyrics are: "I'm dreaming about being in love / I'm floating around and I just can't wake up"
- will.i.am attempted to release the song in 2013, but was unable to receive approval to do so from the Estate
| [37] |
| "Dreams" | | - Recorded in 1993
- Planned to be featured on the Pepsi commercial of the same name
- Cancelled due to Pepsi terminating their contract with Jackson in 1993
| [38] |
| "D.I.E."(2010) |
| - Worked on during 2008–2009
- Two versions of the song were registered with the United States Copyright Office (on the first Prince is not credited)
| [39] |
| "Earth Love" | | - CD was found in Jackson's collection after his death, dated April 22, 2009
| |
| "Eaten Alive" |
| - 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
| [40] |
| "Ekan Satyam (The One Truth)" |
| - Recorded as a duet in 1999 by Jackson (singing in English) and Rahman (singing in Sanskrit)
- Failed to make the Invincible album
| |
| "Elizabeth, I Love You" | | - Written and performed by Jackson as a tribute to his friend Elizabeth Taylor in 1997
- A shorter, studio version is known to exist
| |
| "Faces" | | - Written in 1994
- Failed to make the HIStory album
- Features a percussive groove performed by STOMP
- Demo features a spoken intro which was intended to be recorded by Nelson Mandela
| [41] |
| "Family Thing" | | - Written and recorded in 1993 for the Addams Family Values film, but was cancelled due to contractual difficulties with Paramount Pictures
- Alternatively known as "Addams Groove"
- Demo was recorded in 1993 with complete vocals on the choruses and scratch vocals on the verses
| [42] |
| "Fanfare Transition"(1992) | | - Known alternatively as "Fanfare 1992"
| |
| "Fantasy"* |
| | |
| "Far, Far Away"* | | - Written and recorded in 1983
- Failed to make the Victory album
| |
| "Garbage" | | - Written and recorded during the Dangerous sessions
- Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
| [43] |
| "Get Around"* | |
| [44] |
| "Get Your Weight Off of Me" |
| - Written and recorded in 1999–2000 during the Invincible sessions
- Failed to make the Invincible, The Ultimate Collection, and Xscape albums
- The song's runtime is 5 minutes and 17 seconds with a BPM of 85
- Interpolates the beat from Shabba Ranks's "Mr. Loverman"
- Lyrically and melodically similar to "Invincible" and "Privacy"
- Features aggressive verse vocals and ad-libs (similar to "Unbreakable"), but lighter chorus vocals
- LaShawn Daniels sings background vocals in the chorus
| [45] |
| "Ghost of Another Lover" |
| - Written and recorded in 1990–1991
- Failed to make the Dangerous album
- Reworked in 2009
- Vocally complete
| |
| "Goin' to Rio"* |
| - Written in 1976
- Failed to make the Off the Wall album
| |
| "Goodness Knows (When It's Right)" | | - Recorded between 1976 and 1979
| |
| "Got to Find a Way Somehow"(1984) | |
| |
| "Groove of Midnight" | | - Written around the Bad era
- A demo by Jackson surfaced on the Internet in 2003
| |
| "Happy Birthday, Lisa" | | - Written for The Simpsons episode "Stark Raving Dad", performed by Kipp Lennon
- Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
| [46] |
| "Haven't Got a Lot" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [47] |
| "He Who Makes the Sky Grey" |
Sheik Abdullah of Bahrain | - Features vocals by Jackson
| |
| "Heaven with a Smile" | | - CD was found in Jackson's collection after his death, dated April 17, 2009
| |
| "Holiday Inn"(1984) | |
| |
| "Homeless Bound" | | - Written and recorded during the Dangerous sessions
- Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
| [48] |
| "Hot Fever"(1985) | |
| |
| "Hot Street" | | - Written and recorded during 1981–1982
- Failed to make the Thriller album as Temperton and Quincy Jones felt that the song was too weak for inclusion
| |
| "How You Like Your Love" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [49] |
| "I Am a Loser"(2009)/"I Was the Loser"(2010) |
| - Written and recorded in January 2003 as "I Am a Loser"
- Updated in late 2008 as "I Was the Loser" when Jackson re-sang the choruses
| [50] |
| "I Can See a Brighter Day" |
RedOne | - The only song from the sessions with RedOne that features full vocals by Jackson
- Described as an "uplifting" song
- RedOne had interest in releasing the song as a charity single with an all-star feature like "We Are the World"
| [51] |
| "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" | | - Worked on during the early 1970s
| |
| "I Forgive You"* | | | |
| "I Have This Dream" |
|
| [52] |
| "I Have This Love of Mine"* | | | |
| "I Will Miss You" |
will.i.am | - Worked on during 2006–2007
- A tribute to James Brown
| [53] |
| "If You Don't Love Me" | | - 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
| [54] |
| "In the Life of Chico" | | - Written in 1979
- Failed to make the Off the Wall album
| |
| "In the Valley"* | | | |
| "Innocent Man"(2009 & 2010) | | - Written and recorded in 1993
|
| "Iowa" | | - Classical piece mentioned by Janet Jackson in a 1993 magazine interview
| |
| "It's Not Worth It" |
| - Written and recorded in 1999 during the Invincible sessions
- Also known as "You Don't Love Me"
- Rodney Jerkins played the introduction of the track on his Instagram
| |
| "Janet and MJ Duet" | | - Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
| [55] |
| "Jungle City" |
Dr. Freeze | - Written and recorded in 2000 during the Invincible sessions
- Demo features vocals by Dr. Freeze and an instrumental by Buxer
- Described as having a similar sound to "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" and "Tabloid Junkie"
- In early 2000, Buxer compiled this song along with 3 other demos ("The Way You Love Me", "What More Can I Give" and "Blue Powder") on a DAT titled "MJ Bible", which served as a compilation of Jackson's favorite ideas
- 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"
- Unknown if Jackson ever recorded vocals
- Also known as "Jungle"
| [56] |
| "Kentucky"* | |
| [57] |
| "Kick It" |
| - Written and recorded in 2000
- Failed to make the Invincible album
| |
| "Kreeton Overture"(1984) |
| - Written in 1984 for the opening of the Jacksons' Victory Tour
| |
| "Lady of Summer"(2010) |
| - Written and recorded in 2009
- Also known as "Lady of the Summer"
| |
| "Learned My Lesson"(1985) | | - Written in 1981
- Two versions of the song were registered with the United States Copyright Office
| |
| "Light the Way" |
Sheik Abdullah of Bahrain | | |
| "Like You" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
- Also known as "Like U"
| [58] |
| "Little Girls"* | | | |
| "Llama Lola"* | | | |
| "Lonely Bird"* | | - Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death
| |
| "Lonely Man"* | | | |
| "Lost in Love" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [59] |
| "Lucy Is in Love with Linus"* | | | |
| "Make a Wish"* | | | [60] |
| "Make or Break"* |
| - Recorded in 1986 during the early Bad sessions with Barnes
- Described by Matt Forger as having a "very driving, terrific hook, but never got finished"
| [61] |
| "Man in Black"† |
| - Also known as "Men in Black"
- One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991
- Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
- Supposedly written for a Steven Spielberg movie titled Men in Black
| |
| "Michael McKellar"* | | - Recorded during the Dangerous sessions
- Considered for the HIStory album, but "Little Susie (Pie Jesu)" was chosen instead
- Reworked during 2005–2009 under the title "Dance MJ McKellar"
- Song was cited in Frank Cascio's book My Friend Michael
- According to Jackson's handwritten notes, the lyrics are "about child neglect" and the "pain children feel when they are ignored"
- Lyrics include: "Waits at the window / Look how he's lying there" and "Pretends he's dying there / Nobody seems to care"
| |
| "MJ Melody"(1984) | |
| |
| "Monster"(2010) |
| - Not related to "Monster" on the Michael album.
- Written and recorded in 1999–2001 during the Invincible sessions, but never made it onto the album.
- Jackson seemingly only recorded vocals for the choruses: "You Created a Monster"
- Described as a very "experimental" and "personal" song by CJ DeVillar, and described as having "the most complex Michael instrumental" by the MJCast.
- Features an orchestra, a "huge amount of percussion", and "flies buzzing"
| |
| "Neverland Landing"* |
| - Written and recorded in April 1983
- Described by Kohan: "We also wrote a song called 'Neverland Landing' which was done completely, and there is a demo with piano that I played at the house. I have it somewhere but can't put my hands on it immediately."
- Also known as "Neverlanding Landing"
| [62] |
| "New Jelly" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| |
| "Nite Line" | | - Recorded by 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, titled "Nightline"
| [63] |
| "Nymphette Lover"(1984) | | - Written and recorded in 1981
- Failed to make the Thriller album
- Also known as "Nightfall Lover"
| |
| "Ode to Sorrow"(1984) | |
| [64] |
| "Oh Love" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [65] |
| "Pajamas"(2010) |
|
| |
| "Palestine, Don't Cry" | |
| |
| "People of the World" | | - Written and recorded in 1998 as a charity single after the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake
- Given to the Japanese fundraising group J-Friends, along with "Children's Holiday"
| |
| "People Have to Make Some Sort of Joke"* | | | [66] |
| "Peter Pan" | | - Song mentioned by Jackson on the 1993 CD The Michael Jackson Interview
| |
| "Photographs"(2010) |
| - Written and recorded in the early 2000s
- Played as a background song on a spoken word piece called "Michael's Affirmation"
- An instrumental version is known to exist
| |
| "Places You Find Love" | |
| [67] |
| "Pray for Peace"(2010) |
| - Written and recorded during the 2000s
| |
| "Pressure"† |
| - Failed to make the Invincible album
| |
| "Pyramid Girl" | | - Written and recorded in 1983
- Failed to make the Victory album
- Early version of "Liberian Girl"
| |
| "Rampage" |
| - Written and recorded in 1999 during the Invincible recording sessions
- Demo features a guide vocal sung by LaShawn Daniels
- Failed to make the Invincible album
- The song's intro inspired the "B Rocka Intro" track on Brandy's Full Moon album
| |
| "Red Eye"*(2010) | | - Mentioned during the 1993 Mexico deposition
- Reworked in 2008 with Neff U
| [68] |
| "Remember What I Told You"(2010) |
| - Written and recorded in 2008
- Reportedly similar to "Speechless" in terms of tone
- Song includes a short verse and multi-layered chorus
- Also known as "Just Remember"
- Lyrics include: "Remember what I told you, and remember for all time"
| [69] |
| "Rescue Me" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [70] |
| "Revenge" | | - Written and recorded during the HIStory sessions
- Was put up for auction along with other songs such as "Ask Rene", "Ask DD", "Family Thing" and "The Best Thing"
| [71] |
| "Rise Above It All" | | - Written during the Invincible recording sessions
- Described by Dr. Freeze as: "It's an upbeat song. If you feel bad, if things are going wrong in the world, be positive and try to be as happy as possible, leaving aside all the negative things. Overcome negativity, go beyond the woes of the world, all wars, the starving children and all the bad things. Assemble yourselves, hold your hand, raise your hands to heaven and pass it all. It's a little theme song. I can not say whether he had recorded the song, but in any case, we worked on it. There are other songs on which they collaborated. Most of these songs are mid-tempo, but I can not say anything more."
- Failed to make the Invincible album
| [72] |
| "Rock Tonight" | | - Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death
| |
| "Rocker"(2010) |
| - Written and recorded in 2008
- Similar in composition to "We Will Rock You" by Queen
- Features a guitar solo
- Demo has complete vocals on the choruses and scratch vocals on the verses
| [73] |
| "Rolling the Dice"* | | - Jackson worked on the song with Temperton and Quincy Jones during the Thriller recording sessions
| |
| "Satisfy" |
| - Mariah Carey song featuring Jackson on background vocals
- Failed to make the 2002 Charmbracelet album
| [74] |
| "Saturday Woman"* | | - Written and recorded during the Dangerous sessions
- Song cited in Frank Cascio's book My Friend Michael
- Described by Cascio as: "One of the unreleased songs that I loved the most was 'Saturday Woman', about a girl who wants attention and goes out to party instead of spending time on her relationship."
- As described by Cascio, the verse lyrics include: "I don't want to say that I don't love you, I don't want to say that I disagree", while the chorus lyrics include: "She's a saturday woman. I don't want to live my life all alone. She's a saturday woman."
|
| "Saved by the Bell"* |
| | |
| "Seduction" |
| - Failed to make the Invincible album
| |
| "Seeing Voices" |
| - Written and recorded in 1999
- Features Charles' choir on the background vocals
- Mentioned during the recording of the Invincible album
| |
| "Serious Effect"† |
| - Features rap by LL Cool J
- Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
| [75] |
| "Set It On Out" | | - Written and recorded in 1982
- Failed to make the Thriller album
| |
| "Seven Digits"† |
| - 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
- 1991 demo has a runtime of 2:56 minutes
- A DAT tape containing the song, as well as "an extensive 1-hour and 13-minute session of Michael Jackson's practice" was put up for auction on February 7, 2024
| [76] [77] |
| "Sexy Love Song" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| |
| "She Don't Want Me" | | - Written and recorded in 2008
- Described as having a similar sound to "The Way You Make Me Feel"
- Lyrics include: "She don't love me / She don't want me / She don't need me / She doesn't care / She doesn't care"
| |
| "She Got It"† |
| - Written and recorded in 1990
- Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
- Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
| [78] |
| "She's Not a Girl"* |
| - Written and recorded in 1978
- Failed to make the Off the Wall album
| |
| "Shut Up and Dance"† |
| - Written and recorded during the Invincible sessions
- Initially planned to be the lead single of the album
- Arranged as a 1970s funk track with similar composition to Stevie Wonder tunes
- Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death
- According to Joe Vogel, the song is vocally incomplete
| [79] |
| "Siegfried & Roy"(1990) | | - 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"
| |
| "Silent Spring"(2010) |
| | |
| "Sister Sue"* | | | |
| "Slapstick" | | - Worked on by Jackson during the Thriller recording sessions
- Early demo version of "Hot Street"
| |
| "Soldier's Entrance"(1999) | | | |
| "Somewhere in Time"(1984) | |
| |
| "Son of Thriller" |
|
| |
| "Spice of Life" |
|
| [80] |
| "Stand Tall"(1985) | | - Written and recorded in 1982
- Reworked during the Bad and Dangerous recording sessions
| |
| "Starlight" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
- Not to be confused with the original "Thriller" demo later included on Thriller 40
| |
| "Stay" |
|
| |
| "Still the King" |
will.i.am | - Worked on during 2006–2007
- Also known as "I'm Still the King"
- Intended to feature artists influenced by Jackson like Usher and Ne-Yo
| |
| "Stop the War" |
| - Written circa 1999
- Failed to make the Invincible album
- The song is an early version of "We've Had Enough", a song featured on the 2004 box set The Ultimate Collection
- Song about the Kosovo War
| |
| "Susie"(1984) | | - Written in 1978
- Early version of "Little Susie (Pie Jesu)"
| |
| "Thank Heaven"(1998) | | - Written and recorded in 1998
- Failed to make the Invincible album
- Reworked in 2008
| [81] |
| "Thank You for Life"*(1984) | | - Written and recorded during 1976–1978
- Failed to make the Off the Wall album
| |
| "That"(1998) | | | |
| "That Kind of Lover" |
| - Written circa 1998
- Failed to make the Invincible album
| |
| "The Children's Hour"* | | | |
| "The Choice" | | - Written and recorded during the Dangerous sessions
- Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album
| [82] |
| "The Future" |
will.i.am | - Worked on during 2006–2007
- On August 13, 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"
- A dance track about environmental issues
| |
| "The Girl That Got Away"(2001) |
| - Registered with the U.S. Copyright Office on March 30, 2001
- Failed to make the Invincible album
| [83] |
| "The Gloved One" | Sisqó | - Written circa 2001
- Failed to make the Invincible album
| |
| "The Nightmare of Edgar Alan Poe" |
| - 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"
| |
| "The Pain" |
| - Failed to make the Invincible album
| [84] |
| "The Sky Is the Limit"* | | - Written and recorded in 1985
| |
| "The World Is No Church"† |
| | |
| "Thinking About You" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [85] |
| "This Is Our Time" |
| - Failed to make the Invincible album
- Despite rumors to the contrary, the song was not recorded as a duet with Hill
| |
| "This Is It"(1984) | | - Written in 1980
- Not to be confused with "This Is It", a song featured on the 2009 compilation album This Is It
| |
| "Throwin' Your Life Away"(1988) | | - Written in 1988
- Considered for Michael, Bad 25 and Xscape but failed to make all of them
- Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death
| |
| "To Satisfy You" |
| - 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
| |
| "Tomboy"*(1985) | | - 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 a guest musician
- Failed to make the Bad album
- Mistakenly believed by some fans to have been written by Quincy Jones
- According to studio engineer Matt Forger, Jackson gave the song's multitracks to Troutman
| [86] |
| "Tragedy of a Cheer-leader"* | | | |
| "Turnin' Me Off"* | | - 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
- Reworked in 1990
- Failed to make the Dangerous album
- Song cited in Frank Cascio's book My Friend Michael
| [87] |
| "U Know" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| [88] |
| "Under Your Skin"(1984) | | - Written in 1979
- Failed to make the Off the Wall album
| [89] |
| "Unknown"† | | | |
| "Verdict"† |
| - One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991
- Recorded in 1990
- Reworked in 1994 during the HIStory sessions
- The sounds sampled in the track were taken from "Work", an unreleased track by Janet Jackson
| |
| "Victory" |
| - One of three songs Jackson worked on with 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
| [90] [91] |
| "Walk Away"(2010) |
| - Worked on during 2005–2009
- Sequel to "Don't Walk Away" from the Invincible album
| |
| "Water"(2010) |
| - Apparently recorded in early 2009 at the Carolwood house
- The production is complex, with water droplets and a "Stranger in Moscow" aesthetic
| [92] |
| "We Are the Ones"(1984) | |
| |
| "We Be Ballin |
| - Recorded in 1998
- A remixed version of "We Be Clubbin'"
- Features Shaquille O'Neal on the intro and the verses, while Jackson is singing the choruses
- This remix was to be released on an NBA compilation album scheduled for the end of 1998 and was also going to be featured in commercials for NBA's "I Love This Game" campaign. The entire project was shelved due to the player-initiated strike against the league that year
| [93] |
| "What Do You Want from Me" | | - Written and recorded circa 1994
| |
| "What You Do to Me"(1984) | | - Written in 1985
- First registered with the United States Copyright Office in 1985
- Failed to make the Bad album
- 1985 demo was considered for inclusion on Bad 25
- A completely different song with the same title was written and registered with the United States Copyright Office in 1998
- 1998 version of the song is an early demo of "The Way You Love Me" with scratch vocals scattered throughout
- Failed to make the Invincible album
- Completed version of "The Way You Love Me" was released in 2004 on The Ultimate Collection
| |
| "What's It Gonna Be"† | |
| |
| "What's Your Life"* |
| | |
| "Who Is the Girl with Her Hair Down"* | | | |
| "Why Can't I Be"(1984) | | - Written and recorded in 1980 for the Jacksons' Triumph album
| |
| "Why Shy"* | | | |
| "Willing and Waiting" | | - A demo of this song was recorded in 1994 to present to Jackson for possible inclusion on HIStory, with Babyface heavily involved in the production. One of two songs he presented to Jackson, 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
- According to assistant engineer Brad Sundberg, "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."
| [94] [95] |
| "Work That Body" |
| - One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991
- 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"
- Had been scheduled for release on a shelved special edition of the Dangerous album
| |
| "World of Candy"(2009 & 2010) |
| - Written and recorded circa 2003
- Described as a children's song
| |
| "You Ain't Gonna Change Nothin*(1984) | |
| [96] |
| "You Are a Liar"* | | - Failed to make the Invincible album
- Also known as "You're a Liar" and "You're a Liar, Brother"
| |
| "You Are So Beautiful" | |
| |
| "You Are There"(2010) |
|
| |
| "You Don't Love Me" |
| - Written and recorded in 1999 during the Invincible sessions
- Demo features a spoken intro by Jerkins and a guide vocal sung by Daniels
- Described as having a similar sound to Brandy's "Angel in Disguise"
- Inspired the song "It's Not Worth It" on Brandy's Full Moon album
| [97] |
| "You Told Me Your Lovin(1984) | |
| |
| "You Were There" | | | |
| "You're Supposed to Keep Your Love for Me" | | - Originally recorded in 1975 by Jermaine Jackson, with Wonder, Jackie Jackson and Michael on background vocals
- Re-cut solo version by Jermaine featured on his 1980 Let's Get Serious album, replacing the original recording featuring Michael
| |
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