# List of songs recorded by Michael Jackson

American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson recorded songs for ten studio albums, two posthumous studio albums, seventy two compilation albums, three soundtrack albums, one live album and seven remix albums. He has provided background vocals for songs recorded by other artists, as well as featured on duets.
Jackson debuted on the professional music scene at age five as a member of the Jackson 5. The group set a chart record when its first four singles—"I Want You Back" (1969), "ABC" (1970), "The Love You Save" (1970), and "I'll Be There" (1970)—peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. As Jackson began to emerge as a solo performer in the early 1970s, he maintained ties to the Jackson 5 and Motown. Between 1972 and 1975, Michael released four solo studio albums with Motown: Got to Be There (1972), Ben (1972), Music & Me (1973), and Forever, Michael (1975). "Got to Be There" and "Ben", the title tracks from his first two solo albums, became successful singles, as did a cover of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin". In June 1975, the Jackson 5 signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS Records, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984. Michael, the group's lead songwriter during this time, wrote hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980). Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), co-produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Songwriters for the album included Jackson, Rod Temperton, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney. Off the Wall was the first solo album to generate four top 10 hits in the United States: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You". This album helped Jackson win three awards at the American Music Awards and a Grammy Award for his solo efforts. Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, including a demo of "State of Shock", "Victory", and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". Jackson went on to record the single "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984). In 1982, Jackson combined his interests in songwriting and film when he contributed the song "Someone in the Dark" to the storybook for the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The song, with Jones as its producer, won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children in 1983.
Jackson's sixth album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. The album earned Jackson seven Grammys and eight American Music Awards. Thriller was the first album to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Jackson's seventh album Bad (1987) produced nine singles with seven charting in the United States. Five of these singles ("I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror", and "Dirty Diana") reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a record for most number-one Hot 100 singles from any one album. In 1991, he released his eighth album, Dangerous, co-produced with Teddy Riley. The album produced four top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including one number-one hit "Black or White", "Remember the Time", "In the Closet" and "Will You Be There" which produced and performed by Jackson the theme for the film Free Willy. In June 1995, Jackson released his ninth album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, a double album. The first disc, HIStory Begins, is a 15-track greatest hits album. The second disc, HIStory Continues, contains 13 original songs and two cover versions. The album features hits like "Scream", a duet with Jackson's youngest sister Janet Jackson, "Earth Song", "They Don't Care About Us", and "You Are Not Alone". "You Are Not Alone" holds the Guinness World Record for the first song ever to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Jackson worked with collaborators including Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerkins to produce his tenth solo album, Invincible (2001). Invincible spawned three singles, "You Rock My World", "Cry", and "Butterflies".
Michael Jackson's recorded music also encompasses providing background vocals for other artists like Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Janet Jackson, Barry Gibb, and 3T. He collaborated with singers and musicians including the Jackson 5, Paul McCartney, and Freddie Mercury.

## Songs

List of songs, showing title, year of release, originating album, writer(s), notes and references. :
| Title | Year | Album | Writer(s) | Notes |
| "2 Bad" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson Bruce Swedien René Moore Dallas Austin Shaquille O'Neal | Rap by Shaquille O'Neal Featured in the film Michael Jackson's Ghosts (1996) |
| "2000 Watts" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Tyrese Gibson Jaron Henson | Backing vocals by Riley |
| "2300 Jackson Street" | 1989 | 2300 Jackson Street | Jermaine Jackson Jackie Jackson Tito Jackson Randy Jackson Gene Griffin Aaron Hall | The Jacksons with Michael, Marlon, Rebbie and Janet |
| "A Brand New Day" | 1978 | The Wiz | Luther Vandross | Diana Ross, Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross |
| "A Place with No Name" | 2014 | Xscape | Michael Jackson Elliot "Dr. Freeze" Straite Dewey Bunnell | Written and recorded in 1998 Based on "A Horse with No Name", a hit song by rock band America Failed to make Invincible album. A 24-second snippet leaked online on July 16, 2009 and full version leaked online on December 18, 2013 |
| "Ain't No Sunshine" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Bill Withers | Bill Withers cover |
| "Al Capone" | 2012 | Bad 25 | Michael Jackson | Recorded at Hayvenhurst during 1985–1986 Evolved into "Smooth Criminal" |
| "All in Your Name" | 2011 | | Barry Gibb Michael Jackson | Barry Gibb duet with Michael Jackson Recorded in 2002 Released by Gibb on June 25, 2011, the second anniversary of Michael Jackson's death, as a standalone single |
| "All the Things You Are" | 1973 | Music & Me | Oscar Hammerstein II Jerome Kern | Hiram Sherman cover |
| "Another Part of Me" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Featured in the film Captain EO (1986) |
| "Baby Be Mine" | 1982 | Thriller | Rod Temperton | |
| "Bad" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Originally intended as a duet with Prince Remix with Afrojack, DJ Buddha and Pitbull released on Bad 25 (2012) |
| "Be a Lion" | 1978 | The Wiz | Charlie Smalls | Diana Ross, Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross |
| "Beat It" | 1982 | Thriller | Michael Jackson | Guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen Demo released on This Is It (2009) and the deluxe edition of Thriller 40 (2022) Remix with Fergie, titled "Beat It 2008", released on Thriller 25 (2008) |
| "Beautiful Girl" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson | Previously unreleased demo recorded between 1998 and 2004 during the Invincible sessions |
| "Behind the Mask" | 2010 | Michael | Michael Jackson Chris Mosdell Ryuichi Sakamoto | Featuring additional background vocals by Shanice Greg Philinganes recorded this song on the album Pulse (1984) with the contribution of Michael's background vocals An agreement to share the royalties equally between Jackson, Chris Mosdell and Ryuichi Sakamoto broke down when the management of Yellow Magic Orchestra disagreed which prevented the song to be released on Jackson's sixth studio album, Thriller (1982) Demo released on Thriller 40 (2022) |
| "Ben" | 1972 | Ben | Walter Scharf Don Black | Theme from Ben (1972) |
| "Best of Joy" | 2010 | Michael | Michael Jackson | Evolved from "The Toy" and reworked in 1991 One of the last songs that Jackson recorded during his lifetime, having recorded it in November 2008 in Los Angeles, California, the year before his death Was slated to premiere during the final This Is It concert |
| "Billie Jean" | 1982 | Thriller | Michael Jackson | 1981 demo released on Thriller (Special Edition) (2001) and deluxe editions of the Thriller 25 (2008) and Thriller 40 (2022) albums Remix with Kanye West, titled "Billie Jean 2008", released on Thriller 25 |
| "Black or White" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Bill Bottrell | Rap by L.T.B. |
| "Blood on the Dance Floor" | 1997 | Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley | Originally recorded for the Dangerous album |
| "Blue Gangsta" | 2014 | Xscape | Michael Jackson Elliot "Dr. Freeze" Straite | Recorded in 1998 |
| "Break of Dawn" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Elliot "Dr. Freeze" Straite | Background vocals by Elliot Straite (Dr. Freeze) |
| "Burn This Disco Out" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Rod Temperton | Recorded in June 1979 |
| "Butterflies" | 2001 | Invincible | Andre Harris Marsha Ambrosius | Remix with Eve |
| "Call on Me" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Fonce Mizell Larry Mizell | Original version released on Anthology (1995) Working title "Fussin' and Fightin'" |
| "Can't Get Outta the Rain" | 1982 | B-side of "The Girl Is Mine" | Michael Jackson Quincy Jones | B-side of "The Girl Is Mine" (1982) An overdubbed version of The Wiz song "You Can't Win" (1978) Later released on The Essential Michael Jackson 3.0 (2008), several editions of King of Pop (2008),The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection (2013) and Thriller 40 (2022) |
| "Can't Let Her Get Away" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley | Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien and Riley in 1991. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as "I Can't Let Her Get Away". |
| "Carousel" | 2001 | Thriller (Special Edition) | Michael Sembello Don Freeman | Also known as "Circus Girl" Short version released on Thriller (Special Edition) (2001) and the deluxe edition of Thriller 25 (2008) Full version released on several editions of King of Pop (2008), The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection (2013) and Thriller 40 (2022) |
| "Centipede" | 1984 | Centipede | Michael Jackson | Rebbie Jackson featuring background vocals by Michael Jackson, La Toya Jackson and the Weather Girls |
| "Cheater" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson Greg Phillinganes | Recorded in 1987 |
| "Chicago" | 2014 | Xscape | Cory Rooney | Recorded in 1999 under the title "She Was Lovin' Me" |
| "Childhood" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson | Theme from Free Willy 2 (1995) |
| "Cinderella Stay Awhile" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Michael Burnett Sutton Mack David | Recorded in December 1974 and produced by Hal Davis |
| "Come Together" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | John Lennon Paul McCartney | The Beatles cover Recorded in 1988 for the film Moonwalker (1988) Full version released on the single "Remember the Time" (1992) Edited version released on HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995) |
| "Cry" | 2001 | Invincible | R. Kelly | Recorded in 2000 |
| "D.S." | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson | Guitar by Slash |
| "Dangerous" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Bill Bottrell Teddy Riley | Evolved from "Streetwalker" Early version released on The Ultimate Collection (2004) |
| "Dapper-Dan" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Don Fletcher | |
| "Dear Michael" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Hal Davis Elliot Willensky | Recorded in December 1974 |
| "Dirty Diana" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Guitar by Steve Stevens |
| "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" | 2014 | Xscape | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded in 1984 and 1986 Failed to make the Bad album |
| "Doggin' Around" | 1973 | Music & Me | Lena Agree | 1960 song written by Lena Agree and originally performed by Jackie Wilson. |
| "Don't Be Messin' 'Round" | 2012 | Bad 25 | Michael Jackson | Features Jackson playing the piano |
| "Don't Let It Get You Down" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Mel Larson Jerry Marcellino Deke Richards | Original version released on Anthology (1995) |
| "Don't Matter to Me" | 2018 | Scorpion | Michael Jackson Paul Anka Aubrey Graham Noah Shebib Paul Jefferies Nana Rogues Negin Djafari | Drake with Jackson Original vocals by Jackson recorded in 1983 |
| "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Michael Jackson | 1978 demo released on Off the Wall (Special Edition) (2001) |
| "Don't Walk Away" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Richard Stites Reed Vertelney | |
| "Earth Song" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson | Originally written and composed by Jackson under the title "What About Us" in 1988 |
| "Ease on Down the Road" | 1978 | The Wiz | Charlie Smalls | Diana Ross and Jackson |
| "Eaten Alive" | 1985 | Eaten Alive | Barry Gibb Maurice Gibb Michael Jackson | Diana Ross with Jackson and Barry Gibb A solo version was recorded by Jackson but remains unreleased |
| "Euphoria" | 1973 | Music & Me | Leon Ware Jacqueline Hilliard | |
| "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" | 1972 | Ben | Gladys Hampton Regina Adams Ace Adams | Originally recorded by Connie Francis |
| "Fall Again" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Walter Afanasieff Robin Thicke | A demo of the song was recorded in 1999 |
| "Farewell My Summer Love" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Keni St. Lewis | Original version released on Anthology (1995) Working title "Let Me Count the Ways" |
| "Fly Away" | 2001 | Bad (Special Edition) | Michael Jackson | Rebbie Jackson recorded the song on the album Yours Faithfully (1998) with Michael's backing vocals |
| "For All Time" | 2008 | Thriller 25 | Michael Sherwood Steve Porcaro | Recorded during the Thriller sessions Later reworked during the Dangerous sessions Released on Thriller 25 (2008) |
| "Free" | 2012 | Bad 25 | Michael Jackson | |
| "Get It" | 1987 | Characters | Stevie Wonder | Wonder with Jackson |
| "Get on the Floor" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Michael Jackson Louis Johnson | |
| "Ghosts" | 1997 | Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley | Featured in the film Michael Jackson's Ghosts (1996) |
| "Girl Don't Take Your Love from Me" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Willie Hutch | |
| "Girl You're So Together" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Keni St. Lewis | Original version released on Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection (2009) |
| "Girlfriend" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Paul McCartney | Wings cover Originally written for Jackson |
| "Give In to Me" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Bill Bottrell | Guitar by Slash |
| "Gone Too Soon" | 1991 | Dangerous | Larry Grossman Buz Kohan | Dedicated to the memory of Jackson's friend Ryan White |
| "Got the Hots" | 2008 | Thriller 25 (Japanese Edition) | Rod Temperton | Later released on several editions of King of Pop (2008), The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection (2013) and Thriller 40 (2022) |
| "Got to Be There" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Elliot Willensky | First solo single by Jackson |
| "Greatest Show on Earth" | 1972 | Ben | Mel Larson Jerry Marcellino | |
| "Happy" | 1973 | Music & Me | Michel Legrand Smokey Robinson | Love theme from Lady Sings the Blues (1972) |
| "Heal the World" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson | Version with Jackson's spoken words released on a very rare promo titled Signature Series (1992) |
| "Heartbreaker" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels Mischke Butler Norman Gregg | Rap performed by Fats |
| "Heaven Can Wait" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Andreao Heard Nate Smith Teron Beal Eritza Laues Kenny Quiller | |
| "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Al Green Mabon Hodges | Original version released on Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection (2009) |
| "HIStory" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson James Harris III Terry Lewis | Backing vocals by Boyz II Men |
| "Hold My Hand" | 2010 | Michael | Aliaune Thiam Giorgio Tuinfort Claude Kelly | Duet with Akon Originally recorded in December 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada Unfinished version leaked on June 30, 2008 Failed to make Akon's album Freedom (2008) due to the leak |
| "Hollywood Tonight" | 2010 | Michael | Michael Jackson Brad Buxer | Spoken bridge by Taryll Jackson and written by Teddy Riley |
| "Human Nature" | 1982 | Thriller | Steve Porcaro John Bettis | |
| "I Can't Help It" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Stevie Wonder Susaye Greene | |
| "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" | 2010 | Michael | Lenny Kravitz | Features Kravitz Drums by Dave Grohl (of Foo Fighters and formerly of Nirvana) were recorded, but didn't make the final cut Includes vocals from "We've Had Enough" Rewritten by Lenny Kravitz and retitled "Storm" featuring Jay-Z on Kravitz's album Baptism (2004) |
| "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Duet with Siedah Garrett Originally intended as a duet with Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, or Agnetha Fältskog (formerly of ABBA) French and Spanish versions titled "Je Ne Veux Pas La Fin De Nous" and "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu" |
| "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" | 2010 | Michael | Michael Jackson | Demo titled "The Way You Love Me" released on The Ultimate Collection (2004) Failed to make the Invincible album |
| "I Wanna Be Where You Are" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Arthur "T-Boy" Ross Leon Ware | |
| "If'n I Was God" | 1986 | Looking Back to Yesterday | Robert B. Sherman Richard M. Sherman | Bobby Goldsboro cover |
| "I'll Come Home to You" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Freddie Perren Christine Yarian | |
| "I'm in Love Again" | 1980 | Love Lives Forever | Minnie Riperton Richard Rudolph | Virtual duet by Riperton and Jackson |
| "I'm So Blue" | 2012 | Bad 25 | Michael Jackson | |
| "In Our Small Way" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Beatrice Verdi Christine Yarian | Later released on Ben (1972) |
| "In the Back" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson Glen Ballard | Written and recorded in 1994 Worked on in 1997 for inclusion on the Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix album |
| "In the Closet" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley | Includes female vocals originally credited to "Mystery Girl", later revealed to be Princess Stéphanie of Monaco Originally intended as a duet with Madonna |
| "Invincible" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels Norman Gregg | Rap performed by Fats |
| "Is It Scary" | 1997 | Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix | Michael Jackson James Harris III Terry Lewis | Featured in the film Michael Jackson's Ghosts (1996) |
| "It's the Falling in Love" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Carole Bayer Sager David Foster | With Patti Austin |
| "Jam" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Bruce Swedien René Moore | Rap by Heavy D |
| "Je Ne Veux Pas la Fin de Nous" | 2012 | Bad 25 | Michael Jackson Christine Decroix | Duet with Siedah Garrett French version of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" |
| "Johnny Raven" | 1973 | Music & Me | Billy Page | |
| "Just a Little Bit of You" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Edward Holland, Jr. Brian Holland | |
| "Just Friends" | 1981 | Sometimes Late at Night | Carole Bayer Sager Burt Bacharach Peter Allen | Bayer Sager with Jackson |
| "Just Good Friends" | 1987 | Bad | Terry Britten Graham Lyle | With Stevie Wonder |
| "Keep the Faith" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Glen Ballard Siedah Garrett | Choir arrangement by Andrae Crouch |
| "Leave Me Alone" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Released on later reissues and on the CD edition of Bad (1987) |
| "Liberian Girl" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Spoken part by Letta Mbulu Evolved from "Pyramid Girl" which was written in 1983 for the Jacksons' Victory album (1984) |
| "Little Christmas Tree" | 1973 | A Motown Christmas | George S. Clinton Artie Wayne | Later released on the reissues of the Jackson 5 Christmas Album (1970) |
| "Little Susie" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson | |
| "Lonely Teardrops" | 1986 | Looking Back to Yesterday | Berry Gordy Gwen Gordy Tyran Carlo | Jackie Wilson cover |
| "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Holland–Dozier–Holland | The Supremes cover |
| "Love Never Felt So Good" | 2014 | Xscape | Michael Jackson Paul Anka | Two versions released as singles, solo and duet with Justin Timberlake Written in 1983 for the Jacksons' Victory album (1984) Recorded by Johnny Mathis and released on his 1984 album A Special Part of Me |
| "Love's Gone Bad" | 1986 | Looking Back to Yesterday | Holland–Dozier–Holland | The Jackson 5 version released on Boogie (1979) |
| "Loving You" | 2014 | Xscape | Michael Jackson | Jackson wrote and recorded the track in the mid-80s before bringing the multitrack tapes to his trusted engineer, Matt Forger, to mix |
| "Man in the Mirror" | 1987 | Bad | Glen Ballard Siedah Garrett | Backing vocals by Siedah Garrett, the Winans, and the Andraé Crouch Choir |
| "Maria (You Were the Only One)" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Lawrence Brown Linda Glover George Gordy Allen Story | |
| "Melodie" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Mel Larson Jerry Marcellino Deke Richards | Original version released on Anthology (1995) |
| "Mind Is the Magic" | 1995 | Dreams & Illusions | Michael Jackson Bryan Loren | Written by Jackson and Loren in 1989 for Siegfried & Roy's Beyond Belief Show Jackson gave his permission for Siegfried & Roy to release this song on their German album Dreams & Illusions (1995) |
| "Money" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson | |
| "Monkey Business" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson Bill Bottrell | Originally recorded in 1989 for the Dangerous album |
| "Morning Glow" | 1973 | Music & Me | Stephen Schwartz | |
| "Morphine" | 1997 | Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix | Michael Jackson | Guitar by Slash Also known as "Just Say No" Uses samples from the 1980 film The Elephant Man |
| "Much Too Soon" | 2010 | Michael | Michael Jackson | |
| "Music and Me" | 1973 | Music & Me | Jerry Marcellino Mel Larson Don Fenceton Mike Cannon | |
| "My Girl" | 1972 | Ben | Smokey Robinson Ronald White | The Temptations cover The Jackson 5 pre-Motown version released on Big Boy (1993) |
| "Night Time Lover" | 1980 | La Toya Jackson | La Toya Jackson Michael Jackson | La Toya with Michael |
| "Off the Wall" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Rod Temperton | |
| "On the Line" | 1997 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds | Originally recorded by Jackson for the Spike Lee film Get on the Bus in 1996 Short version with a fade out was included on a 3-track minimax CD single, which was released as part of the Deluxe Collector Box Set of Michael Jackson's Ghosts on December 11, 1997, in the United Kingdom; the full length version of the song was later released on The Ultimate Collection (2004) |
| "One Day in Your Life" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Sam Brown III Renée Armand | |
| "One More Chance" | 2003 | Number Ones | R. Kelly | |
| "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" | 1982 | Thriller | James Ingram Quincy Jones | Demo written by Jackson and Greg Phillinganes Demo released on The Ultimate Collection (2004) and the deluxe edition of Thriller 40 (2022) Remix with will.i.am, titled "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008", released on Thriller 25 (2008) |
| "People Make the World Go 'Round" | 1972 | Ben | Thom Bell Linda Creed | The Stylistics cover |
| "Planet Earth" | 2009 | This Is It | Michael Jackson | Poem, published in the liner notes of Dangerous (1991) |
| "Price of Fame" | 2012 | Bad 25 | Michael Jackson | Had been scheduled as the theme for a Pepsi commercial starring Jackson, but was replaced by "Bad" |
| "Privacy" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels Bernard Belle | Guitar by Slash |
| "Remember the Time" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Bernard Belle | |
| "Rock with You" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Rod Temperton | |
| "Rockin' Robin" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Leon Rene | Bobby Day cover Leon Rene is credited under the pseudonym "Jimmie Thomas" |
| "Save Me" | 1980 | Old Crest on a New Wave | Jim Krueger | Dave Mason with Jackson |
| "Say Say Say" | 1983 | Pipes of Peace | Paul McCartney Michael Jackson | Paul McCartney with Jackson |
| "Scared of the Moon" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson Buz Kohan | |
| "Scream" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson Janet Jackson James Harris III Terry Lewis | Duet with Janet Jackson |
| "She Drives Me Wild" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Aqil Davidson | Rap by Wreckx-n-Effect |
| "She's Out of My Life" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Tom Bahler | Demo released on This Is It (2009) |
| "She's Trouble" | 2022 | Thriller 40 | Sue Shifrin Bill Livsey Terry Britten | Failed to make the Thriller album Also known as "Trouble" |
| "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" | 1972 | Ben | Stevie Wonder Sylvia Moy Henry Cosby | Stevie Wonder cover |
| "Shout" | 2001 | B-side of "Cry" | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Claude Forbes Roy Hamilton Samuel Hoskins Carmen Lampson | B-side of "Cry" (2001) Intended to be released on Invincible (2001), but was replaced with "You Are My Life" at the last minute Later released on The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection (2013) |
| "Slave to the Rhythm" | 2014 | Xscape | L.A. Reid Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds Daryl Simmons Kevin Roberson | Recorded during the Dangerous sessions in 1991 |
| "Smile" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Charlie Chaplin John Turner Geoffrey Parsons | Originally an instrumental theme from Charlie Chaplin's 1936 film Modern Times Vocal cover of lyrics originally sung by Nat King Cole |
| "Smooth Criminal" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Evolved from "Al Capone" |
| "Somebody's Watching Me" | 1984 | Somebody's Watching Me | Kennedy Gordy | Rockwell with Michael on chorus and Jermaine Jackson on backing vocals |
| "Someone in the Dark" | 1982 | E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | Alan Bergman Marilyn Bergman Rod Temperton | Originally released on the audiobook for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) A short "closing version" of the song was included only in the audiobook for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Later released in an extended edit on Thriller (Special Edition) (2001), The Ultimate Collection (2004) and the deluxe edition of Thriller 25 (2008) |
| "Someone Put Your Hand Out" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley | Released in May 1992 as an exclusive Pepsi promotional single Edited version intended for Bad (Special Edition) (2001) but failed to make the final cut Later released on The Ultimate Collection (2004) |
| "Song Groove (a.k.a. Abortion Papers)" | 2012 | Bad 25 | Michael Jackson | |
| "Speechless" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson | |
| "Speed Demon" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Remix with Nero released on Bad 25 (2012) |
| "Stranger in Moscow" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson | Written on September 15, 1993, in Moscow, Russia during the Dangerous World Tour |
| "Starlight" | 2022 | Thriller 40 | Rod Temperton | Evolved into "Thriller" |
| "Streetwalker" | 2001 | Bad (Special Edition) | Michael Jackson | Evolved into "Dangerous" |
| "Sunset Driver" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson | Originally scheduled to appear on the special edition reissue of Off the Wall in 2001 Later released on Thriller 40 (2022) |
| "Superfly Sister" | 1997 | Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix | Michael Jackson Bryan Loren | Originally recorded for the Dangerous album |
| "Tabloid Junkie" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson James Harris III Terry Lewis | |
| "Take Me Back" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Edward Holland, Jr. Brian Holland | |
| "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)" | 1984 | Dynamite | Michael Omartian Bruce Sudano Jay Gruska | Jermaine Jackson with Michael |
| "That's What Love Is Made Of" | 1986 | Looking Back to Yesterday | William "Smokey" Robinson Robert Rogers Warren Moore | The Miracles cover |
| "The Girl Is Mine" | 1982 | Thriller | Michael Jackson | With Paul McCartney Remix with will.i.am, titled "The Girl Is Mine 2008", released on Thriller 25 (2008) Solo demo version with Jackson's vocals only released on the single "The Girl Is Mine 2008" (2008) |
| "The Lady in My Life" | 1982 | Thriller | Rod Temperton | |
| "The Lost Children" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson | Features Jackson's son Prince and Aldo Cascio |
| "The Man" | 1983 | Pipes of Peace | Paul McCartney Michael Jackson | McCartney with Jackson |
| "The Toy" | 2022 | Thriller 40 | Michael Jackson | Recorded in 1981 Failed to make the Thriller album Evolved into "Best of Joy" |
| "The Way You Make Me Feel" | 1987 | Bad | Michael Jackson | Evolved from "Hot Fever" which was written in 1985 |
| "There Must Be More to Life Than This" | 2014 | Queen Forever | Freddie Mercury | Mercury and Jackson recorded the song as a duet during 1981–1983 along with two other songs, "Victory" and "State of Shock"; the latter was re-recorded with Mick Jagger and released on the Jacksons' Victory album (1984) Released as a solo track by Mercury on his album Mr. Bad Guy (1985) Reworked duet version released on Queen's album Queen Forever (2014) |
| "They Don't Care About Us" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson | |
| "This Is It" | 2009 | This Is It | Michael Jackson Paul Anka | Backing vocals by the Jacksons Originally recorded as a duet with Anka in 1980 under the title "I Never Heard" Sa-Fire recorded "I Never Heard" for the album I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1991) Theme from Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) Duet version released on Anka's album Duets (2013) |
| "This Time Around" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | Michael Jackson Dallas Austin Bruce Swedien René Moore Christopher Wallase | Rap by the Notorious B.I.G. |
| "Threatened" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels | Contains snippets of Rod Serling's narration from the TV show The Twilight Zone |
| "Thriller" | 1982 | Thriller | Rod Temperton | Spoken rap by Vincent Price Second rap verse released on Thriller (Special Edition) (2001) and the deluxe edition of Thriller 25 (2008) Evolved from "Starlight" |
| "To Make My Father Proud" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Bob Crewe Larry Weiss | Original version released on Anthology (1995) |
| "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tú" | 2001 | Bad (Special Edition) | Michael Jackson Rubén Blades | Duet with Siedah Garrett Spanish version of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" |
| "Todo Para Ti" | 2001 | | Michael Jackson Rubén Blades | Recorded with various artists Charity song for the victims of the September 11 attacks Spanish version of "What More Can I Give" |
| "Too Young" | 1973 | Music & Me | Sidney Lippman Sylvia Dee | Nat King Cole cover |
| "Touch the One You Love" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Artie Wayne George S. Clinton | Original version released on Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection (2009) |
| "Twenty-Five Miles" | 1987 | The Original Soul of Michael Jackson | Edwin Starr Bert Berns Jerry Ragovoy Johnny Bristol Harvey Fuqua | Edwin Starr cover Original version released on Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection (2009) |
| "Unbreakable" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels Nora Payne Robert Smith Christopher Wallace | Rap by the Notorious B.I.G. Background vocals by Brandy Norwood |
| "Up Again" | 1973 | Music & Me | Freddie Perren Christine Yarian | |
| "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" | 1982 | Thriller | Michael Jackson | Demo released on This Is It (2009) and the deluxe edition of Thriller 40 (2022) Remix with Akon, titled "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008", released on Thriller 25 (2008) and includes new vocals recorded by Jackson in 2007 |
| "We Are Here to Change the World" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson John Barnes | Featured in the film Captain EO (1986) |
| "We Are the World" | 1985 | We Are the World | Michael Jackson Lionel Richie | Recorded with USA for Africa Solo demo version released on The Ultimate Collection (2004) 25th anniversary version for Haiti released in 2010 |
| "We're Almost There" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Edward Holland, Jr. Brian Holland | |
| "We've Got a Good Thing Going" | 1972 | Ben | Berry Gordy Freddie Perren Alphonzo Mizell Deke Richards | |
| "We've Got Forever" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Elliot Willensky | |
| "We've Had Enough" | 2004 | The Ultimate Collection | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins LaShawn Daniels Carole Bayer Sager | |
| "What a Lovely Way to Go" | 2022 | Thriller 40 | Michael Jackson | Written in the late 1970s, originally titled "What a Lonely Way to Go" Failed to make the Off the Wall and Thriller albums |
| "What Goes Around Comes Around" | 1972 | Ben | Allen Levinsky Arthur Stokes Dana Meyers Floyd Weatherspoon | |
| "What More Can I Give" | 2001 | | Michael Jackson | Recorded with various artists Charity song for the victims of the September 11 attacks Spanish version titled "Todo Para Ti" |
| "Whatever Happens" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Gil Cang Jasmine Quay Geoffrey Williams | Guitar and whistle solo by Carlos Santana |
| "Whatzupwitu" | 1993 | Love's Alright | Eddie Murphy Trenten Gumbs | Murphy with Jackson |
| "When I Come of Age" | 1986 | Looking Back to Yesterday | Weldon Dean Parks Don Fletcher Hal Davis | |
| "Who Do You Know" | 2022 | Thriller 40 | Michael Jackson | Written in 1980 Failed to make the Thriller album |
| "Who Is It" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson | |
| "Who's Lookin' for a Lover" | 1986 | Looking Back to Yesterday | Jacqueline Dalya Hilliard Leon Ware | |
| "Why" | 1995 | Brotherhood | Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds | 3T with Jackson A solo version was recorded by Jackson but remains unreleased |
| "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" | 1991 | Dangerous | Teddy Riley Bernard Belle | |
| "Will You Be There" | 1991 | Dangerous | Michael Jackson | Theme from Free Willy (1993) Choir arrangement by Andrae Crouch |
| "Wings of My Love" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Berry Gordy Freddie Perren Alphonzo Mizell Deke Richards | |
| "With a Child's Heart" | 1973 | Music & Me | Sylvia Moy Henry Cosby Vicki Basemore | Stevie Wonder cover |
| "Workin' Day and Night" | 1979 | Off the Wall | Michael Jackson | 1978 demo released on Off the Wall (Special Edition) (2001) |
| "Xscape" | 2014 | Xscape | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels | Recorded during the Invincible sessions |
| "You Are My Life" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds Carole Bayer Sager John McClain | Written for Jackson's children |
| "You Are Not Alone" | 1995 | HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | R. Kelly | |
| "You Are There" | 1975 | Forever, Michael | Sam Brown III Randy Meitzenheimer Christine Yarian | |
| "You Can Cry on My Shoulder" | 1972 | Ben | Berry Gordy | |
| "You Can't Win" | 1978 | The Wiz | Charlie Smalls | |
| "You Rock My World" | 2001 | Invincible | Michael Jackson Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III LaShawn Daniels Nora Payne | Intro with Chris Tucker Remix with Jay-Z |
| "You've Got a Friend" | 1972 | Got to Be There | Carole King | Carole King cover |
| "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" | 1984 | Farewell My Summer Love | Smokey Robinson Ronald White Robert Rogers | The Miracles cover Original version released on Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection (2009) The Jackson 5 version released on The Ultimate Rarities Collection 1: Motown Sings Motown Treasures (1998) |

### Songs with background vocals contributions

List of songs, showing title, year of release, originating album, writer(s), notes and references. :
| Title | Year | Album | Writer(s) | Notes |
| "All Eyez on Me" | 2002 | All Eyez on Me | Monica Arnold LaShawn Daniels James Ingram Quincy Jones | Monica with Jackson's background vocals from "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" with ad-libs taken from the Invincible recording sessions |
| "All I Do" | 1980 | Hotter than July | Stevie Wonder Clarence Paul Morris Broadnax | Wonder with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "Alright Now" | 1990 | Ralph Tresvant | Michael Jackson John Barnes | Ralph Tresvant with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "Children's Holiday" | 1998 | Ashita ga Kikoeru / Children's Holiday single | Michael Jackson | J-Friends with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "Do the Bartman" | 1990 | The Simpsons Sing the Blues | Bryan Loren Michael Jackson | The Simpsons featuring background vocals by Jackson |
| "Don't Let a Woman (Make a Fool Out of You)" | 1982 | Synapse Gap (Mundo Total) | Joe King Carrasco Johnny Perez | Joe King Carrasco and the Crowns featuring background vocals by Jackson |
| "Don't Stand Another Chance" | 1984 | Dream Street | Janet Jackson Marlon Jackson John Barnes | Janet Jackson with backing vocals by Michael Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Tito Jackson and Jackie Jackson |
| "Girls, Girls, Girls, Pt. 2" | 2001 | The Blueprint | Tom Brock Shawn Carter Justin Smith | Jay-Z with backing vocals by Jackson and Chante Moore |
| "Goin' Back to Alabama" | 1981 | Share Your Love | Lionel Richie | Kenny Rogers with backing vocals by Jackson and Richie |
| "I Need You" | 1995 | Brotherhood | Eric Carmen | Eric Carmen cover 3T with Jackson on backing vocals |
| "It's Not Worth It" | 2002 | Full Moon | LaShawn Daniels Fred Jerkins III Rodney Jerkins | Brandy with backing vocals of Jackson from "Ride with Me" |
| "Joy" | 1994 | Blackstreet | Teddy Riley Tammy Lucas Michael Jackson | Blackstreet with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "Low" | 2018 | Raise Vibration | Lenny Kravitz | Kravitz with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "Muscles" | 1982 | Silk Electric | Michael Jackson | Diana Ross with Jackson on backing vocals |
| "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" | 1982 | Wolf | Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong | Bill Wolfer with backing vocals by Jackson The Temptations cover Live version by the Jackson 5 released on The Jackson 5 in Japan (1973) |
| "People of the World" | 1999 | People of the World single | Michael Jackson | J-Friends with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "Ride with Me" | 2006 | Versatility | Rodney Jerkins | Instrumental, Jerkins with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "So Why" | 1982 | Wolf | John Gibson | Bill Wolfer with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "State of Independence" | 1982 | Donna Summer | Jon Anderson Vangelis | Donna Summer featuring background vocals by Jackson, Brenda Russell, James Ingram, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and various artists |
| "The Dude" | 1981 | The Dude | Rod Temperton Patti Austin | Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram and Jackson |
| "This Had to Be" | 1980 | Light Up the Night | Michael Jackson Louis Johnson George Johnson | The Brothers Johnson with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "To Satisfy You" | 1992 | Music for the New World | Bryan Loren Michael Jackson | Loren with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "What's Your Game?" | 1974 | What's Your Game? single | Jackson 5 | M-D-L-T- Willis with backing vocals and instrumentation by Jackson and his brothers Drums played by Jackson Also produced by the Jackson 5 |
| "Who's Right, Who's Wrong" | 1979 | Keep the Fire | Kenny Loggins Richard Page | Loggins with backing vocals by Jackson |
| "Yeah" | 1993 | Love's Alright | Eddie Murphy | Murphy with backing vocals by Jackson and various artists |
| "You're the One" | 1985 | Say You Love Me | Michael Jackson | Jennifer Holliday with backing vocals by Jackson |