20 Most Loved Michael Jackson Hit Songs

14. Smooth Criminal (1988)

'Smooth Criminal' from album 'Bad' is probably best known for the 1988 movie adaptation 'Moonwalker' which starred Jackson and Joe Pesci ('Goodfellas' star). It was the main theme song throughout, though the movie version where Jackson performed the dance routine at the nightclub was considerably longer than the album version. It was particularly well-received in Spain, topping the charts in 1988 and re-entering at number one in 2006 for a total of 6 weeks. Jackson's famous anti-gravity lean also made its debut with this song with the star patenting a complicated mechanism that allowed him to perform it. The most popular cover version of this song is by Alien Ant Farm, though violinist David Garrett recorded a classical instrumental version for his 'Encore' album.
Watch the video for Smooth Criminal

13. Man in the Mirror (1988)

One of the reasons Michael Jackson was such an important figure in entertainment was his penchant for writing deep and meaningful songs with timeless messages and global significance. 'Man in the Mirror' is a fine example of this and became one of his most critically acclaimed singles, even being nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammys and remaining at number one in the US for 2 weeks. His use of a Gospel choir on the track makes it all the more special and his inspiration for the song is put across on the video which features clips of various events in history including Ethiopian famine, Live Aid, the Kennedy assassinations and the Vietnam War as well as various important figures from Adolf Hitler and the Ku Klux Klan to Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi. Cover versions of the song include renditions from James Morrison, 'Glee' and acoustic guitarist Tuck Andress.
Watch the video for Man In The Mirror

12. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (1979)

From the early 'Off the Wall' album, this track is one of Jackson's first major solo hits earning him his first Grammy since leaving his brothers and introducing most of the characteristic Jackson vocals such as vocal 'hiccups' and his falsetto. The accompanying music video was his first since going it alone and the song earned a number one spot on the US chart for a week as well as a further 3 weeks in Australia. It has since been covered numerous times with a version being recorded by Chris Tucker and Adrienne Bailon for the film 'Rush Hour 2' and such artists as Westlife, U2, Prince and Usher performing the seminal track on their various tours.
Watch the video for Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

11. I Just Can't Stop Loving You [ft. Siedah Garrett] (1987)

The 'Bad' album's hit single 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' was originally meant to feature vocals from Barbra Streisand or Whitney Houston but neither were available to record which is when Quincy Jones suggested Siedah Garrett who had previously co-written 'Man in the Mirror'. It was another one of Jackson's romance hits and remained atop of the UK charts for 2 weeks (one week more than the US); it even reached number one on its re-release in 2012. The song was performed by Gloria Estefan and James Ingram during the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special and has also been covered by jazz artist Chuck Loeb and 'Glee' in a 2012 tribute episode.
Watch the video for I Just Can't Stop Loving You

10. Blood on the Dance Floor (1997)

'Blood on the Dance Floor' served as the first song to be released from his 1997 remix record 'Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix'. It is one of a handful of songs by Jackson with a chilling and somewhat grisly storyline with the video focusing on a salsa dancer called Susie who seduces the star by table-dancing above him before producing a switchblade. It had limited popularity in the US which contrasted massively to the reception in Europe. The song was at number one for 7 weeks in Spain, plus 1 week in the UK.
Watch the video for Blood On The Dance Floor

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