Michael Jacksonhad a once-in-a-lifetime career that spanned four decades. After releasing his first solo album at just 13, he would go on to release nine more, includingThriller- which continues to hold its place as the best-selling album of all time. His music is some of the most influential of its time, and continues to influence artists from all around the world in the way they perform and create music.
Out ofJackson’s 10 studio albums,only a handful containcollaborations with other artists.Compared to his peers from the 1970s and beyond, Jackson didn’t participate in many collaborations throughout his career, especially with his own albums. Occasionally, he would hop on a track with a friend or an artist he looked up to, but Jackson’s catalog of collaborations is very sparse in the grand scheme of things. Below are what I believe to be the best collaborations of his career.
10Why - 3T
Brotherhood (1995)
In 1995, a new,underrated boy banddebuted. 3T, comprised of Taj, Taryll, and TJ Jackson, sons of Tito Jackson, released their debut studio albumBrotherhoodunder Jackson’s label MJJ Music. The 12-track album is a charming debut that showcases classic Jackson vocals blended in perfect harmony.
Jackson is featured on two tracks, but “Why” is the only one he’s officially credited on. His voice blends with his nephews like it would with his own brothers, providing a kind of nostalgia that is sure to remind fans of the Jackson 5/The Jacksons era. It also clearly doesn’t hurt to have theKing of Popas your uncle, because their 2004 album saw Prince featured on “Stuck on You,” written by Lionel Richie. “Why” isn’t the most iconic collaboration,but it’s a reminder of how strongly theJackson familylooked out for each other.
9Whatzupwitu - Eddie Murphy
Love’s Alright (1993)
Forgive me for asking, but was I the only one who was unaware that Eddie Murphy released music? Clearly, I have some music history to catch up on. I can’t say I’m going to go on a Murphy discography deep dive after this, but I did find myself grooving in my seat to “Whatzupwitu” off of his third studio album,Love’s Alright.
Murphy’s and Jackson’s voices pair surprisingly well in this funky R&B track, with Jackson coming in on the choruses and providing his signature ad-libs throughout.The music video for this song is often regarded as one of the worst of all time, but there’s something so endearing about the clear chemistry between these two artists, who were likely just having fun on a set that consisted of just a green screen. This also followed Murphy’s iconic appearance inJackson’s “Remember the Time” music video.
8It’s The Falling In Love - Patti Austin
Off the Wall (1979)
There are a few hidden features onOff the Wall, including one with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Patti Austin on “It’s the Falling in Love,” who opens the song. Her voice pairs smoothly with Jackson’s, with the artists bouncing off of each other throughout each verse.Instead of one overshadowing the other with flashy runs or over-the-top vocals, both artists opt to meet in the middle. This makes for a tasteful collaboration that predates some of Jackson’s more iconic duets.
Her voice pairs smoothly with Jackson’s, with the artists bouncing off of each other throughout each verse.
In a musical catalog full of love songs, “It’s the Falling in Love” isn’t one that immediately stands out. It’s a sweet duet that compliments Jackson and Austin, but it’s not the duet that puts either artist on the map like their later work would. Despite that, it still stands as a strong track onOff the Wallamid the album’s more high-energy songs.
7Get It - Stevie Wonder
Characters (1987)
Jackson and Stevie Wonder had a history of working together on their own songs as well as others'. They each contributed backing vocals on Donna Summers' “State of Independence” and participated in the mega-collaboration that was “We Are the World.”
“Get It,” off of Wonder’s 1987 albumCharacters, was an R&B chart hit, peaking at #4 while also hitting #80 on the Billboard Hot 100. Like the entries above,this song isn’t anything unique beyond the fact that it’s a collaboration between two of the brightest minds in music. It’s an upbeat track that provides some lighthearted background music, and is an accessible entry point into the discographies of both artists, but it’s a collaboration that isn’t very high up on either of their most impressive.
6(I Can’t Make It) Another Day - Lenny Kravitz
Michael (2010)
Michaelis the first of four posthumous albums featuring previously unreleased songs from Jackson’s extensive catalog. “(I Can’t Make It) Another Day” was originally leaked as a 90-second snippet after Jackson’s death, referred to as “Another Day.” After this leak, Lenny Kravitz came forward to confirm his participation in the writing and production of the track, further stating that he’d love to see the full version officially released one day.
This song went through several changes.It was originally written forInvincible, but was cut from the final track list. After the cut, Kravitz rewrote it and renamed it “Storm,” using it for a collaboration between himself and Jay-Z on his 2004 album,Baptism. Finally, “(I Can’t Make It) Another Day” was completed in its original form to be added to the 2010 release by Jackson’s team. Kravitz has since spoken highly about his time in the studio working with Jackson, and this collaboration is a testament to how well their styles blended.
5The Girl Is Mine - Paul McCartney
Thriller (1982)
“The Girl Is Mine” is the first of three collaborations between Jackson and Paul McCartney. Born from an idea pitched by Quincy Jones, the song is Jackson’s take on the classic love triangle, where two men are fighting over the same woman. Jackson recalls coming up with the lyrics after waking up in the middle of the night. He sang into a recorder and brought it into the studio the very next day when “The Girl Is Mine” was born. After its release as the first single fromThriller, this song received mixed reviews.
It’s a shame this was never performed live, because Jackson holds such fond memories of the recording process.
Some found it boring, while others later described it as the weakest track from the album. Compared to the rest of these entries, I can see why a critic might find this song boring, but I can’t help but swoon when Jackson and McCartney take turns listing out the reasons why the girl should choose one of them over the other. It’s a shame this was never performed live, because Jackson holds such fond memories of the recording process. Selfishly, I would’ve also loved to watch the two of them perform that dialogue at the end.
4This Time Around - The Notorious B.I.G.
HIStory: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, BOOK I (1995)
Another collaboration I, unfortunately, didn’t realize existed until now is “This Time Around” featuring The Notorious B.I.G., released as the fourth single fromHIStory: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, BOOK I. The lyrics of this song, co-written by Jackson, describe the constant paranoia that those in the limelight face on a daily basis.Trust issues run rampant, with many celebrities unsure if they can even trust their friends and family not to exploit them for five minutes of fame.
Listen, I’ve got problems of my own
Flashin' cameras, taps on my phone
Even in my home I ain’t safe as I should be
Things always missin'
Maybe it could be my friends
They ain’t friends if they robbin' me
Stoppin' me from makin' a profit, see
Apology shallow like the ocean
I guess I’ll resort to gun totin'
The artists sympathize with each other in this song, both of them being at massive heights in their careers at the time. “This Time Around” was released two years before B.I.G.’s death, and his verse speaks about the lengths one has to go to in order to feel safe inside their own home, including carrying a firearm, hiring bodyguards, and keeping an eye on who you keep around. It’s a song that continues to be relevant long after the early deaths of both artists.
3I Just Can’t Stop Loving You - Siedah Garrett
Jackson clearly had a knack for using duets to introduce listeners to an album before its release. “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” was the first single fromBad, which proved to be a smart decision very quickly.This song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the R&B Singles chart, and the Adult Contemporary chart, proving to be a hit with various audiences, and being the first of fiveBadsingles that would go on to hit #1.
Siedah Garrett’s inclusion on the song was a last-minute decision that uplifted an underrated talent. Originally,Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston were each offered the duet, but both turned it down.Streisand thought her age difference from Jackson would take away from the song’s love story, whereas Houston worried the song would overshadow the release of her sophomore album,Whitney. Garrett had already co-written “Man in the Mirror,” so Jones sent her the demo for this song, and the rest is beautiful, heavenly history.
2Say Say Say - Paul McCartney
Pipes of Peace (1983)
The most successful of the Jackson-McCartney collaborations, and my personal favorite, is “Say Say Say” off of McCartney’s 1983 album,Pipes of Peace. It was actually recorded the year before “The Girl is Mine” came out, but wouldn’t be released until a year later. With the success ofThriller,“Say Say Say” became Jackson’s seventh Top 10 hit in the span of one year, being both critically and generally well-received. Like with “The Girl is Mine,” Jackson holds fond memories of the creation of this song, crediting McCartney with a major boost to his own confidence.
The song’s music video is in the short film style of “Smooth Criminal” and “Thriller,” taking viewers along for the ride of a team of con men selling fake products to innocent bystanders through the art of persuasion (and the charm of a young Jackson). It also stars McCartney’s then-wife Linda, as their team travels across the country in a music video that pairs well with the song and serves as a sweet memory to have of Jackson’s artistry.
1Scream - Janet Jackson
It should come as no surprise that “Scream” is the top song on this list. As the lead single fromHIStory: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, BOOK I, this collaboration with sister Janet Jackson iseasily one of the most iconic musical collaborations of all time. The pure artistry communicated in under five minutes by this sibling duo is something that I still can’t fathom in the 16 years since I heard this song for the first time. It directs its punches at the tabloid media, hitting hard and hitting smart with one of the most critically-acclaimed music videos in history.
This topic is something that both Jacksons would feature regularly in their music, no matter how little the media listened to what they were actually saying. “Scream” was performed by Jackson on hisHIStoryWorld Tour, and by Janet on her tours as well as solo at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards as an emotional tribute to her brother. This collaboration will live on, likeMichael Jackson’s music, as one of the greatest of all time.
