The Very Best Of

~ Release by Michael Jackson (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleRatingLength
1Billie Jean
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
bass guitar:
Louis Johnson (bass, member of Brothers Johnson)
drums (drum set):
Leon Ndugu Chancler
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
Rhodes piano and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
synthesizer:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
conductor:
Jeremy Lubbock
percussion and synthesizer arranger and synthesizer arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
strings arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
edit of:
Billie Jean (long version) by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
music videos:
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 4), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 7), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-23 (number: 15), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-16 (number: 17), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-20 (number: 18), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-06 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-13 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-30 (number: 32), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-09 (number: 38), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 44), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 58) and Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 95)
recording of:
Billie Jean
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music, Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09)
sub-publisher:
Neue Welt Musikverlag GmbH & Co. KG (– 2017) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.14:58
2Black or White
recording engineer and mixer:
Bill Bottrell
additional engineer:
Matt Forger
producer:
Bill Bottrell and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
bass guitar:
Terry Jackson
guest electric guitar:
Slash (Guns N’ Roses guitarist)
guitar:
Tim Pierce (US session guitarist)
guitar and percussion:
Bill Bottrell
keyboard:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay) and Jasun Martz
keyboard and percussion and guest performer:
Brad Buxer
Moog and drums (drum set):
Bryan Loren (producer, songwriter, vocalist/singer, musician/multi-instrumentalist)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
other vocals and spoken vocals:
L.T.B.
spoken vocals:
Andres McKenzie
part of:
CBC Music: 10 Songs That Have Changed the World
recording of:
Black or White (in 1991)
additional lyricist:
Bill Bottrell
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
3.64:16
3Dirty Diana
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set) programming:
Douglas Getschal
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
John “JR” Robinson (session drummer)
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist), Steve Stevens (US guitarist and songwriter) and David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay), Michael Boddicker, Denny Jaeger and Randy Waldman
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
synthesizer arranger:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay), Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Quincy Jones
recording of:
Dirty Diana
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
44:49
4Give It to Me
recording of:
Give In to Me
lyricist and composer:
Bill Bottrell and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Ignorant Music (ASCAP-affiliated), MIJAC Music and Sony/ATV Songs, LLC
5:32
5Ain't No Sunshine
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters) and Eddy Manson
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972)
cover recording of:
Ain’t No Sunshine
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and EMI Songs Ltd.
recording of:
Ain’t No Sunshine
lyricist and composer:
Bill Withers
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and EMI Songs Ltd.
3.354:11
6Thriller
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Anthony Marinelli (Soundtrack composer)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drum machine [LinnDrum], background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
flugelhorn and trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
flute and saxophone:
Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
synthesizer:
Brian Banks (American keyboardist), Greg Phillinganes and Rod Temperton
trombone:
Bill Reichenbach, Jr. (jazz trombonist)
spoken vocals:
Vincent Price (US horror film actor)
horn arranger and wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
percussion arranger and synthesizer arranger:
Rod Temperton
sound effects:
Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
music videos:
Thriller by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-15 (number: 10) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-08 (number: 32)
recording of:
Thriller
lyricist and composer:
Rod Temperton
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP), Chrysalis Music Ltd. (music publisher, affiliated with PRS), Rodsongs (publisher), Rondor Music (London) Ltd., Universal Music Publishing France (not for release label use!) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
is based on:
Starlight
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.456:00
7Bad
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set) programming:
Douglas Getschal
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
John “JR” Robinson (session drummer)
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
Hammond organ:
Jimmy Smith (US jazz organist)
percussion:
Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist) and How Now Brown Cow
saxophone:
Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay), Michael Boddicker and Greg Phillinganes
trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
background vocals and lead vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recorded at and mixed at:
Westlake Audio (former name of Westlake Recording Studios) in Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Bad
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.254:08
8Smooth Criminal
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
Bill Bottrell, John “JR” Robinson (session drummer) and Bruce Swedien
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
piano:
Kevin Maloney
saxophone:
Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay) and Michael Boddicker
trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
background vocals and lead vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recording of:
Smooth Criminal
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.44:15
9Who Is It
recording engineer and mixer:
Bill Bottrell
keyboard programming:
Michael Boddicker, Brad Buxer, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Jai Winding (pianist, composer, vocal)
producer:
Bill Bottrell and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
bass guitar:
Louis Johnson (bass, member of Brothers Johnson)
cello:
Larry Corbett
drums (drum set):
Bryan Loren (producer, songwriter, vocalist/singer, musician/multi-instrumentalist)
drums (drum set) and synthesizer:
Bill Bottrell
keyboard:
Michael Boddicker, Brad Buxer, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Jai Winding (pianist, composer, vocal)
violin:
Endre Granat (Hungarian violinist)
background vocals, lead vocals and soprano vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
soprano vocals:
Linda Harmon
keyboard arranger:
Brad Buxer and David Paich
strings arranger:
George Del Barrio (Jorge Luis Gutierret Del Barrio)
arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
recording of:
Who Is It (in 1991)
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
4.156:36
10Rockin' Robin
producer:
Mel Larson and Jerry Marcellino
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1971-10)
arranger:
James Anthony Carmichael
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Corporation (company credits only; do NOT use as release label) (in 1972)
cover recording of:
Rockin’ Robin (in 1971-10)
lyricist and composer:
Jimmie Thomas
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), J. Albert & Son and Recordo Music Pub.
part of:
Baby It’s You! (jukebox musical, book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott)
4.652:33
11Liberian Girl
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set) programming:
Douglas Getschal
synthesizer programming:
Steve Porcaro
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
John “JR” Robinson (session drummer)
percussion:
Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay), Michael Boddicker, David Paich and Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
synthesizer arranger:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay), Jerry Hey and Quincy Jones
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recording of:
Liberian Girl
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing France, Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
3.33:46
12Can't Stop Lovin' You
4:25
13Doggin Around
cover recording of:
Doggin' Around
lyricist and composer:
Paul Tarnopol
2:22
14Beat It
recording engineer:
Donn Landee and Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Steve Porcaro
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set):
Jeff Porcaro
electric bass guitar and electric guitar:
Steve Lukather (guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger)
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
keyboard:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
percussion [drum case beater], background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
Rhodes piano and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
solo electric guitar:
Edward Van Halen
synclavier:
Tom Bahler
synthesizer:
Steve Porcaro
synthesizer [Synergy synthesizer]:
Greg Smith (Producer/Keyboards)
vibraslap:
Chris Shepard
percussion arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Quincy Jones
arranger:
Rod Temperton
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
samples:
Untitled (side A) by Denny Jaeger
music videos:
Beat It by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time (2026-05-04) (number: 12), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, NME: 50 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time (2012-10-25) (number: 18), VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 21), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-23 (number: 29), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-16 (number: 32), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-30 (number: 47), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 185), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 209) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 337)
recording of:
Beat It
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
4.34:17
15The Way You Make Me Feel
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set) programming:
Douglas Getschal
synthesizer programming:
Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
John “JR” Robinson (session drummer)
guitar:
Eric Gale and David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
percussion:
Ollie E. Brown (US drummer, session musician & record producer) and Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist)
saxophone:
Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay), Michael Boddicker and Greg Phillinganes
trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recorded at and mixed at:
Westlake Audio (former name of Westlake Recording Studios) in Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
The Way You Make Me Feel
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
3.954:59
16Ben
producer:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) (in 1972)
arranger:
The Corporation (Motown songwriters)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Record Company, L.P. (company credits only; do NOT use as release label)
recording of:
Ben (in 1972)
lyricist:
Don Black (English lyricist)
composer:
Walter Scharf
publisher:
Jobette Music (in 1972)
part of:
The 45th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
3.852:46
17Leave Me Alone
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set) programming:
Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
synthesizer programming:
Casey Young
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
synclavier:
Casey Young
synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes and Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
background vocals and lead vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recording of:
Leave Me Alone
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
3.44:40