1. "Beat It"- Michael Jackson's best song. The first and possibly still best crossover between pop, R&B and rock. MJ's great vocals are backed up by Eddie Van Halen's incredible guitar solo- giving birth to the most pioneering song of the 1980's. Popular all over the world and certified platinum by the RIAA. Beat it was also used in a government run anti drunk driving campaign. For this Jackson was invited into the white house.
2. "Billie Jean"- Another incredible performance by Jackson. Great lyrics and the background beat produced by Quincy Jones is stellar. The song is based off one of MJ's most obbsessed and stalker-esque fans. The music video for "Billie Jean" was the first one featuring a black artist to be regularly aired on MTV. The music video also shows Jackson stepping on illuminated squares to dance to the beat, an idea that was then used for the video game Dance Dance Revolution.
3. "Smooth Criminal"- Perhaps the first story of life in the streets and of the life of a gangster. I think this song is the precursor to Slick Rick and "Children's Story" and the rest of the gangster tales genere.
4. "Thriller"- Everyone knows and loves this song. A terrific song named after an even greater album. The music video is basically a short film but it is a classic. MTV regards it as the "best of all time" and many artists today have sampled the song: Biz Markie, Busta Rhymes, NWA, Public Enemy, Three Six Mafia and several others.
5. "I Want You Back"- Number one in the US. Number 2 in the United Kingdom. 6 Million copies world-wide, Jackson was 11 years old. 11! Amazing song, no one can keep still while this song is playing and that's why jay-z sampled it in his hit song IZZO (H.O.V.A)
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