![9. 'Lady In My Life': Although in last place, the closing track to Thriller is still a great song. The slow R&B number may not match the likes of other MJ classics such as 'Man In The Mirror', but it still makes Miguel sound like an amateur. The song isn't bland, but considering the strength of the rest of the album, it makes sense that this wasn't released as a single.]()
9. 'Lady In My Life': Although in last place, the closing track to Thriller is still a great song. The slow R&B number may not match the likes of other MJ classics such as 'Man In The Mirror', but it still makes Miguel sound like an amateur. The song isn't bland, but considering the strength of the rest of the album, it makes sense that this wasn't released as a single.
![8. 'Baby Be Mine': The second track on the album, 'Baby Be Mine' ticks all the boxes for a pop song - an upbeat rhythm, catchy bass line, punchy horns and romantic cliches. However, its danceable beat wasn't enough for it to groove its way into the top 7. Nevertheless, the King of Pop still puts Justin Bieber to shame here.]()
8. 'Baby Be Mine': The second track on the album, 'Baby Be Mine' ticks all the boxes for a pop song - an upbeat rhythm, catchy bass line, punchy horns and romantic cliches. However, its danceable beat wasn't enough for it to groove its way into the top 7. Nevertheless, the King of Pop still puts Justin Bieber to shame here.
![7. 'The Girl Is Mine': Jackson's duet with the Paul McCartney was released as the first single from the album. It's a bit corny and their whimsical spat verges on comical, but the duo's pop hit nevertheless reached no.2 in the charts. The pop king also teamed up with the Fab Four legend on 'Say, Say, Say' and 'The Man'.]()
7. 'The Girl Is Mine': Jackson's duet with the Paul McCartney was released as the first single from the album. It's a bit corny and their whimsical spat verges on comical, but the duo's pop hit nevertheless reached no.2 in the charts. The pop king also teamed up with the Fab Four legend on 'Say, Say, Say' and 'The Man'.
![6. 'Human Nature' - Easily one of MJ's best ballads, 'Human Nature' captures the innocent childlike perception Jackson has on the rest of the world. In this sense, the song fosters beauty in its personal depth, which is unparalleled by other Jackson ballads. The song is reflective of the coldness faced by strangers interacting with each other and will undoubtedly send shivers down any fan's spine. The King of pop has always been in touch with his humanitarian side. 'Human Nature' may top 'Heal The World' and 'Earth Song', but can't compete with 'Man in The Mirror' as his best moving ballad.]()
6. 'Human Nature' - Easily one of MJ's best ballads, 'Human Nature' captures the innocent childlike perception Jackson has on the rest of the world. In this sense, the song fosters beauty in its personal depth, which is unparalleled by other Jackson ballads. The song is reflective of the coldness faced by strangers interacting with each other and will undoubtedly send shivers down any fan's spine. The King of pop has always been in touch with his humanitarian side. 'Human Nature' may top 'Heal The World' and 'Earth Song', but can't compete with 'Man in The Mirror' as his best moving ballad.
![5. 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' - 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' opens Thriller with perhaps the most recognisable three hits of a snare drum in pop history before unleashing one of the best foot tapping bass riffs. Jackson's vocals are aggressively energetic and by the time the contagious chorus comes in, we're already hooked. That's even before the relentlessly addictive 'Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo' bit. This incredible opening dance track acts as a taster of what's to come.]()
5. 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' - 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' opens Thriller with perhaps the most recognisable three hits of a snare drum in pop history before unleashing one of the best foot tapping bass riffs. Jackson's vocals are aggressively energetic and by the time the contagious chorus comes in, we're already hooked. That's even before the relentlessly addictive 'Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo' bit. This incredible opening dance track acts as a taster of what's to come.
![4. 'PYT (Pretty Young Thing)' - Just when you think Thriller's pace is slowing down, 'PYT' suddenly picks up the pace as the penultimate track on the album. It's one of Jackson's quickest songs, resulting in a ruthlessly pumped up rhythm, over which Jackson's vocals are effortlessly layered. Jackson was also blessed with a little help from his sisters, Janet and La Toya, who provided the 'na na na' backing vocals. 'PYT' is packaged tightly, but its overall presentation and delivery are overshadowed by the album's biggest hits.]()
4. 'PYT (Pretty Young Thing)' - Just when you think Thriller's pace is slowing down, 'PYT' suddenly picks up the pace as the penultimate track on the album. It's one of Jackson's quickest songs, resulting in a ruthlessly pumped up rhythm, over which Jackson's vocals are effortlessly layered. Jackson was also blessed with a little help from his sisters, Janet and La Toya, who provided the 'na na na' backing vocals. 'PYT' is packaged tightly, but its overall presentation and delivery are overshadowed by the album's biggest hits.
![3. 'Thriller': The top three spaces were in high contention, but the album's title track and video trendsetter sits in third place. Even without the video, 'Thriller' is still scary - the creaking footsteps, wolf howls and door slams all add to the experience, not to mention Vince Price's eerie voice over. The hauntingly addictive bass hook and catchy chorus make this track an instant dance hit. However, just as you can't have a music video without the music, this particular hit isn't as meaningful without its 14-minute video. It was a landmark in music video history, illustrating the scope in which music videos directors were able to explore.]()
3. 'Thriller': The top three spaces were in high contention, but the album's title track and video trendsetter sits in third place. Even without the video, 'Thriller' is still scary - the creaking footsteps, wolf howls and door slams all add to the experience, not to mention Vince Price's eerie voice over. The hauntingly addictive bass hook and catchy chorus make this track an instant dance hit. However, just as you can't have a music video without the music, this particular hit isn't as meaningful without its 14-minute video. It was a landmark in music video history, illustrating the scope in which music videos directors were able to explore.
![2. 'Beat It' - This No.1 single boasted one of the most iconic riffs in guitar history. Played by Eddie Van Halen, this amalgamation of rock and R&B blended the hottest sounds of the 80's and demonstrated that you could be a fan of both genres, at the same time. Run DMC and Aerosmith would follow suit four years later with 'Walk This Way', but 'Beat It' will always be the best R&B / rock collaboration. Even in film culture, from Back To The Future II to Zoolander, 'Beat It' will always have its own legacy.]()
2. 'Beat It' - This No.1 single boasted one of the most iconic riffs in guitar history. Played by Eddie Van Halen, this amalgamation of rock and R&B blended the hottest sounds of the 80's and demonstrated that you could be a fan of both genres, at the same time. Run DMC and Aerosmith would follow suit four years later with 'Walk This Way', but 'Beat It' will always be the best R&B / rock collaboration. Even in film culture, from Back To The Future II to Zoolander, 'Beat It' will always have its own legacy.
![1. 'Billie Jean': Despite how controversial you may have found the rest of these rankings, 'Billie Jean' irrefutably sits at the No.1 spot. In fact, Billie Jean can even be crowned as the best Michael Jackson song ever, but that list is for another time. Everything from the silky bass line to the simple but infectious chorus, this song is the perfect dance/pop song. MJ is truly in his element here - from his spins and moonwalks to his cheeky 'he-he's, Billie Jean captures everything that we all love about the King of Pop.]()
1. 'Billie Jean': Despite how controversial you may have found the rest of these rankings, 'Billie Jean' irrefutably sits at the No.1 spot. In fact, Billie Jean can even be crowned as the best Michael Jackson song ever, but that list is for another time. Everything from the silky bass line to the simple but infectious chorus, this song is the perfect dance/pop song. MJ is truly in his element here - from his spins and moonwalks to his cheeky 'he-he's, Billie Jean captures everything that we all love about the King of Pop.