List of Michael Jackson Albums in Order of Release
Michael Jackson Albums in Order: A journey through the resplendent discography of the ‘King of Pop’ unveils not only a musical odyssey but also a narrative of cultural transcendence.
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) remains an enduring icon in the annals of music history. Renowned as an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist, he garnered the resounding moniker of the “King of Pop.” Jackson’s profound influence resonates as a defining force within the tapestry of 20th-century culture.
His trailblazing contributions spanned music, dance, and fashion, enveloping his enigmatic persona and captivating the global imagination. Throughout his illustrious four-decade career, Jackson’s indelible imprint extended beyond mere artistry, melding with his publicized personal life to transmute him into an unparalleled symbol of popular culture. By expertly interweaving innovative dance maneuvers such as the iconic moonwalk and the robot, he propelled the evolution of performance aesthetics across genres.
A product of the Jackson family, he emerged onto the world stage in 1964 as a member of the Jackson 5, evolving subsequently into a solo sensation with his trailblazing album “Off the Wall” in 1979. Elevating music videos into an art form, his visual masterpieces like “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” and “Beat It” not only shattered racial barriers but also catalyzed the ascent of MTV. Nonetheless, Jackson’s life was as much characterized by the spotlight as it was by controversy, as his changing appearance, relationships, and legal entanglements stoked fervent speculation. His 2009 passing, precipitated by a tragic overdose, elicited an unprecedented outpouring of global grief, cementing his everlasting legacy as a boundary-pushing visionary in music and culture.
With over 400 million records sold worldwide and a litany of accolades including 15 Grammy Awards and 39 Guinness World Records, Jackson’s indelible influence stands as an enduring testament to his status as a preeminent pop culture luminary. So, if you are a die heart fan of Michael Jackson Albums then check out here we have list of Michael Jackson albums in order of release so far.
Michael Jackson Available on: Apple Music
How many albums does Michael Jackson have?
The discography of American singer Michael Jackson released ten studio albums, three soundtrack albums, nineteen compilation albums, three video albums and 1 remix album.
All Michael Jackson Albums in Order: Check Out The List of Michael Jackson Albums in Order of Release Here!
Here is the list of Michael Jackson Album in Order of Release:
- Got to Be There — January 24, 1972
- Ben — August 4, 1972
- Music & Me — April 13, 1973
- Forever, Michael — January 16, 1975
- Off the Wall — August 10, 1979
- Thriller — November 30, 1982
- Bad — August 31, 1987
- Dangerous — November 26, 1991
- HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I — June 20, 1995
- Invincible — October 30, 2001
All Michael Jackson Studio Albums in Order
1. Got to Be There (1972)
Tracks
- Ain’t No Sunshine
- I Wanna Be Where You Are
- Girl Don’t Take Your Love from Me
- In Our Small Way
- Got to Be There
- Rockin’ Robin
- Wings of My Love
- Maria (You Were the Only One)
- Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone
- You’ve Got a Friend
Released on January 24, 1972, “Got to Be There” marks the debut solo studio album by American sensation Michael Jackson. Following the success of Jackson 5’s “Greatest Hits” just weeks prior, the album features the eponymous lead single, Jackson’s first solo release on October 7, 1971. Notably, it achieved Gold certification from the RIAA in 2013, surpassing 500,000 copies sold. The album’s enduring impact prompted a 2009 remaster and reissue as part of the comprehensive 3-disc compilation “Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection.
2. Ben (1972)
Tracks
- Ben
- Greatest Show on Earth
- People Make the World Go Round
- We’ve Got a Good Thing Going
- Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool
- My Girl
- What Goes Around Comes Around
- In Our Small Way
- Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
- You Can Cry on My Shoulder
“Ben,” Michael Jackson’s second studio album, emerged under the Motown Records banner on August 4, 1972, during his tenure with the Jackson 5. While critics held diverse views, the album surpassed its predecessor’s chart performance. Within the United States, it ascended to the top 10 on the Billboard 200. Globally, “Ben” secured a peak position of 12 in Canada and achieved notable rankings in Australia and France. The titular track, “Ben,” not only claimed Jackson’s inaugural number-one spot on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Australian ARIA charts but also achieved widespread international success. Although slated as the second single, “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” faced cancellation for unspecified reasons. In 2009, selected album tracks were incorporated into the compilation “Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection.
3. Music & Me (1973)
Tracks
- With a Child’s Heart
- Up Again
- All the Things You Are
- Happy
- Too Young
- Doggin’ Around
- Euphoria
- Morning Glow
- Johnny Raven
- Music and Me
“Music & Me,” Michael Jackson’s third studio album, released on April 13, 1973, under the Motown label, captures the budding artist’s evolving style. The album, reissued in 2009 as part of the compilation Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection, showcases Jackson’s growth within the Motown stable. The collection offers a glimpse into his early artistic journey, foreshadowing the iconic legacy he would later forge.
4. Forever, Michael (1975)
Tracks
- We’re Almost There
- Take Me Back
- One Day in Your Life
- Cinderella Stay Awhile
- We’ve Got Forever
- Just a Little Bit of You
- You Are There
- Dapper Dan
- Dear Michael
- I’ll Come Home to You
“Forever, Michael”: Released on January 16, 1975, by Motown Records, this fourth studio album from Michael Jackson showcased his foray into funk and soul genres. Produced by Eddie Holland, Brian Holland, Hal Davis, Freddie Perren, and Sam Brown III, it preceded Jackson’s breakthrough with “Off the Wall” in 1979. While charting at number 101 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and number 10 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart in the US, the album didn’t gain international traction. Despite this, it garnered praise from critics. The album’s singles, including “One Day in Your Life,” found moderate success on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the song reached No. 1, and in 2009, posthumously, the album’s tracks resurfaced as part of the compilation “Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection.”
5. Off the Wall (1979)
Tracks
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- Rock with You
- Workin’ Day and Night
- Get on the Floor
- Off the Wall
- Girlfriend
- She’s Out of My Life
- I Can’t Help It
- It’s the Falling in Love
- Burn This Disco Out
Released on August 10, 1979, by Epic Records, “Off the Wall” stands as a landmark album in Michael Jackson’s storied career. Departing from his Motown roots, it marked his transition into newfound creative freedom. Produced by Quincy Jones, the album’s diverse influences span disco, pop, funk, R&B, soft rock, and Broadway ballads, fostering a sonic tapestry rich in texture. Themes of escapism, liberation, loneliness, hedonism, and romance imbue the lyrics. Featuring songwriting collaborations with luminaries like Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and Rod Temperton, alongside Jackson’s own compositions, the album yielded chart-topping hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You.” This release served as a prelude to Jackson’s historic “Thriller” and continues to stand tall as one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 20 million copies sold globally.
6. Thriller (1982)
Tracks
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Baby Be Mine
- The Girl Is Mine
- Thriller
- Beat It
- Billie Jean
- Human Nature
- P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
- The Lady in My Life
Thriller: Michael Jackson’s sixth studio album, released on November 29, 1982, through Epic Records, stands as a pinnacle of musical achievement. Produced by Quincy Jones, who collaborated with Jackson on ‘Off the Wall’, the album’s vision was to craft a collection where every track shone. In defiance of disco’s decline, Jackson ventured into pop, rock, funk, and R&B realms, foreshadowing his personal complexities. The record housed chart-toppers like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” the latter featuring Paul McCartney. Its groundbreaking music videos elevated the medium’s stature. ‘Thriller’ rewrote history: it spent 37 weeks atop the Billboard chart, and with 70 million copies sold worldwide, it’s the ultimate best-seller.
7. Bad (1987)
Tracks
- Bad
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Speed Demon
- Liberian Girl
- Just Good Friends
- Another Part of Me
- Man in the Mirror
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Dirty Diana
- Smooth Criminal
- Leave Me Alone
“Bad,” the seventh studio album by Michael Jackson, stands as a monumental work in his iconic career. Released on August 31, 1987, after a nearly five-year gap following the massive success of “Thriller” (1982), “Bad” showcased Jackson’s evolution and artistic range. Produced in collaboration with Quincy Jones, the album saw Jackson co-producing and composing most tracks, departing from his signature style for a more edgy sound. Incorporating pop, rock, funk, R&B, dance, and soul, the album explored diverse themes like media bias, romance, self-improvement, and world peace. Debuting atop the charts worldwide, “Bad” spawned a remarkable five number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Jackson’s dominance. Praised for its polished production and vocal prowess, the album sold over 35 million copies globally, solidifying its status as one of the best-selling albums ever.
8. Dangerous (1991)
Tracks
- Jam
- Why You Wanna Trip on Me
- In the Closet
- She Drives Me Wild
- Remember the Time
- Can’t Let Her Get Away
- Heal the World
- Black or White
- Who Is It
- Give In to Me
- Will You Be There
- Keep the Faith
- Gone Too Soon
- Dangerous
Dangerous: Michael Jackson’s eighth studio album, released on November 26, 1991, heralded a transformation in his musical and thematic approach. Co-produced with Bill Bottrell, Teddy Riley, and Bruce Swedien, it marked a departure from longtime collaborator Quincy Jones. Incorporating R&B, pop, and new jack swing, the album encompassed an eclectic array of styles from industrial to funk, hip hop, electronic, and more. Jackson’s socially conscious lyrics addressed racism, poverty, romance, self-improvement, and global welfare. Debuting at number one on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, it spawned hits like “Remember the Time,” “In the Closet,” and the chart-topper “Black or White.” The accompanying Dangerous World Tour emerged as one of the highest-grossing tours of the ’90s. The album’s global acclaim contributed to its status as one of the best-selling albums of all time, selling over 32 million copies worldwide.
9. HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
Tracks
- Billie Jean
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Black or White
- Rock with You
- She’s Out of My Life
- Bad
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
- Man in the Mirror
- Thriller
- Beat It
- The Girl Is Mine
- Remember the Time
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
- Heal the World
- Scream
- They Don’t Care About Us
- Stranger in Moscow
- This Time Around
- Earth Song
- D.S.
- Money
- Come Together
- You Are Not Alone
- Childhood
- Tabloid Junkie
- 2 Bad
- HIStory
- Little Susie
- Smile
Released on June 20, 1995, “HIStory” marked Michael Jackson’s ninth studio album. Debuting under his label MJJ Productions, the album spans two discs: “HIStory Begins,” a compilation of greatest hits, and “HIStory Continues,” showcasing fresh material crafted by Jackson and collaborators. Encompassing R&B, pop, hip hop, and hints of rock, the album delves into themes of isolation, greed, environmental awareness, and Jackson’s media battles. Despite controversies like the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations, the album struck a personal chord for Jackson. It stormed charts globally, yielding seven singles including “Scream” with sister Janet, and the iconic “You Are Not Alone.” Accompanied by the HIStory World Tour, the album’s legacy persists with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
10. Invincible (2001)
Tracks
- Unbreakable
- Heartbreaker
- Invincible
- Break of Dawn
- Heaven Can Wait
- You Rock My World
- Butterflies
- Speechless
- 2000 Watts
- You Are My Life
- Privacy
- Don’t Walk Away
- Cry
- The Lost Children
- Whatever Happens
- Threatened
Invincible: Michael Jackson’s crowning achievement and final studio album, released on October 30, 2001, stands as a testament to his lasting influence. This tenth opus, a culmination of laborious production spanning from 1997 to its release, delves into R&B, pop, and soul. With guest appearances from Carlos Santana, the Notorious B.I.G., and Slash, the album traverses themes of love, isolation, and social critique. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and achieving double platinum status, it embraced hits like “You Rock My World.” Despite initial mixed reviews, it garnered renewed appreciation, even heralded as early dubstep influence, securing its place as a transformative sonic experience.
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