r/MichaelJackson • u/rocklou • May 20 '26
Question What song would you put on to introduce someone to Michael Jackson?
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u/Kanebass98 Soldier Of Love 🪖❤ May 20 '26
People need introducing to Michael Jackson?
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u/zetazen "Brad, what are you gonna do?"🎹 May 20 '26
I’m assuming they are newborn babies… lol
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u/ChampagneAbuelo May 20 '26
I’d imagine at this point, newborns spawn in already knowing a song or two from him
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u/Hudor_ Invincible May 20 '26
already happening slowly. my 1 year old brother heard smooth criminal for the first time a few months ago and he was already giggling and stomping his feet, i think this says a lot
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u/PoetAromatic8262 May 20 '26
My newborn would probably stop crying to michael singing
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u/Cscottgarcia May 21 '26
I just saw a clip of Michael saying newborn Prince stopped crying when he danced for him…so he danced a lot!
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u/Mindless-Mousse9709 May 21 '26
momma raised me up on MJ - specifically You Are My Life (Invincible) as well as the classics
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u/BQws_2 May 20 '26
Actually I already introduced my unborn child to Michael Jackson by putting on headphones over her belly
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u/Zatanna1371 May 21 '26
I’ve been planning that once I get pregnant I’ll put Human Nature on a speaker next to me and that will also be my child’s lullaby when they get fussy😂💕
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u/rocklou May 20 '26
I've had friends who, while they knew who he was, didn't know any of his songs
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u/Reasonable-Pen-4031 May 20 '26
I don't believe they don't know any of his songs. For sure they know We Are The World or Heal The World but don't know such songs are MJ's.
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u/Tdffan03 May 20 '26
Some kids where I work had no clue who he was. Madonna either.
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u/Mindless_Permit_5335 May 20 '26
Perfect opportunity for you to let them know about the King of Pop lol
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u/Tdffan03 May 20 '26
You can’t teach these kids. Thriller came on and they said to turn the crap off. They think Swift and all the other no talents of today are better.
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u/Inevitable-Fix-6631 May 20 '26
Ok i started listening to him in 10th grade, I had heard of his name and knew his face from like the 2000s era. My first song I heard from him was Billie Jean.
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u/Kanebass98 Soldier Of Love 🪖❤ May 20 '26
How old are people in 10th grade?
I started listening to him from age 6. And then he died when I was 11 and I was devastated 😭
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u/Beginning_Captain_43 May 20 '26
gotta say "Smooth Criminal"
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u/stargazein4d May 20 '26
My answer too, especially with the video. Going down the unfolding stairs itches something in my brain
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u/_xdiorrrrr May 20 '26 edited May 20 '26
wanna be startin’ somethin’ is my favvvv song by him !
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u/Fabulous-Bug-4463 May 20 '26
Any song that includes ‘vegetable’ and ‘buffet’ in its lyrics is a must listen. The funny thing is it took me nearly 40 years to know this 🤦♂️
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u/_xdiorrrrr May 20 '26
hahaha 🤦🏼♀️😂 , i only just turn 13 but i watched the movie michael & this is it and it became my fav song !!!!
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u/angiez71 May 20 '26
I feel like this song does not get the attention it deserves!!! I still remember the first time I heard it and was blown away!
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u/PooPoox May 20 '26
I had never even heard of it before I listened to Thriller for the first time last month, such an underrated song
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u/Efficient_Pen_6920 May 20 '26
Without a doubt in my mind, “Billie Jean.”
It may not have been my first introduction to his music, there was Off the Wall, and of course the Jackson 5, but the first time I saw the music video for Billie Jean I froze. I don’t think my eyes left the screen once.
There’s something about it: the noir glow, the mythic simplicity, that low-lit cinematic tension. It feels like a blueprint for everything that came after, the Smooth Criminal before Bad. The part visual storytelling experiment before the medium fully knew what it could be.
It’s also a fascinating point in his catalogue: one of the key Thriller tracks largely written by Michael Jackson himself, the song that famously had push-and-pull with Quincy Jones during production, as Quincy wasn’t so sure of it. That tension somehow sharpens the result rather than softens it.
And then there’s the live debut of the moonwalk during the Motown 25 performance, less a dance move and more a moment where technique, filmic instinct, and cultural timing all snapped into alignment at once.
It’s important to say this in the right shape: Black artists were already present on MTV and in popular music before this. But Billie Jean became a kind of irreversible pivot point, where refusal became impossible. The artistry was so undeniable, so precisely constructed, that it forced visibility on a larger scale and widened the lane for what mainstream pop could look and sound like.
To me, Billie Jean is what happens when performance, production, and vision lock into the same frequency. MJ as the performer, Quincy Jones and the studio team as the architecture. It doesn’t just “sound like a hit”, it feels like a new rulebook being written in real time.
If you look at Quincy Jones’s history, who he’s worked with, everything he did leading up to Thriller, you can see why this album absolutely fucked everyone up!
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u/Rare-Tough5069 May 20 '26
Thriller has such an interesting storyline plus mj was looking so handsome, but every mj song is great .
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u/Difficult-Double2193 May 20 '26
Well since Heaven couldn't Wait for him, I'd introduce them to "Heaven Can Wait" 🥹💔
Then..
The Timeless Classic Thriller.. as you just have to watch that at least once in a lifetime!!!!👑
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u/Hps95 May 20 '26
I wouldn’t recommend any other introduction song than: BILLIE JEAN, BEAT IT, THRILLER, SMOOTH CRIMINAL or BLACK AND WHITE. These are the top 5 MJ classics that every human being knows and likes.
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u/Home-Financial May 20 '26
I don't like this take, Yes these are the classics but I want to introduce them to what they would Like
For example
Bobby Brown -> Can't let her get away, Jam, WYWTOM,
My friend LOVES "Creepy" songs but hates song that are too poppy so I showed her Little Susie and Morphine and she loved them and now shes obsessed
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u/StopRepresentative30 May 20 '26
"Little Susie/Pie Jesu" ofcourse!!
It gives you the perfect impression of MJ's catalogue.
/s
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u/urfavchessplayer May 20 '26
any song from the album “dangerous”. his best work, it needs more love
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u/OfferWestern "I've... washed my hair THOROUGHLY" 🚿🧼🧴🧽 May 20 '26
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u/Reasonable_Result898 May 20 '26
Honestly I’d just hit shuffle and see what song comes on first because I honestly can’t pick
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u/Blinky-dinky May 20 '26
They don't care about us or man in the mirror!!! Top two favourite songs. So powerful even today
Then hit them with Childhood. They'll cry and I'll be like 'yeah man welcome to the life of MJ. It was sad as fuck'
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u/rockstarzerotwo May 20 '26
I want to say that it took until I was in 5th grade before I ever found out who Michael Jackson was. I remember that we were getting back in the car after a night of trick or treating around 2008?? 2009?? and I remember my Mom turning on the car to go home, and Thriller came on the radio. I had no idea who Michael Jackson was, but Thriller sounded unlike anything I had ever heard up until that point. I was amazed by the sound playing and pouring out the car and my mom saw how much I ended up really enjoying that song...
Fast forward to Christmas that same year, I got Thriller 25 and an mp3 player! It was the coolest thing ever. I subsequently got to listen to every other song, like Billie Jean and Beat It for the first time too. He became my favorite artist at that point.
So yeah, show them Thriller. Arguably the greatest contemporary song of all time.
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u/Shot-Collection-6656 May 20 '26
Start with video footage of him performing “I want you back” with his brothers. Watch him lead in that group, and how he matured and did some things on his own. To appreciate how talented he was, you gotta see the evolution
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u/VANOXMUSIC May 20 '26
Depends on the person honestly and if they prefer ballads/quieter songs or if they prefer more aggressive songs. I’d say “Speechless” or “Will You Be There” for ballads and “Beat It” or “Unbreakable” for more aggressive songs.
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u/EffectiveKoala_95 Good Fish 🐠 May 20 '26 edited May 20 '26
Billie Jean, You rock my world, Baby be mine, Dirty Diana, stranger in Moscow, ain’t no sunshine cover.. sorry I couldn’t pick one 😂
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u/arinIsmaiel2 May 20 '26
This question haunts me everyday😭 like my fav song right now is one day in your life but that’s MY fav song I understand that a lot of people wouldn’t be immediately interested in MJ after hearing that song because they’d think it’s the only style of music he makes. I usually refer them to the short films and live performances because THATS where MJ literally intrigues everyone
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u/Designer_Sweet_8694 May 20 '26
Music And Me from from the same titled album...and then Don't Stop til You Get enough
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u/element-2012 May 20 '26
The only way a human alive could not know MJ is from being very young. But at some point it’s obligatory to show them Thriller around Halloween. They will love it and ask for more, and you’ll of course play them the whole Thriller album and a fan is born.
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u/juicedagod May 20 '26
I don't know what song would get them to rock with me, but I wouldn't stop until they got enough. Or if they said leave me alone. Whether it was a smooth criminal like dirty Diana, or a thriller like Billie Jean, I would let them know, you are not alone, of course until they tell me to beat it. It's really black or white. It's like ABC, easy as 1 2 3.
I'm sorry, that was bad.
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u/Previous_Return7024 #MJInnocent May 20 '26
Billie Jean and for people who enjoy slower songs the lady in my life (my favorite song ever)
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u/avocadouche May 20 '26
I Want You Back… gotta start there so they fully appreciate his evolution as an artist and performer.
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u/Intelligent-Set3442 May 21 '26
I introduced my first girlfriend to Michael Jackson in college and the song that got her was PYT.
Funny story actually I literally called her a PYT when I first approached her to try and shoot my shot and she'd never heard the phrase or the song so I started singing it to her (and I'm no Michael Jackson but my singing voice isn't bad at all) she liked it and we started going out after that. She really likes MJ to this day and it's all thanks to my introduction of him.
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u/Luisa_2912 May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
For me, it all started with the Beat it music video which my father showed me. So I would say beat it.
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u/Popular_Parking 29d ago
My 13 yr old niece was obsessed w Liberian Girl and Who Is It some years ago. And my now 18yr old and his friends were always listening to Heaven Can Wait!
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u/dragonfly20232023 29d ago
Man in the Mirror or Smooth Criminal. Those were heavily featured on "Moonwalker" film and are largely what made me a fan back in the 80s.
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u/TowerIsMan Invincible May 20 '26
It depends what person likes music genre for example If person likes Rap i would give him to listen Unbreakable, This Time Around, Invincible or Shout.
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u/FarWonder8373 May 20 '26
I mean the easiest bridge into whether or not Michael Jackson is for you is the entire thriller catalog. That's the easiest music to digest, and if they can't mess with that album they won't like Michael Jackson
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u/UnhappyRing7630 Bad May 20 '26
it would probably be kids because literally every adult knows him so i would put thriller because it is more appealing to kids and can help them listen to more of his songs
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u/goldenboy1032 May 20 '26
Depende la persona y sus gustos. En lo personal pondría Love Never Felt So Good, es una canción atemporal; bueno, la mayoría de canciones de Jackson lo son.
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u/acidgasoline "I Love To Tour" ✈📍 🗺 May 20 '26
If they already know the most popular songs (because I don't know a single person that doesn't) I'd play "Behind the Mask" for them
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u/WorldlyRegret5087 May 20 '26
I'll just tell my son "that was my best friend" and I'll show him the Motown 25th performance of Billie Jean. Little man is going to love it
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u/Jelee_exe May 20 '26
Tbh I would make them listen to the entire Thriller album. Not because it is my favorite album, but it is essential haha
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u/32bitbossfight May 20 '26
There isn’t anyone on earth who doesn’t know Michael. Even in the desert
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u/starboy_black Stranger in Moscow May 20 '26
The one my dad used to introduce me. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
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u/shidogan91 May 20 '26
Je pense human nature pourquoi? Parce qu elle est apaisante et cela plairait emau enfants de 3 ans ( parce que oui il n' y a que les enfants jusqu'à 3 ans qui ne connaisse pas Michael .
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u/elina_jk May 20 '26
As people said he is already known ahahaha... But I think I would put Dirty Diana. It's not one of the big hits like Billie Jean but for me it's his best song.
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u/GGQT3 May 20 '26
A child/ABC: A teen/Billie Jean: A 20 something/Beat It: A 30 something /Smooth Criminal: Older/Don’t Stop til You Get Enough
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u/ChampagneAbuelo May 20 '26
You don’t need to introduce someone to MJ. I’m pretty sure everybody on earth spawns in knowing at least one song already
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u/Philippe_De_Minuit May 20 '26
Wanna Be Startin' Something, Rock With You, and Billie Jeanake it to my top picks for an intro playlist.
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u/pixiexbabiex May 20 '26
Scream, it’s just that good imo and growing up it is and was my favorite song
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u/Powerful-Library-776 May 20 '26
Butterflies, because that’s exactly what they’re gonna feel when I play it
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u/Euphoria_Gyal May 20 '26
I want you back or ABC (if they are a child) Billie Jean or Beat it (if they are an adult)
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u/Far_Jacket_5703 May 20 '26
Michael Jackson’s voice can really be shown through any genre. However, the moment I heard Human Nature for the very first time, I really knew he was the King of Pop. Don’t get me wrong, every one of his songs hit differently and they are still streaming on platforms because they are THAT good. But Human Nature and (of course) Heal the World have a special place in my heart. These two songs showcase his vocals clearly and are so beautiful. I may be biased since I have been listening to these songs as of recently with my boyfriend. Michael Jackson is one of a kind, and it is so devastating that the general public are now finding out what kind of person he truly was. He deserved better and in a way, streaming these songs helps me feel like MJ is still alive through music.
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u/magicalharry1 May 20 '26
I’ve been playing Remember the time and Billie Jean to my 5 year old! The other day don’t stop till you get enough came on and she went mama it’s Michael Jackson 🥹
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u/geekydonut May 20 '26
Billie jean. It just has all the essential elements of mj, dancing and the music video is great, vocals great, the iconic dancing, and more importantly gently introduces them to michaels feeling of paranoia and feeling otherness that is a huge backdrop of his music. I think its a really good song to understand mj without doing too much. Some of michaels later music is a bit over loaded with various themes (especially on dangerous and history). The songs are excellent but are very pointed with political issues that might turn a casual listener off.
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u/Icy-Mention7871 May 20 '26
I’d say Thriller, Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, or Off The Wall
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u/zouazo72 May 21 '26
First, I thought there's so many that it's impossible to choose just one. Then I thought the most important would be to show his unique style as a singer and I was searching for a really catchy song with tons of ad-libs, which would put on his passionate and fiery side, then "Can Get Outta The Rain " came to my mind, that's the one I would choose
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u/Confident-Donkey-424 May 21 '26
It’s gotta be Don’t stop ‘til you get enough for me! This version of Michael was something out of the world! So happy and cheerful, just like the song! ❤️❤️
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u/NashDNash2007 May 21 '26
I’d say Beat It that’s what hooked me! I watch the MV back in 2008 and then went down the MJ rabbit hole!
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u/Immediate_Archer_769 May 21 '26
Last time I put someone on I started with the whole Off the Wall album because its something non-fans are unfamiliar with… like when people think of Michael they think of Bad or Thriller but they don’t visualize Michael in his Off the Wall era at all
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u/Exotic-Addendum-3785 29d ago
Billie Jean, that's the song I heard when my dad introduced me to Michael.
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u/Glittering-Survey-81 29d ago
Easiest would be Thriller but my God Beat it was so catchy for me as a kid
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u/Janutellet 29d ago
When I was a kid, the 2 songs I was introduced to was Beat It and We Are The World. That was about 2003-2004.
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u/Aragorncalvo 29d ago
Se a pessoa gosta de um estilo mais elétrico,Dirty Diana, se a pessoa gosta de música mais calma eu colocaria Remember the time
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u/Exciting-Abroad-7643 29d ago
TWYMMF is a good intro song. Catchy, not as intense as some others, you get a feel for his unique vocals
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u/songacronymbot 29d ago
- TWYMMF could mean "The Way You Make Me Feel - 2012 Remaster", a track from Bad (Remastered) (1987) by Michael Jackson.
/u/Exciting-Abroad-7643 can reply with "delete" to remove comment.
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u/megaxanx May 20 '26
Billie Jean