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The King of Pop's genius didn't stop at his own discography. Join us as we count down our picks for the greatest songs you probably didn't know were written by Michael Jackson! From Diana Ross to The Simpsons, MJ's fingerprints are all over pop music history in ways most fans never realized. How many of these surprise credits did you already know about?
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00:06Welcome to WatchMojo!
00:08And today, we're counting down our picks for the songs you might not have realized were
00:12written, co-written, or quietly shaped by the king of pop himself.
00:17For this list, we're looking at tracks made famous by other artists that still have Michael
00:21Jackson's fingerprints all over them.
00:3020. Shake Your Body, Down to the Ground, The Jacksons
00:41Before Michael fully moonwalked into solo superstardom, he was already sharpening his songwriting chops
00:48with his brothers.
00:49Shake Your Body, Down to the Ground was released from the Jacksons' 1978 album, Destiny, and
00:55was co-written by Michael and Randy Jackson.
01:05The single became one of the group's biggest post-Motown hits, climbing into the top 10 in
01:10the Billboard Hot 100 and proving the brothers could thrive after leaving their original label
01:15behind.
01:15With Michael on lead vocals, the song bridges two eras beautifully, the electricity of
01:21the Jacksons, and the sleek dance floor commandeering that would soon define off-the-wall.
01:26Basically, before the solo takeover, Michael was already telling everybody exactly where
01:31and how to move.
01:41Number 19. Muscles, Diana Ross
01:46Diana Ross and Michael Jackson's connection goes way back, so it only makes sense that he'd
01:59eventually hand her something this theatrical.
02:01Released from Ross' Silk Electric album, Muscles was written and produced by Michael, who gave
02:07his longtime friend and mentor one of her cheekier 80s singles.
02:10I don't care if he's young or old, just to make you beautiful.
02:16The song became a hit, reaching the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Ross a Grammy
02:21nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
02:24Between the dreamy music video, the slinky production, and the very unsubtle title, Muscles
02:30is pure 80s excess in the best possible way.
02:34It's also a reminder that Michael didn't just write blockbuster pop for himself — sometimes,
02:39he saved the flexing for Diana.
02:41I just want someone I can hold on to, I want my soul.
02:48Number 18.
02:49This Place Hotel, The Jacksons
02:52Check in at your own risk.
03:08Originally known as Heartbreak Hotel, This Place Hotel was written by Michael Jackson for
03:13The Jacksons' Triumph album.
03:15The title was later changed to avoid confusion with Elvis Presley's famous song, but Michael's
03:20version is anything but a rip-off.
03:35It's dramatic, paranoid, and full of betrayal, with Michael telling the story of a romantic
03:41trap disguised as a getaway.
03:42The song reached the top 25 in the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the clearest signs
03:47that MJ was thinking, cinematically, long before Thriller.
03:59Number 17.
04:01I Never Heard, Sapphire.
04:12If this melody sounds familiar, there's a very good reason.
04:16I Never Heard was co-written by Michael Jackson and Paul Anka during their early 80s collaboration
04:21sessions.
04:21Years later, dance pop singer Sapphire recorded the song for her 1991 album, I Wasn't Born Yesterday.
04:29But the story didn't end there.
04:31After Michael's 2009 passing, his demo was reworked and released under a new title, This
04:37Is It.
04:47That posthumous release brought renewed attention to the song's strange journey from unreleased
04:52duet idea, to Sapphire album cut, to major Michael Jackson moments.
04:58So yes, this is technically a Sapphire song, a Paul Anka collaboration, and a future MJ
05:03title track.
05:04Pop history loves making things complicated.
05:07I Never Heard a Single Word About You, Falling In Love Was In My Dead.
05:16Number 16.
05:18Just Friends.
05:19Carole Bayer-Segger.
05:21Who and me, we traded hearts.
05:27Put credit caveat on this one.
05:29Just Friends is more of a hidden Michael Jackson cameo than a clean songwriting credit.
05:34Still, it's exactly the kind of deep-cut appearance fans love discovering.
05:38Carole Bayer-Segger released the song on her 1981 album, Sometimes Late at Night, with Burt
05:43Bachrach's elegant fingerprints all over the project.
05:47I don't think that you and me can just be friends.
05:51Michael co-produced Just Friends with Bachrach and provided background vocals, slipping into
05:56the track almost like a secret guest star.
05:58Considering Bayer-Segger's own songwriting resume includes classics like That's What Friends
06:03Are For and Arthur's Theme, this wasn't exactly a small pool of talent.
06:09Maybe this is how the whole thing has to just end.
06:14Number 15.
06:15Fly Away-Rebby Jackson.
06:18I love motion, gimme a motion, cause you know we'll never part.
06:24I love goodbye.
06:26Fly Away was originally written and produced during the Bad era, but it didn't make the
06:30final album.
06:31Michael's own version later surfaced on the Bad's special edition, giving fans a taste
06:36of what might have been.
06:37Rebby eventually recorded the song for her 1998 album, Yours Faithfully, turning another
06:42MJ leftover into a family affair.
06:45And together we'll fly, I'll give you my heart.
06:53Compared to some of her bigger, flashier compositions, Fly Away is softer and more sentimental, with
06:59the kind of airy melody that feels built for a closing montage.
07:02It may not be one of the most famous Jackson family collaborations, but that's sort of
07:07the point.
07:08Sometimes, Michael's vault had enough good material to give everyone a boost.
07:13Baby don't make me, baby don't make me, baby don't make me fly away, gonna stay.
07:20Number 14.
07:22Why?
07:233T Featuring Michael Jackson.
07:25Why does Monday come back to stay?
07:31Talent clearly didn't skip a generation.
07:343T was made up of Taj, Terrell, and TJ Jackson, the sons of Tito Jackson and nephews of Michael
07:40Jackson.
07:41Released from their debut album Brotherhood, Y gave the trio one of their most emotionally
07:46direct ballads, built around longing, heartbreak, and those very 90s R&B harmonies.
08:00Michael's presence made the song feel even bigger.
08:03The single became especially successful overseas, reaching number two on the UK singles chart.
08:09For 3T, having the king of pop in their corner was more than a famous cosign.
08:13It connected their own musical launch to the larger Jackson legacy.
08:18Why do people fall in love when they're always speaking to the whole wide world?
08:27Number 13.
08:28Can You Feel It?
08:29The Jacksons.
08:30Can you feel it?
08:31Can you feel it?
08:34Can you feel it?
08:35Can you feel it?
08:47But internationally, it became one of the Jacksons' most enduring tracks.
08:58The massive, effects-heavy music video only pushed that larger-than-life feeling further,
09:03with the brothers basically presented as cosmic messengers of rhythm and brotherhood.
09:08Subtle?
09:09Not even a little.
09:10But that's the charm.
09:11Michael's gift for turning pop songs into events was already in full force, and Can You
09:16Feel It?
09:17is a mission statement with a bass line.
09:19Can you feel it?
09:21Can you feel it?
09:23Can you feel it?
09:24Number 12.
09:26Children's Holiday.
09:27J.Friends.
09:34Here's one of the more unexpected stops on Michael Jackson's songwriting map.
09:39Children's Holiday was recorded by J.Friends, a Japanese supergroup.
09:43The group was formed to raise money for children in schools affected by the 1995 great Hanshin
09:49earthquake.
09:49And Michael wrote and produced this 1998 charity single.
09:58It's not the kind of song most casual fans stumble across while revisiting Thriller or Bad,
10:03but it fits a recurring part of Michael's public image.
10:07Rich, big, earnest songs about children, healing, and global compassion.
10:12Depending on your taste, it may come across as extremely sentimental.
10:16But for this list, that's part of what makes it fascinating.
10:31Number 11.
10:32Centipede.
10:33Revy Jackson.
10:34My love is my courage and fire.
10:41Michael Jackson writing and producing your debut single, not a bad way to start a solo
10:46career.
10:46The oldest Jackson sibling released Centipede in 1984, as the title track from her debut album
10:52and Little Brother Michael was all over it.
10:55He wrote and produced the song, arranged it, and even sang backing vocals alongside the Weather
11:00Girls.
11:08The track became Revy's signature hit, reaching No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on
11:15the Hot Black singles chart.
11:16It was also certified gold in the U.S., making it easily one of her biggest musical moments.
11:22Revy had the lead, but Michael's fingerprints crawl all over this one.
11:36Number 10.
11:37You're the one.
11:38Jennifer Holliday.
11:40The Grammy and Tony Award winning singer is best known for her role in Dreamgirls on Broadway.
11:45When I was a child, I cried on my mother's shoulder.
11:49Holliday became a household name when she belted the beautiful, and I'm telling you,
11:54I'm not going, in that hit musical.
11:56She began her studio career with a bang and quickly was accompanied by some heavy star power.
12:02There were many men, but none of them that won good men.
12:08Her second studio album opens with a whimsical song about longing for love, written by none
12:13other than Michael Jackson.
12:23The song and the album were not massive successes, though it's pretty tough to compete with the
12:29everlasting impact of her debut single, which has only ever been rivaled by the powerful
12:33pipes of Jennifer Hudson.
12:35Number 9.
12:37Joy.
12:38Blackstreet.
12:39Can't Forget the Day, this legendary R&B group debuted.
12:47Known for their 90s hits such as No Diggity, Blackstreet staked their claim to fame with the
12:53self-titled album release in 1994.
12:56The platinum record includes the ballad Joy, written by Michael and originally intended to
13:00be featured on his Dangerous album.
13:07According to Levi Little, Michael's version was sped up and more a beat than the song we
13:12know today.
13:13With the help of the group's founder and producer, Teddy Riley, Blackstreet flipped the
13:17single as their own.
13:24Joy slid onto the Billboard Hot 100 charts, peaking at 43.
13:28Girl, you're my girl.
13:37Number 8.
13:38All Right Now.
13:40Ralph Tresvant.
13:41After success and new addition, Ralph Tresvant debuted his self-titled solo album in 1990.
13:48The CD included the single, All Right Now, written by Michael Jackson.
13:58Not only can you hear Jackson's influence stylistically, many often compare the two singers'
14:04vocals.
14:04Jackson inspired Tresvant way before his solo career, as the group allegedly chose their
14:10name to signify a new addition of the Jackson 5.
14:20The album went double platinum, but Tresvant's solo career was not as well received as projects
14:27from other former band members Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe.
14:30After Tresvant released another studio album, New Edition reunited as a group in the mid-90s.
14:37This time's the baby, it's all right now.
14:42Number 7.
14:44Love Never Felt So Good.
14:46Johnny Mathis.
14:48We know what you're thinking, but isn't this actually a Michael Jackson song?
14:53Yes and no.
14:55Hey, love never felt so good.
15:00Michael wrote the song during a collaboration session with Paul Anka back in the 80s.
15:05The hit was written for and recorded by Johnny Mathis for his 56th studio album.
15:10Cause baby, every time I sing you, in and out of my life.
15:16While Mathis' version never reached much acclaim, the single sparked re-interest after Michael's
15:22original demo was leaked.
15:23The song was re-released posthumously in addition to an alternate duet version with Justin Timberlake
15:28in 2014.
15:30The single was downloaded nearly 100,000 times within just two days of its release.
15:35Love Never Felt So Good.
15:38Number 6.
15:40Nighttime Lover.
15:41LaToya Jackson.
15:43Talent most certainly runs in the family.
15:46LaToya, the middle child of the Jackson clan, released her eponymous debut solo album to kick
15:52off the 80s.
15:53Touched me, you touched me and I never knew.
15:58Thanks to her brother's pen, Nighttime Lover, was released as the second single for the album.
16:04Baby, save my soul tonight.
16:09You might find it a little odd that a song so intimate was shared between siblings.
16:14But it wasn't originally intended for Big Sis.
16:17Hold me tighter and don't let go.
16:21I feel what you feel.
16:23It's strong.
16:24It's real.
16:25I'm burning.
16:26Michael actually wrote the song, then titled Fire Is The Feeling, for the queen of disco
16:31herself, Donna Summer.
16:32Despite a funky beat and Michael's backing vocals, the song was ultimately outperformed
16:37by her premiere single, If You Feel The Funk.
16:40If you feel the funk, check your heart.
16:45Check the heart to the funk.
16:48Don't you share?
16:49Number 5.
16:50This had to be.
16:52The Brothers Johnson.
16:53Cue the synth.
16:55The Brothers Johnson dominated the disco and R&B charts in the early 80s under the guidance
17:00of legendary music producer Quincy Jones.
17:08The Brothers collaborated with Michael for This Had To Be on their fourth studio album.
17:13While the song wasn't necessarily a hit, the album soared to the top of the R&B charts
17:18and into the top five for pop albums.
17:24The late Louis Johnson, otherwise known as Thunder Thumbs, kept a close working relationship
17:29with Jackson.
17:30After his work in the funk duo, Lewis was most known for his bass playing on the groundbreaking
17:36Thriller album.
17:37His technique was so unique that he is credited as one of the grandfathers of slap bass playing.
17:44Don't just slap you back in the knees that you're gonna fucking see.
17:49Number 4.
17:50What's Your Game?
17:52MDLT Willis.
17:54This one-hit wonder comes from Joe Jackson's short-lived label, Ivory Tower International Records,
17:59Inc.
18:07MDLT Willis, signifying the initials of four singing sisters, was a girl group brought to
18:12life by Michael's father.
18:14Being under the wing of the Jackson family, it only makes sense that they would lend some
18:18of their talent over to ensure success.
18:24The single's writing credits go to the Jackson 5, making it one of Michael's earliest credits,
18:30as he was only 16 years old when the song was released.
18:34The song peaked at 89 on the Billboard 100 before the group was disbanded.
18:42The label produced one other single, How Can I Be Sure, for the youngest Jackson brother,
18:52Randy.
18:52Number 3.
18:55State of Shock – Mick Jagger
18:58Michael and Freddie Mercury of Queen had reportedly been trying to record a song together
19:02for quite some time, but the opportunity never presented itself.
19:06The two powerhouses had allegedly recorded three songs together.
19:10There Must Be More to Life Than This was posthumously released in 2014, while Victory remains unavailable
19:16to the public.
19:17However, the final song, State of Shock, was reworked into a joint effort between the Jacksons
19:23and the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger.
19:31The collaborator struck gold as the 1984 hit soared to the top of the charts around the world.
19:37Like Jackson, Jagger solidified his place in music and pop culture with his signature sound
19:42and presence.
19:47Even with his selectivity towards collaborating, the two legends shocked the world with an unforgettable
19:53single.
19:54Look at that.
19:55Look at me.
19:56Look at me.
19:58Look at me.
19:59Look at me.
19:59Number 2.
20:00Do the Bartman – The Simpsons cast
20:03From nominations to animation, the king of pop did it all.
20:07Michael was reportedly a big fan of The Simpsons.
20:09Yo!
20:10Hey, what's happening, dude?
20:12I'm a guy with a rep for being rude.
20:14He wrote this song, which follows Bart Simpson in yet another act of rebellion.
20:18This time, he's shigging up a stale school concert.
20:21Now that you got it, you think you can.
20:23You do what you do to me.
20:24That's the Bartman.
20:26Apparently, he petitioned to write for the show and even ended up writing another song,
20:30Happy Birthday Lisa, for an episode focused on an MJ impersonator.
20:34However, Michael only provided the speaking role for the impersonator, while another actor
20:38sang due to contractual obligations.
20:41Do the Bartman was such a success, it was even nominated at the 1991 MTV VMAs for Best
20:47Special Effects in a Video.
20:55Before we continue, be sure to check out WatchMojo's 24-hour livestream.
20:59All of your favorite videos in one place, 24-7.
21:02Always on, always live.
21:04Are you not entertained?
21:071.
21:08Eaten Alive
21:09Diana Ross
21:11In a friendship between two superstars spanning more than 40 years, there's bound to be
21:16a major collaboration or two.
21:17I'm stuck in you at night.
21:20I'm a sucker for summer.
21:22You've got that great inside.
21:24The Supreme singer helped catapult the Jacksons into stardom, marketing their debut as Diana Ross
21:30presents the Jackson 5 in the late 60s.
21:33The pair worked together several times on songs like the previously mentioned Ross hit Muscles,
21:38and even performed together on stage.
21:41Jackson co-wrote and provided co-vocals on Eaten Alive for Ross' 16th studio album.
21:50The album itself was widely regarded as a critical failure.
21:54However, the title track made its way to the top 10 on the R&B charts.
21:58Throughout their careers, the two remained friends and spoke very highly of one another's
22:02successes.
22:08Be honest, how many of these did you already know were written by Michael Jackson?
22:14Brag or confess in the comments.
22:16Have a great week.
22:16Belved ark.
22:16Be honest!
22:18Be honest!
22:18Be honest!
22:19You
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