The Essential Michael Jackson
Greatest hits by Michael Jackson
Released	July 18, 2005 (UK) July 19, 2005 (U.S.)
Recorded	August 1969–2001
Genre	R&B/Soul/Funk/Pop/Dance
Length	34:58
Label	Sony Music/BMG
Producer(s)	Various
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Michael Jackson chronology
Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection (2004)	The Essential Michael Jackson (2005)	Visionary: The Video Singles (2006)

The Essential Michael Jackson is a 2005 greatest hits compilation released by Epic Records featuring thirty-eight hit songs by Michael Jackson, from his days at Motown with The Jackson 5 in the late 1960s to his last big hit, 2001's "You Rock My World". It was released on July 19, 2005 in the United States (released a day earlier in the United Kingdom). Image File history File links Mjessential. ... A greatest hits album (sometimes referred to as a best of album) is a compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular music artist or band. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is a self-aware ethereal substance particular to a unique living being. ... Funk is an African American musical style. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dance (from Old French dancier, perhaps from Frankish) generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... ... BMG (Bertelsmann Music Group) is one of the six divisions of Bertelsmann. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the performers, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes . ... The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music, owned by All Media Guide. ... Image File history File links 4. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... A greatest hits album (sometimes referred to as a best of album) is a compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular music artist or band. ... Epic Records is an American record label, and subsidiary of Sony BMG. // Epic was launched originally as a jazz and classical music label in 1953 by CBS. Its bright-yellow, black and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Motown Records, Inc. ... The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviated as J5, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music quintet from Gary, Indiana. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The album received mixed reactions and many considered it an unnecessary compilation, after the relative success of Number Ones two years earlier. It entered the UK album charts at #2, higher than many expected, and sold over 200,000 copies in five months. In the U.S. the compilation had minimal promotion and reached only #96.

Track listing

International version

Disc one

1. "I Want You Back" (The Jackson 5) – 2:58
2. "ABC" (The Jackson 5) – 2:57
3. "The Love You Save" (The Jackson 5) – 3:05
4. "Got to Be There" – 3:25
5. "Rockin' Robin" – 2:32
6. "Ben" – 2:46
7. "Blame It on The Boogie" (The Jacksons) – 3:30
   • From Destiny
8. "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (The Jacksons) – 3:45
   • From Destiny
9. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" – 3:56
   • From Number Ones
10. "Off the Wall" – 3:46
    • From Off the Wall (Special Edition)
11. "Rock with You" – 3:23
    • From Off the Wall (Special Edition)
12. "She's Out of My Life" – 3:37
    • From Off the Wall (Special Edition)
13. "Can You Feel It" (The Jacksons) – 3:50
    • From Triumph
14. "The Girl Is Mine" (Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney) – 3:41
    • From Thriller (Special Edition)
15. "Billie Jean" – 4:52
    • From Thriller (Special Edition)
16. "Beat It" – 4:18
    • From Thriller (Special Edition)
17. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" – 4:17
    • From Thriller (Special Edition)
18. "Human Nature" – 3:45
    • From Thriller (Special Edition)
19. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" – 3:58
    • From Thriller (Special Edition)
20. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett) – 4:11
    • From Bad (Special Edition)
21. "Thriller" – 5:14
    • From Thriller (Special Edition)

I Want You Back is a 1969 #1 hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. ... The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviated as J5, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music quintet from Gary, Indiana. ... ABC is a 1970 #1 hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. ... The Love You Save is a 1970 #1 hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. ... Ben was a number-one hit recording by teenaged Michael Jackson for the Motown label in 1972. ... Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) was a very popular hit record for American funk and soul quintet The Jacksons when it was released as a single in late-1978. ... Dont Stop Til You Get Enough was the first big hit single to taken from Michael Jacksons 1979 Off The Wall album, which was his first album with Epic Records and the first he had real control over. ... Off the Wall was the third hit from singer Michael Jacksons album Off the Wall. ... Rock with You was a successful single released by singer Michael Jackson in late 1979. ... Shes Out of My Life was the fourth single to be released by singer Michael Jackson from his hugely-successful album, Off the Wall in 1980. ... The Girl Is Mine was a hit duet for singers Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney in 1982. ... Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942, Liverpool) is an English singer and songwriter. ... Billie Jean is a 1983 hit single from Michael Jacksons Thriller album. ... Beat It is a 1983 hit single from Michael Jacksons multi-platinum selling album Thriller. ... Wanna Be Startin Somethin is a 1983 single released from Michael Jacksons multi-platinum selling 1982 album Thriller. ... Human Nature is a song on Michael Jacksons 1982 hit album Thriller. ... P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) is a song by Michael Jackson. ... I Just Cant Stop Loving You was a popular duet by singers Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett. ... Siedah Garrett (born June 24, 1960 in Los Angeles California) is an African American R&B singer and songwriter whose hits include Dont Look Any Further with Dennis Edwards (#72 pop, #2 R&B in 1984) and K.I.S.S.I.N.G. (#97 in 1988). ... This article is about the Thriller song. ...

Disc two

1. "Bad" – 4:06
   • From Bad (Special Edition)
2. "The Way You Make Me Feel" – 4:26
   • From Bad (Special Edition)
3. "Man in the Mirror" – 5:18
   • From Bad (Special Edition)
4. "Dirty Diana" – 4:40
   • From Bad (Special Edition)
5. "Another Part of Me" – 3:46
   • From Bad (Special Edition)
6. "Smooth Criminal" – 4:17
   • From Bad (Special Edition)
7. "Leave Me Alone" – 4:39
   • From Bad (Special Edition)
8. "Black or White" – 3:21
   • From Dangerous (Special Edition)
9. "Remember the Time" – 3:59
   • From Dangerous (Special Edition)
10. "In the Closet" (Duet by Michael Jackson and Mystery Girl) – 4:48
    • From Dangerous (Special Edition)
11. "Who Is It" – 3:59
    • From Dangerous (Special Edition)
12. "Heal the World" – 6:24
    • From Dangerous (Special Edition)
13. "Will You Be There" – 3:40
    • From Dangerous (Special Edition)
14. "You Are Not Alone" – 4:55
    • From HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1
15. "Earth Song" – 5:02
    • From HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1
16. "They Don't Care About Us" – 4:44
    • From HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1
17. "You Rock My World" – 5:08
    • From Invincible

Bad was a 1987 hit recording by pop singer Michael Jackson. ... The Way You Make Me Feel was the third of singer Michael Jacksons five Billboard Hot 100 number one hit singles coming off his hit album, Bad album, when released in 1987. ... Man in the Mirror was a number one hit for singer Michael Jackson when released as a single in the spring of 1988. ... Dirty Diana is a hit song by singer Michael Jackson. ... Another Part of Me was a popular hit for singer Michael Jackson. ... Smooth Criminal is a song on Michael Jacksons Bad album (1987). ... Leave Me Alone was the B-side to the 1964 single by The Canadian Squires. ... Black or White was a 1991 worldwide smash hit single for singer Michael Jackson. ... Remember the Time was a popular recording for American pop and R & B singer Michael Jackson in the winter of 1992. ... In the Closet was a popular recording by American pop and R&B singer Michael Jackson in the summer of 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Heal the World is a song, which is the seventh track on Michael Jacksons hit album, Dangerous, released in 1991. ... Will You Be There is a song by Michael Jackson released in 1993. ... You Are Not Alone was a hit single by singer/songwriter Michael Jackson, released in August 1995. ... Earth Song is a song by Michael Jackson. ... They Dont Care About Us was the third US single and fourth European single released from American pop and R&B singer-songwriter Michael Jacksons 1995 album, HIStory. ... You Rock My World is a song by singer/songwriter Michael Jackson. ...

U.S. version

Disc one

1. "I Want You Back" (The Jackson 5)
2. "ABC" (The Jackson 5)
3. "The Love You Save" (The Jackson 5)
4. "Got to Be There"
5. "Rockin' Robin"
6. "Ben"
7. "Enjoy Yourself" (The Jacksons)
8. "Blame It on The Boogie" (The Jacksons)
9. "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (The Jacksons)
10. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"
11. "Off the Wall"
12. "Rock with You"
13. "She's Out of My Life"
14. "Can You Feel It" (The Jacksons)
15. "The Girl Is Mine" (With Paul McCartney)
16. "Billie Jean"
17. "Beat It"
18. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
19. "Human Nature"
20. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
21. "Thriller"

I Want You Back is a 1969 #1 hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. ... The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviated as J5, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music quintet from Gary, Indiana. ... ABC is a 1970 #1 hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. ... The Love You Save is a 1970 #1 hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. ... Ben was a number-one hit recording by teenaged Michael Jackson for the Motown label in 1972. ... Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) was a very popular hit record for American funk and soul quintet The Jacksons when it was released as a single in late-1978. ... Dont Stop Til You Get Enough was the first big hit single to taken from Michael Jacksons 1979 Off The Wall album, which was his first album with Epic Records and the first he had real control over. ... Off the Wall was the third hit from singer Michael Jacksons album Off the Wall. ... Rock with You was a successful single released by singer Michael Jackson in late 1979. ... Shes Out of My Life was the fourth single to be released by singer Michael Jackson from his hugely-successful album, Off the Wall in 1980. ... The Girl Is Mine was a hit duet for singers Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney in 1982. ... Billie Jean is a 1983 hit single from Michael Jacksons Thriller album. ... Beat It is a 1983 hit single from Michael Jacksons multi-platinum selling album Thriller. ... Wanna Be Startin Somethin is a 1983 single released from Michael Jacksons multi-platinum selling 1982 album Thriller. ... Human Nature is a song on Michael Jacksons 1982 hit album Thriller. ... P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) is a song by Michael Jackson. ... This article is about the Thriller song. ...

Disc two

1. "Bad"
2. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
3. "Leave Me Alone"
4. "The Way You Make Me Feel"
5. "Man in the Mirror"
6. "Dirty Diana"
7. "Another Part of Me"
8. "Smooth Criminal"
9. "Black or White"
10. "Heal the World"
11. "Remember the Time"
12. "In the Closet"
13. "Who Is It"
14. "Will You Be There"
15. "Dangerous"
16. "You Are Not Alone"
17. "You Rock My World"

Bad was a 1987 hit recording by pop singer Michael Jackson. ... I Just Cant Stop Loving You was a popular duet by singers Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett. ... Leave Me Alone was the eighth single to be released from Michael Jacksons Bad album (1987). ... The Way You Make Me Feel was the third of singer Michael Jacksons five Billboard Hot 100 number one hit singles coming off his hit album, Bad album, when released in 1987. ... Man in the Mirror was a number one hit for singer Michael Jackson when released as a single in the spring of 1988. ... Dirty Diana is a hit song by singer Michael Jackson. ... Another Part of Me was a popular hit for singer Michael Jackson. ... Smooth Criminal is a song on Michael Jacksons Bad album (1987). ... Black or White was the first single taken from Michael Jacksons album Dangerous, released in November 1991. ... Heal the World is a song, which is the seventh track on Michael Jacksons hit album, Dangerous, released in 1991. ... Remember the Time was a popular recording for American pop and R & B singer Michael Jackson in the winter of 1992. ... In the Closet was a popular recording by American pop and R&B singer Michael Jackson in the summer of 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Will You Be There is a song by Michael Jackson released in 1993. ... You Are Not Alone was a hit single by singer/songwriter Michael Jackson, released in August 1995. ... You Rock My World is a song by singer/songwriter Michael Jackson. ...

External links

• BBC: U.S. fans shun Michael Jackson CD