Ok 'Billie Jean' NEEDS to win this now. It may be overrated but it'd be completely ludicrous if 'Smooth Criminal' is voted the best Michael Jackson song. I mean is the song really better than 'The Way You Make Me Feel', 'Dirty Diana', 'Thriller', 'Bad', 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' etc etc? :o No. :P

Yes, by far.

Yes, by far.

 

It was rhetorical for a reason. :lol:

Ok 'Billie Jean' NEEDS to win this now. It may be overrated but it'd be completely ludicrous if 'Smooth Criminal' is voted the best Michael Jackson song. I mean is the song really better than 'The Way You Make Me Feel', 'Dirty Diana', 'Thriller', 'Bad', 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' etc etc? :o No. :P

Definitely what I'm thinking too. Plus, 'Billie Jean' is much more reflective of his discography and is certainly a highlight - you have to admit that even if you dislike it. To be honest, I find the dancing in the video for 'Smooth Criminal' better than the song itself.

We never found out if Annie was ok.

That must be why Alien Ant Farm covered it, they must have been very worried for her.

We never found out if Annie was ok.

I don't think she was. :( Listen to the lyrics of this song then you'll know how she's feeling

 

That must be why Alien Ant Farm covered it, they must have been very worried for her.

The better version too. :kink:

The better version too. :kink:

Blasphemy! :o

Are you ok?

 

 

| 02 // Smooth Criminal // Bad // 9.34

 

LOVE:

11 | Jonjo, Rafik4u, Jark, Leonardo, Chez Wombat, Luciano, randomfurlong, Jahq

10 | Dandy*, Toby, Lee, Cyrax, RabbitHeart, TomKay, Lukuzz, Mikal, Thermometer THEO,

 

HATE:

05 | leww

 

 

I suppose it's testament to how strong an album Bad is, that even the seventh single to be released from it can still hold so strong for so many people. It doesn't even seem like the most signature single from the album (though it was a giant global smash of course), but it seems to have aged wonderfully and rightfully finished just behind one of Michael's much more iconic numbers.

serves as the theme tune to Michael's Moonwalker film and that title seems to wonderfully sum up the out-of-this-world beat and soaring vocals that power throughout the entire song. With an incredibly filmic music video set around the 1930's sleazy nightclub scene, Michael is as commanding and fluid as ever as he struts around challenging and demanding attention from everywhere. The song itself is an odd one that largely revolves around the repetitive chorus sung repeatedly in between a few quite forgettable verses – that probably explains why it is such a signature song though as the chorus is so damn catchy that it cannot fail to be ingrained in your heads long after the final beat. It doesn’t really take off as much as some of his more glamorous songs, but as an infectious and gritty song, it tells of a woman trying to hide in her bedroom from a master criminal, the danger of which oozes from every note. But for those asking earlier, Annie was never ok, nor did she ever exist as it’s the name given to CPR dummies and the saying itself is something that is asked during CPR training. Really not as exciting as he would have you believe. The smoothest criminal of them all though is definitely Michael, coupled with some killer moves and falseto tones as he springs his sprightly vocals over that rocking instrumentation.

Every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one

 

 

| 01 // Billie Jean // Thriller // 9.66

 

LOVE:

11 | Cyrax, Leonardo, Chez Wombat, Thermometer,

10 | Jester, Jonjo, Toby, Rafik4u, Haus, Silver Rocket, Hits, RabbitHeart, TomKay, Mikal, Liam, Luciano, leww, Ken, THEO, randomfurlong, O Mie, Jahq

 

HATE:

07 | Johnkm

 

 

So here we have it. The number one song from the King of Pop as voted for by Buzzjack:

aka the song that gave birth to the moonwalk. The second single from Thriller (the first of which ironically finished dead last in this countdown), the song was actually almost removed from the album entirely after disagreements between Michael and the producer. With the mystery over exactly what it refers to, the song went on to become a massive success and even now ranks as one of his biggest sellers as well as one of the most revolutionary and influential songs of all-time from any artist. Whether it was a true story or whether it represents any number of girls as Michael deems it to, it's an ambiguously enticing song and one that demands repeated listens and attention moreso than most. An R&B single at heart that merges the soul of early motown with all the pop needed to be sung by the masses, it’s no wonder it propelled Michael further into the limelight and why it seems to have remained so dear to most of you guys.

 

Commercially huge, but also critically adored by the masses as it racked up Grammy awards, American Music Video awards and support and appreciation from pretty much everywhere, including right up to present day where it is repeatedly adorned and topping polls of musical greats in a whole variety of genres. It was all helped by the iconic music video that seemed to embed Michael’s face, moves and energy into the minds of the global population. MTV initially refused to play it, but after receiving negativity about the alleged racism of refusing to play videos from black musicians, it eventually entered into the mainstream and shot the song and album to dizzying heights. A video that perhaps came to haunt Michael later as the shady paparazzi eventually did catch up with him, it's the light in his step that remains the most wondrous thing about it all. Without scoring a rank below 7 and with a huge number of you voting it in your top 5 there was perhaps never any doubt that Billie Jean would find it’s way to the top spot. A song and video that at first glance is so plain and simple but one that bleeds heart, soul and passion, it shows Michael off at his absolute best and as the all-round entertainer that he remained right up to his untimely death. The King of Pop at his most iconic; this is it.

That really is the best top two we could've asked for so well done all.

 

 

(And Bal for putting this on, the presentation has been fantastic)

Well thank God for that!

 

An obvious choice of winner, but I'm happy with it. Should be a million seller in a few years time - I think it is on about 950k at the moment.

 

And yes, thanks very much to Haus for putting this all together! :cheer:

Edited July 27, 201311 yr by liamk97

Smooth Criminal was too good to win this. Best songs are always a bit controversial :P

Edited July 27, 201311 yr by SKOB

What a great winner! :heart: Thanks for hosting this Haus, nice commentary too.

YES the right song won!!! would've felt a bit shit if i'd given the lowest score to the winner....

 

btw bal absolutely flawless hosting. you should do this more often (y)

Thanks for doing this Haus, it's been fantastic! :D

Thanks for the rate!

 

I'm glad 'Billie Jean' won in the end - out of the top two at least. I'd rather a predictable winner than one that doesn't do MJ's discography any justice and doesn't represent it either. 'Billie Jean' is his signature track (or one of them) so the title is deserved.

http://i.imgur.com/SWJgkll.jpg

 

 

Huge thanks to everyone that listened, voted, commented and viewed over the course of this rate. Thoroughly enjoyed discussing it all with you and i hope you had fun reliving (or discovering) the music.