Michael Jackson - Bad

What better way to start my new blog than with the very first album that I ever owned, Michael Jackson's 1987 album, Bad. I remember getting this album as a 33 inch record that I used to play on my mum's old turntable. It was quite some time before I replaced this with the CD version of the album before finally putting it onto my iPod.

I can't remember whether this was my first introduction to Michael Jackson as I was only six when Bad was released. It didn't take long for me to become captivated by the King of Pop; by his music, his videos, and his dancing. It is an interest that lasts to the present day; his death in 2009 almost reigniting my fascination with Michael, especially in his earlier music.

Bad saw Michael's solo return to recording following on from the largest selling album of all time, Thriller. So, how do you follow the most successful album of all time? Well, let's have a look...

Bad - The album starts with the title track; not my favourite song but it serves as a great introduction to the music which is to come. One thing which is noticeable with the song Bad is that Michael has clearly tried to move with the times and produce something which represented the music of the mid-eighties.

Bad starts the album at a high tempo, interesting beats coupled with Michael's gritty vocals make Bad an interesting choice for the first single. The vocals are also intriguing, matching Michael's new look and emphasizing his status as a solo artist.

The one thing that has always put me off of the title track is that it does not seem to match Michael Jackson. Listening to the single again this time, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to Beat It. Whereas Beat It seemed to fit with the experimentation of Thriller and Michael's young age at the time, Bad seemed to be a push too far for me.

The Way You Make Me Feel - If Bad was somewhat of a disappointing opener for me, TWYMMF is probably my favourite song on the album and my personal pick for what the opening song should have been. The growl that opens the song before the drum beats kick is just sublime. And then you get into the high tempo that takes you on the journey throughout the song. I still love listening to this song and I would say that it ranks as one of my favourite Michael Jackson songs of all time.

Speed Demon - We then come to the odd song of the bunch, Speed Demon. I remember really disliking this song when I first got the album; I just remember the hideous music video which came with it from the film Moonwalker. And I think that the music video had a negative effect on my opinion of the song itself.

Listening to it this time around, I had more of an appreciation for the song on its own; and I actually quite like it. I'm not sure about some of the sound effects which accompany the song but, as a whole, I was pleasantly surprised.

Liberian Girl - This is my least favourite song on the album. I've never really understood why I dislike it because it is technically a good song; I just can't get into it. I think that it is too much of a shift from the style of the rest of the album. The other slow songs, Man In The Mirror and I Just Can't Stop Loving You, seem to fit with the style of the upbeat songs; however, Liberian Girl just seems out of place here. Plus when I was a kid I thought he was saying Librarian Girl.

Just Good Friends - The first of two duets on the record and another brilliant inclusion. I love this song. It's catchy and upbeat. Stevie Wonder adds a special something to the song and the two of them are just able to go back and forth against eachother with seamless ease.

Another Part Of Me - For some reason I always forget that this song is part of the album; and I don't know why as I think it is such a good song. Again, it's another song that has that upbeat style and is similar to Bad and TWYMMF. One thing I really noticed listening to the song this time around are the lyrics. It gives a glimpse at the world saving Michael Jackson who would go on to make songs like Heal The World and Earth Song. But the genius of Another Part Of Me is that he uses these lyrics with such a clean backing track.

Man In The Mirror - Arguably the finest song on the album and one of only two songs that Michael didn't write himself. Even though Michael didn't write this song, his performance is so powerful and heartfelt that I really connect with what he is saying every time I hear it. There is something magical about the simplicity of the backing track at the start of the song, gradually building up to the chorus.

I Just Can't Stop Loving You - The second duet of the album is with Siedah Garrett who co-wrote Man In The Mirror. It was the first single released from the album and went to number one in a handful of countries including the UK and the USA. It is a sublime example of Michael's vocal talent and writing skills. Not taking anything away from Siedah's contribution to the sing; in fact at times it is hard to tell the two apart. It's probably the most timeless song on the album.

Dirty Diana - Another slight weak point for me on the album. I've never been able to get behind Dirty Diana and what Michael is trying to portray with the song. I will say that it is another incredible vocal performance from Michael on this song.

Smooth Criminal - To this day I can't understand why this song is so far down the playlist on the album because it is such an amazing song. Mixed in with the film Moonwalker, the iconic video and costume worn by Michael match the class of the song and the dance moves only rivaled by Billie Jean. Although it might not be quite as strong as some of the other songs on a lyrical level, there is no denying that as a combination of all different elements of music recording, for me it ticks all the boxes.

Leave Me Alone - Only available on the CD and digital download, this song wasn't on my original LP which always confused me as I remember it for its vivid video of Michael going around his fantastical theme park. Some people might see this as a filler song on the album but I think it has a lot of meaning to Michael which can be heard in the lyrics. I've always enjoyed this song and was glad to see it on the CD when I bought it.

Although lagging behind on the success of Thriller, Bad was a huge success in its own right. Amassing sales in the region of 19 million worldwide it sits among the highest selling albums of all time. It hit number 1 in a number of countries around the world and was certified 13 x platinum in the UK and 9 x platinum in the USA.

Bad was also the first album to have five separate number 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat only matched by Katy Perry's Teenage Dreams.

Michael Jackson will always be known for the huge success that Thriller was, and it is hard to argue Thriller's place as an all time great. However, on listening to Bad all the way through, I would have to say that it is a superior album as a whole to Thriller, and Michael's best work of his career. Whereas Thriller was a collection of incredible songs mixed with some average filler songs, every song on Bad has its own strengths and work as standalone pieces of music. It fits the time in which it was released and provided a number of classic songs which still get me up and dancing around my living room.

For all of his flaws, Michael Jackson knew how to write and make music, and Bad is no better example of that. It was my first album and still ranks up there as one of my favourite.