A 10-Album Catalog of Chart-Topping Hits, with a Few Autobiographical Glimpses
1972
Got to Be There
When this old world gets you down/ When your spirit's on the ground/ Just remember I will always be around/ Just climb on the wings of my love/ I'll take you high on the wings of my love
"Wings of My Love"
Song by Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy, Christine Yarian, Deke Richards and Frederick Perren
1972
Ben
Ben, the two of us need look no more/ We both found what we were looking for/ With a friend to call my own, I'll never be alone/ And you, my friend, will see/ You've got a friend in me
"Ben"
Song by Don Black and Walter Scharf
1973
Music & Me
We've been together for such a long time/ Now music, music and me/ Don't care whether all our songs rhyme/ Now music, music and me
"Music and Me"
Song by Don Fenceton, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson and Michael Cannon
1975
Forever, Michael
But since the day I've been loving you/ I can't catch a cold, I can't catch the flu/ The sweet loving that you've been giving me/ Has become my daily need/ Just a little o' your love, every day/ That's all I need, that's all I need
"Just a Little Bit of You" Song by Brian Holland and Eddie Holland
1979
Off The Wall
So tonight, gotta leave that nine-to-five upon the shelf/ And just enjoy yourself/ Groove and let the madness in the music get to you/ Life ain't so bad at all, if you live it off the wall
"Off the Wall"
Song by Rod Temperton
1982
Thriller
People always told me, be careful what you do/ And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts/ My mother always told me, be careful who you love/ Be careful what you do/ 'Cause the lie becomes the truth
"Billie Jean"
Song by Michael Jackson
1987
Bad
As I turn up the collar on/ My favorite winter coat/ This wind is blowin' my mind/ I see the kids in the street/ Without enough to eat/ Who am I to be blind/ Pretending not to see their needs?
"Man in the Mirror"
Song by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett
1991
Dangerous
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight/ Here one day/ Gone one night/ Like a sunset/ Dying with the rising of the moon/ Gone too soon
"Gone Too Soon" Song by Alan Kohan and Larry Grossman
1995
HIStory
Tired of injustice/ Tired of the scheme/ Life is disgustin'/ So what does it mean/ You kickin' me down/ I got to get up/ As jacked as it sounds/ The whole system sucks
"Scream"
Song by James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson
2001
Invincible
Don't walk away/ See, I just can't find the right thing to say/ I tried but all my pain gets in the way/ Tell me what I have to do so you'll stay/ Should I get down on my knees and pray
"Don't Walk Away"
Song by Edward Riley, Richard Stites and Reed Vertelney