All the studio recordings (songs, demos and alternate versions) recorded by MJ during the Victory era (1983-1984). Songs and poems written but never recorded, live performances, covers and remixes by other artists are not included.
Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.
Be Not Always : Written in 1979 as “Always, Be Not Always”. Recorded from November 1983 to May 1984. Released on July 2, 1984.
Billie Jean (Pepsi version) : Recorded in 1983 with The Jacksons & used in Pepsi commercials in 1984. Released in a special limited 7″promo Pepsi Pepsi titled “The Choice Of A New Generation”. Never released on CD.
Buffalo Bill (demo) : Written by Michael Jackson. Recorded in 1983 as first studio collaboration with John Barnes. Inspired by poker player Wild Bill Hickok or bison hunter William Cody. MJ speaks about it in the “Hayvenhurst” home video in 1983). Remains unreleased.
Centipede : The song was written and produced by MJ in spring 1984 . He and The Weather Girls also sang backing vocals on the song. The song was released as a single in September 1984.
Chicago 1945 : Recorded in 1983, based on one of the grooves Steve Porcaro submitted to Michael. Vocally complete song about three girls who went out and mysteriously disappeared throughout the night, with a hook of “never to be found again. Revisited during the HIStory and Invincible sessions, but was left off both albums. Also known as “Chicago Nights” during the Invincible recording sessions. Porcaro was approached by the estate about using it on Xscape, but declined to give permission on the basis that the song didn’t need any “contemporizing”, and that he disapproves of the estate’s “straight to remix” approach to Michael’s unreleased material. A LQ version of the song leaked on November 13, 2022. HQ version leaked on January 28, 2023 but remains unreleased.
Don’t Stand Another Chance : Recorded in 1984 with Janet Jackson & The Jacksons. The song was written by Marlon Jackson and John Barnes. Marlon also produced it, and provided backing vocals along with his brothers Michael, Tito, and Jackie. The song was released as the lead single from Dream Street on August 13, 1984 by A&M Records.
Dream Away : Written by Steve Porcaro. Recorded in December 1982, one week after the release of Thriller. Vocally complete song, a beautiful ballad revealed and played for the first time by Steve Porcaro at a fan seminar in Paris on November 12, 2022. The song leaked on YouTube on November 13, 2022 but remains unreleased.
Liberian Girl (demo) : Recorded in 1983 (MJ speaks about it in the “Hayvenhurst” home video in 1983). Originally titles Pyramid Girl. The song was re recorded during the “Bad” album sessions but original demo remains unreleased.
Peter Pan : Song mentioned by MJ during an interview with Diane Collins at Hayvenhurst in 1983. The same year, MJ sings parts of the song during a private home movie filmed at Hayvenhurst. Remains unreleased.
Somebody’s Watching Me : The song was recorded late 1983 by American singer Rockwell, released by the Motown label in January 1984, as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name. The song features guest vocals by brothers Michael Jackson (in the chorus) and Jermaine Jackson (additional backing vocals.
State Of Shock (demo with Freddie Mercury) : Recorded in 1983 & leaked in 2002. Remains unreleased.
State Of Shock : Duet with Mick Jagger recorded from November 1983 to May 1984. Released on July 2, 1984 (Victory).
Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True) : Duet between Jermaine & MJ recorded late 1983. The song was released in April 1984 on Jermaine’s Dynamite album.
The Surprise Song : Song recorded with The Jacksons at their Hayvenhurst Home studio in May 1983 and included in an all original 7″ Fan Club Pack. Never released on CD.
Torture : Duet with Jermaine recorded from November 1983 to May 1984. Released on July 2, 1984 (Victory).
Victory (demo) : One of three songs MJ worked on with Queen’s Freddie Mercury in summer of 1983. The foundation of the track was laid with Mercury’s manager Peter Freestone banging on the toilet door in perfect time for 5 minutes as there were no instruments or musicians around at Hayvenhurst. Remains unreleased.
Wait : Recorded with The Jacksons from November 1983 to May 1984. Released on July 2, 1984 (Victory).
We Can Change The World : Recorded with The Jacksons from November 1983 to May 1984. Released on July 2, 1984 (Victory).
You’re The One : Demo recorded by Michael for Jennifer Holiday in 1984. Remains unreleased.
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