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.
ERA
2005-2009 : Thriller 25/This Is It
RECORDING DATE
The Toy (1981 demo) : Written by Michael Jackson and recorded in 1981 for a Richard Pryor movie. The song evolved into Best Of Joy. Quincy Jones came up with the idea for Michael writing a song for the soundtrack to Richard Pryor’s movie of the same name. When asked about it on a deposition in 1984, Michael himself confirmed the whole idea was scrapped so the two could focus on Thriller and that he felt the song was just as strong if not stronger than tracks on the album
Best Of Joy (1991 demo) : New version of “The Toy” written by Michael Jackson and recorded in 1981 for a Richard Pryor movie. In April 1991, Michael recorded new vocals for the track, including a new opening lyric. The original lyric, “I am your toy, I am your boy,” was changed to: “I am your joy, your best of joy”.
Best Of Joy (2008 demo) : In November 2008, Michael recorded new vocals for the track in the bathroom of his suite at the Bel-Air Hotel in LA, including a never-heard alternate option for a third verse. New lyrics include: “I am the rock that stands on solid ground, I am that friend always around. The instrumental was produced by Brad Buxer, although stayed basically the same as featured in The Toy.
In November 2008, Rod Temperton has a meeting with MJ at his hotel suite during which MJ plays Rod several songs. Some of the songs already had lyrics, which MJ wanted to improve. Others were instrumentals without any lyrics at all. The songs MJ plays for Rod are Best of Joy, Hollywood Tonight, The Loser, The Way Your Love Me, Beautiful Girl, Dark Lady, DIE, and Can’t Stop Loving You.
Best Of Joy (2010 remix) : After Michael’s passing in 2009, the song was completely reworked by Neff-U for the Michael album. It featured a new instrumental but kept the 2008 vocals. For unknown reasons, the third verse was cut out, it was likely left in an unfinished state. One of the songs listed by MJ on a handwritten note of songs he wanted to finish in June 2009.
STUDIO(S)
Westlake (Los Angeles, California)
Bel-Air Hotel in LA,
SONGWRITER(S)
Michael Jackson,
PRODUCER(S)
Michael Jackson
RELEASE DATE :
Best Of Joy’ demos from 1991 and 2008 remain unreleased.
Best Of Joy” (2010 remix) was released posthumously on December 10, 2010 (Michael).
Original demo of “The Toy” from 1981 released posthumously on November 18, 2022 (Thriller 40).
LABEL
Sony
LENGTH
3:04 (The Toy)
3:02 (Best Of Joy’s 2010 remix)
ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)
No alternate versions known to exist
MUSICIANS
???
PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :
Not released as a single
SHORT FILM (filmed by MJ during his lifetime)
No short film
LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS
Never performed on a TV show
LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS
Never performed in concerts
Jackson Dynasty 