Wait : Recorded with The Jacksons from November 1983 to May 1984. Released on July 2, 1984 (Victory).
Walk Right Now (multi tracks) : With unreleased adlibs sung by Michael. Full song leaked but remains unreleased.
Walk Right Now : Recorded in 1980. Released on October 18, 1980 (Triumph).
Walk Right Now (Alternate Mix) : Leaked in 2025.
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (demo) : demo recorded at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home recording studio in 1978. Leaked online & released posthumously on October 26, 2009 (This Is It).
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ : Recorded from April 14 – November 8, 1982. Released on November 30, 1982 (Thriller).
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (12 extended mix) 6:30 (12″ version) released in 1983 as maxi singles.
Wanna Be Startin Somethin (2008) : Remix by Akon featuring new vocals by MJ recorded in November 2007 at the Palms Studios in Las Vegas and released on February 8, 2008 (Thriller 25 Special Edition).
Warrior : Written by Steve Porcaro and recorded in 1982. Failed to make “Thriller” album. Remains unreleased.
Water : Written by Michael Jackson, Michael Prince, Theron Feemster III (Neff-U). Apparently recorded in early 2009 at the Carolwood house. The production is complex, with water droplets and a “Stranger in Moscow” aesthetic. Only the chorus was recorded (which MJ sang a snippet of in “This Is It”), but people have described it as “amazing” and “magical”. Damien Shields : “Recorded in MJ’s final years. Production includes water splash sounds. Only lyrics: “Inches of water, water, trying to take a piece of my mind/Inches of water, water, trying to take a piece of my time.” Very nice background vocals: “Inches of water, ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo.”. A 16 seconds snippet leaks on YouTube on August 12, 2023. A second, longer and HQ snippet of “Water” leaked on September 27, 2024 after being provided for the 9th episode of Damien Shields’ Faking Michael podcast. This leak appears to be missing drums featured in the earlier, low quality snippet. It is assumed to either be an other part of the track or possibly a different mix. Remains unreleased.
We Are Here To Change The World : Recorded in 1985 during the Hayvenhurst sessions with John Barnes, Bill Bottrell & Matt Forger. Used in Captain Eo in 1986. A shorter version was released on November 16, 2004 (The Ultimate Collection Box Set) but Captain Eo version remains unreleased.
We Are the Ones : Written by Michael Jackson in 1978. Song registered with the United States Copyright Office in November 1984. Remains unreleased.
We Are The World (demo) : Recorded in January 1985 with John Barnes. Released on November 16, 2004 (The Ultimate Collection Box Set).
We Are The World : Recorded in January 1985. Released on March 7, 1985 (We Are The World).
We Be Ballin : Recorded in 1998 with Rick “Dutch” Cousin and Shaquille O’Neal. The song leaked in 2009. Remains unreleased.
We Can Change The World : Recorded with The Jacksons from November 1983 to May 1984. Released on July 2, 1984 (Victory).
We Can Have Fun : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1970. Released on June 20, 1995 (Soulsation!).
We Don’t Have To Be Over 21 (to Fall in Love) : Recorded in November/December 1967 and released in 1968.
We Love You (demo) : Recorded in 1980 with the Jacksons for the Triumph album. Leaked on June 17, 2020 but remains unreleased.
We’re All Alone : Demo recorded with The Jacksons & Bobby Taylor at the Hayvenhutst home studio in 1976. Remains unreleased.
We’re Almost There : Recorded in October–December 1974. Released on January 16, 1975 (Forever Michael).
We’re Gonna Change Our Style : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1972-1975. Released on October 26, 1976 (Joyful Jukebox Music).
We’re Here To Entertain You : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1972-1975. Released on October 26, 1976 (Joyful Jukebox Music).
(We’re the) Music Makers : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1969-1974. Released posthumously on August 28, 2012 (Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls).
We’ve Got A Good Thing Going : Recorded in November 1971 – February 1972. Released on August 4, 1972 (Ben).
(We’ve Got) Blue Skies : Recorded with The Jackson 5.in June 1970 – February 1971. Released on April 12, 1971 (Maybe Tomorrow).
We’ve Got Forever : Recorded in October–December 1974. Released on January 16, 1975 (Forever Michael).
We’ve Had Enough : 1st mix recorded in 1999-2001. New mix recorded in 2004 & released on November 16, 2004 (The Ultimate Collection Box Set).
What About Us aka Earth Song (2nd demo) : Recorded in 1991 & leaked online in 2003 but remains unreleased.
What A Lonely Way To Go (1978 demo) : According to MJ, the song was written before Off the Wall. It was first recorded in 1978 during the album’s recording sessions, under the title “What a Lonely Way to Go”, it ultimately didn’t make the cut for the album however
What a Lovely Way to Go (1981 demo) : New version of “What A Lonely Way To Go” recorded during the fall of 1981. After Michael’s passing, the song was remixed by Mark Ronson in Early 2010 for inclusion on the Michael album under the title “Lovely Way”, although it didn’t make the cut once again. On January 24, 2020, a tagged snippet of the remix leaked online. The 1981 demo was released posthumously on November 18, 2022 (Thriller).
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted : Jimmy Roffin’s cover recorded with The Jackson 5 in early 70’s. Remains unreleased.
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME : Recorded at the Hit Factory, in 1994. Considered lost. Remains unreleased.
What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) : Song recorded with The Jackson 5 in early 70’s. Remains unreleased.
Whatever Happens : Recorded from July 1998 to July 2001. Released on October 30, 2001 (Invincible).
Whatever You Got, I Want : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1974. Released on September 15, 1974 (Dancing Machine).
What Goes Around Comes Around : Recorded in November 1971 – February 1972. Released on August 4, 1972 (Ben).
What’s a Guy Gotta Do : Written in 2000 by Pharrell Williams. Failed to make the Invincible album. Remains unreleased.
What More Can I Give aka Todo Para Ti/Heal L.A
What’s It Gonna Be : Song written by MJ in 2006. The song is not “What’s It Gonna Be?!”, recorded by Jackson’s sister Janet and Busta Rhymes. Remains unreleased.
What’s Your Life : Written by MJ. Cited by MJ in his 1993 deposition. Remains unreleased.
What You Don’t Know : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1974. Released on September 15, 1974 (Dancing Machine).
Whatzupwitu : Song recorded with Eddie Murphy in 1992. Released on February 23 1993 (Love’s alright).
What You Do To Me (1985 demo) : Recorded in 1985 during the Hayvenhurst sessions with John Barnes, Bill Bottrell & Matt Forger. Damien Shields : “You Do To Me has lyrics/vocals. It’s a mid-tempo love song. Similar breezy vibe to Free and I’m So Blue. Chorus lyrics: “You just don’t know, you just don’t know, what you do to me, do to me, do to me, do-do-do, do to me.” Remains unreleased.
What You Do To Me (1998 demo) : Demo recorded in 1998. Damien Shields : “The 1998 What You Do To Me filing is an early demo of The Way You Love Me. The version I heard had primitive production and only had scratch vocals on the chorus (no verse vocal). However, a lyric sheet for the complete song was also enclosed. MJ is scatting/yodelling at the end”.
When I Come of Age : Recorded March 1972 – 1973, during the Jackson 5’s G.I.T.: Get It Together sessions, at the Motown Recording Studio. Released on February 11, 1986 (Looking Back to Yesterday).
When You Wish Upon A Star : Recorded in 1980 for Disney’s 25th anniversary. Used in a Disney Channel Special TV Show in 1980 and at the end of “The Legend Continues” documentary in 1987. Remains unreleased.
Where Did Our Love Go : Supremes’ cover recorded with The Jackson 5 in early 70’s. Remains unreleased.
White Christmas : Song recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1970 for the Christmas album. Remains unreleased.
Who’s Looking For A Lover : Recorded December 1972 – 1973, during Music & Me sessions. Released on February 11, 1986 (Looking Back to Yesterday).
Who’s Loving You : Recorded in July 1969 with the Jackson 5. Released on December 12, 1969 (Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5).
Who’s Right, Who’s Wrong : Song recorded with Kenny Loggins in 1979. Released on September 28, 1979 (Keep The Fire).
Who Is It (demo) : Recorded in 1989-1991 & leaked online but remains unreleased.
Who Is It : Recorded in 1989-1991. Released on November 26, 1991 (Dangerous).
Who Is the Girl With Her Hair Down : Written by MJ. Cited by MJ in his 1993 deposition. Remains unreleased.
Who Do You Know : Written by Michael Jackson in 1981. Song cited by MJ in his 1993 deposition. Released posthumously on November 18, 2022 (Thriller 40).
Why : Recorded in 1994 with 3T. Released on November 7, 1995 (Brotherhood).
Why Can’t I Be : Written by Michael Jackson in 1980 for the Triumph album. Song registered with the United States Copyright Office in November 1984. Remains unreleased.
Why Can’t You Hear Me : Written and produced for Michael in 1989. One of 20-25 songs worked on with Bryan Loren for the Dangerous album. Most recordings leaked online were taken down by the estate. Remains unreleased.
Why Shy : Written by MJ. Cited by MJ in his 1993 deposition. Remains unreleased.
Why You Wanna Trip On Me : Recorded in 1991. Released on November 26, 1991.
Wings Of My Love : Recorded in July – November 1971. Released on January 24, 1972 (Got To Be There).
With a Child’s Heart : Recorded in March 1972 – January 1973. Released on April 13, 1973 (Music And Me).
Will You Be There : Recorded in 1989-1991. Released on November 26, 1991 (Dangerous).
Willing And Waiting : A demo of this was recorded in 1994 to present to Michael for possible inclusion on HIStory, with Babyface heavily involved in the production. One of two songs he presented to Michael, the other being “Why” (later given to 3T). Despite being referred to as a demo, the song was quite developed with background vocals, polished instrumentation and completed lyrics – “record ready”, in a sense
However, as assistant engineer Brad Sundberg asserts, “Michael was looking to push things pretty hard on HIStory [and] Willing and Waiting was maybe a bit softer than the direction he was going”. Remains unreleased.
Window Shopping : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1972-1975. Released on October 26, 1976 (Joyful Jukebox Music).
Wonderful World Of Candy : Duet with Nisja Kataria recorded at Neverland in 2003. The full demo leaked on January 06, 2026 but remains unreleased.
Wondering Who (multi tracks) : Recorded in 1980 with the Jacksons. Unreleased vocals by Michael Jackson were leaked on June 18, 2021, as an extended dance mix made by Nick. This mix contains the aforementioned unreleased vocals by Jackson and was later popularized on Tiktok. Three days later, Nick uploaded the original extended album version featuring the unreleased vocals. Full song leaked but remains unreleased.
Wondering Who (Uncut Version w/ Unreleased MJ Bridge) : Leaked in 2025.
Wondering Who : Recorded in 1980 with the Jacksons. Released on October 18, 1980 (Triumph).
Work That Body : Recorded in 1989-1990 with Bryan Loren. Borrows the “Sit down girl, I think I love you/no, get up girl, show me what you can do” line from The Jackson 5’s ABC. According to Loren, Jackson initially refused to sing that line, but “realized the tongue-in-cheek fun contained behind it”. Included in the first acetate version of the special expanded edition of Dangerous in 2001 but the bonus dis was canceled. It leaked online in 2005 but remains unreleased. In 2024, a trove of unreleased Michael Jackson tapes were found in a storage unit deep in the San Fernando Valley. Musgrove’s journey to the tapes began when an associate contacted Greg Musgrove about a storage unit he’d recently bought in Van Nuys. The unit once belonged to Bryan Loren, a music producer and singer. On the tapes are 12 unreleased tracks, music Jackson worked on prior to the Dangerous album, around 1989 to 1991 including the song “Work That Body” (dated October 4, 1989/completed, two versions). He and the attorney he brought on approached the Jackson Estate with their findings earlier this year. The estate, who Musgrove says did their own research into the tapes, declined to purchase the tapes for an unknown reason, but did provide him with an official letter stating that the estate does not claim ownership. They make it clear in the letter, however, that he and anyone else who might purchase these tapes down the line do not own the copyright on the recordings or the compositions, the estate does. Essentially, these tapes can never be released publicly. Remains unreleased.
Working Day & Night (home demo) : Recorded in 1978 at the Hayvenhurst home studio with Randy & Janet & released on October 16, 2001 (Off The Wall Special Edition).
Working Day & Night (Uncut Session) : With unreleased ad-libs. Leaked in 2018 but remains unreleased.
Working Day and Night (album version) : Recorded from December 1978 to June 1979. Released on August 10, 1979 (Off The Wall).
World Of Sunshine : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1972–1973. Released on March 29, 1973 (Skywriter).
Would Ya Would Ya Baby : Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1969-1974. Released posthumously on August 28, 2012 (Come and Get It: The Rare Pearls).
Jackson Dynasty 