Author: Fred Colby

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.

RECORDING DATE

April 14 – November 8, 1982.

STUDIO(S)

Westlake (Los Angeles, California)

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson

RELEASE DATE :

November 30, 1982 (Thriller album)

January 2, 1983 (single)

LABEL

Epic CBS Records

LENGTH

4:54 (album/single version)
6:20 (12-inch version)

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

Billie Jean (demo 1) : Recorded in 1981 at the Hayvenhurst home studio & released on October 16, 2001 (Thriller Special Edition).

Billie Jean (demo 2) : Recorded in 1982 & leaked online. Remains unreleased.

Billie Jean (demo 3) : Recorded in 1982 and used in the “This Is It’ movie in 2009. The full demo leaked in 2018 but remains unreleased.

Billie Jean (Pepsi version) : In november 1983, Michael records a new version of “Billie Jean” for the upcoming Pepsi commercials at the Soundcastle studio with Bill Bottrell and John Barnes. Released in a special limited 7″promo Pepsi Pepsi titled “The Choice Of A New Generation”. Never released on CD.

Billie Jean (Spanish version) : Bill Bottrell on X (December 6, 2024) :” I did record the Spanish vocals for Pepsi on Billie Jean though”. Remains unreleased.

Billie Jean 2008 : Michael Jackson’s original version of “Billie Jean” was remixed by Kanye West for Thriller 25, a 25th anniversary reissue of Jackson’s Thriller. Released on February 8, 2008 (Thriller 25).

MUSICIANS

Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals; Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer; songwriting; vocal, rhythm, synthesizer and string arrangements
Michael Boddicker – E-mu Emulator
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler – drums
Louis Johnson – bass guitar
Greg Phillinganes – Rhodes piano, synthesizer
Tom Scott – lyricon
Greg Smith – synthesizer
David Williams – guitar
Bill Wolfer – synthesizer, synthesizer programming
Jerry Hey – string arrangement
Jeremy Lubbock – string conducting
Bruce Swedien – mixing, engineer

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

1

SHORT FILM (filmed by MJ during his lifetime)

Music video directed by Steve Barron

Date of shooting : January 31,1983

Date of premiere : March 10, 1983

Official release : Released on DVD in 1995 (History), in 2003 (Number Ones) and in 2010 (Vision) and on Michael’ You Tube official page.

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

March 25, 1983 : Michael & The Jacksons tape a performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for “Motown 25th: Yesterday, Today & Forever” TV special. For the first time since 1975, all the Jackson brothers including Jermaine & Randy are reunited on stage for a medley of the Jackson 5 hits followed by a solo performance of “Billie Jean” during which Michael showcases his first ever public performance of the Moonwalk. At the end of the show, Michael joins Diana Ross and all the Motown stars on stage to pay tribute to Berry Gordy. NBC broadcasts the two hour special “Motown 25th: Yesterday, Today & Forever” TV special on May 16, 1983. The show is watched by 47 millions Americans and Michaels dancing talents are finally recognised when legends such as Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly call him and congratulate his performance.

January 31, 1993 : Michael performs a medley of “Jam”, “Bilie Jean”, “Black Or White” and “Heal The World” at the Superbowl Halftime Show in the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena (California) before an audience of 100 000 in the stadium and 133 millions on TV.

September 7, 1995 : Michael & Janet attend the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City with Lisa Marie & Rene . MJ opens the ceremony with a 20 minutes long medley (including “Billie Jean”, “Dangerous” & “You Are Not Alone”) and accepts an award with Janet for Scream.

November 13, 2001 : CBS broadcasts an edited version of Michael’s concerts at the Madison Square Garden and gets great ratings. Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special (September 7+ 10, 2001)

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Victory Tour 1984

Bad World Tour 1987-1989

Dangerous World Tour 1992-1993

Brunei Royal Concert on July 16, 1996

History World Tour 1996-1997

June 25 + 27, 1999 : Michael performs two charity concerts “Michael Jackson & Friends” in Seoul which airs live on Korean TV and in Munich which airs live on German TV .

Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special (September 7+ 10, 2001)

This Is It 2009 (the song was rehearsed in June 2009 and is part of the This Is It movie)

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

1967-1968 : Steeltown era

RECORDING DATE

I’m A Big Boy Now : On July 13, 1967 : The Jackson 5 made their first professionnal recording at the George & Ernie Leaner Studio for One-derful Records in Chicago. They recorded the song “I’m A Big Boy Now” but they did not sign any record deal. In August 2009, the Leaners’ children of former Chicago One-derful! Records owners George and Ernie Leaner, discovered for the first time, a master recording in the One-derful! archives of The Jackson Five recording “I’m A Big Boy Now” (“Big Boy”) dated July 13, 1967. This recording predates Keith’s Steeltown 1967 recording of “Big Boy” (in 1967, the Leaner brothers had told Keith, that they did not have any Jackson Five recordings). This first version of “Big Boy” was released posthumously in 2014.

Big Boy : In late November/December 1967, the J5 recorded a new version of “Big Boy” at the Sunny Sawyer Studio in Chicago. The song was released as their first ever single on January 31, 1968.

Big Boy” was released by Steeltown Records, a record company in Gary, Indiana, in January 1968. After it was released, the song played on radio stations in the Chicago-Gary area and was a local hit. Beginning in March 1968, Steeltown Records sold thousands of copies of “Big Boy” nationally through a distribution deal with Atlantic Records, but it was neither a critical nor commercial success. The Jackson family were delighted with the outcome nonetheless.

In 1994, the master tapes to “Big Boy” were thought to be lost (Keith kept his 1967 Jackson Five master tapes of “Big Boy” in a bank vault). Jackson family friend Ben Brown (and former Steeltown co-owner) claimed he found the tapes in his parents’ “kitchen pantry”. In 1995, Brown reissued the record on the Inverted Records label— a week before Michael Jackson’s HIStory album was issued. He also remastered the song, selling it by mail order, along with an instrumental version, in a limited edition package consisting of a compact disc and cassette tape — the package could be purchased at a cost of approximately $30. The reissue of “Big Boy” was promoted with a music video.

In May 2009, Gordon Keith put items from steeltown era up for auction, including “a sizable number of mint-condition copies of ‘Big Boy'” (#681) in 45 rpm format and 100 copies of “We Don’t Have To Be Over 21 (to Fall in Love)”. Keith stated, “I could use the money… I got these guys off the ground… I didn’t truly get real money for it”.

STUDIO(S)

The George & Ernie Leaner Studio in Chicago

Sunny Sawyer Studio in Chicago

SONGWRITER(S)

Ed Silver

PRODUCER(S)

Gordon Keith

RELEASE DATE :

January 31, 1968.

LABEL

Steeltown Records

LENGTH

3:00 (original record)

3:36 (CD release)

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

The Jackson 5 performed the song live several times in 1968-1969, although no footage of those performance exist.

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

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.

A mix of the 2008 demo titled “Lead Vocal A Cappella Mix — 2008 — Credits: Michael Jackson & Brad Buxer (producer) leaked on January 07, 2026. Source: circulating in full, captured from a Korgnex livestream.

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

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

1981-1983 : Thriller era

RECORDING DATE

April 14 – November 8, 1982.

“Behind the Mask” is a 1979 song by the Japanese synth-pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra. The composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto, wrote the first version for a television commercial. This was expanded with the band and the British lyricist Chris Mosdell for inclusion on the 1979 Yellow Magic Orchestra album Solid State Survivor. In the US and the UK, “Behind the Mask” was released as a single from the album X∞Multiplies in 1980.

In 1982, Michael Jackson recorded a version with extra lyrics and melodies. It was omitted from his 1982 album Thriller as no royalty arrangement could be agreed. Jackson’s demo was released on the album Thriller 40 in 2022.

In the 1980s, artists including Greg Phillinganes, Eric Clapton and the Human League recorded versions based on Jackson’s demo. Clapton’s version, released in 1987, was a top-20 single in some markets. An updated remix of Jackson’s version was released on the 2010 album Michael.

STUDIO(S)

Westlake (Los Angeles, California)

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson, Ryuichi Sakamoto & Chris Mosdell

PRODUCER(S)

Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson

RELEASE DATE :

A remixed version was released posthumously on December 10, 2010 (Michael).

Original demo was released posthumously on November 18, 2022 (Thriller 40).

LABEL

Sony

LENGTH

5:01

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No alternate version 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

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

1983-1984 : Victory era

RECORDING DATE

Written in 1979 as “Always, Be Not Always”. Recorded from November 1983 to May 1984.

STUDIO(S)

Los Angeles (California)

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson & Marlon Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson

RELEASE DATE :

July 2, 1984 (Victory)

LABEL

CBS Epic Records

LENGTH

5:36

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single in the US

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

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

Ben (1972)

RECORDING DATE

November 1971

“Ben” is a song written by Don Black and Walter Scharf for the 1972 film of the same name (a spin-off to the 1971 killer rat film Willard). It was performed by Lee Montgomery in the film and by Michael Jackson over the closing credits.

STUDIO(S)

Motown’s California Studios

SONGWRITER(S)

Don Black & Walter Scharf

PRODUCER(S)

The Corporation

RELEASE DATE :

July 12, 1972 (Ben single)

August 4, 1972 (Ben album).

LABEL

Motown

LENGTH

2:44

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

In the closing credits of the “Ben” movie.

MUSICIANS

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

1

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

July 1, 1972 : Michael makes a solo appearance in a special American Bandstand show devoted to him. He performs Rockin Robin, Ben, I Wanna Be Where You Are and at the end he’s joined by the Jackson 5 to perform Lookin’ Through The Windows.

September 15, 1972 : The Jackson 5 perform Lookin’ Through The Windows and Michael performs Ben at the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

November 4, 1972 : In the US, Soul Train Show airs a Jackson Five special where they perform I Want You Back, Lookin’ Through The Windows & Corner Of The Sky. Jermaine performs That’s How Love Goes & Daddy’s Home.    Michael performs Ben

March 27, 1973 : Michael performs Ben at the Academy Awards (the song is nominated as best song for a film)

June 23, 1976 : CBS airs the 2nd episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest star -: Mackenzie Phillips. Songs performed : “(You Were Made) Especially For Me”,
“Do The Fonz”, “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock and Roll”/”Deep Purple”Convoy”, “Junkfood Junkie”, “Ben”, “Goin’ Back to Indiana”.

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON CONCERTS

The Jackson 5 US Tour (December 27, 1971 – October 5, 1972)
The Jackson 5 European Tour (November 2–12, 1972)
The Jackson 5 World Tour (March 2, 1973 – Late December 1975

The Jackson 5 Final Tour (February 2–14, 1976)
The Jacksons Tour (May 19 – 24, 1977)
Goin’ Places Tour (January 22 – May 13, 1978)
Destiny World Tour (January 22, 1979 – January 13, 1980)
Triumph Tour (July 8 – September 26, 1981)

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

1969-1975 : Motown era

RECORDING DATE

Recorded with The Jackson 5 in 1972

STUDIO(S)

Motown Studios in California

SONGWRITER(S)

???

PRODUCER(S)

???

RELEASE DATE :

Unreleased.

LABEL

Motown

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Never released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed on concerts

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

1985-1989 : Bad era

1998-2004 : Invincible/Number Ones/The Ultimate Collection era

RECORDING DATE

Song was firstly recorded for Bad album in 1987 and then reworked in 2000 for Invincible album. It was then reworked again in 2004.

Song is known to be vocally completed and ready for future release.

Registered with ASCAP in 2021, although disappeared sometime after.[1]

Lyrics: “So you wanna see in my life/ So watch but be careful”,”I don’t give no doubts/ But that it’s painful”,”Be me 4 a day/So you can understand my pain”,”What’s it all about/ And i’m not proud”

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

???

RELEASE DATE :

Unreleased

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Never released as a single in the US.

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Janet Jackson, For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead.

ERA

« Unbreakable » era : 2012-2016

RECORDING DATE

In August 2012 to August 2015.

STUDIO(S)

Flyte Tyme Studios (Agoura Hills)
The Cadillac Castle (Century City)
MusicTone LLC (Hollywood)
TBhits (Grand Hills, Los Angeles)
MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach

SONGWRITER(S)

Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

PRODUCER(S)

Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

RELEASE DATE :

October 02, 2015 (Unbreakable).

LABEL

Rhythm Nation/BMG

LENGTH

4:48

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No alternative version.

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD

Not released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

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

1998-2004 : Invincible/Number Ones/The Ultimate Collection era

RECORDING DATE

Written in 1999 by MJ and Teddy Riley. However, it’s said to be fake. Unknown if recorded. Mentioned in Michael Jackson: For The Record.

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

???

PRODUCER(S)

???

RELEASE DATE :

Unreleased

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single in the US

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on a TV show

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts