Bad

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

Bad · After the enormous success of Thriller, Michael Jackson was under greater pressure than ever. He worked on the follow-up from 1985 to 1987, again with producer Quincy Jones, for the third and last time. Jones encouraged him to write more himself and to make an honest album. Jackson wrote almost all the songs. He wrote about sixty songs and recorded thirty-three, but Jones kept it to eleven.

The sound is harder and sharper, with digital synthesizers such as the Fairlight and the Synclavier, plus influences from hard rock and funk. Man in the Mirror came from Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard, and Garrett sings on I Just Can't Stop Loving You. The album yielded a record five number one hits on the Hot 100, including Bad and Dirty Diana. Critics praised the singing and the arrangements, although some felt it did not match Thriller. It was the best-selling album of 1987 and 1988.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Bad (2012 Remaster)4:07Apple Music ↗
2. 2The Way You Make Me Feel (2012 Remaster)4:58Apple Music ↗
3. 3Speed Demon (2012 Remaster)4:02Apple Music ↗
4. 4Liberian Girl (2012 Remastered Version)3:53Apple Music ↗
5. 5Just Good Friends (2012 Remaster)4:07Apple Music ↗
6. 6Another Part of Me (2012 Remaster)3:55Apple Music ↗
7. 7Man in the Mirror (2012 Remaster)5:19Apple Music ↗
8. 8I Just Can't Stop Loving You (feat. Siedah Garrett) [2012 Remaster]4:14Apple Music ↗
9. 9Dirty Diana (2012 Remaster)4:41Apple Music ↗
10. 10Smooth Criminal (2012 Remaster)4:18Apple Music ↗
11. 11Leave Me Alone (2012 Remaster)4:40Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• Contemporary R&B
• Grunge