The Essential Michael Jackson

Infobox Album
Name = The Essential Michael Jackson
Type = Greatest hits
Artist = Michael Jackson


Released = July 18, 2005 (UK)
July 19, 2005 (U.S.)
Recorded = August 1969–2001
Genre = R&B/Soul/Funk/Pop/Pop rock/Dance
Length = 134:58
Label = Sony Music/BMG
Producer = Various
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:az91z82a5yv2 link]
*Pitchfork Media (8.7/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/18967-the-essential-michael-jackson link]
Last album = ""
(2004)
This album = "The Essential Michael Jackson"
(2005)
Next album = ""
(2006)

"The Essential Michael Jackson" is a 2005 greatest hits compilation released by Epic Records featuring thirty-eight hit songs by Michael Jackson, from his days at Motown Records with The Jackson 5 aka The Jacksons in the late 1970s to his last big hit, 2001's "You Rock My World". It was released on July 19, 2005 in the United States (released a day earlier in the United Kingdom).

Reception

It entered the UK Albums Chart at #2 and sold over 200,000 copies in five months. In the U.S., the compilation only reached a peak of #96 on the "Billboard" 200, selling 188,995 copies through to April 2007 - according to Nielsen Soundscan.

It re-charted at #23 on the Swedish album chart on February 14, 2008. [ [http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=909&Itemid=82 The Michael Jackson Fan Club - Sweden Chart Update ] ]

Track listing

International version

Disc one

# "I Want You Back" (The Jackson 5) – 2:58
# "ABC" (The Jackson 5) – 2:57
# "The Love You Save" (The Jackson 5) – 3:05
# "Got to Be There" – 3:25
# "Rockin' Robin" – 2:32
# "Ben" – 2:46
# "Blame It on The Boogie" (The Jacksons) – 3:30
# "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (The Jacksons) – 3:45
# "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" – 3:56
# "Off the Wall" – 3:46
# "Rock with You" – 3:23
# "She's Out of My Life" – 3:37
# "Can You Feel It" (The Jacksons) – 3:50
# "The Girl Is Mine" (Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney) – 3:41
# "Billie Jean" – 4:52
# "Beat It" – 4:18
# "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" – 4:17
# "Human Nature" – 3:45
# "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" – 3:58
# "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett) – 4:11
# "Thriller" – 5:14

Disc two

#"Bad" – 4:06
#"The Way You Make Me Feel" – 4:26
#"Man in the Mirror" – 5:18
#"Dirty Diana" – 4:40
#"Another Part of Me" – 3:46
#"Smooth Criminal" – 4:17
#"Leave Me Alone" – 4:39
#"Black or White" - 5:21
#"Remember the Time" – 3:59
#"In the Closet" (Duet by Michael Jackson and Mystery Girl) – 4:48
#"Who Is It" – 3:59
#"Heal the World" – 6:24
#"Will You Be There" – 3:40
#"You Are Not Alone" – 4:55
#"Earth Song" – 5:02
#"They Don't Care About Us" – 4:44
#"You Rock My World" – 5:08

U.S. version

Disc one

#"I Want You Back" (The Jackson 5)
#"ABC" (The Jackson 5)
#"The Love You Save" (The Jackson 5)
#"Got to Be There"
#"Rockin' Robin"
#"Ben"
#"Enjoy Yourself" (The Jacksons)
#"Blame It on The Boogie" (The Jacksons)
#"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (The Jacksons)
#"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"
#"Rock with You"
#"Off the Wall"
#"She's Out of My Life"
#"Can You Feel It" (The Jacksons)
#"The Girl Is Mine" (With Paul McCartney)
#"Billie Jean"
#"Beat It"
#"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
#"Human Nature"
#"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
#"Thriller"

Disc two

#"Bad"
#"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
#"Leave Me Alone"
#"The Way You Make Me Feel"
#"Man in the Mirror"
#"Dirty Diana"
#"Another Part of Me"
#"Smooth Criminal"
#"Black or White"
#"Heal the World"
#"Remember the Time"
#"In the Closet"
#"Who Is It"
#"Will You Be There"
#"Dangerous"
#"You Are Not Alone"
#"You Rock My World"

* on the "International version" only:(2.15) "Earth Song" – 5:02
(2.16) "They Don't Care About Us" – 4:44
* on the "U.S. version" only:(1.07) "Enjoy Yourself" (The Jacksons)
(2.15) "Dangerous"

The Essential 3.0 Michael Jackson

To be released on August 26, 2008 in USA. cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Essential-3-0-Michael-Jackson/dp/B001CU1RRM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219582237&sr=8-3 |title=The Essential 3.0 Michael Jackson |publisher=www.amazon.com |accessdate=2008-08-24]

Product Description

Each Essential Limited Edition 3.0 expanded 3-CD set features the biggest hits and best-loved songs from superstar artists, including material not previously available in an Essential package. Definitive, career-spanning and comprehensive, The Essential 3.0 series features all of the must-have selections from the biggest names in music history--now with a 3rd disc! Now available for the first time in eco-friendly cardboard packaging.

In addition to all the hits on Discs 1 and 2 of these best-selling Essential collections, Limited Edition 3.0 CDs feature these additional hits and fan favorites!

Here is the track list for disc 3.

#"Can't Get Outta The Rain"
#"Say, Say, Say"
#"Jam"
#"They Don't Care About Us" (exclusive for USA release)
#"Blood On The Dance Floor"
#"Stranger In Moscow"
#"Butterflies"
#"One More Chance"

Only 8 songs for this disc. The other 2 discs are the same as the 2 disc essential release.

Certifications

Notes

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4730407.stm BBC: U.S. fans shun Michael Jackson CD]