This Is It

~ Release by Michael Jackson (see all versions of this release, 7 available)

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drum machine programming and co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
electric bass guitar:
Louis Johnson (bass, member of Brothers Johnson)
flugelhorn and trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
flute and saxophone:
Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
foot stomps [bathroom stomp board]:
Nelson Hayes, Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Steven Ray (80s US R&B producer/performer)
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
percussion:
Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist)
Rhodes piano and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
synthesizer:
Michael Boddicker and Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
trombone:
Bill Reichenbach, Jr. (jazz trombonist)
background vocals:
Bunny Hull, James Ingram (R&B singer), Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), Becky Lopez, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters and Oren Waters
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
horn and percussion arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
horn arranger:
Jerry Hey
percussion arranger:
Quincy Jones
wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
samples:
Soul Makossa by Manu Dibango
recording of:
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (from 1982-04 until 1982-10)
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Byefall Productions, Inc. and Sony/ATV Harmony
quotes lyrics from:
Soul Makossa
part of:
MJ: The Musical
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson3.96:03
2Jam
recording engineer and mixer:
Teddy Riley (US R&B singer & producer), Bruce Swedien and Dave Way
producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), Teddy Riley (US R&B singer & producer) and Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set) and keyboard:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set), guitar, keyboard and synthesizer:
Teddy Riley (US R&B singer & producer)
keyboard:
René Moore
keyboard and synthesizer:
Brad Buxer
synthesizer:
Michael Boddicker and Rhett Lawrence
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
other vocals:
Heavy D (US rapper)
arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), René Moore, Teddy Riley (US R&B singer & producer) and Bruce Swedien
vocals arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
recorded at:
Larrabee West (original location of Larrabee Sound Studios from 1969–1991) in West Hollywood, California, United States, Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, Record One in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, United States, Smoketree Ranch in Chatsworth, California, United States, The Record Plant (aka “Record Plant” Los Angeles) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, Toad Hall (ran during 1990's in Pasadena, CA; now defunct) in Pasadena, California, United States and Westlake Audio (former name of Westlake Recording Studios) in Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Jam (in 1991)
lyricist:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), René Moore, Teddy Riley (US R&B singer & producer) and Bruce Swedien
part of:
MJ: The Musical
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson3.355:39
3They Don’t Care About Us
assistant recording engineer:
Eddie DeLena (engineer)
recording engineer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Brad Buxer and Chuck Wild
mixer:
Eddie DeLena (engineer) and Bruce Swedien
additional electric guitar:
Slash (Guns N’ Roses guitarist)
electric guitar:
Trevor Rabin (South African musician and score composer)
keyboard and synthesizer:
Jeff Bova, Brad Buxer, Jason Miles (jazz producer/keyboardist) and Chuck Wild
percussion:
Brad Buxer
background vocals:
Los Angeles Children's Chorus
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1996)
music videos:
They Don't Care About Us by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
recording of:
They Don’t Care About Us
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson3.74:46
4Human Nature
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Steve Porcaro
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
Jeff Porcaro
guitar:
Steve Lukather (guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger)
percussion:
Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist)
synthesizer:
David Paich and Steve Porcaro
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
arranger:
Steve Lukather (guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger), David Paich and Steve Porcaro
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-23 (number: 21), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-16 (number: 29), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-06 (number: 31), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-13 (number: 31), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-20 (number: 37), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-30 (number: 44), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-07-04 (number: 45), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-07-11 (number: 46) and Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-27 (number: 47)
recording of:
Human Nature
lyricist:
John Bettis
composer:
Steve Porcaro
publisher:
John Bettis Music and Mystical Light Music
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing France, Warner Chappell Music France, ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) (, from 2017-04-01 to present), ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division) and ヤマハミュージックパブリッシング (Yamaha Music Publishing) (until 2017-03-31)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson3.654:06
5Smooth Criminal
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
Bill Bottrell, John “JR” Robinson (session drummer) and Bruce Swedien
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
piano:
Kevin Maloney
saxophone:
Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay) and Michael Boddicker
trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
background vocals and lead vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recording of:
Smooth Criminal
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson4.454:18
6The Way You Make Me Feel
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set) programming:
Douglas Getschal
synthesizer programming:
Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drums (drum set):
John “JR” Robinson (session drummer)
guitar:
Eric Gale and David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
percussion:
Ollie E. Brown (US drummer, session musician & record producer) and Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist)
saxophone:
Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay), Michael Boddicker and Greg Phillinganes
trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recorded at and mixed at:
Westlake Audio (former name of Westlake Recording Studios) in Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
The Way You Make Me Feel
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Michael Jackson3.854:59
7Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
recording of:
Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Randy Jackson (brother of Michael and Janet)
publisher:
Mijac Music, Peacock Music Publishing Company, Ranjack Music and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
The Jacksons3:54
8I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Steve Porcaro
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
bass:
Nathan East
drums (drum set):
Ndugu Chancler
guitar:
Dann Huff
percussion:
Paulinho da Costa (Brazilian percussionist)
piano:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay)
synclavier:
Christopher Currell (arranger)
synthesizer:
David Paich and Greg Phillinganes
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
guest lead vocals:
Siedah Garrett
other instruments [rhtyhm] arranger:
Quincy Jones
synthesizer arranger:
Quincy Jones and David Paich
vocals arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
edit of:
I Just Can’t Stop Loving You (album version) by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
recording of:
I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett3.354:12
9Thriller
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Anthony Marinelli (Soundtrack composer)
producer:
Quincy Jones
drum machine [LinnDrum], background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
flugelhorn and trumpet:
Gary Grant (brass) and Jerry Hey
flute and saxophone:
Larry Williams (jazz keyboard, sax, flute & clarinet; producer, composer, arranger, and multi‐instrumentalist)
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
synthesizer:
Brian Banks (American keyboardist), Greg Phillinganes and Rod Temperton
trombone:
Bill Reichenbach, Jr. (jazz trombonist)
spoken vocals:
Vincent Price (US horror film actor)
horn arranger and wind instruments arranger:
Jerry Hey
percussion arranger and synthesizer arranger:
Rod Temperton
sound effects:
Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
music videos:
Thriller by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-15 (number: 10) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-08 (number: 32)
recording of:
Thriller
lyricist and composer:
Rod Temperton
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP), Chrysalis Music Ltd. (music publisher, affiliated with PRS), Rodsongs (publisher), Rondor Music (London) Ltd., Universal Music Publishing France (not for release label use!) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
is based on:
Starlight
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson4.455:58
10Beat It
recording engineer:
Donn Landee and Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Steve Porcaro
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
mixer:
Bruce Swedien
drums (drum set):
Jeff Porcaro
electric bass guitar and electric guitar:
Steve Lukather (guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger)
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
keyboard:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
percussion [drum case beater], background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
Rhodes piano and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
solo electric guitar:
Edward Van Halen
synclavier:
Tom Bahler
synthesizer:
Steve Porcaro
synthesizer [Synergy synthesizer]:
Greg Smith (Producer/Keyboards)
vibraslap:
Chris Shepard
percussion arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and Quincy Jones
arranger:
Rod Temperton
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
samples:
Untitled (side A) by Denny Jaeger
music videos:
Beat It by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time (2026-05-04) (number: 12), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, NME: 50 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time (2012-10-25) (number: 18), VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 21), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-23 (number: 29), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-16 (number: 32), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-30 (number: 47), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 185), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 209) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 337)
recording of:
Beat It
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson4.354:18
11Black or White
recording engineer and mixer:
Bill Bottrell
additional engineer:
Matt Forger
producer:
Bill Bottrell and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
bass guitar:
Terry Jackson
guest electric guitar:
Slash (Guns N’ Roses guitarist)
guitar:
Tim Pierce (US session guitarist)
guitar and percussion:
Bill Bottrell
keyboard:
John Barnes (US soul songwriter, keyboardist, synthesizer & pianist aka LA Jay) and Jasun Martz
keyboard and percussion and guest performer:
Brad Buxer
Moog and drums (drum set):
Bryan Loren (producer, songwriter, vocalist/singer, musician/multi-instrumentalist)
background vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
other vocals and spoken vocals:
L.T.B.
spoken vocals:
Andres McKenzie
part of:
CBC Music: 10 Songs That Have Changed the World
recording of:
Black or White (in 1991)
additional lyricist:
Bill Bottrell
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson3.64:17
12Earth Song
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
co-producer:
Bill Bottrell
executive producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
David Foster (Canadian music producer, arranger and composer)
acoustic guitar:
Bill Bottrell
drums (drum set):
Steve Ferrone
electric bass guitar:
Guy Pratt
electric guitar:
Michael Thompson (session guitarist)
piano:
David Paich
synthesizer:
Michael Boddicker, Bill Bottrell, David Foster (Canadian music producer, arranger and composer), Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”) and David Paich
background vocals:
Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch and Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1995)
music videos:
Earth Song (music video) by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
recording of:
Earth Song (from 1988 until 1995-03)
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson3.756:47
13Billie Jean
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
synthesizer programming:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
bass guitar:
Louis Johnson (bass, member of Brothers Johnson)
drums (drum set):
Leon Ndugu Chancler
guitar:
David Williams (session guitarist and songwriter)
Rhodes piano and synthesizer:
Greg Phillinganes
synthesizer:
Bill Wolfer (record producer, songwriter, musician and synthesizer programmer from USA)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
conductor:
Jeremy Lubbock
percussion and synthesizer arranger and synthesizer arranger:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
strings arranger:
Jerry Hey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1982)
recorded at:
Westlake Recording Studios (founded as Westlake Audio in the early 1970s) in West Hollywood, California, United States (in 1982)
edit of:
Billie Jean (long version) by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
music videos:
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
part of:
VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80’s (compiled in 2006) (number: 4), Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 7), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-23 (number: 15), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock, Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-16 (number: 17), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-20 (number: 18), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-06 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-06-13 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-30 (number: 32), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-05-09 (number: 38), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 44), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 58) and Billboard: Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs (number: 95)
recording of:
Billie Jean
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
publisher:
Mijac Music, Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09)
sub-publisher:
Neue Welt Musikverlag GmbH & Co. KG (– 2017) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson4.14:55
14Man in the Mirror
recording engineer and mixer:
Bruce Swedien
co-producer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
producer:
Quincy Jones
guitar:
Dann Huff
keyboard:
Greg Phillinganes
synthesizer:
Glen Ballard and Randy Kerber
background vocals:
The Andraé Crouch Choir, Siedah Garrett and The Winans
background vocals and lead vocals and lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
synthesizer arranger:
Glen Ballard, Jerry Hey and Quincy Jones
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MJJ Productions Inc. (rights holder, not an imprint) (in 1987)
recording of:
Man in the Mirror
writer:
Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett
publisher:
Areostation Corporation, Arlovol Music, MCA Music Publishing (renamed since c. 1996 as Universal Music Publishing Group), Universal Music Corporation (France), Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–) and Yellowbrick Road Music
sub-publisher:
シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
part of:
MJ: The Musical
Michael Jackson3.955:20
15This Is It
bass guitar:
Alvin Chea
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
percussion:
Raphaël Padilla
piano:
Greg Phillinganes
background vocals:
The Jacksons (formerly “The Jackson 5”)
lead vocals:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
vocals arranger:
Mervyn Warren
recording of:
This Is It
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
Michael Jackson & The Jacksons3.53:38
16This Is It (orchestra version)
bass guitar:
Alvin Chea
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
percussion:
Raphaël Padilla
piano:
Greg Phillinganes
background vocals:
The Jacksons (formerly “The Jackson 5”)
conductor:
Brent Fischer
vocals arranger:
Mervyn Warren
orchestrator:
Brent Fischer and Clare Fischer
concertmaster:
Assa Drori
recording of:
This Is It
lyricist and composer:
Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”)
Michael Jackson & The Jacksons34:55
2▶CD