From groundbreaking choreography to innovative storytelling, Michael Jackson redefined the art of the music video. Michael Jackson’s impact on the world of music videos is unparalleled. From his early days with The Jacksons to his solo career, his videos set new standards for creativity, choreography, and storytelling. Let’s take a journey through the evolution of Michael Jackson’s music videos, highlighting the iconic moments that made them unforgettable.
“Enjoy Yourself” (1976)
Michael Jackson’s music video journey began with The Jacksons’ “Enjoy Yourself,” the family band’s first ever music video. In this vibrant clip, a young Michael joined his brothers in matching white suits, performing choreographed dance routines and singing an infectiously catchy disco-infused pop gem. This video set the stage for Michael’s future as a music video innovator.
“Blame It on the Boogie” (1978)
Following “Enjoy Yourself,” The Jacksons released the colorful “Blame It on the Boogie.” This video featured the group dancing energetically in a psychedelic setting, capturing the essence of the late ’70s disco era. Michael’s charisma and smooth dance moves began to shine through, hinting at his future solo success.
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)
Michael Jackson’s solo career took off with “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” In this video, Michael, dapperly dressed in a tuxedo, danced in front of a green screen filled with swirling stars. This video marked the beginning of his solo music video legacy, showcasing his incredible dance skills and magnetic stage presence.
“Rock With You” (1980)
In “Rock With You,” Michael sparkled in a shimmering outfit, performing against a backdrop of lights. This video, though simpler in concept, highlighted Michael’s ability to captivate an audience with his smooth voice and graceful movements.
“She’s Out of My Life” (1980)
Michael slowed things down with the emotional ballad “She’s Out of My Life.” The video focused on Michael’s heartfelt performance, emphasizing the raw emotion in his voice and facial expressions. It was a departure from the dance-heavy videos, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
“Can You Feel It” (1980)
Reuniting with The Jacksons, Michael starred in the epic “Can You Feel It.” This video treated fans to a cinematic masterpiece with strikingly advanced visual effects for its time. The video’s grandiose imagery and powerful message of unity and love made it a standout in The Jacksons’ catalog.
“Billie Jean” (1983)
In 1983, Michael Jackson released “Billie Jean,” directed by Steve Barron. This video broke barriers as one of the first by a black artist to receive heavy rotation on MTV. In his autobiography Moonwalk, Jackson said that Quincy Jones wanted to change the title to “Not My Lover” because he thought it would be confused with the tennis star Billie Jean King. Jackson ended up winning that battle. The video showcased Jackson’s signature dance moves that he became famous for.
“Beat It” (1983)
That same year, Michael released “Beat It,” a video that addressed gang violence. The video culminates in an iconic dance routine that resolves a potential knife fight between two rival gangs. This video reinforced Michael’s message that violence is not the answer and showcased his ability to convey powerful social messages through his art. The music video for this song was one of the most popular and memorable of the MTV era. Jackson became the first black artist to get regular airplay on the network when “Billie Jean” went in rotation. When the clip for “Beat It” was delivered, both videos were in hot rotation for much of the summer of 1983.
“Thriller” (1983)
Perhaps the most famous music video of all time, “Thriller” was released in 1983. Directed by John Landis, this 14-minute short film transformed the music video landscape. With groundbreaking special effects, a captivating storyline, and an unforgettable zombie dance routine, “Thriller” became a cultural phenomenon. In 2009, it was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, cementing its place in history. Vincent Price, an actor known for his work on horror films, did the narration at the end of the song, including the evil laugh. Most homes had VCRs in 1983 and sales of videos were big business. Along with the Jane Fonda workout tapes, you could buy a VHS or Beta copy of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which included the full video and also “The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller,” a behind the scenes documentary. This tape became the best selling music video at the time, and was later certified by Guinness World Records as the top selling music video of all time, moving nine million units. The video won for Best Performance Video, Best Choreography, and Viewers Choice at the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984.
“Bad” (1987)
In 1987, Michael Jackson released “Bad,” directed by Martin Scorsese. Not only did Martin Scorsese direct this music video, but many of his top collaborators also worked on the project, including cinematographer Michael Chapman, writer Richard Price, producer Barbara De Fina and Scorsese’s lifelong editor Thelma Schoonmaker. This video featured a dramatic storyline and intense dance sequences set in a gritty urban environment. The video’s narrative and Michael’s electrifying performance solidified it as another iconic moment in his career.
“The Way You Make Me Feel” (1987)
“The Way You Make Me Feel” followed later that year. In this video, Michael pursued a love interest through the streets, eventually winning her over with his irresistible charm and dance moves. The video’s playful yet passionate tone made it a fan favourite. The music video for “The Way You Make Me Feel” was directed by Joe Pytka and was filmed in June 1987 at Skid Row, Los Angeles. It was choreographed by Jackson and Vincent Paterson.
“Smooth Criminal” (1988)
In 1988, Michael released “Smooth Criminal,” featuring his iconic anti-gravity lean. Set in a stylish 1930s gangster aesthetic, the video showcased complex choreography and a compelling narrative. The anti-gravity lean became one of Michael’s signature moves. In October 1992, Jackson’s team patented a method of performing the lean in concert using specially designed shoes that hook into pegs that rise from the stage. Even with the shoes, the move requires good athletic core strength. The video and Jackson’s white suit and fedora pay tribute to the Fred Astaire musical comedy film The Band Wagon, particularly the “Girl Hunt Ballet” scene. The video won Best Music Video at the 1989 Brit Awards and the Critic’s Choice awarded Jackson the “Best Video” award and the People’s Choice Awards for “Favorite Music Video” for that same year.
“Man in the Mirror” (1988)
“Man in the Mirror” was another standout video from 1988. The “Man in the Mirror” music video was directed, produced and edited by Don Wilson. Don and Jackson developed the idea for the video. Unlike many of his other videos, this one focused on a powerful montage of historical events and social issues, emphasizing the song’s message of personal and social change. It highlighted Michael’s commitment to using his platform for positive impact.
“Dirty Diana” (1988)
The five-minute music video for the song was directed by Joe Pytka and produced by Angela Jones. “Dirty Diana” featured a darker, more rock-oriented Michael Jackson. The video portrayed a tense and passionate performance, reflecting the song’s themes of temptation and inner conflict. It showcased Michael’s versatility and willingness to explore different musical genres and themes. The model in the video who played Dirty Diana was Lisa Dean, who also appeared in the video for “Round And Round” by Ratt. She passed away in Los Angeles on December 1, 2009 from colon cancer.
“Leave Me Alone” (1989)
In 1989, Michael released “Leave Me Alone,” a whimsical and surreal video that addressed his relationship with the media. The video featured quirky animations and a playful tone, offering a glimpse into Michael’s creative mind. The song could also apply to the parasitic press that shadowed him around the globe, with Jackson imploring them for privacy. This was the inspiration for the video, which showed some of the totems that kept coming up in stories and jokes about Jackson, including Elizabeth Taylor, The Elephant Man’s bones, and his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles. The tongue-in-cheek animated video music video, which was a dig at the tabloids’ fascination with Jackson, won the 1989 Grammy Award for Best Music Video Short Form, and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects.
“Liberian Girl” (1989)
“Liberian Girl” featured numerous celebrity cameos and highlighted Michael’s appreciation for his friends and collaborators. The video’s surprise twist, revealing Michael as the director behind the scenes, added a fun and unexpected element. The World première of the video took place in July 1989. It starred Michael Jackson, Brigitte Nielsen, Paula Abdul, Whoopie Goldberg, Quincy Jones, Jackie Collins, Rosanna Arquette, Lou Diamond Phillips, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, Steven Spielberg, Debbie Gibson, Weird Al Yankovic, Bubbles the chimp, Suzanne Somers, Lou Ferrigno, Don King and “Son”, David Copperfield, Richard Dreyfuss, Danny Glover, Olivia Hussey, Dan Aykroyd and Steve Guttenberg.
“Black or White” (1991)
In 1991, Michael released “Black or White,” a video that used groundbreaking morphing technology to convey its message of racial harmony. The video’s high-energy performance scenes and its powerful social message made it an instant classic. The video featured a morphing technique that was very innovative at the time. Macaulay Culkin and George Wendt (Norm from the sitcom Cheers) appeared in it, as well as Tyra Banks before she gained supermodel status. The 11-minute music video, helmed by “Thriller” director John Landis, got a lot of hype. It premiered on MTV, BET, and Fox at the exact same time, in 27 countries, with an audience of 500 million viewers, the most ever for a music video. “Black or White” was honored with the first-ever Billboard No. 1 World Single award. The video was perhaps the most controversial video ever recorded by Jackson, showing him dancing and destroying all things racist. During the last four minutes of the clip, which were excised after protests, Jackson also performed some rather explicit crotch grabs, threw a garbage can through a store window, and destroyed a car.
“Remember the Time” (1992)
“Remember the Time,” released in 1992, took viewers on a journey to ancient Egypt. Featuring cameos from Eddie Murphy and Iman, the video combined elaborate sets, stunning costumes, and intricate choreography. It was a visual feast that further demonstrated Michael’s ability to create immersive worlds in his videos. In the video, Iman plays the object of desire, and while Jackson had leading ladies in previous videos, including “Thriller” and “The Way You Make Me Feel,” this was the first time he shared a kiss on screen. An extended, 9-minute version of the video was made where the storyline of Jackson causing all kinds of monkeyshines at the Egyptian palace plays out. Advanced special effects were used to turn him to sand just as he is about to be captured.
“Jam” (1992)
The music video for “Jam” takes place within an abandoned indoor basketball court, where Michael Jackson teaches basketball legend Michael Jordan how to dance, and in return, Jordan teaches Jackson how to play basketball. Special effects have Jackson throwing a basketball through a window and scoring in the hoop in the opposite room, as well as Jackson scoring by tossing the ball behind him and kicking the ball into the hoop with his heel. The extended versions of the video include Jackson teaching Jordan how to do the physically complicated moonwalk dance technique. The rap groups Kris Kross and Naughty by Nature made a cameo appearance, as does Heavy D.
“In the Closet” (1992)
The sepia-coloured music video for “In the Closet” was directed by Herb Ritts and features Jackson performing sensual dance routines with supermodel Naomi Campbell. The spoken vocals by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco were re-recorded by Campbell for the video. The short film was shot in late March 1992 in Salton Sea, California, and premiered on April 23, 1992. This short film won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography in a Video. Rolling Stone, which used a photograph of Michael shot by Ritts on the “In the Closet” set as an image for a 1992 cover story, ranked it Michael’s 11th greatest short film in 2014, calling it “the most sexually charged performance of his career.”
“Scream” (1995)
In 1995, Michael joined forces with his sister Janet for “Scream,” a high-budget, futuristic video. The black-and-white video explored themes of media scrutiny and alienation, showcasing the siblings’ synchronized dance moves and strong visual chemistry. It remains one of the most expensive music videos ever made. The space-themed video was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Jean Cocteau’s 1929 novel Les Enfants Terribles, about two troubled siblings. At the time, the video was the most expensive ever made, costing $7 million. Directed Mark Romanek, it won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
“You Are Not Alone” (1995)
“You Are Not Alone” featured Michael alongside his then-wife, Lisa Marie Presley. The video’s intimate and romantic tone, combined with its ethereal visuals, conveyed the song’s message of love and support.
“They don’t care about us” (1996)
Two music videos were filmed, both directed by Spike Lee. One featured a handcuffed Jackson in prison, interspersed with real footage of police attacking African Americans and other human rights abuses. The second video showed Jackson dancing with his fans in Brazil. Jackson’s presence in Rio de Janeiro’s drug-run Dona Marta was the first step in the favela’s transformation. Jackson also collaborated with 200 members of the cultural group Olodum, who “swayed to the heavy beat of Salvador’s ‘samba-reggae’ music”. the music video has received over 1 billion views. It became Jackson’s second music video (after “Billie Jean”) to achieve this feat, making Jackson the first male solo artist from the 20th century to have two music videos achieve one billion views.
“Blood on the Dance Floor” (1997)
“Blood on the Dance Floor” was the only track from Blood on the Dance Floor: History in the Mix to appear on the set list of the HIStory World Tour. The music video for “Blood on the Dance Floor” was directed by Jackson and Vincent Paterson. The video opens with a thrown switchblade impaling a spray-painted image. The impaled image is that of a blood dripping love heart with “SUSIE + ME” scrawled across it. Jackson and a group of dancers then enter a salsa dance hall and he begins to dance with a woman, “Susie”, while shaking a piece of percussion. Throughout the video, Jackson shows a sexual attraction towards the dancing woman—played by Sybil Azur. The music video won the Brazilian TVZ Video Award: Best International Music Video of the Year.
“You Rock My World” (2001)
In 2001, Michael released “You Rock My World,” featuring cameos from Marlon Brando, Chris Tucker, and Michael Madsen. The video’s narrative, humor, and star-studded cast made it a standout in his later career. Michael Jackson, the pioneer of long-form music videos, made another for “You Rock My World.” Over 13-minutes long, it’s based on a story written by Jackson and the video’s director, Paul Hunter. Set in the “Smooth Criminal” era, it finds Jackson and Tucker in a battle with some tough guys that Jackson has to dance his way out of. Michael Madson stars as the angry boyfriend, and Marlon Brando plays the boss. It went on to win the 2001 NAACP Image Award for Best Music Video.
“One More Chance” (2003)
“One More Chance,” released in 2003, featured a simpler, more introspective Michael. The video focused on Michael’s performance in an intimate setting, emphasizing his enduring talent and charisma. the music video is also Jackson’s last music video and the only with new footage to be released posthumously.
Following Michael Jackson’s death in June 2009, several posthumous videos were released, celebrating his legacy and impact on the world.
“Hold My Hand” (2010)
A duet with Akon, this was released as the first single from Michael Jackson’s first posthumous album of original material, Michael. featured heartfelt visuals and scenes of unity and togetherness. The video’s uplifting message and tribute to Michael’s legacy resonated with fans worldwide. The video’s producer Mark Pellington said on Jackson’s website: “The video is a tribute to all that Michael stands for – life, in all its permutations… love, and its power. A video of memory, healing and joy.”
“Hollywood Tonight” (2010)
The song was written by Michael Jackson during the time of the Invincible album. “Hollywood Tonight” is a song that included on his posthumous album, Michael. The video was directed by Wayne Isham, who previously directed the video for Jackson’s 1995 number-one hit “You Are Not Alone”. It was shot in front of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, California. The lead dancer in the video is Sofia Boutella, who wears an outfit inspired by Jackson’s stage costumes. More than 60 dancers performed a Jackson-inspired routine as seen in a video.
“Love Never Felt So Good” (2014)
In 2014, Michael’s track with Justin Timberlake, “Love Never Felt So Good,” was released. The video paid homage to Michael by capturing people performing dance moves inspired by the King of Pop. It was a joyous celebration of his influence on dance and music. Michael Jackson originally wrote this song in 1983 in a session with Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka around the time they recorded “This Is It.
Michael Jackson’s music videos have left an indelible mark on the world of music and entertainment. From his early days with The Jacksons to his solo career, his videos showcased his incredible talent, creativity, and ability to connect with audiences on a profound level. Each video in his extensive catalog offers a unique glimpse into his genius, making them timeless masterpieces that continue to inspire artists and fans around the globe.
