When he declares, “And the whole world has to answer right now,” it isn’t an overstatement of ego, it’s a declaration of funk. From the outset, Jackson throws down the lyrical gauntlet. And it sounds exactly like the four ascending synth stabs in the opening vamp to “Bad.” As the first notes on the album, that climbing intro mimics the building anticipation of what Michael will deliver and echoes the audience’s expectations for bigger and better things.Īgainst bristling accents that bubble and brew under a punching bass line, this is Jackson’s response to the speculation about whether or not he could equal-or dare even top-the success of Thriller. Contrasted to his eager apprentice role on Off The Wall (1979), Jackson was ready to have greater creative control with a distinct vision and sound for Bad that would see him be an equal master of production to Jones.Īnd so, on August 31, 1987, two days after Jackson’s 29th birthday, the world finally got to hear what he was working on.Īnd with it we realized anticipation has a sound. As he did with Thriller, Jackson took on more responsibility, writing nine out of the ten tracks, and producing the album alongside Jones. In the five years since the release of Thriller, Jackson had spent two years riding the crest of that wave, recorded, and toured with his brothers for Victory (1984), developed and starred in the groundbreaking 4D Disney extravaganza Captain EO, and set about writing another landmark album.įor a public eager to celebrate his return and a media banking on the extra column widths a fall from grace could bring, Jackson reteamed with famed producer Quincy Jones to create the final chapter in their creative trifecta of a partnership.

To spend hours, days, weeks, months, and years writing, crafting, and perfecting the songs that would eventually form Bad.īut looking to top, match or even exist in the same stratosphere as Thriller was going to be a daunting task. These were just some of the questions that Michael Jackson faced as he prepared to record the follow up to the global smash that was Thriller (1982).įor Michael, the answer was-as it had always been since the age of 5-to put in the work. How do you top the biggest selling album of all time? How do you top a cultural phenomenon? How do you top yourself?

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