Michael Jackson penned and recorded lots of songs, many of which remain unreleased. Perhaps the most infamous, and rarest recording, is his version of Behind the Mask. Legend has it that upon hearing Yellow Magic Orchestra's original track, somewhen around 1979, Quincy Jones fell in love with the track, and he and Michael worked together on their own version. Jackson wrote new lyrics for it - adding to those of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Chris Mosdell - and eventually recorded it during his Off The Wall sessions. For unknown reasons the track never made the final cut of, arguably, Jones' and Jackson's greatest work. Not long afterwards Greg Phillinganes, Jackson's keyboard player, released his own version of the song, which was later taken up and re-recorded by Eric Clapton for his 1986, Phil Collins produced album, August. The track has since been recorded/remixed by Human League, Senor Coconut, Orbital and others. Does an original Jones/Jackson recording of the song even exist? Perhaps, as the world continues to mourn the star's sad death, someone will finally allow us a listen.
posted by 0bvious on Jul 1, 2009 - 31 comments

Cause This is Thriller, Thriller Night. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" has always been a classic. Everyone's seen the original. MeFites have seen the Lego version, the Bollywood version, and from the streets of Lexington, KY. But you might have missed it at a University of Washington talent show. In a kid's closet. Or performed by a cute 2 year old. Or even from the cast of Final Fantasy. Regardless, you simply can't miss the rendition by some bored workers in an office parking lot and break room. Or my favorite, bride, groom--an entire wedding party--at the reception.
posted by kenneth on Jan 28, 2007 - 50 comments

"Ben" - The Michael Jackson song revisited by Crispin Glover.
posted by boost ventilator on Mar 13, 2003 - 24 comments

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! deep breath... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
posted by thirteen on Dec 13, 2000 - 35 comments