A Look Back at Michael Jackson’s 1987 Hit Songs

When you hear “Michael Jackson’s 1987 hits,” the mind instantly flashes images of neon‑lit music videos, a crisp new leather jacket, and a pop icon redefining the limits of mainstream music. That year, fresh off the unprecedented success of Thriller, Jackson dropped the album Bad, delivering a string of singles that still echo through dance floors and playlists today. Let’s rewind and explore why those tracks mattered, how they performed, and what they say about the King of Pop at the height of his creative power.

The Bad Album: A Turning Point

Released on August 31, 1987, Bad was Michael’s first solo project without the guiding hand of Motown’s legendary producers. He kept Quincy Jones in the mix, but the album also featured new collaborators like producer Teddy Riley, who would later help birth new jack swing. The record’s opening statement was bold: a 10‑minute “Bad” intro that set a cinematic tone, then launched into a series of songs that blended rock riffs, funk grooves, and glossy pop.

Critics praised the album for its ambitious scope, noting that Jackson was no longer content with just “the king of pop” title—he wanted to be the king of every genre he touched. The record sold over 30 million copies worldwide and earned a spot among the best‑selling albums of all time, a testament to the staying power of its singles.

Chart‑topping Singles from 1987

The true lifeblood of Bad was its string of singles that dominated radio airwaves and MTV. Below is a quick rundown of the songs that defined Michael’s 1987 hit list:

• “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” – A tender duet with Siedah Garrett that debuted in July 1987, topping the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and peaking at #2 on the Hot 100.
• “Bad” – The title track burst onto the scene in September, climbing to #1 on the Hot 100 and spawning a 18‑minute music video that featured a memorable dance showdown.
• “The Way You Make Me Feel” – Released in November, this upbeat love song hit #1 in early 1988 but was firmly a 1987 single, celebrated for its infectious rhythm and the iconic sidewalk choreography.
• “Man in the Mirror” – Dropped in January 1988, yet its recording and promotion began in late 1987. The anthem reached #1 and remains a staple of Jackson’s socially conscious repertoire.
• “Dirty Diana” – A rock‑infused confession that hit #1 in early 1988, proving Jackson could dominate the charts even with a harder edge.
• “Smooth Criminal” – Though it peaked at #7 on the Hot 100, its legacy lives on through the legendary “anti‑gravity” lean and a music video that still feels like a short film.

Each of these tracks showcased a different facet of Jackson’s artistry, from heartfelt ballads to gritty rock, and all contributed to an unprecedented run of seven consecutive top‑ten hits from a single album—a record that still stands today.

Music Videos that Redefined the Medium

1987 was also a watershed year for the music‑video format, and Jackson turned each single into a mini‑movie. The “Bad” video, directed by Martin Scorsese, was filmed in a gritty New York subway station, turning a simple choreography into a narrative of street rivalry. “The Way You Make Me Feel” used a real‑world street scene in Chicago, highlighting Jackson’s ability to blend performance with everyday life.

Perhaps the most talked‑about visual was “Smooth Criminal.” The 9‑minute short, directed by Colin Freeman, introduced the “anti‑gravity lean,” a stunt achieved with specially designed shoes. It sparked a wave of imitators and cemented the song’s place in pop‑culture lore. Even decades later, the video’s sleek black‑and‑white aesthetic feels fresh, underscoring Jackson’s knack for marrying style with storytelling.

Impact on Pop Culture and Beyond

Beyond chart numbers, the 1987 hits reshaped how pop stars approached album cycles. Instead of releasing one or two singles, Jackson staggered seven, each with a high‑budget video, a radio push, and a performance on major shows like Motown 25 and the Grammy Awards. This strategy turned the album into a long‑lasting event rather than a fleeting moment.

From a fashion standpoint, the leather jackets, single‑spoon earrings, and fedora became as iconic as the songs themselves. Fans worldwide replicated the looks, turning concerts into fashion showcases. Moreover, the lyrical themes—self‑empowerment in “Bad,” introspection in “Man in the Mirror,” and raw desire in “Dirty Diana”—offered a broader emotional palette than most pop albums of the era.

Legacy: Why 1987 Still Matters

Fast forward to today, and the 1987 catalog continues to influence new generations. Contemporary artists sample the bass line from “Billie Jean” (a 1983 hit but still relevant), while producers cite “Smooth Criminal” as a blueprint for blending pop hooks with cinematic flair. The songs also serve as cultural touchstones: “Bad” is still used in sports arenas to hype crowds, “Man in the Mirror” resurfaces during charitable campaigns, and “Dirty Diana” pops up in movie soundtracks that need a gritty edge.

In retrospect, Michael Jackson’s 1987 hits weren’t just chart successes; they were milestones that proved an artist could evolve without losing mass appeal. They demonstrated that pop could be theatrical, socially aware, and commercially unstoppable—all at once.

FAQ

• Which 1987 single was Michael Jackson’s first number‑one on the Billboard Hot 100? “Bad” became his first solo #1 hit from the Bad album, reaching the top spot in November 1987.
• Did any 1987 hits win Grammy Awards? While the singles themselves didn’t win Grammys that year, the album Bad earned Jackson a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Man in the Mirror” in 1990, reflecting the lasting impact of the 1987 material.
• What made the “Smooth Criminal” video so revolutionary? The anti‑gravity lean, achieved with a patented shoe design, allowed Jackson to defy physics on screen—a visual trick that inspired countless imitations and remains a benchmark for music‑video innovation.
• How many consecutive top‑ten hits did Michael achieve from the Bad album? He set a record with seven straight top‑ten singles, a streak that began with “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” and continued through “Smooth Criminal.”