What made Michael Jackson the ‘King of Pop’? A peek at his record-breaking hits

Michael Jackson set a new era of music in motion with his songs that never quite went into oblivion. Hailed as the ‘King of Pop’, Jackson, born into a working class African-American family on August 29, left behind a legacy in the artistic world with his music as well as the iconic ‘Moonwalk’ dance step.

The incredibly gifted singer would have turned 62 on Saturday, had he been alive. 

On Michael Jackson’s 62nd birth anniversary, here is a list of his record breaking hits that made him the undeniable ‘King of Pop’.

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

Released on July 10, 1979, this song was the first track of Michael Jackson’s fifth studio album ‘Off the Wall’. This was the first song where the singer had full creative control over his song and became his second single to hit the number one position in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Rock With You

Written by  Rod Temperton, the song is Jackson’s second track from his album ‘Off the Wall’. It reached the number one position, becoming Jackson’s third single to grab the place, of the Billboard charts. It stayed in that position for four weeks  from January 19 to February 9, 1980.

Billie Jean

The song was a part of Jackson’s sixth studio album, ‘Thriller’, and released on January 2, 1983. Featuring the iconic ‘moonwalk’ step for the first time while the singer performed at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, Billie Jean narrates the story of a girl who claims to be the mother of his son. The track peaked the Billboard charts for seven weeks.

Beat It

The video as well as the composition of this song helped Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ become the best-selling album of all time globally. The song remained at the peak of American pop chart Billboard for three weeks straight, and remained there for 25 weeks. Michael Jackson won a Grammy Award for this song.

Thriller

Often cited as a Halloween anthem, the title song of Michael Jackson’s album ‘Thriller’ peaked at number four on Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Having sold over nine million copies worldwide, ‘Thriller’ is regarded as one of the best singles of all time.

Bad

The title song of Jackson’s seventh studio album,  ‘Bad’ garnered positive reviews at the time of its release in 1987, and still continues to be as popular. The song reached to the first position on Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained there for two weeks.

Man in the Mirror

The song became Jackson’s tenth single to top the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, where it remained for two weeks. The song has received much critical appreciation, and his regarded as one of his best songs.