Michael Jackson: The Essential Moments

This was the song that was supposed to make Michael acceptable for discophobes, but "Billie Jean" had already done that, so it became a victory lap instead. For the video, he swoops into a ghetto garage full of gangbangers and saves the day like a teen angel, while Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo keeps him running with the devil.

"Human Nature" 1983

In a way, this was an apology for "The Girl Is Mine," his doggone ridiculous Paul McCartney duet — a delicate ballad on the surface, but heart-wrenchingly emotional soul, finessed brilliantly by the guys from Toto. He never sounded warmer, braver, breathier, more emotionally vibrant. This deserved to hit Number One, but you know what did instead? "Say Say Say," an even more ridiculous McCartney duet.

From our special commemorative Michael Jackson issue, available now.

Everybody had already seen the man move to "Billie Jean," but on May 16th, 1983, 50 million fans tuned in hoping he'd break out something new. He did, gliding with superhuman grace. Lots of dancers have claimed they're the one who taught Michael to moonwalk — Shalamar's Jeffrey Daniel had just done it on the U.K.'s Top of the Pops — but Michael undoubtedly made it his own. Fred Astaire called him the next day to say, "You put them on their asses last night."

This 14-minute John Landis movie remains perhaps the ultimate peak of Michaelmania. It showcases Michael's beautiful smile, but hints at the darkness in his soul as he dances in front of a chorus line of zombies.

"State of Shock" 1984

The last great moment for the Jacksons, and a redemptive bit of sleaze on their otherwise dead-on-arrival Victory. It's just Michael with Mick Jagger, two old pros trading goofball sex shtick over a funky faux-Stones guitar groove, milking it about two minutes too long but somehow turning that into part of the joke. Jagger reprised this tune with Tina Turner at Live Aid, and by the end of the song her skirt was off.

From our special commemorative Michael Jackson issue, available now

ESSENTIAL MICHAEL JACKSON COVERAGE