Michael Jackson: The Essential Moments

"We Are the World" 1985

Michael's original demo version was a quiet ballad with a melancholic touch; it became the star-studded USA for Africa extravaganza that immortalized Bob Dylan's golden pipes, Dan Aykroyd's dork glasses and Lionel Richie's upraised thumb. It also marked the final appearance of the gentle young Michael of the Thriller moment, singing the line Prince didn't show up for ("When you're down and out, and there seems no hope at all") more convincingly than Prince could have.

Halfway between Thriller and Bad, Jackson arrived at Disney's Tomorrowland, a couple of years too late to fit in. This 17-minute 3-D film started showing at the Disney theme parks in 1986, a sci-fi fairy tale made with Francis Ford Coppolla and George Lucas with the theme song "We Are Here To Change The World." Disney stopped showing "Captain EO" in 1997, for perhaps obvious reasons.

"Bad" 1987

Everyone wondered if Michael could still capture people's attention, but this song proved that he had the knack, especially with an opening line like "Your butt is mine." Post-Captain EO Michael was a completely different personality now, a grim and weary adult feeling burdened by the world. His youthful glow was a thing of the past; he wasn't having any fun, and he wanted us all to know that.

When people first heard the studio version, he sounded full of himself. But at the Grammys, he took the song to church, with a full-blown gospel production that stands as one of his most stunning vocal workouts. In a way, this was as majestic and definitive as the Motown 25 moonwalk.

In case anybody out there hadn't noticed that Michael had an issue or two, this bizarro film rammed it home with cartoons, Claymation and Transformers-style sci-fi violence. Who else could inspire a video game where you kill people with your dancing prowess?

From our special commemorative Michael Jackson issue, available now

ESSENTIAL MICHAEL JACKSON COVERAGE