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Bad (album)
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Bad is the seventh album by Michael Jackson. It was released on August 31, 1987 by Epic/CBS Records. The record was released nearly five years after his last studio album Thriller. 20 years after its release, the album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and shipped 8 million units in the United States. Bad is the first, and currently only album ever to feature five Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles. The album won 2 Grammys, one for Best Longform Video for Leave Me Alone and one for Best Engineered Album - Non Classical won by Bruce Swedien & Humberto Gatica..
son began recording demos for the anticipated follow-up to Thriller a few months after the 1984 Victory Tour with The Jacksons.
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Encyclopedia
Bad is the seventh album by Michael Jackson. It was released on August 31, 1987 by Epic/CBS Records. The record was released nearly five years after his last studio album Thriller. 20 years after its release, the album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and shipped 8 million units in the United States. Bad is the first, and currently only album ever to feature five Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles. The album won 2 Grammys, one for Best Longform Video for Leave Me Alone and one for Best Engineered Album - Non Classical won by Bruce Swedien & Humberto Gatica..
History
Recording
Jackson began recording demos for the anticipated follow-up to Thriller a few months after the 1984 Victory Tour with The Jacksons. Recording took place between November 1986 and July 9, 1987 (except for "Another Part of Me" which was recorded for Captain EO in 1986). Jackson wrote a reported sixty songs for the new album and recorded thirty, wanting to use them all on a three-disc set. Longtime producer Quincy Jones cut these down to a ten-track single LP. The CD release also contained a bonus 11th track, "Leave Me Alone".
Jackson wrote nine of the eleven tracks himself. Terry Britten (writer of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It") and Graham Lyle wrote "Just Good Friends". Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard wrote "Man in the Mirror". Stevie Wonder sings co-lead vocal on "Just Good Friends", and Steve Stevens contributes the guitar solo for "Dirty Diana".
"Bad" was originally intended as a duet between Jackson and Prince. A rivalry had developed between the two over the years, and Jackson's plan was to leak stories to the media about rising tensions between himself and Prince, culminating in the release of the song. Prince turned down the project, explaining to Jones that the song "would be a hit without (him) on it". Years later, Prince (jokingly) explained his reason for declining was over either artist singing the song's "your butt is mine" lyric.
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You" was supposed to feature a famous female singer. Reportedly Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston all turned down the offer, before Jones chose R&B singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett.
Reception
By the time Jackson released this album, sales of its predecessor, Thriller, had already reached forty million, raising expectations for Bad. Bad became the first of Jackson's albums to debut at number-one on the Billboard 200 where it remained for the next six consecutive weeks. The RIAA certified Bad for having sold eight million copies in the U.S. alone. In the U.K, the album sold 500,000 copies in just five days and is currently certified 13x platinum, for sales of 3.9 million making it Jackson's biggest-selling album in the UK. Globally, it's Jackson's overall third best-selling recording, behind "Thriller" and "Dangerous", with 30 million copies sold.
Jackson set another record with this album, becoming the first - and currently, only artist to have five songs to hit number-one from one album. In July 2006, it was announced by the The Official UK Charts Company that Bad was the ninth biggest selling album in British history. It turned out to be the last collaborative effort by Jackson and Jones, as Jackson moved on to write and produce more of his own records, particularly with Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Rodney Jerkins.
Rolling Stone stated that "even without a milestone recording like "Billie Jean", Bad is still a better record than Thriller." The magazine further went on to say that the "filler" content in Bad - including songs such as "Speed Demon", "Dirty Diana" and "Liberian Girl" - is written by Jackson himself, making Bad "richer, sexier and better than Thriller's forgettables."
Despite the records success, in a poll of 23,000 US citizens, released by Rolling Stone, Jackson won "worst album" for Bad and "worst single" for "Bad". TIME gave the opinion that the singer was suffering a backlash in certain parts of the US. The publication suggested that the singer's media image was triggering the poll, not the music.
In 2001, a special edition was released with three new songs and a new booklet containing lyrics and never-before-seen photos.
In 2003, the album was ranked number 202 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Marketing
During the Bad period was one of the first times Jackson used marketing to his advantage, more so than he had with Thriller. A year before Bad, Jackson used several tactics to get the media interested in his short film, Captain EO, during the recording of Bad. Jackson played a space captain in the mini-film, which was produced by George Lucas. By the time Jackson released Bad, he produced a commemorative special on his life, "The Magic Returns", which aired on CBS. At the end of the documentary, the channel debuted Jackson's "Bad", which featured then up-and-coming actor Wesley Snipes, in its mini-film version. Jackson's marketing strategy, mastered by Frank DiLeo among others, also included Jackson producing another mini-movie around the time of the Bad tour. That film, Moonwalker, included performances of songs from "Bad" including "Speed Demon", "Leave Me Alone" and "Smooth Criminal", the latter two released as sole
videos at the end of the film. Jackson also used the opportunity to write about his life up until that point releasing 1988's Moonwalk. Jackson's tour for "Bad" did well grossing $125 million by the end of its tenure. Though Jackson furthered his stance as a global pop superstar, in America, he failed to match to the sales of Thriller, the greatest selling album of all time, having some in the media calling it a "disappointment" compared to Thriller.
Track listing
All songs composed by Michael Jackson, unless otherwise noted.
Note: There were a number of changes following the re-pressings of Bad, as compared to the original 1987 release.
- Bad has a modified horn arrangement.
- The Way You Make Me Feel has richer vocalizations and background vocals.
- I Just Can't Stop Loving You omits Michael's spoken intro.
- Dirty Diana is replaced with the 7-inch edit of the song.
- "Bad" - 4:07
- "The Way You Make Me Feel" - 4:57
- "Speed Demon" - 4:01
- "Liberian Girl" - 3:53
- "Just Good Friends" (duet with Stevie Wonder) (Terry Britten/Graham Lyle) - 4:08
- "Another Part of Me" - 3:54
- "Man in the Mirror" (Glen Ballard/Siedah Garrett) - 5:19
- "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (Duet with Jackson and Siedah Garrett) - 4:13
- "Dirty Diana" - 4:41
- "Smooth Criminal" - 4:17
- "Leave Me Alone" - 4:38 Exclusive to the CD version
Bonus tracks
- Interview with Quincy Jones #1 - 4:03
- "Streetwalker" - 5:49
- Interview with Quincy Jones #2 - 2:53
- "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu (I Just Can't Stop Loving You)" (Michael Jackson/Rubén Blades) - 4:05
- Interview with Quincy Jones #3 - 2:30
- "Intro to 'Fly Away'" - 0:08
- "Fly Away" (Michael Jackson) - 3:26
Tracks 12-18 are featured on the 2001 Special Edition release.
Singles
- July 1987 - "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" U.S. #1 / UK #1
- September 1987 - "Bad" U.S. #1 / UK #3
- November 1987 - "The Way You Make Me Feel" U.S. #1 / UK #3
- January 1988 - "Man in the Mirror" U.S. #1 / UK #21
- April 1988 - "Dirty Diana" U.S. #1 / UK #4
- July 1988 - "Another Part of Me" U.S. #11 / UK #15
- September 1988 - "Smooth Criminal" U.S. #7 / UK #8
- January 1989 - "Leave Me Alone" UK #2
- June 1989 - "Liberian Girl" UK #13
"Leave Me Alone" was released as a single in 1989, reaching #2 in the U.K. It was not on the original Album track list for "Bad" but it was recorded in 1987 and was included in his film Moonwalker. It won the 1990 Grammy Award for “Best Short Form Music Video”. The track was included on all CD versions of the album.
Chart performance
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Certifications
| Country | Certification | Shipments |
|---|
| Australia | 5x Platinum | 350,000 | | Austria | 4x Platinum | 80,000 | | Brazil | Diamond | 1,100,000 | | Canada | 7x Platinum | 700,000 | | France | Diamond | 1,400,000 | | Germany | 4x Platinum | 2,000,000 | | Japan | Diamond | 1,000,000 | | Spain | 7x Platinum | 500,000 | | UK | 13x Platinum | 3,900,000 | | U.S. | 8x Platinum | 8,100,000 |
U.S. sales
| Period | RIAA award | U.S. shipments | Total |
|---|
| Aug 31, 1987 - Nov 9, 1987 | Gold, Platinum & 3x Platinum on Nov 9, 1987 | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | | Nov 10, 1987 - Dec 31, 1987 | 4x Platinum on Dec 31, 1987 | 1,000,000 | 4,000,000 | | Jan 1, 1988 - Mar 21, 1988 | 5x Platinum on Mar 21, 1988 | 1,000,000 | 5,000,000 | | Mar 22, 1988 - Jun 1, 1988 | 6x Platinum on Jun 1, 1988 | 1,000,000 | 6,000,000 | | Jun 2, 1988 - Aug 25, 1993 | 7x Platinum on Aug 25, 1993 | 1,000,000 | 7,000,000 | | Aug 26, 1993 - Sep 29, 1994 | 8x Platinum on Sep 29, 1994 | 1,000,000 | 8,000,000 |
Credits
"Bad"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
- Hammond B3 Midi organ solo: Jimmy Smith
- Synthesizer solo: Greg Phillinganes
- Drums: John Robinson
- Drum programming: Douglas Getschal
- Guitar: David Williams
- Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams
- Trumpets: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey
- Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
- Synclavier keyboards, digital guitar and rubboard: Christopher Currell
- Synthesizers: John Barnes, Michael Boddicker and Greg Phillinganes
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson, Christopher Currell and Quincy Jones
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals and finger snaps: Michael Jackson
- Drums: John Robinson
- Drum programming: Douglas Getschal
- Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams
- Trumpets: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey
- Percussion: Ollie E. Brown and Paulinho Da Costa
- Synclavier and finger snaps: Christopher Currell
- Synthesizers: John Barnes, Michael Boddicker and Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer programming: Larry Williams
- Rhythm and vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
"Speed Demon"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals and vocal synthesizer: Michael Jackson
- Midi saxophone solo: Larry Williams
- Drums: Miko Brando, Ollie E. Brown and John Robinson
- Drum programming: Douglas Getschal
- Guitars: Bill Bottrell and David Williams
- Saxophone: Kim Hutchcroft
- Trumpets: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey
- Percussion: Ollie E. Brown and Paulinho Da Costa
- Synclavier and effects: Christopher Currell
- Synthesizers: John Barnes, Michael Boddicker and Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer programming: Eric Persing
- Sounds engineered by Ken Caillat and Tom Jones
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Synthersizer and horn arrangements by Jerry Hey
"Liberian Girl"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
- Drums: Miko Brando, Ollie E. Brown and John Robinson
- Drum programming: Douglas Getschal
- Percussion: Ollie E. Brown and Paulinho Da Costa
- Synclavier and effects: Christopher Currell
- Synthesizers: John Barnes, Michael Boddicker, David Paich and Larry Williams
- Synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro
- Swahili chant: Letta Mbulu
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson, John Barnes and Quincy Jones
- Synthersizer arrangement by Jerry Hey, John Barnes and Quincy Jones
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes
- Swahili chant arrangement by Caiphus Semenya
"Just Good Friends"
- Written and composed by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle
- Vocal duet with Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder
- Synthesizer solo: Stevie Wonder
- Drums: Ollie E. Brown, Humberto Gatica and Bruce Swedien
- Drum programming: Cornelius Mims
- Guitar: Michael Landau
- Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams
- Trumpets: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey
- Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
- Synclavier: Christopher Currell
- Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker, Rhett Lawrence, Greg Phillinganes and Larry Williams
- Rhythm, synthesizer and vocal arrangements by Terry Britten, Graham Lyle and Quincy Jones
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
"Another Part of Me"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
- Guitars: Paul Jackson, Jr. and David Williams
- Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams
- Trumpets: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey
- Synclavier: Christopher Currell
- Synthesizers: Rhett Lawrence and John Barnes
- Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Michael Jackson and John Barnes
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
"Man in the Mirror"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson, Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard
- Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson featuring Siedah Garrett, the Winans and the Andrae Crouch Choir
- Clap: Ollie E. Brown
- Guitar: Dann Huff
- Keyboards: Stefan Stefanovic
- Synthesizers: Glen Ballard and Randy Kerber
- Background vocals: Siedah Garrett, The Winans (Carvin, Marvin, Michael and Ronald Winans), The Andrae Crouch Choir (Sandra Crouch, Maxi Anderson, Rose Banks, Geary Faggett, Vonciele Faggett, Andrew Gouche, Linda Green, Francine Howard, Jean Johnson, Perry Morgan and Alfie Silas)
- Rhythm arrangements by Glen Ballard and Quincy Jones
- Synthesizer arrangement by Glen Ballard, Quincy Jones and Jerry Hey
- Vocal arrangement by Andrae Crouch
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Vocal duet with Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett
- Bass: Nathan East
- Drums: N'dugu Chancler
- Guitar: Dann Huff
- Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
- Piano: John Barnes
- Synclavier: Christopher Currell
- Synthesizers: David Paich and Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro
- Rhythm arrangement by Quincy Jones
- Synthesizer arrangement by David Paich and Quincy Jones
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and John
"Dirty Diana"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals and clave' clapstick: Michael Jackson
- Guitar solo: Steve Stevens
- Drums: John Robinson
- Drum programming: Douglas Getschal
- Guitar: Paul Jackson, Jr. and David Williams
- Synclavier: Christopher Currell
- Synclavier synthesis: Denny Jaeger
- Synthesizers: John Barnes, Michael Boddicker and Randy Waldman
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson, John Barnes and Jerry Hey
- Synthesizer arrangement by Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and John Barnes
- String arrangement by John Barnes
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
"Smooth Criminal"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals and clap: Michael Jackson
- Drums: Bill Bottrell, John Robinson and Bruce Swedien
- Guitar: David Williams
- Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams
- Trumpets: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey
- Muted Steinway: Kevin Maloney
- Synclavier: Christopher Currell
- Certain Synclavier effects by Denny Jaeger and Michael Rubini
- Synthesizers: John Barnes and Michael Boddicker
- Chief of Police announcement by Bruce Swedien
- Michael Jackson's heartbeat recording by Dr. Eric Chevlan digitally processed in the synclavier
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
"Leave Me Alone"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Solo and background vocals and vocal synthesizer: Michael Jackson
- Drum programming and synthesizers: Larry Williams
- Guitar: Paul Jackson, Jr.
- Synclavier and synthesizer programming: Casey Young
- Synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
- Rhythm and vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
"Streetwalker"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
"Todo Mi Amor Eres Tú (I Just Can't Stop Loving You)"
"Fly Away"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
Other credits
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Co-produced by Michael Jackson
- Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
- Additional engineering by Humberto Gatica
- Technical director: Craig Jonhnson
- Additional recording by Claudio Ordenes, Bill Bottrel, Matt Forger, Craig Johnson, Gary Olazabal and Brian Malouf
- Assistant engineers: Debbie Johnson, Claudio Ordenes, Brad Sundberg and Laura Livingstone
Special edition interviews
- Interview with Quincy Jones was done by David Wild
- Pre-production research by Matt Forger and Al Quagelieri
- Voice-over announcer: Jason Deitz
See also
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