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How do you follow up the biggest album in human history? That was the impossible question facing Michael Jackson in 1987. Five years earlier, Thriller had redefined popular music, shattered sales records, and made him the most famous person on the planet.
The pressure to create a worthy successor was unimaginable. Many artists would have crumbled. Michael Jackson responded with a single, defiant question: “Who’s bad?”
The Bad album and its surrounding era were not just a collection of songs; they were a cultural statement.
It was the moment Jackson took complete control of his artistry, evolved his sound, and proved to the world that his genius wasn’t a fluke—it was a consistent, unstoppable force.
Key Takeaways
- The Impossible Follow-Up: Bad was the highly anticipated successor to Thriller, the best-selling album of all time.
- Record-Breaking Success: It became the first album in history to produce five #1 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Increased Creative Control: Michael Jackson wrote nine of the album’s eleven tracks, taking the primary songwriting reins and infusing the music with a more personal and edgy tone.
- Cinematic “Short Film”: The iconic video for the title track was an 18-minute event directed by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
- First Solo World Tour: The monumental Bad World Tour was Jackson’s first as a solo artist, breaking numerous attendance and revenue records across the globe.
The Bad Album: At a Glance
- Release Date: August 31, 1987
- Producers: Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson
- Chart Performance: Debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and stayed in the top five for 38 weeks.
- Landmark Achievement: The first album in history to produce five #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
Crafting the Follow-Up: The Sound and Soul of Bad
A New Sound: Edgy, Personal, and Pop-Perfected
While still rooted in pop and R&B, Bad had a harder, more aggressive edge than Thriller. The production incorporated sounds from rock, funk, and early electronic music. Jackson also used his own voice as a percussive instrument, with many tracks featuring his signature beatboxing and vocal hiccups. The themes were more varied and personal, touching on everything from romance and paranoia (“Leave Me Alone”) to social consciousness (“Man in the Mirror”) and raw lust (“Dirty Diana”).
Taking Creative Control: Michael Jackson as the Primary Songwriter
If Thriller was the perfect collaboration between Jackson and Quincy Jones, Bad was the album where Michael truly stepped into the driver’s seat. He wrote nine of the eleven songs, a significant increase from his previous work. This creative control resulted in an album that felt more autobiographical and reflected the complexities of his life as the world’s most scrutinized superstar.
The Duets That Almost Were: Prince and Whitney Houston
The album is also famous for the legendary collaborations that almost happened. The title track, “Bad,” was originally conceived as a duet between Jackson and his biggest rival, Prince. Ultimately, Prince declined, famously stating the song would be a hit even without him. Additionally, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” was first offered as a duet to Whitney Houston, but scheduling conflicts prevented it. The part was then beautifully sung by Siedah Garrett, who also co-wrote “Man in the Mirror.”
A Record-Breaking Run: The Five #1 Hit Singles
Bad‘s dominance on the charts was unprecedented. No album had ever produced five #1 hits in the U.S. before.
- “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”: A smooth, romantic ballad that re-introduced Jackson to the world after a five-year absence from new music.
- “Bad”: The defiant, funk-driven anthem that defined the album’s tough new attitude.
- “The Way You Make Me Feel”: A joyful, flirty pop classic with an unforgettable shuffle beat.
- “Man in the Mirror”: A powerful, gospel-infused call for social change that became one of his most enduring messages.
- “Dirty Diana”: A hard-rock track about a persistent groupie, featuring a blistering guitar solo from Billy Idol’s guitarist, Steve Stevens.
The “Bad” Single and the Martin Scorsese Short Film
The Story Behind the Song: An Anthem of Defiance
Jackson was inspired by a true story about a young man who grew up in a rough neighborhood but went away to a private school. When he returned, his old friends, consumed by jealousy, ended up killing him. Jackson re-imagined the story as one of strength, where the protagonist tells his old crew that he’s still “bad”—meaning tough and from the streets—but that his strength is now positive, not violent.
The 18-Minute Cinematic Video: From Harlem to the Subway
The music video for “Bad” was no ordinary promotional clip; it was a primetime television event. Directed by a cinematic master, the 18-minute short film premiered on CBS. It featured a dramatic black-and-white opening sequence, an incredible dance battle in a Brooklyn subway station, and a star-making turn from a young Wesley Snipes as Michael’s rival.
Working with a Film Legend: Martin Scorsese
Hiring Martin Scorsese, the acclaimed director of films like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, was a clear statement. Jackson was elevating the music video to the level of legitimate cinema, a practice he had started with “Thriller” and perfected with “Bad.”
Taking It on the Road: The Record-Breaking Bad World Tour
His First-Ever Solo World Tour
Despite being a global star for nearly two decades, Michael had never toured the world as a solo act. The Bad World Tour was his grand debut, and it was a spectacle of epic proportions.
The Spectacle: Lasers, Magic Tricks, and Unmatched Energy
The 123-show tour was a marvel of stagecraft. It featured intricate lighting, lasers, magic illusions, and, of course, some of the most iconic dance performances ever witnessed. It was on this tour that Jackson perfected the famous 45-degree “anti-gravity lean” for “Smooth Criminal.”
Shattering Records: Attendance, Revenue, and Sell-Out Shows
The tour played for 4.4 million fans across 15 countries and, at the time, became the highest-grossing and largest-attending tour in history. It solidified his reputation as the greatest live performer on Earth.
The Look of an Era: Buckles, Leather, and a New Image
The Bad era ushered in a new look for Michael Jackson. Gone was the singular sparkling glove, replaced by an edgier, tougher aesthetic defined by black leather, silver buckles, zippers, and a more defiant posture. This look became one of the most recognizable styles of the late 1980s and is still referenced in fashion today.
The Legacy of Bad: Life in the Shadow of Thriller
Was Bad a Success? Comparing It to an Unbeatable Predecessor
While Bad never outsold Thriller—an impossible task—it was a monumental success by any other metric. It sold over 35 million copies worldwide, broke chart records, and redefined the scale of a global pop tour. It proved that Michael Jackson’s superstardom was not a fluke.
The Bad 25 Documentary: A Modern Reappraisal by Spike Lee
In 2012, acclaimed director Spike Lee released Bad 25, a documentary that celebrated the album’s 25th anniversary. Featuring interviews with collaborators, choreographers, and superstar fans, the film provided a modern re-evaluation of the album’s genius and cemented its place as a classic and critically respected body of work.
Its Enduring Influence on Pop, R&B, and Music Videos
The album’s fusion of sounds and its visual storytelling have profoundly influenced countless artists, including Usher, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd. Bad set a new standard for what a pop album could be: a deeply personal, sonically diverse, and visually stunning multimedia event.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many #1 hits were on the Bad album?
Five singles from Bad reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, a record at the time.
Who directed the full “Bad” music video?
The 18-minute short film was directed by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
Who was originally supposed to sing the duet on “Bad”?
The song was initially planned as a duet between Michael Jackson and his musical rival, Prince.
Who played the guitar solo on “Dirty Diana”?
The hard-rock solo was performed by Steve Stevens, the lead guitarist for rock star Billy Idol.
Was the Bad Tour Michael Jackson’s first solo tour?
Yes, the Bad World Tour (1987-1989) was his first-ever concert tour as a solo artist.
Conclusion: Proving He Was More Than Just Thriller
In the end, Bad did more than just sell millions of copies and top the charts. It answered the single most daunting question in music history with resounding confidence.
It was the album where Michael Jackson the global phenomenon became Michael Jackson the artistic auteur, taking full command of his music, his message, and his image. It proved that his genius was not lightning in a bottle; it was a constant, brilliant, and undeniable force of nature.