From electrifying stage performances to deeply personal storytelling, the music of Michael Jackson continues to define generations. In the 2026 biographical film Michael, some of his most iconic songs return—not just as hits, but as powerful moments that shape the story of his life.
Four: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
Released in 1983 as part of the legendary album Thriller, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ is one of Michael Jackson’s most energetic and powerful opening tracks. The song blends pop, funk, and African-inspired rhythms, creating a sound that immediately grabs attention and sets the tone for the entire album. Written and produced by Michael Jackson himself, the track speaks about rumors, gossip, and the pressures of fame—topics he experienced deeply at the height of his career. Its famous line, ‘Mama-say mama-sa mama-coo-sa,’ became one of the most recognizable chants in pop music history, adding to the song’s global appeal. It has successfully garnered over 270M streams on Spotify and over 37M views on YouTube. In the 2026 biographical film Michael, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ is expected to reflect the intense media attention and personal challenges Michael faced during the peak of his fame, making it not just a song, but a powerful statement within his story. Although it wasn’t released as a major standalone single in the U.S. at the time, the song still achieved strong chart success internationally and quickly became a fan favorite. Over the years, it has remained a staple in Michael Jackson’s live performances, often used to open his shows because of its high energy and crowd-moving rhythm.
Three: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” is a song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. Released in 1979, Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough marked a major turning point in Michael Jackson’s career. It was the first single from his album Off the Wall, and also the first song he officially wrote and produced on his own—showing the world that he was stepping into full creative control. With its infectious disco groove, layered vocals, and high-energy rhythm, the song quickly became a global hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Michael his first Grammy Award as a solo adult artist. It has garnered over 727M streams on Spotify and over 479M views on its official music video on YouTube. The track is all about passion, joy, and losing yourself in the music, and that feeling is exactly what made it connect with audiences around the world. Even today, it remains one of his most celebrated songs, often praised for its timeless energy and vocal performance. In the 2026 biographical film Michael, Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough represents Michael Jackson’s transition from a young star into a confident solo artist, capturing the moment he truly began to define his own sound and identity.
Two: Thriller
Thriller is one of the most iconic songs in music history, taken from Michael Jackson’s record-breaking album of the same name. It was released by Epic Records on November 2, 1983, in the UK and on January 23, 1984, in the US. Produced by Quincy Jones, the track blends pop, funk, and a touch of horror-inspired storytelling to create a sound that was completely unique at the time. Garnering over 870M streams on Spotify and over 1.1B views on its official music video on YouTube, What truly set Thriller apart was its groundbreaking music video, a short film that changed the music industry forever. With its cinematic style, detailed choreography, and unforgettable zombie dance scene, the video became a global phenomenon and helped establish music videos as a powerful form of storytelling. In the 2026 biographical film Michael, Thriller represents the peak of Michael Jackson’s global influence, highlighting a time when he wasn’t just making music—he was redefining entertainment on a worldwide scale. Although the song itself performed strongly on music charts worldwide, its cultural impact went far beyond numbers. Thriller became a symbol of creativity and innovation, showing how music, film, and performance could come together to create something unforgettable.
Bonus Track: Beat It
Released in 1983, Beat It is one of Michael Jackson’s most powerful and socially driven songs, featured on his iconic Thriller album. One of the song’s most memorable elements is its legendary guitar solo, performed by rock musician Eddie Van Halen, which added a raw, edgy feel to the track and made it even more distinctive. It was written and composed by Jackson, produced by Quincy Jones, and co-produced by Jackson. Lyrically, Beat It carries a strong message about avoiding violence and choosing peace over conflict. At a time when themes like gang culture and street fights were prominent, Michael used the song to encourage people to walk away from trouble instead of confronting it. This song has garnered over 1.7B streams on Spotify and over 1.2B views on its official music video on YouTube. The music video also played a huge role in its success, featuring choreographed dance battles that symbolized unity rather than division. It became one of the defining visuals of the 1980s and helped expand Michael Jackson’s influence across different music genres. In the 2026 biographical film Michael, Beat It reflects Michael Jackson’s ability to use music as a tool for social change, showing how he combined powerful messages with unforgettable sound and performance.
One: Billie Jean
Billie Jean is one of Michael Jackson’s most successful and influential songs, featured on his legendary Thriller album. It was released by Epic Records on January 2, 1983 as the second single from his sixth studio album, Thriller (1982). It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. The song tells the story of a woman who claims that Michael is the father of her child, reflecting the intense media pressure and personal challenges he faced as his fame continued to grow. Garnering over 2.6B streams on Spotify and over 2B views on its official music video on YouTube, Billie Jean achieved massive global success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for several weeks. It also played a major role in breaking racial barriers on music television, becoming one of the first videos by a Black artist to receive heavy rotation on MTV. One of the most unforgettable moments tied to the song came during Michael Jackson’s performance at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, where he debuted the moonwalk—an iconic dance move that would become a defining part of his legacy. In the 2026 biographical film Michael, Billie Jean represents a key moment in Michael Jackson’s rise to superstardom, capturing both the brilliance of his artistry and the pressures that came with global fame.
That’s all folks!
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