Michael Jackson: The King of Pop
The most famous man in music, Michael Jackson began his career singing with his brothers, performing at local talent shows under the watchful eye of his father.
After signing with Berry Gordy’s Motown label, they achieved worldwide success with I Want You Back—all before Michael was even a teenager.
This was followed by legendary tracks like ABC, The Love You Save, Ben, I’ll Be There, Blame It on the Boogie, and Shake Your Body Down.
Towards the end of the group’s run, they left Motown, and Michael—who had been releasing solo material alongside the family band—moved on from both his father as manager and Berry Gordy as mentor.
Instead, he partnered with Quincy Jones, and together they created some of the most iconic music of the century across three albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad (1979–1987).
This golden period included hits such as Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Billie Jean, Beat It, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, P.Y.T., Thriller, Bad, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal, The Way You Make Me Feel, and my personal favourite, Man in the Mirror.
With over 400 million albums sold, Michael Jackson was, in the ’80s, what Elvis had been in the ’50s and The Beatles in the ’60s.
In later years, he continued to release albums, tour globally, and orchestrate publicity stunts that kept him in the headlines.
Tragically, during a Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984, his hair caught fire. The resulting injuries led to chronic pain and an addiction to prescription drugs.
He spent the rest of his life wearing wigs and relying on tranquilizers to sleep. Just before he was due to begin a 50-night residency at London’s O2 Arena—This Is It—Michael Jackson died from a drug overdose administered by his personal physician.
The world had lost its greatest-ever pop star. The date, 25th June 2009, is etched in many people’s memories as the day Michael Jackson died.
I was playing the Glastonbury Festival that night, and as the news spread, every food stall and stage began blasting Michael Jackson tunes. It was surreal.
Michael Jackson Tunes | Related Pages
ABC | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play ABC by The Jackson 5 using chords, chord analysis, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Ab | Ab |
You went to school to learn girl, things you never, never knew before…
Ain’t No Sunshine | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, chord analysis, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Am7 Em G5 | Am7 | Am7 Em G5 |
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone, it’s not warm when she’s away…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Ain’t No Sunshine – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Beat It | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Beat It by Michael Jackson using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, chord analysis, and the original recording.
| Eb5 | Db5 |
They told him, “Don’t you ever come around here”…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Beat It (Michael Jackson) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Ben | Chords + TAB
Learn to play Ben by Michael Jackson using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| F | C7/E |
Ben, the two of us need look no more.
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Ben (Michael Jackson) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Billie Jean | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Billie Jean by Michael Jackson using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| F#m G#m | A G#m |
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Billie Jean (Michael Jackson) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Blame It On The Boogie | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play Blame It On The Boogie by The Jacksons using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Cm7 | Eb |
My baby’s always dancin’ and it wouldn’t be a bad thing…
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough | Chords + TAB
Learn to play Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| B B11 | B11 (A/B) | B | B (Bsus2) |
Lovely, is the feelin’ now…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus | Chords + TAB
Learn to play I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by The Ronettes using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart and the original recording.
| A | A | C#m | F#m |
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (The Ronettes) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
I’ll Be There | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play I’ll Be There by The Jackson 5 using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| F | C/E | Dm Dm/C | Am |
You and I must make a pact, we must bring salvation back…
Killing Me Softly With His Song | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Fm7 | Bbm7 |
Strumming my pain with his fingers…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Killing Me Softly With His Song (Roberta Flack + Fugess) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Rock With You | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play Rock With You by Michael Jackson using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Ebm9 | Ab | Bb11 | Bb11 |
Girl, close your eyes, let that rhythm get into you…
Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) | Chords + TAB
Learn to play Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) by The Jacksons using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G7omit3 G7sus4 G7 | G7omit3 G7sus4 G7 |
I don’t know what’s gonna happen to you, baby…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) (The Jacksons) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Thriller | Chords + TAB
You can learn to play Thriller by Michael Jackson using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C#m C#m7 | C#m7 F# E |
‘Cause this is thriller, thriller night…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Thriller (Michael Jackson) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Michael Jackson on the web
