Photos from Michael Jackson music videos
Michael Jackson’s lifetime records are set in history as being the greatest entertainer who ever lived. Video production in the music industry has gained a massive revolution since the 1980s and this is all thanks to the artistic excellence of the King of Pop himself.
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Even in his passing, Michael Jacksoon continues to lead as the first artist whose four music videos from the 20th century now have over 1 billion views on YouTube, per Chart Data. Here are top 10 most viewed music videos of Michael Jackson that sealed his iconic status in the music industry.
1. Billie Jean – 1.6 Billion
Directed by Steve Barron, “Billie Jean” is one of Michael Jackson’s most historic performances. The music video which was released on MTV in 1983 remains the iconic one in visuals. It also established the King of Pop’s position as a defining figure in the entertainment business.
2. They Don’t Care About Us (Brazil Version) – 1.1 Billion
With over one billion views on YouTube, “They Don’t Care About Us” still carries that sensational presence it did when it was released. The music video, with its controversial visuals and storytelling was a popular anthem in the 90s, excellently directed by Spike Lee.
3. Beat It – 1.1 Billion
Considering the quality of music videos released in the earlier 80s when “Beat It” came out, this particular performance remains one for the books forever. The video, alongside its record-breaking single, made its album even more famous with the superstar’s dance moves and sensational choreography. It was directed by Bob Giraldi.
4. Thriller – 1 Billion
With “Thriller,” Michael Jackson literally spun things around and set an unshakeable standard. From the best-selling, iconic Thriller album, this 14-minute video did not only prove it’s a masterpiece with the creative horror elements, it also opened a gateway for other black artists music videos on MTV.
5. Smooth Criminal – 990 Million
With “Smooth Criminal,” Michael Jackson and his group of expert choreographers did what seemed humanly impossible with the ‘anti gravity’ lean. It’s therefore no wonder that it snatched up major ‘Best Video’ awards in the 80s and has received over 980 million views on YouTube.
6. Remember The Time – 570 Million
In nine minutes, director John Singleton gave us quite the memorable experience watching Michael Jackson, Eddie Murphy and Magic Johnson in this Ancient Egypt classic. Standing out with its captivating visuals and innovative graphics effects, “Remember the Time” stands out as one of the iconic short films.
7. Bad – 480 Million
With the perfect story line and visual appeal, this first version of “Bad” takes a seat as a legendary video production. The production was directed by Martin Scorsese, and has been ranked as one of the greatest music videos of all time.
8. Black Or White – 480 Million
Released over three decades ago in 1991, “Black or White” was an instant success as it garnered a massive viewership of about 500 million people in just one day. The John-Landis directed film became quite controversial for certain behavior but still ends up being one of the top 10 videos of MJ on YouTube with over 480 million views.
9. The Way You Make Me Feel – 480 Milllion
Featuring Tatiana Thumtzen, “The Way You Make Me Feel” showcases an interesting storyline of Michael Jackson’s infatuation with a girl. Directed by Joe Pytka, the music video is one of the musician’s creative releases with award nominations from different institutions.
10. Earth Song – 450 Million
Among MJ’s songs, the “Earth Song” is one of those with great purpose and meaning, addressing the destructive behavior of mankind. Directed by Nicholas Brandt, the Grammy-nominated music video perfectly showcases this in the efforts that were devoted to shooting it in four different locations.
