Michael Jackson's "Bad": The Rankdown (COMPLETE)

[SHOOTER]

Thank god we were on the same accord with Speed Demon. If I never hear it again, it'll still be too soon.

[Soulsista]

Welcome back!

The first song leaving us now will see someone lose their #1. Eight people will lose a bottom 5.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Smooth Criminals}jenglisbe • Господин Умљеновић • sportytheartist Mayman SabrinaFan wyckyd zippy B-Boy beyoncelover God singingrulebritannia tallen2001 divasummer 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 mamooshka rowellfarm490 Active Aggressive bat1990 poopshark 312999 jtd Thee Stallion newpower samo🦕 erosthegreekgod TheOutcast annoymous1 SHOOTER Mirago #LisaRinna .indulgecountry

[Soulsista]

She likes the boys in the bands
She knows when they come to town
Every musician's fan, after the curtain comes down



5. Dirty Diana

Written by MJ, "Dirty Diana" is a song about groupies, similar to the subject matter in "Billie Jean". It was released in April 1988 as the fifth single from Bad, and was the album's fifth consecutive #1 on the Hot 100. It also hit #5 on the soul chart and #1 in Belgium, and topped the charts in Spain in 2006. Features a guitar solo by Steve Stevens, guitarist for Billy Idol.

Initial reports suggested that it was about Diana Ross, but it was denied. MJ would later say that it also isn't about Princess Diana, though she did tell him that it was her favorite song of his.

Apologies to wyckyd...


Points: 202
Average: 5.48
Standard Deviation: 1.998 (4th lowest)

wyckyd - 1

sportytheartist - 2

singingrulebritannia - 3
tallen2001 - 3

God - 4
jtd Thee Stallion - 4
TheOutcast - 4
annoymous1 - 4
#LisaRinna - 4

Soulsista - 5
• Господин Умљеновић • - 5
beyoncelover - 5
rowellfarm490 - 5
Active Aggressive - 5
poopshark - 5

Mayman - 6
SabrinaFan - 6
divasummer - 6
🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 - 6
mamooshka - 6
newpower - 6
samo🦕 - 6
Mirago - 6

jenglisbe - 7
zippy - 7
erosthegreekgod - 7
SHOOTER - 7
.indulgecountry - 7

312999 - 8

B-Boy - 9

bat1990 - 11


Four #1s will go down with the next reveal. Seven more will shed a bottom 5.

[Active Aggressive]

Finally a perfect ranking. Love this song!

[Soulsista]

Well, they say the sky's the limit
And to me that's really true
But my friend, you have seen nothin'
Just wait 'til I get through



4. Bad

"Bad" was inspired by a true story MJ had read about a kid who grew up in the ghetto and tried to escape by attending private school, but was killed by his friends when he returned for Thanksgiving break. The single was released in September 1987 as the second single from Bad. It topped the soul, dance, and Hot 100 charts, and hit #1 in six other countries.

The music video, 18 minutes in length, premiered as part of a special on CBS the same day the album was released. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it features Wesley Snipes in one of his earliest appearances and was influenced by West Side Story.

"Bad" was originally intended to be a duet with Prince, but he declined, taking issue with the opening line "Your butt is mine". Prince instead offered the song "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me", but MJ turned that down.

Apologies to beyoncelover, poopshark, jtd Thee Stallion, and annoymous1...


Points: 235
Average: 4.42
Standard Deviation: 2.527 (4th highest)

beyoncelover - 1
poopshark - 1
jtd Thee Stallion - 1
annoymous1 - 1

B-Boy - 2
bat1990 - 2
TheOutcast - 2

Mayman - 3
zippy - 3
Active Aggressive - 3
erosthegreekgod - 3
SHOOTER - 3

Soulsista - 4
sportytheartist - 4
divasummer - 4
mamooshka - 4
rowellfarm490 - 4
samo🦕 - 4
Mirago - 4
.indulgecountry - 4

SabrinaFan - 5

• Господин Умљеновић • - 6
wyckyd - 6
tallen2001 - 6

singingrulebritannia - 7
🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 - 7
newpower - 7

jenglisbe - 8
#LisaRinna - 8

God - 10
312999 - 10


Taking the bronze is the song that has the 2nd highest SD. Five people will lose their #1, six more will get rid of a bottom 5.

[Active Aggressive]

Make that change! :(

[312999]

Not a Bad song at all, just a strong album that something had to be low.

[Soulsista]

I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
That there are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me pretending that they're not alone?



3. Man In The Mirror

"Man In The Mirror" was one of two songs on Bad not written by MJ (the other being "Just Good Friends"). Written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, who also provides background vocals, it was released in January 1988 as the album's fourth single. It topped the soul and Hot 100 charts, and has hit the Top 10 in four other countries. The instrumental intro at the end of his memorial service in 2009.

The song came about after Quincy Jones invited a group of songwriters to his house and asked them to write for Michael's next album. Garrett came with th line about a man looking in the mirror, and Ballard came up with the melody. A demo was recorded within a week, and was approved for the album. A longer middle eight as added and the lyrics were modified at MJ's request, and the Andraé Crouch Choir provided additional vocals.

Here's his performance at the Grammy Awards in 1988.



Apologies to sportytheartist, 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲, 312999, #LisaRinna, and .indulgecountry...


Points: 245
Average: 4.10
Standard Deviation: 2.844 (2nd highest)

sportytheartist - 1
🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 - 1
312999 - 1
#LisaRinna - 1
.indulgecountry - 1

jenglisbe - 2
• Господин Умљеновић • - 2
SabrinaFan - 2
Active Aggressive - 2
samo🦕 - 2
erosthegreekgod - 2
Mirago - 2

Soulsista - 3
beyoncelover - 3
mamooshka - 3
newpower - 3
TheOutcast - 3

B-Boy - 4
SHOOTER - 4

Mayman - 5
tallen2001 - 5
divasummer - 5
annoymous1 - 5

singingrulebritannia - 6
bat1990 - 6

rowellfarm490 - 7
jtd Thee Stallion - 7

zippy - 9
poopshark - 9

wyckyd - 10

God - 11

[beyoncelover]

Lmao the way I forgot that I put "Bad" at #1. I was expecting that to be my #4 when looking for my stats but lol guess not, haha.

[Soulsista]

vs.




They're separated by just two points! Which song will come out on top, "The Way You Make Me Feel" or "Smooth Criminal"?

The final 2 will be revealed later today!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Smooth Criminals}jenglisbe • Господин Умљеновић • sportytheartist Mayman SabrinaFan wyckyd zippy B-Boy beyoncelover God singingrulebritannia tallen2001 divasummer 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 mamooshka rowellfarm490 Active Aggressive bat1990 poopshark 312999 jtd Thee Stallion newpower samo🦕 erosthegreekgod TheOutcast annoymous1 SHOOTER Mirago #LisaRinna .indulgecountry

[beyoncelover]

5. Dirty Diana: Oooh nice yayyy my first perfect rank of this rankdown, with this being my #5! This is a strong, great and memorable rock track from Michael. I do love this and it's great from him - but sadly it's not as iconic as the incredible 4 songs that are remaining.

4. Bad: Wait up, OMGG WHOA I did not remember putting "Bad" at #1, but looking at my list I see that I did? Oh snapp, wow. I don't know if I agree with this now but I do clearly really love this song and it's iconic. But I guess listening to these songs all together made me put this 1st? But still an amazing, iconic song and wish it could have gone higher but it's such a toss up with this Top 4.

3. Man In The Mirror: Oooh yayy I'm happy to get another perfect rank here with this song being my #3. This is such a beautiful, moving song and I do absolutely love it. Michael sounds great here and love the message of this song.

Oooh such an iconic Top 2! It's my #2 vs. my #4. Hoping for my #2 to win but I think my #4 will take the win. Both would be amazing winners.

[jenglisbe]

Apr 16, 2024 11:42:39 GMT -5 Soulsista said:

Prince instead offered the song "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me", but MJ turned that down.

Oh wow, I didn't know that fact. I think it could have worked well for Prince and MJ, but it certainly didn't carry the type of message MJ seemed to want to portray with "Bad." I just don't like some of the lyrics on "Bad."

I'm sad to see "Man in the Mirror" at #3. I put it at #2 and kind of wished I'd put it at #1. It's one of the few 'message' songs that really work for me. It's just a beautiful song sung really well.

I love both songs in the top 2, but "The Way You Make Me Feel" is the first MJ song I remember hearing/loving and I have loved it since. I hope it wins, though in hindsight the video is pretty cringe.

[• Господин Умљеновић •]

No... Not The way you make me feel as #1

[zippy]

Dirty Diana - I haven't heard this one as many times as Beat It but it doesn't hit me as hard as I remember. Still a good hard rock song.

Bad - I have thought of this as one of my favorite MJ songs because of its beat and addicting chorus. And not to forget this song was in the Megamind movie.

Man In The Mirror - This is an iconic song but I feel that I've heard it too many times to fully appreciate it. Still, I agree with its message and I think the choir and key change help the song.

[#LisaRinna]

"Man in the Mirror" has literally saved lives

[Soulsista]

And here we go, the final 2...

Hey, pretty baby with the high heels on
You give me fever like I've never ever known
You're just a product of loveliness
I like the groove of your walk, your talk, your dress



2. The Way You Make Me Feel

"The Way You Make Me Feel" was released in November 1987 as the third single from Bad. It went straight to the top of the soul, dance, and Hot 100 charts. It also hit #1 in Ireland and Spain, the latter happening after its 2006 re-release. The music video, over 9 minutes in full, features model Tatiana Thumbtzen as well as MJ's sister La Toya.

The song originally had the working title "Hot Fever".


Points: 288
Average: 2.71
Standard Deviation: 1.736 (3rd lowest)

Soulsista - 1
jenglisbe - 1
SabrinaFan - 1
B-Boy - 1
mamooshka - 1
bat1990 - 1
erosthegreekgod - 1
SHOOTER - 1
Mirago - 1

Mayman - 2
beyoncelover - 2
God - 2
divasummer - 2
rowellfarm490 - 2
newpower - 2
annoymous1 - 2
#LisaRinna - 2
.indulgecountry - 2

sportytheartist - 3
wyckyd - 3
poopshark - 3
samo🦕 - 3

singingrulebritannia - 4
tallen2001 - 4
🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 - 4
Active Aggressive - 4

zippy - 5
jtd Thee Stallion - 5
TheOutcast - 5

• Господин Умљеновић • - 7
312999 - 7

---

Which means..

As he came into the window
It was the sound of a crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet



1. Smooth Criminal

"Smooth Criminal" was developed from an earlier song MJ had written titled "Al Capone". It was released in November 1988 as the seventh single from Bad, peaking at #2 on the soul chart and #7 on the Hot 100. It also hit #1 in five other countries.

The music video is taken from Moonwalker, and pays tribute to the musical The Band Wagon. It features Michael and the dancers doing a 45-degree lean; this was achieved using a harness and some cables.

Congrats to newpower for a perfect Top 3!


Points: 290
Average: 2.65
Standard Deviation: 1.496 (Lowest)

Mayman - 1
zippy - 1
God - 1
singingrulebritannia - 1
tallen2001 - 1
rowellfarm490 - 1
Active Aggressive - 1
newpower - 1
samo🦕 - 1
TheOutcast - 1

Soulsista - 2
🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 - 2
mamooshka - 2
312999 - 2
SHOOTER - 2

jenglisbe - 3
SabrinaFan - 3
B-Boy - 3
divasummer - 3
jtd Thee Stallion - 3
annoymous1 - 3
.indulgecountry - 3

• Господин Умљеновић • - 4
beyoncelover - 4
bat1990 - 4
poopshark - 4
erosthegreekgod - 4

sportytheartist - 5
wyckyd - 5
Mirago - 5

#LisaRinna - 6


And that concludes Michael Jackson's "Bad": The Rankdown! Thanks to everyone who participated.

[SabrinaFan]

I was hoping for "The Way You Make Me Feel" to take the win since it was my #1, but "Smooth Criminal" is a great winner too! Thanks for hosting Soulsista, this was a lot of fun!

[samo🦕]

iconic top 2 but the winner is correct imo - it's still unbelievable that this wasn't as big as the rest of the singles at the time

[B-Boy]

My top 3 was neck-to-neck. I would've been fine with either of them going number one.

I always felt like "Bad" was the signature song off the album.

[Active Aggressive]

YESSSSSS Smooth Criminal. I was worried Way You Make Me Feel would win. Thanks Soulsista!

[SHOOTER]

I knew this would win but I'm just glad superior taste did recognize the immaculate greatness of TWYMMF.

Thanks for hosting Soulsista

[Soulsista]

Perfect Rankings:

rowellfarm490 - 5
divasummer / samo🦕 / Soulsista - 4
• Господин Умљеновић • / B-Boy / sportytheartist / annoymous1 / beyoncelover / newpower - 3
SHOOTER / #LisaRinna / singingrulebritannia / poopshark / Active Aggressive/ mamooshka / .indulgecountry / TheOutcast / Mayman / God - 2
SabrinaFan / bat1990 / 312999 / Mirago / zippy / tallen2001 - 1
jenglisbe / wyckyd / 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 / erosthegreekgod / jtd Thee Stallion - 0


I'll leave you with a couple of notes:

50 Years Of Hip Hop: The Rankdown Part 7 is currently open. Feel free to send in a list!

And for those following my Billboard #1 R&B Songs series, the next rankdown will be up next week!

[zippy]

I was confident that Smooth Criminal would end up winning, although the score was closer than I expected. No doubt it’s one of MJ’s greatest danceable hits and I haven’t gotten tired of it one bit.

I cannot say I like TWYMMF as much as his other hits because the song’s rhythm always felt kind of odd. Still a pretty good song. In fact, I heard it playing on the speakers earlier today when I walked in an Amazon warehouse.

[.indulgecountry]

The top 3 was my top 3, just in a different order, so I ain't mad at it!

[Mayman]

Glad Smooth Criminal won, definitely within my favorites from him overall. Looking forward to an eventual Dangerous rankdown!

[• Господин Умљеновић •]

Was listening to Dangerous yesterday

No doubt his best album. For me

[beyoncelover]

2. The Way You Make Me Feel: Oooh yess, I really love this song and think it's such an iconic song. Yay for another perfect ranking as I did rank this at #2 as well. I did have a feeling that this song wouldn't win so I am not surprised. I am surprised to see 9 #1 rankings for this song as I did not think this would get so much. Wow lors of perfect ranks with all of those #2s. :o

1. Smooth Criminal: While this song is my #4, I can not and am not mad about this song winning the game as it truly deserves to. Wow at 10 #1 rankings here but I get it. Again, this is simply iconic and an amazing/fantastic song. The song, the video, the impact, etc - it is all so iconic. I love everything about this song, as it's so fun, catchy but still got that effect to it to this day. Wow at nearly all of the rankings in the Top 5 except for that one #6. Very impressive ranks. :o

Yayy I'm good with the 3 perfect ranks! And I can't wait for the next Billboard #1 R&B Songs series rankdown!

[Mayman]

Apr 17, 2024 1:22:54 GMT -5 • Господин Умљеновић • said:

Was listening to Dangerous yesterday

No doubt his best album. For me

I agree! Love the new jack swing tracks on it especially.

[balletgirlmom]

Does anyone know if the MJ estate has any new stuff to release?  For some reason, I thought he had so many unreleased songs.  I mean more than what we have alfready officially got.