Michael Jackson - Invincible (2001)

[bat1990]

I'm surprised there was no thread for this.

This was Michael Jackson's final studio album released before his death, in the Fall of 2001. It contained the hit singles "You Rock My World" and "Butterflies."
However, it largely went un-promoted and is viewed as an underperformance due to conflicts between Michael and Sony. Tommy Mottola is trash.


1. Unbreakable (f/ The Notorious B.I.G.)
2. Heartbreaker (f/ Fats)
3. Invincible (f/ Fats)
4. Break of Dawn
5. Heaven Can Wait
6. You Rock My World
7. Butterflies
8. Speechless
9. 2000 Watts
10. You Are My Life
11. Privacy
12. Don't Walk Away
13. Cry
14. The Lost Children
15. Whatever Happens (f/ Carlos Santana on guitar)
16. Threatened

The bulk of the songs were produced by Rodney Jerkins, Teddy Riley, or Michael Jackson on his own [though international single "Cry" was produced and co-written by R Kelly...]

The album itself was released with the cover in five different colors as a cash grab by the label: white (the main version), red, orange, green, and blue.

What are you thoughts on this record? Is it a gem that got caught in corporate BS? Is it subpar in comparison to MJ's prior work?
Which songs are your favorites? Which singles would you have liked to see if Sony made it a proper era?





Other Factoids
- Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry wrote and recorded "Butterflies" before Michael heard and wanted it. She is featured on background vocals.
- Tyrese is a co-writer on "2000 Watts"
- Babyface produced and co-wrote "You Are My Life"
- "Break of Dawn" (possibly my favorite) was produced by prolific early 90s R&B producer Dr. Freeze. This song got some unsolicited play at Urban and Urban AC radio in Summer 2002
- Two songs were released as promo singles including the cancelled single "Unbreakable," "Speechless" being the other
- Marlon Brando and Chris Rock appeared in the short film for "You Rock My World"
- A video without MJ was produced for "Cry" showing people holding hands and singing along to the song. MJ decided he didn't need to appear after seeing the rough cut of the video and the single was also selected against his wishes
- The album has sold over 5 million copies world wide. It is certified double platinum by the RIAA and the IFPI has certified at least 2 million in sales in Europe

SPOILER: Click to show

The Album
US #1
Canada #3
UK #1
Ireland #3
Germany #1
Austria #2
Switzerland #1
France #1
Wallonia #1
Denmark #1
Norway #1
Sweden #1
Finland #7
Italy #2
Spain #2
Portugal #8
Australia #1
New Zealand #4
Japan #5

You Rock My World
Hot 100 #10
Billboard R&B #13
Top 40 Mainstream #16
Rhythmic #7
Canada #3
UK #2
Germany #6
Austria #9
Switzerland #5
France #1
Wallonia #2
Netherlands #2
Denmark #2
Norway #2
Sweden #5
Finland #2
Italy #3
Spain #1
Australia #4
New Zealand #13

Cry
Canada #33
UK #25
Germany #76
Austria #65
Switzerland #42
France #30
Wallonia #31
Netherlands #39
Denmark #16
Spain #6
Australia #43

Butterflies
Hot 100 #14
Billboard R&B #2
Top 40 Mainstream #36

Heaven Can Wait
Billboard R&B/Hip Hop #72

[Ginger Spice]

I know it's nowhere near his best or one of his classics, but this is actually my personal favorite MJ album because A. It was the only album of his I had when I was younger along with his greatest hits, and B. I'm a sucker for the late '90s/early '00s Darkchild sound.

My favorite song on the album is "Threatened" but "Butterflies" is close behind. I also love hearing him sing in a lower register on "2000 Watts."

[Deleted]

I like half of it and never listen to the other half. “Butterflies,” “Break of Dawn,” and “Heaven Can Wait” are all excellent.

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]

Jan 15, 2021 13:37:05 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

I like half of it and never listen to the other half. “Butterflies,” “Break of Dawn,” and “Heaven Can Wait” are all excellent.

Same here, and totally agreed about those songs mentioned.

[Dreams]

I haven't listened to it all the way through in years, but I remember liking most of it and thinking, after a couple of initial listens, that it wasn't bad at all. I listen to "You Rock My World" and "Butterflies" all the time, however; I ADORE them.

[jenglisbe]

Yeah this isn't bad at all and has some solid songs. I think the issue is that it lacks that extra something that made his 80s albums (and I include Off the Wall when I say that since it impacted into the 80s) so great. It feels more...forced/affected. That happens with most/all artists, though. I often prefer the early work of artists because you feel more of their joy of recording music.

[bat1990]

I performed a lip sync & dance routine to "Threatened" at school in the 6th Grade. I hadn't yet learned that performing in front of my school was not enough to spur sales and radio requests of the songs and albums I liked.

[divasummer]

I’ve been recently going back to this album in the last couple of years on and off to see what I missed out on.
I bought the cd the day of release and kind of recognize a lot of the songs but I wasn’t that into it back then.
Some of the songs were a little long and I used to make my own cds or cassettes back then. Lol
Listening now I like more songs than I thought.
Back then mid tempo’s weren’t always my thing but now I like them more.
“Break Of Dawn” is nice and I like “Butterflies” a lot more now than in 01 when it was a single.
I didn’t understand why they were releasing it.
I liked “You Rock My World” but at first I was disappointed with it but I grew to love it.
At the time I think I liked a couple of the uptempos but they sounded very similar to me.
“Invincible” is great and is a little softer or less busy than the first two tracks.
I also think there’s more of a Michael feel to it.
Actually I’m listening to “Unbreakable” now and I really like it.
I guess it was the length of the track back then?
“You Are My Life” is pretty and “Cry” is nice.
There’s a section in the chorus that so reminds me of his charity 9/11 single that never officially came out.
At the time Rodney Jerkins was my favorite producer and I didn’t think it had much of his sound on the tracks.
Looking back I probably should have given it more time to set in.
I still think 2-3 tracks could of been left off and some songs could of used an edit.

[balletgirlmom]

Great album and my 2 faves are Butterflies and Break of Dawn.

[• Господин Умљеновић •]

It is a good album, but his weakest for me.
The only song I really like is Cry.
Whatever happens & You rock my world are other 2 I really like but bit less.
The rest is ok to good.