On this day August 31 1987, Michael Jackson released his seventh studio album Bad, the long-awaited follow-up to Thriller. The album marked a shift in Jackson’s sound, image, and creative direction. Packed with chart-topping singles like Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man in the Mirror, and Smooth Criminal, it showcased a sharper edge both musically and visually.
Bad was the first album in history to produce five number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Quincy Jones returned as producer, and Jackson wrote more of the material himself, taking greater creative control. Its videos were cinematic, stylish, and iconic, cementing Jackson’s status as the most powerful figure in pop.
80s insight: The album’s global impact and groundbreaking short films helped set the standard for late 80s pop while reinforcing Michael Jackson's legacy as the King of Pop.
Bad was the first album in history to produce five number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Quincy Jones returned as producer, and Jackson wrote more of the material himself, taking greater creative control. Its videos were cinematic, stylish, and iconic, cementing Jackson’s status as the most powerful figure in pop.
80s insight: The album’s global impact and groundbreaking short films helped set the standard for late 80s pop while reinforcing Michael Jackson's legacy as the King of Pop.
