Hello everyone. I hope this is finding you amazing! This week it’s time for another 80s Countdown with one of my all-time favorite singers. We are going talk about an all-around entertainer and amazing singer and dancer. A man who started in 1971 and had many top 10 hits with his brothers, the brothers had 4 #1 hits. You got it Michael Jackson.
One of my biggest musical regrets in life, was in 1987, when I won tickets on the radio to see Michael Jackson in concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. I thought I was straight at the time and back in that day, if a straight guy went to Michael Jackson, he would be bullied (so awful). I gave my tickets to my mom and I still regret it all these years later.
As Casey Kasem used to say, “Now on with the countdown of my favorite Michael hits”
#5 Look in the mirror.
THE SONG: “The Man in the Mirror”
This the only song on my list from his Bad album. This album had six COUNT THEM — S-I-X! — top 10 hits with five reaching #1, including this song did. Make that change, at the end is so powerful to me.
I wish things — not just music — were still like they were back then, but they are not. I love the vocals he displays in this song. Check on a bonus song from the movie Free Willy, “Will you be there”.
#4 The beat down
THE SONG: “Beat it”
What can I say about Beat it? The video is directed by Bob Giraldi and has an amazing guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen. This song also reached #1. This album also included the #2 hit “The Girl is Mine” with Sir Paul McCartney. “Beat it” hit #1 a few short weeks after (see #3). The Album Thriller had 7 top 10 hits!
This song was one of 8 Grammy wins in 1984 for Michael. This song won Record of the Year.
Fun fact: 41 years ago today, “Beat It” hit the top of the chart.
#3 Who is Billie? Not MY lover.
THE SONG: “Billie Jean”
There is no real Billie. Michael told Moonwalk in 1988, “The girl in the song is a composite of people my brothers have been plagued with over the years. I could never understand how these girls could say they were carrying someone’s child when it wasn’t true”. So, the song is based on groupies his brothers encountered while in the Jackson 5.
This was another #1 single.
Weird Nick Fact: When Michael sings the words “kid” and “Jean” in the song, I add an “S” to both words when I sing it.
#2 You wanna start what?
THE SONG: Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’.
Why do I love this song? Let me tell you:
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa (yeah, sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa (sing it out loud)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa (help me sing it)
He then says you’re a vegetable and they still hate you. LOL. The lyrics pertain to the media and press, as well as gossip and people trying to start arguments or problems for no reason, which he states in the lyrics, “Someone’s always tryin’ to start my baby crying.” Imagine that — people wanting to start arguments for no reason.
Fun Fact: It was originally written for his sister Latoya about her troubled relationship with her sisters-in-law, but Michael ended up recording the song.
Time for #1… Can you figure it out?
If you follow along with Dan’s weekly 80s Countdown tweets on Twitter/X, you’ll know that he never reveals the top song. He gives away all the other 39 songs on the countdown. He doesn’t want to spoil the entire listening experience. So, without further ado…
Here are the hints: The video was made in long form and ran a whopping 13 minutes. In spite of a really cool music video, the video lost the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video. It might have been one of the first line dances and it still gets trotted out annually. OH! And an iconic actor has an equally iconic voiceover in the song.
THE SONG: #1 Did you guess “Thriller”?
This song is so iconic. I could sing this song all day. The video to the song, lost to “You Might Think” by The Cars at the MTV Video Music Awards. I should say I am stunned to learn this. I just remembered a year ago. No reason in my mind for that nonsense.
Fun fact: Vincent Price, the actor you hear at the end including that iconic and legendary laugh was offered 20,000 for his time for doing the part in the song or a percentage of the albums proceeds, and he chose the lump sum. Most replay countdowns do not leave in the Vincent Price part of the song!
2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
What an exciting lineup for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year! Cyndi Lauper‘s induction is well-deserved. The other inductees, like Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes, represent such a diverse range of genres and eras. It’s a celebration of music’s ability to evolve and connect across generations.
Thanks for learning and reading about Michael Jackson! I will be back next week to chat about another year.
In the meantime, let me know what you think of this and ideas for a topic! And if you are on Twitter/X, be sure to join our live tweets every Friday night at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific using the hashtag #80sCountdown to be part of the fun! Find me on X @nickatnite15
I would love feedback
Nick
