Michael Jackson - Bad (1987)

Michael Jackson - Bad (1987)

Tracklist front / back album covers

1. "Bad"   4:08

2. "The Way You Make Me Feel"   4:59

3. "Speed Demon"   4:03

4. "Liberian Girl"   3:55

5. "Just Good Friends"   4:09

6. "Another Part of Me"   3:55

7. "Man in the Mirror"   5:21

8. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"   4:27

9. "Dirty Diana"   4:42

10. "Smooth Criminal"   4:20

11. "Leave Me Alone" (excluded from original vinyl and cassette releases)   4:41

Total length:   48:00

2001 special edition bonus tracks

12. "Quincy Jones Interview #1"   4:04

13. "Streetwalker"   5:49

14. "Quincy Jones Interview #2"   2:54

15. "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tú"   4:05

16. "Quincy Jones Interview #3"   2:31

17. "Spoken Intro to Fly Away"   0:09

18. "Fly Away"   3:27

Total length:   70:59

Notes Re-issues of Bad feature a number of changes when compared to the original 1987 release:

"Bad" – The original mix was replaced with the 7" single mix. The most notable difference is the lack of horns in all the choruses except for the last two. Horns are also missing from the second and third pre-choruses. The rhythm guitar during the choruses is also turned up along with the hi-hats.

"The Way You Make Me Feel" – The full-length remix used for the single with louder vocals and ad libs added to the end replaced the original album mix.

"I Just Can't Stop Loving You" omits Michael Jackson's spoken intro.

"Dirty Diana" is replaced with the single edit of the song.

"Smooth Criminal" went through two changes on the album. It was remixed to make the kick drum heavier and the bass synth fatter. The quick-sequenced synclavier behind the bass has been rendered mono as well. The first version of this mix left the breathing intact, but was later removed after some time.

"Leave Me Alone" was not included on the original vinyl nor cassette releases but was included on the CD release and now is included in all releases.

Michael Jackson Band Members / Musicians

Lead and backing vocals: Michael Jackson

Background vocals: Siedah Garrett (tracks 7–8), The Winans (7), and The Andraé Crouch Choir (7)

Bass guitar: Nathan East (track 8)

Hammond organ: Jimmy Smith (track 1)

Drums: John Robinson (tracks 1–4, 9–10), Miko Brando (3), Ollie E. Brown (3, 5), Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (8), Bill Bottrell (10), Bruce Swedien (5, 10), Humberto Gatica (5)

Programming: Douglas Getschal (tracks 1–4, 9), Cornelius Mims (5), Larry Williams (11)

Guitar: David Williams (tracks 1–3, 6, 9–10), Bill Bottrell (3), Eric Gale (2), Danny Hull, Steve Stevens (solo, 9), Dann Huff (7–8), Michael Landau (5), Paul Jackson Jr. (6, 9, 11)

Trumpet: Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (tracks 1–3, 5–6, 10)

Sounds engineered: Ken Caillat, and Tom Jones

Percussion: Paulinho da Costa (tracks 1–5, 8), Ollie E. Brown (2, 7)

Keyboards: Stefan Stefanovic, Greg Phillinganes (track 7)

Saxophone: Kim Hutchcroft (tracks 1–3, 5–6, 10), Larry Williams (1–2, 5–6, 10)

Synclavier (tracks 1–6, 8–10), digital guitar (1), finger snaps (2), sound effects (3): Christopher Currell

Synthesizer: John Barnes (tracks 1–4, 6, 9–10), Michael Boddicker (1–5, 9–10), Greg Phillinganes (1–3, 5, 8, 11, solo–1), Rhett Lawrence (5–6), David Paich (4, 8), Larry Williams (4–5, 11), Glen Ballard (7), Randy Kerber (7), Randy Waldman (9)

Piano: John Barnes (track 8), Kevin Maloney (10)

Rhythm arrangement: Michael Jackson (tracks 1–4, 6, 9–11), Quincy Jones (1, 3–5, 7–8), Christopher Currell (1), John Barnes (4, 6, 9–10), Graham Lyle (5), Terry Britten (5), Glen Ballard (7), Jerry Hey (9)

Horn arrangement: Jerry Hey (tracks 1–3, 5–6, 10)

Programming: Larry Williams (tracks 2), Eric Persing (3), Steve Porcaro (4, 8), Casey Young (11)

Midi saxophone: Larry Williams (track 3)

Bad is the 7th studio album by the American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson. It was released on August 31, 1987, by Epic Records, nearly five years after Jackson's previous album, Thriller (1982). Written and recorded between January 1985 and July 1987, Bad was the third and final collaboration between Jackson and producer Quincy Jones, with Jackson co-producing and composing all but two tracks. Jackson notably adopted an edgy look and sound with Bad, departing from his signature groove-based style and high-pitched vocals. The album incorporates pop, rock, funk, R&B, dance, soul, and hard rock styles. Jackson also experimented with newer recording technology, including digital synthesizers and drum machines, resulting in a sleeker and more aggressive sound. Lyrical themes on the album include media bias, paranoia, racial profiling, romance, self-improvement, and world peace. The album features appearances from Siedah Garrett and Stevie Wonder.