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If you’re an audiophile, you know the value of listening to music on vinyl. You may wonder what vinyls are worth buying, which ones are worth scavenging, and which ones you can do with them. Michael Jackson’s music is so iconic you’ll need vinyl or two (or ten), but which ones should make the cut if you can’t have them all?
Off The Wall, Thriller, and Dangerous are all Michael Jackson records you should have on vinyl. If you can find a copy of Live at Yokohama Station and are a fan of live vinyl, it would be a great one to add to your collection, too. This Is It is a great album if you are a fan of compilation albums.
Michael Jackson’s music was made to be played on vinyl. The man himself said so in an interview with Oprah in 1998: “I’m such a believer in vinyl. It’s the most natural way to hear music.”
Table of Contents
1. Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” Album
The Off The Wall album cover is a classic photo of MJ with his afro, looking intense. He’s wearing a black tuxedo, which really pops against the stark background.
It was released in 1979 by Epic Records on LP, cassette, and 8-track tape formats. This album surpassed “old school” forms with its timelessness. It’s also available on CD, digital download, and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music (but if you want to own it on vinyl—and you should—it can be found at your local record store or online for a pretty affordable price).
The recording studio used for Off The Wall was Henson Recording Studio in Hollywood, California, owned by Jim Henson Productions. The producer of Off The Wall was Quincy Jones, who also produced Thriller.
2. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Album
Let’s face it – Thriller is an essential part of any music collection. The album was Michael Jackson’s fifth studio album and was released in 1982. It is the only album to ever have seven singles released from it that reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The album was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA, owned by Quincy Jones, who (as mentioned above) also produced Off The Wall.
The record achieved incredible success during its 37 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and has sold over 110 million copies worldwide. You most likely know most of the songs on this album, too–making it the perfect record to add to your collection!
3. Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” Album
What makes Dangerous so good? Well, for starters, it was the first record where Michael Jackson really took control over his music career after leaving Motown Records in 1975, thanks to his management team working their magic behind closed doors during negotiations with Epic Records executives about how much money would be invested into creating an album worthy enough for Michael himself.
Let me tell you right now: when someone invests millions upon millions of dollars into making sure that everything goes according to plan while also ensuring complete creative freedom over every single aspect involved with making music videos, promotional materials, and so on…
Then chances are very high that things will turn out pretty well indeed. And Dangerous did just that.
4. Michael Jackson’s “HIStory Continues” Album
Michael Jackson’s History Continues, released in 1995, is the second of three consecutive albums on which Michael Jackson worked with producer Teddy Riley. The album is notable for containing the singles “You Are Not Alone” and “Scream,” both of which were certified platinum by the RIAA. HIStory Continues also has many celebrity appearances, some of which may surprise you.
5. Michael Jackson’s “Live at Yokohama Stadium” Album
You should own the album Live From Yokohama Stadium by Michael Jackson on vinyl because it’s an album that has stood the test of time, and it’s still one of the best live albums in pop music history.
The record was recorded at Yokohama Stadium in Japan during Michael Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour. The show itself was wildly successful and sold out within minutes. The set list included classic hits like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Bad.”
If you love Michael Jackson’s music, then you’ll love this album! Live versions of songs always have a different flavor, and this album will be interesting to listen to on vinyl. The songs and sounds of the audience will transport you to a different place.
6. The Jacksons “Destiny” Album
It’s hard to believe that The Jacksons Destiny Remastered was released in 1980 because it feels like it’s been around forever. This is the last album to feature Michael Jackson’s brothers before his death in 2009. It’s also the last time we got to hear them perform together as a group. The Jackson 5 were one of my favorite groups growing up, and I still love listening to their music today—and if you’re a vinyl fan, there is no better way than with this remastered version on vinyl!
The Jackson 5 was really the beginning of Michael Jackson’s career, so this record is a necessity for any Michael Jackson fan’s collection. You get to listen to the beginning of his music career and the talent that is the rest of the Jackson’s. This album was also made to be listened to on vinyl – because that’s all that could be listened to when this album came out. You’ll notice some beautiful things while listening to it, things you wouldn’t be able to listen to just via headphones!
7. Michael Jackson’s “Bad: 25th Anniversary Edition” Album
The album is packed with hits—it’s the reason why you know all those dance moves. From “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” to “Man In The Mirror,” this double LP will have your whole family dancing in no time.
It also features some of Michael Jackson’s best work, including “Bad,” which won him his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1987, and “The Way You Make Me Feel.” If you’re looking for a record that will help keep the music alive while introducing your kids to one of the greatest artists ever, this is it!
8. The Jacksons “Triumph” Album
Released in 1980, Triumph Remastered includes the singles “Can You Feel It” and “Torture.” This version of Triumph was remastered in 2008 by Sony Music Entertainment. The album features the hit songs “Get It Together,” “Together Again,” and “This Place Hotel.”
“Thriller” and “Bad” are popular vinyls, so much so that you can find them nearly everywhere. The special thing about “Triumph” is that it’s a rarity amongst the vinyl community–only a true Michael Jackson fan will have this on their shelf.
Because of the way these songs were recorded, they really shine when played on vinyl. The bass is more prominent, which makes it easier to enjoy the work of James Jamerson and Louis Johnson. Triumph also has a special feel when you play it–you can listen to it all the way through while relaxing, play it while cleaning, or show it off to friends.
If you’re looking for a way to get into collecting vinyl records, this is a great place to start—the album has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide since its release in 1989!
9. Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” Album
You should own the album “This Is It” on vinyl because it is a great record, and you will want to listen to it repeatedly. The record was released shortly after Michael Jackson’s death, and it features tracks that were recorded during his last days before his passing. The album includes songs like “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Dirty Diana,” and many more of his popular hits from the past 30 years.
![Michael Jackson's This Is It [Vinyl]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Eh+fnUC6L._SL500_.jpg "Michael Jackson's This Is It [Vinyl]")
If you are a Michael Jackson fan, then this album is definitely worth purchasing for your collection. You will not be disappointed! The album cover itself is a glorious addition to any display wall, and the album will have all of the songs everyone loves. This is an easy one to break out for those who like a classic Michael Jackson song.
These Are the Top 9, but Any Michael Jackson Album Will Do
To be completely honest—you can’t go wrong with Michael Jackson.
If you can find a used version of any of his albums, you should pick it up and at least test it out. You never know how much of a rarity you may have found, either. Today, some Michael Jackson records are sold online for thousands of dollars (with one copy going for $8K!), but there are plenty more just sitting around waiting for someone like you to come along and give them new life by putting them onto your turntable at home or the office.
Some of his other classics that have been remastered for vinyl are:
- Got To Be There
- Dancing Machine
- ABC
- Music & Me
- HIStory Past, Present, Future
- Michael Jackson Revisited
- Invincible
If you can find a Michael Jackson record, you really can’t go wrong!
Picking Vinyl That Fits Your Lifestyle
All audiophiles know that picking the right vinyl isn’t as simple as picking something with a song or two you like (though this is totally acceptable!). Picking the right vinyl has a lot to do with your set-up, your lifestyle, and what you’re buying your vinyl for.
In order to get the most out of your vinyl experience, you need to know what makes a good record. Your favorite song is just one part of it; there’s more to consider than sound alone. A well-made vinyl is not only pleasing to listen to but also aesthetically pleasing in terms of its packaging and quality. If your record player is old and doesn’t play used vinyl well, you’ll also need to budget for buying brand new vinyl (which can be costly).
First and foremost, the weight of the album matters—it should be heavy enough that you feel like you’re holding something substantial in your hands. The cover art should be visually interesting, whether that means an elaborate illustration or just some well-chosen fonts and colors. The music itself should be crisp and clear; any crackling or hissing will distract from your listening experience rather than enhance it (unless those sounds were deliberately added for effect).
Where To Get Vinyl Records
You can find vinyl records in all sorts of places. They’re not just for people who have a lot of money and like to collect things; they’re also for people who love music and appreciate history – and they’re available in more places than you might think. You can order them online or even find them at garage sales and thrift stores.
If you want to get them online, then make sure that the website has good reviews and has been around for a while. This is because there are many fake sites out there that will sell you bad copies of old albums or no copies at all!
Check out these articles that I wrote about where to buy new vinyl (and used) online.
If you are visiting a new city you might be interested in these vinyl record store city guides.
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