Episode 11 of Glee's season 3 is a tribute to the music of Michael Jackson. 10 of his songs are woven into the show's plot line.
1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
Courtesy Columbia Records
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is the song that kicks off Michael Jackson's Thriller album. The "Mama-say mama-sah ma-ma-coo-sah" refrain is borrowed from the 1972 proto-disco song "Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was released as the fourth single from Thriller and reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is sung by Blaine on Glee.
- Watch Michael Jackson live
2. "I Want You Back"
The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" was released by Motown in 1969 and became the group's first #1 hit single. It was originally considered as a vehicle for Gladys Knight and the Pips and then Diana Ross. "I Want You Back" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Sebastian and the Dalton Academy Warblers perform "I Want You Back" on Glee.
- Watch the Jackson 5 live
3. "Bad"
"Bad" is the title song from Michael Jackson's 1987 album of the same name. It was a #1 hit single. The accompanying music video includes many references to the musical West Side Story. New Directions and the Dalton Academy Warblers perform "Bad" on Glee.
- Watch Michael Jackson video
4. "Scream"
"Scream" is a duet by Michael Jackson and his sister Janet Jackson. It was the lead single from Michael Jackson's HIStory album released in 1995. The song is an answer to Michael Jackson's treatment at the hands of the media. Mark Romanek directed the critically acclaimed video. "Scream" was a #5 hit single. Artie and Mike perform "Scream" on Glee.
- Watch Michael Jackson video
5. "Never Can Say Goodbye"
Released in 1971, "Never Can Say Goodbye" was a #2 hit single by the Jackson 5. Michael Jackson was only 12 years old when the song was recorded. It was the subject of later hit cover versions by Gloria Gaynor and the Communards. Quinn sings "Never Can Say Goodbye" on Glee.
6. "Human Nature"
"Human Nature" was released as the fifth single from Michael Jackson's Thriller album. It has a smooth, soulful ballad feel that stands apart from the other songs on the album. "Human Nature" climbed to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and crossed over to hit #2 on the adult contemporary chart. It is sung by Mercedes and Sam on Glee.
- Watch Michael Jackson "Human Nature" rehearsals
7. "Smooth Criminal"
"Smooth Criminal" is an uptempo, rock-oriented song from Michael Jackson's album Bad. It was released in 1988 as the seventh single from the album. "Smooth Criminal" peaked at #7 on the pop chart, and is probably best remembered for the accompanying music video. The clip's choreography features the famous "anti-gravity lean" introduced by Michael Jackson. Santana and Sebastian perform "Smooth Criminal" on Glee.
- Watch Michael Jackson video
8. "Ben"
The song "Ben" was written for the soundtrack of the film of the same name. The main character Ben is a rat. Released in 1972, "Ben" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It climbed to #1 on the pop singles chart and became Michael Jackson's first solo #1. Finn, Kurt, and Rachel sing "Ben" on Glee.
9. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"
"I Just Can't Stop Loving You" was the first single from Michael Jackson's album Bad. It is a duet with singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" became the first of five #1 hit singles from Bad. The song also topped the adult contemporary chart. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" is sung by Finn and Rachel on Glee.
- Watch Michael Jackson live
10. "Black Or White"
"Black Or White" was released in 1991 as the first single from Michael Jackson's album Dangerous. It rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in just three weeks, the fastest ascent at that time since the Beatles' "Get Back" accomplished the same feat in 1969. "Black Or White" remained at #1 for seven weeks. Film director John Landis put together the music video which debuted simultaneously in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million. New Directions and the Dalton Academy Warblers sing "Black Or White" on Glee.
- Watch Michael Jackson video
