Product Overview
Michael Jackson – Bad / Epic Audio CD 2001 / EPC 504423 2
UPC 5099750442326
Bad is the seventh studio album by American singer Michael Jackson. It was released on August 31, 1987, by Epic Records, nearly five years after Jackson's previous album, Thriller. It was written and recorded in nearly a year, and was the third and final collaboration between Jackson and producer Quincy Jones. Jackson co-produced it and composed all but two tracks. Vocally, Jackson moved away from his trademark groove sound and high-pitched vocals. Instead, Bad's edgier sound incorporates pop, rock, funk, R&B, dance, soul and hard rock. Jackson experimented with modern technology, including digital synthesizers and drum machines, resulting in a sleeker and more aggressive sound on the album. Lyrical themes include media bias, paranoia, racial profiling, romance, self-improvement, and world peace. The album features appearances from Siedah Garrett and Stevie Wonder.
Among the most anticipated albums in popular music, Bad debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, selling over 2 million copies in its first week in the US. The album also reached number one in 24 other countries, including the UK, where it sold 500,000 copies in its first five days and became the country's best-selling album of 1987. Nine songs were released as official singles, and one as a promotional single. Seven charted in the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, including a record-breaking five number ones: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Man in the Mirror" and "Dirty Diana". By 1991, the album was the second-best-selling album of all time at the time, behind Thriller, having sold 25 million copies worldwide.
The album was promoted with the film, Moonwalker (1988), which included the music videos of songs from the album, including "Speed Demon", "Leave Me Alone", "Man in the Mirror" and "Smooth Criminal". The film became the best-selling home video of all time. The Bad tour, which was Jackson's first solo world tour, grossed $125 million (equivalent to $254 million in 2019) making it the highest-grossing solo concert tour of the 1980s. Jackson performed 123 concerts in 15 countries to an audience of 4.4 million including a record seven sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium. It was also Jackson's last tour where he performed in the United States.
With sales of over 35 million copies sold worldwide, Bad is one of the best-selling albums of all time. In 2017, it was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album has been named by several publications as one of the greatest albums of all time. It was nominated for six Grammy Awards, winning Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical and Best Music Video (for "Leave Me Alone"). In 1988, Jackson received the first Billboard Spotlight Award, in recognition of the record-breaking chart success on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the critical appraisal of the music videos for the singles from the album, along with his previous music videos throughout the 1980s, Jackson was honored with the MTV Video Vanguard Award.
Tracklist:
| 1 | Bad
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Christopher Currell, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Guitar [Digital] – Christopher Currell, Organ [Hammond B3 Midi Organ Solo] – Jimmy Smith, Percussion – Michael Jackson, Synthesizer [Solo] – Greg Phillinganes |
4:07 |
| 2 | The Way You Make Me Feel
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Michael Jackson, Finger Snaps – Christopher Currell, Michael Jackson, Guitar – Eric Gale, Percussion – Ollie E. Brown, Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Larry Williams |
4:58 |
| 3 | Speed Demon
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Jerry Hey, Drums – Miko Brando, Ollie E. Brown, Effects – Christopher Currell, Engineer – Ken Caillat, Tom Jones (4), Guitar – Bill Bottrell, Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Eric Persing, Saxophone [Midi Saxophone Solo] – Larry Williams, Synthesizer [Vocal] – Michael Jackson |
4:01 |
| 4 | Liberian Girl
Arranged By [Rhythm] – John Barnes, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Arranged By [Swahili Chant] – Caiphus Semenya, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Jerry Hey, John Barnes, Quincy Jones, Arranged By [Vocals] – John Barnes, Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Steve Porcaro, Synthesizer – David Paich, Vocals [Swahili Chant] – Letta Mbulu |
3:53 |
| 5 | Just Good Friends
Arranged By [Rhythm, Synthesizer & Vocals] – Graham Lyle, Quincy Jones, Terry Britten, Drum Programming – Cornelius Mims, Drums – Bruce Swedien, Humberto Gatica, Ollie E. Brown, Guitar – Michael Landau, Synthesizer – Rhett Lawrence, Synthesizer [Solo] – Stevie Wonder, Vocals – Stevie Wonder, Written-By – Graham Lyle, Terry Britten |
4:07 |
| 6 | Another Part Of Me
Arranged By [Rhythm & Vocals] – John Barnes, Michael Jackson, Synthesizer – Rhett Lawrence |
3:54 |
| 7 | Man In The Mirror
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Glen Ballard, Quincy Jones, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Glen Ballard, Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones, Arranged By [Vocals] – Andrae Crouch, Backing Vocals – Andrae Crouch, Siedah Garrett,M Backing Vocals [The Andraé Crouch Choir] – Alfie Silas, Andrew Gouche', Francine Howard, Geary Faggett, Jean Johnson, Linda Green, Maxi Anderson, Perry Morgan, Rose Banks, Sandra Crouch, Voncielle Faggett, Backing Vocals [The Winans] – Carvin Winans, Marvin Winans, Michael Winans, Ronald Winans, Featuring – Siedah Garrett, The Andrae Crouch Choir*, The Winans, Guitar – Dann Huff, Handclaps [Clap] – Ollie E. Brown, Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes, Synthesizer – Glen Ballard, Randy Kerber, Written-By – Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett |
5:19 |
| 8 | I Just Can't Stop Loving You
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Quincy Jones, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – David Paich, Quincy Jones, Arranged By [Vocals] – John Barnes, Michael Jackson, Bass – Nathan East, Drums – N'dugu Chancler, Guitar – Dann Huff, Piano – John Barnes, Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Steve Porcaro, Synthesizer – David Paich, Vocals – Siedah Garrett |
4:12 |
| 9 | Dirty Diana
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Jerry Hey, John Barnes, Michael Jackson, Arranged By [Strings] – John Barnes, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – John Barnes, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Claves [Clave' Clapstick] – Michael Jackson, Guitar [Solo] – Steve Stevens, Synthesizer – Randy Waldman, Synthesizer [Synclavier Synthesis] – Denny Jaeger |
4:41 |
| 10 |
Smooth Criminal
Arranged By [Rhythm] – John Barnes, Michael Jackson, Drums – Bill Bottrell, Bruce Swedien, Effects [Synclavier] – Denny Jaeger, Michael Rubini, Handclaps [Clap] – Michael Jackson, Piano [Muted Steinway] – Kevin Maloney, Voice [Chief Of Police Announcement] – Bruce Swedien |
4:17 |
| 11 | Leave Me Alone
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Michael Jackson, Drum Programming – Larry Williams, Synthesizer [Synclavier], Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Casey Young, Synthesizer [Vocal] – Michael Jackson |
4:40 |
|
Special Edition Bonus Material |
||
| 12 | Quincy Jones Interview
Interviewee – Quincy Jones, Interviewer – David Wild, Voice [Introduction] – Jason Dietz |
4:03 |
| 13 | Streetwalker | 5:49 |
| 14 | Quincy Jones Interview
Interviewee – Quincy Jones, Interviewer – David Wild, Voice [Introduction] – Jason Dietz |
2:53 |
| 15 | Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu (I Just Can't Stop Loving You)
Written-By – Michael Jackson, Ruben Blades |
4:05 |
| 16 | Quincy Jones Interview
Interviewee – Quincy Jones |
2:30 |
| 17 | Intro To "Fly Away"
Voice – Jason Dietz |
0:08 |
| 18 | Fly Away | 3:26 |
- Advisor [Vocal Consultant] – Seth Riggs
- Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 10)
- Arranged By [Vocals] – Michael Jackson (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 8 to 11)
- Art Direction [Art Direction: Special Edition] – David Coleman (5), Nancy Donald, Tony Lane (2)
- Co-producer [Original Album] – Michael Jackson
- Compiled By [Special Edition Material] – Bruce Swedien
- Contractor, Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Jolie Levine
- Design [Slipcase Adaptation Design] – Andy Engel
- Design [Special Edition Design] – David Coleman (5), Monster X (3)
- Directed By [Epic Records Product] – Larry Stessel
- Drum Programming – Douglas Getschal (tracks: 1 to 4, 9)
- Drums – John Robinson (2) (tracks: 1 to 4, 9, 10)
- Edited By [Special Edition] – Rob Herrera, Stuart Brawley
- Engineer [Additional] – Brad Sundberg, Claudio Ordenes, Debbie Johnson (2), Humberto Gatica, Laura Livingston
- Executive-Producer – Bruce Swedien, Michael Jackson
- Guitar – David Williams (4) (tracks: 1 to 3, 6, 9, 10), Paul Jackson, Jr. (tracks: 6, 9, 11)
- Keyboards [Synclavier] – Christopher Currell (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 10)
- Lead Vocals [Solo Vocals], Backing Vocals – Michael Jackson (tracks: 1 to 11)
- Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
- Mastered By [Originally Prepared For Compact Disc By] – Joe Gastwirt
- Other [Assistant To Michael Jackson] – Mary "May-reeh" Coller
- Other [Makeup] – Karen Faye
- Other [Mjj Staff] – Bill Bray, Martha Browning, Miko Brando
- Other [Qjp Staff] – Denitria Harris, Donna Bernardo, Louise Velasquez, Madeline Randolph, Nasim Nourian, Portland Benson, Raoul Roach
- Other [Slam Dunk Sisters] – Catherine Ballard, Laura Raynor
- Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1 to 5, 8)
- Photography By [Back Cover] – Greg Gorman
- Photography By [Front Cover] – Sam Emerson
- Photography By [Inside Spread] – Matthew Rolston
- Photography By [Special Edition] – Harrison Funk, Sam Emerson
- Producer [Original Album] – Quincy Jones
- Recorded By [Additional Recording] – Bill Bottrell, Brian Malouf, Claudio Ordenes, Craig Johnson, Gary Olazabal, Matt Forger
- Recorded By, Mixed By – Bruce Swedien
- Remastered By [Remastered: Special Edition] – Bernie Grundman
- Research [Special Edition Pre-production Research] – Al Quaglieri, Matt Foeger
- Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 10), Larry Williams (tracks: 1 to 2, 5, 6, 10)
- Synthesizer – Greg Phillinganes (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 8, 11), John Barnes (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 9, 10), Larry Williams (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Michael Boddicker (tracks: 1 to 5, 9, 10)
- Technician [Technical Director] – Craig Johnson
- Technician [Westlake Audio Staff] – Brad Sundberg, Darryl Dobson, Debbie Jenkins, Glenn Phoenix, Greg Davids, Mark Hagen, Matt Freeman (3), Raff Sanchez, Russ Ragsdale
- Technician [Westlake Audio Technical Support Team] – Danny Burns, Greg Loskorn, John Sacchetti, Mustafa Locks, Pat Stolz, Rich Markowitz
- Trumpet – Gary Grant (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 10), Jerry Hey (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 10)
- Typography [Lettering: Bad] – Jeffrey Spear
- Written-By, Composed By – Michael Jackson (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 8 to 11, 13, 18)
It was announced on May 3, 2012, that the Estate of Michael Jackson and Epic Records would be releasing a 25th anniversary album of Bad. The album was named Bad 25 and was released on September 18, 2012. Since the release of Bad 25, there has been a discontinuation of the 2001 special edition.
All tracks written by Michael Jackson, except where noted; all tracks produced by Quincy Jones and co-produced by Jackson.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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" (with Stevie Wonder; writers: Terry Britten, Graham Lyle) | 4:09 |
| 6. | "Another Part of Me" | 3:55 |
| 7. | "Man in the Mirror" (writers: Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard) | 5:21 |
| 8. | "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (with Siedah Garrett) | 4:27 |
| 9. | "Dirty Diana" | 4:42 |
| 10. | "Smooth Criminal" | 4:20 |
| 11. | "Leave Me Alone" | 4:41 |
| Total length: | 48:00 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Quincy Jones Interview #1" | 4:04 |
| 13. | "Streetwalker" | 5:49 |
| 14. | "Quincy Jones Interview #2" | 2:54 |
| 15. | "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tú" (with Garrett; writers: Jackson, Rubén Blades) | 4:05 |
| 16. | "Quincy Jones Interview #3" | 2:31 |
| 17. | "Spoken Intro to Fly Away" | 0:09 |
| 18. | "Fly Away" | 3:27 |
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.
