Wanna be startin' somethin' - Michael Jackson

'Wanna be startin' somethin'' was the fourth single taken from the album 'Thriller'. It was originally intended for the album 'Off the wall' but was not recorded until the sessions for 'Thriller' in 1982. The song was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. The song ends with a chorus repeatedly singing 'Ma ma-se, ma ma-sa, ma ma-coo-sa', which is an African chant. This chant was later re-used in Rihanna's 2007 single 'Don't stop the music'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part eight of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3529

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Wanna be startin' somethin'' / 'Rock with you (live)' (The Jacksons)

Download: here

Beat it - Michael Jackson

The third single from 'Thriller', 'Beat it', won two Grammy Awards for 'Record of the year' and 'Best male rock vocal performance'. Eddie Van Halen guested for the guitar solo on this track, which was again produced by Quincy Jones. The lyrics are an immediate, frightful warning to avoid fighting and violence at all costs, especially when honor seems to be at stake.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part seven of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3528

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Beat it' / 'Burn this disco out'

Download: here

Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

Released as the second single from his album 'Thriller', Michael Jackson met international acclaim with 'Billie Jean'. The groundbreaking video and the exciting music caused critics to be overwhelmingly positive. Jackson started writing the first demo of the song in his home in 1981. When he presented the song to his co-producer Quincy Jones, Jones had problems with the title and wanted to call the song 'Not My Lover'. He thought when audiences heard it they would assume Jackson was referring to tennis superstar Billie Jean King.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part six of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3527

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Billie Jean' / 'It's the falling in love'

Download: here

The girl is mine - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney

This duet by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney was the first single taken from the album 'Thriller'. Following its release, some observers assumed 'Thriller' would only be a minor hit album. At the time of recording, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney were still on speaking terms. This would change some years later, when Michael acquired the rights over Beatles songs.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part five of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3526
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The girl is mine' / 'Can't get outta the rain'
Download: here

She's out of my life - Michael Jackson

'She's out of my life' was the fourth and final single taken from Michael Jackson's 1979 album 'Off the wall'. Unlike the previous singles, this song was a slow ballad. The song was written by Tom Bahler after Karen Carpenter broke up with him upon discovering he had fathered a child with another woman.

At the end of the song, Jackson appears to break down in tears. He tried many takes of the last few minutes of the song, but always ended the same way – breaking down in tears. Producer Quincy Jones finally decided to leave the recording 'as is'.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part four of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3525
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'She's out of my life' / 'Push me away' (The Jacksons)
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including 'She's out of my life'

Rock with you - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's third single from 'Off the wall' was written by Rod Temperton. It was one of the last big disco hits by Jackson, since in 1980, disco was starting to lose its appeal to the general public in favour of punk rock and new wave. The song was produced by Quincy Jones. It would later appear on one of his own albums, 'Jook joint' in a cover version by singer Brandy in 1995.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part three of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3524

Found: eBay, January 6, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Rock with you' / 'Get on the floor'

Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks

Off the wall - Michael Jackson

'Off the Wall' was the second single released from Michael Jackson's 1979 album of the same name. The track, composed by Rod Temperton, became Jackson's second top 10 single from the album, which eventually spawned four top 10 singles.

This single was pressed on red vinyl and is part two of a limited edition nine disc set released in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 3523
Found: eBay, January 6, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Off the wall' / 'Working day and night'
Download: Album 'Off the wall', including both tracks