Bad

Michael Jackson

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (March 23, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1987
• Label: Epic
• ASIN: B00000269O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (105 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,614 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Though it sold in the eight-figure range worldwide, to some ears Bad suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Thriller. While not as visionary as that record-breaker and Off the Wall, the 1987 album does find Jackson and producer Quincy Jones continuing to work their craft at a high level. As it had with Thriller, radio embraced nearly every cut. Airplay saturation helped make the likes of "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Smooth Criminal," and the title track major hits in their day; they ring with confidence and good feeling more than a decade later. The self-involvement that would make the new material on History (1995) sound so curdled had yet to overtake Jackson; even his plea to "Leave Me Alone" displayed a sure wit, particularly in its video version. While the third best of his first three Epic solo discs, Bad carries a lot of what people love about Michael Jackson's music. --Rickey Wright

Product Description
Vinyl LP repressing of the King Of Pop's 1987 album which includes the hit singles 'Man In The Mirror', 'Smooth Criminal', 'Dirty Diana' and many others. Epic --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unfairly maligned, masterful dance album., April 26, 2000

By	D. Mok (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Bad (Audio CD)

All the press oversaturation and rumours of bizarre behaviour really hurt Michael Jackson's public image, thus obscuring the fact that Bad, hokey cover and all, is a very strong album and another jewel in Jackson's crown.

Jackson contributes more songs to this album than ever before, penning four out of the album's five record-breaking #1 singles: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", a duet with the wonderful Siedah Garrett that is probably Jackson's last great ballad performance; "Bad", funky and weird, very catchy, with its signature "How Now Brown Cow" rhythm; the gyrating "The Way You Make Me Feel"; and "Dirty Diana", a metal song with great production and a cacophonous guitar performance by Steve Stevens. The fifth chart-topper, "Man in the Mirror", is an undeniable classic. Taking Jackson's save-the-world sentiment and translating it into poetry, strong melodies and evocative imagery, songwriters Garrett and Glen Ballard created Jackson's best "We Are the World"-type song, complete with an appropriately booming gospel choir and dynamics to spare.

The less popular songs are equally good: The Stevie Wonder duet "Just Good Friends" is heavenly, "Liberian Girl" is breathy and sensual, and "Smooth Criminal" is Jackson at his most hard-hitting, a killer groove with crisp beats, synth work, perfectly placed sound effects, and Jackson's vocals going into manic mode. The lyrics verge on the nonsensical, but the energy is devastating and intoxicating. Even the CD bonus track "Leave Me Alone" is worthy, a funky keyboard riff opening the song which is Jackson's protest for privacy, yet with enough of a sense of humour not to make it too self-pitying. And the music videos (available on the Moonwalker home video as well as ) were groundbreaking -- "Smooth Criminal" a cinematic dance masterpiece with killer choreography and "Leave Me Alone" an animation breakthrough.

Bad was the first English-language album I ever bought (in 1988, at the height of its popularity). Needless to say, I have an unusual affection for it. To be fair, Michael Jackson's music is distinctly a product of the '70s and an emblem of the '80s, accounting for its dated sound in the context of the '90s and in the first decade of the 21st Century. On Bad, though, Jackson was still at the top of his game in songcraft and charisma, making Bad an essential listen.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Of The '80's, July 1, 2000

By	David M. Sulkers (Winnipeg, MB Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad (Audio CD)

Although I was only 6 when this CD came out, I still know every song from it. The only album in history to have had 5 No.1 singles. At the time (back in the '80's) the No.2 album of all time. Who didn't know who Michael Jackson was? Who didn't know these killer songs? Like 'Bad', who doesn't know that song? The infamous video in the N.Y subway, the organ solo in the middle of the song? Great song, classic. Now 'The Way You Make Me Feel' is a great Michael Jackson song that deserves a lot of credit not only for its barely visable new-jack swing (yes its there, don't even say it isn't) and great beat. This song rocks from beginning to end. Now 'Speed Demon' isn't too bad, it is a bit repetitive, but good. I like the video for it that is in the mini-movie 'Moonwalker'. Check it out. 'Liberian Girl' was never released in the US but was released in England to huge response and it is deserving because this is a beautiful song. I really, really like the duet with Stevie Wonder 'Just Good Friends' the song is kickin' from beginning to end. Their vocals sound great together. It is a rare classic of a song that shows what can happen when two great artists such as these get together. 'Another Part Of Me' is also kickin', it was also featured in the Disneyland theme ride 'Captain EO' in which Michael starred but is no longer in service. Now 'Man In The Mirror' is the greatest song of the '80's. It is the whole message behind it that makes it great. The song is just beautiful. Pure genius. Quincy and Michael created a magic in the studio that can never be duplicated. Never. 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' is also another great duet, this time with Siedah Garrett, who in fact co-wrote 'Man In The Mirror' with Glen Ballard. The song is great, though the intro leaves something to be desired. 'Dirty Diana' is a great power rock-song, it was actually one of Princess Diana's favorite songs. Now 'Smooth Criminal' is my favorite track on this CD, the best song on Bad! By far! The video is slammin' but the song is great! I love it! Now if you can, buy the version of Bad with the extra bonus track 'Leave Me Alone' on it which I think is a great song (though others don't) I love this song. Great beat, great hook, one of the best! So with 'Thriller', this album is one of the best of the '80's. Five out of Five.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "BAD"- Definitely Jackson's best work to date., May 22, 2000

By	guido (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad (Audio CD)

BAD is a masterpiece of music-making! Its 10 original tracks, from BAD to Smooth Criminal, all have awsome rythmic qualities and all-round great sound! Its bonus track, "Leave Me Alone", is also good for a listen, though it isn't nearly as powerful as the rest of the album's contents. In my opinion, BAD surpasses Thriller in all dimensions including: melodies, rythms, and all-round musical sound. By saying this, of course, Thriller is the second best album of Jackson's. The best song, musically and meaningfully, on BAD is "Man in the Mirror". This track lets us hear Michael's powerful vocal abilities and lets us know that to make the world a better place, people should look to change themselves first. If there is one album that you purchase in the near future, it should be this one. Congrats to Michael Jackson on providing his fans with a great piece of art!