The Michael Jackson Era No One Talks About Might Be His Best
Michael, the biographical film based on Michael Jackson's life, has grossed over $432 million at the box office in just two and a half weeks. Sparking a cultural frenzy, audiences around the world have been wildly passionate for the film celebrating the King of Pop's life and art.
This global reignition of love for Michael Jackson has caused fans to revisit his iconic music in droves.
Movie theater has become a complete concert afterwards?? Michael Jackson a legend pic.twitter.com/KsaDOek7HE
— Amunet (@freakoutsideofx) May 3, 2026
The week following Michael's debut in theaters, Jackson's music had its highest streaming week ever. His 1982 landmark album, Thriller, is expected to make its first top five appearance on the Billboard 200 this century by the end of this week. It currently sits at No. 7.
Most people remember Michael's career from his historic solo work and his time as a young boy singing Motown love songs like "ABC" and "I'll Be There" as a member of The Jackson 5. They may still be missing an era in between, which includes some of his best music ever produced.
That period is the late 1970s, when Michael led The Jacksons, which is the evolution of The Jackson 5 after their departure from Motown and Jermaine's exit from the group. By this time, the lead singer was now an adult with full power, and the group had transitioned from love songs of the 1960s into full-blown disco and funk.
Stylistically, this era of the group is most similar to what is heard on 1979's Off the Wall. If you are a fan of this variety of music, there is more of it.
Triumph (1980), which released a year after Michael's breakout solo album, and Goin' Places (1976) are both strong works of this period, with 1978's Destiny being the group's consensus best.
Destiny, the first album The Jacksons fully wrote and produced themselves, features hits "Blame It on the Boogie" and "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)," among many more great songs, including the title track. The 1978 album is among the best works that the legend was ever a part of, including as a solo artist. "Blame It on the Boogie" was written by Mick Jackson, the only song on the record the group didn't write.
Blame It On the Boogie was written by Mick Jackson (English singer, unrelated to the Jacksons). He recorded his own version in 1977, but the Jacksons listened to the demo at a festival in France, recorded it in secret and released it at about the same time. It became a "Battle of… pic.twitter.com/0JrwKigQYH
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Michael's fully developed presence on exciting disco arrangements formed a special combination.
There is a strong chance you may have never heard most of the songs from albums like Destiny and Triumph. You may wonder why it took so long.
Fans globally are deepening their relationship with Michael Jackson's iconic music as the artist currently is the most streamed artist in the world, 17 years after his death.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 10:37 AM.