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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 found the following review helpful:

The Best Of The '80'sJul 01, 2000
By David M. Sulkers
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 found the following review helpful:

"BAD"- Definitely Jackson's best work to date.May 22, 2000
By guido
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!

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

One of the reasons why I miss the old days...Apr 22, 2007
By Lucy
Michael continues to thrill us with this album Bad. He never disappoints us!!! This album is really good. I like all the songs on it. They're all good to dance to. Even though this album was released the year before I was born, I practically feel like I grew up with this album. I've seen most of his videos from this album.

1. Bad-I remember dancing to this video when I was young. I really like that outfit he was wearing. He was like punk, dark, and edgier. Very sexy.5/5
2. The Way You Make Me Feel-I remember seeing in this video where he trys to get this girl's attention. I had no idea they were dating in real life. 5/5
3. Speed Demon-I love this song! It makes me wanna dance. This song was also on Moonwalker where he dances with this animated bunny. 5/5
4. Liberian Girl-OMG! I love this song. Michael sings it very beautiful at the end. This song is hot. 5/5
5. Just Good Friends- The duet with Stevie Wonder was great. They sounded wonderful together! 5/5
6. Another Part Of Me-another hot track. 5/5
7. Man in the Mirror- I remember seeing the video and really made me pay attention. He talks about the violence and the poor, hungry children.
8. I Just Can't Stop Loving You- I love this song! It's the best. I grew up listening to this song. 5/5
9. Dirty Diana- my favorite!! This song is edgy, dark, and I love love that guitar!!! It makes you just wannna go rebellious!!5/5
10. Smooth Criminal-I love the video. It's sooo entertaining to watch him dance in this video. 5/5
11. Leave Me Alone- yeah, Michael is telling the tabloids to just leaving him alone. They would call him Wacko Jacko but yet they're buying his albums. 5/5

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

He's bad...shamon!Apr 04, 2006
By S. Sarhan "matured reviewer"
The 1980's were all about Michael Jackson. He was the biggest musical artist of the decade, and everything that he was involved in sold in millions.

His second album released in the 80's, third in all counting 1979's Off The Wall, Bad was a huge hit. Following the biggest selling album of all time, 1982's Thriller, the 11 track album included some of Michael's most challenging and inspirational classics: the funky title track Bad, the soulful ballad The Way You Make Me Feel, the slick Smooth Criminal, the peace anthem Man In The Mirror, the rocking Dirty Diana, the strange but awesome Speed Demon, the media-bashing Leave Me Alone (the first in the never-ending string of such songs), and the amazing Liberian Girl.

Bad marked Michael's first and only album to score an astonishing five consecutive Number 1 hit songs in the US: I Just Can't Stop Lovin' You, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man In The Mirror, and Dirty Diana. The album sold more than 30 million copies worldwide making it the second biggest selling album after Thriller.

It's no surprise that Michael was on top of the music world nearly 20 years ago. He wrote the best songs, sold the most albums, and attracted more listeners than Eminem does today. Bad features Michael at a point in his career, which has been in a downfall since 1993, when he was extremely confident and had the entertainment world in his back pocket.

Who's bad?

Recommended

A-

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