“Bad” marks the seventh studio album by the renowned American singer and songwriter, Michael Jackson. This iconic album hit the music scene on August 31, 1987, courtesy of Epic Records, emerging nearly five years following Jackson’s monumental release, “Thriller” (1982).
The creation process for “Bad” spanned from January 1985 to July 1987 and represented the third and final collaboration between Jackson and producer Quincy Jones. In this endeavor, Jackson not only showcased his vocal talents but also actively participated in co-producing and composing all but two of the tracks.
With “Bad,” Jackson deliberately ventured into uncharted territory, adopting a more edgy look and sound that deviated from his signature groove-based style and high-pitched vocals. The album is a fusion of various musical genres, including pop, rock, funk, R&B, dance, soul, and hard rock. Jackson also explored the latest recording technology, incorporating digital synthesizers and drum machines, which contributed to a sleeker and more aggressive sound. On this album, Jackson penned nine out of the eleven songs, touching on a range of lyrical themes, including media bias, paranoia, racial profiling, romance, self-improvement, and world peace. It also features guest appearances from Siedah Garrett and Stevie Wonder.
Upon its release, “Bad” became one of the most highly anticipated albums of its era. It debuted at the number one spot on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, selling an impressive 2.25 million copies within its first week in the United States and maintaining its dominance for six consecutive weeks. Its influence extended far beyond the U.S., reaching number one in 24 other countries, including the United Kingdom, where it achieved remarkable sales of 350,000 copies in its inaugural week, solidifying its position as the best-selling album of 1987 in the UK.
The album boasts an impressive array of singles, with nine songs officially released and one as a promotional single. Six of these singles secured spots in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, with “Another Part of Me” charting at #11. Notably, five singles from the album reached the coveted number one position: “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Dirty Diana.” The release of “Bad” was accompanied by the film “Moonwalker” (1988), which featured music videos for songs from the album, including “Speed Demon,” “Leave Me Alone,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Smooth Criminal.”
Critics drew comparisons between “Bad” and Jackson’s previous work, particularly “Thriller.” Jackson’s vocal prowess and the rich, polished production of “Bad” garnered critical acclaim. In hindsight, the album has earned praise as a definitive piece of 1980s pop music and an extension of Jackson’s enduring influence on 21st-century music.
A commercial juggernaut, “Bad” earned the distinction of being the world’s best-selling album for both 1987 and 1988. By 1991, it had solidified its position as the second best-selling album of all time, trailing only “Thriller,” with 25 million copies sold worldwide. Notably, Jackson became the first artist to hold the top two spots in global album sales simultaneously.
The “Bad” tour, representing Jackson’s inaugural solo world tour, achieved remarkable success, grossing an impressive $125 million (equivalent to more than $291 million in 2021), making it the highest-grossing solo concert tour of the 1980s. Jackson delivered 123 electrifying concerts in 15 different countries, captivating an audience of 4.4 million. This tour also marked Jackson’s final mainland United States performance.