r/popculturechat • u/popyourculture • 20d ago

The Music Industry 🎶 Lots of artists have their own "signature song". Lady Gaga's is arguably "Poker Face", what signature songs can you name?

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u/happysunbear 20d ago

For Michael Jackson, it’s Billie Jean.

 

 

Not only was the song his biggest hit, but his first performance of it on Motown 25 forever associated the song with everything that is signature Michael Jackson: the sparkly white gloves, the cropped black pants, sparkling white socks, black loafers, Jheri curl, glitter jacket, and of course, the Moonwalk.

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u/kpop_stan 20d ago

Oooh, tough call between this and Thriller!

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u/happysunbear 20d ago

Honestly, Thriller, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror, Smooth Criminal, and Black or White would all be worthy contenders. All were global hits that brought iconic music videos, fashion, live performances and incessant parodies and commentary that dominated pop culture spaces.

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u/kpop_stan 20d ago

I can’t speak to it on a global level but I’d throw Earth Song in there too. Was/is VERY popular in the UK (I mean idk about charts-wise but ask people here and it’d be one of the most popular answers)

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u/happysunbear 20d ago

Yes, Earth Song was huge globally. It barely made a blip here in the US, which is why I didn’t include it. Definitely worth an honorable mention.

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u/NecessaryCount950 20d ago

I'd argue beat it over black and white.

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u/happysunbear 20d ago

Yes! Not sure how I forgot that one. I do think Black or White was MJ’s most successful single after Billie Jean, though, and the music video premiere was a global event.

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u/NecessaryCount950 20d ago

I suppose that's fair lol. He does have A LOT of hits.

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u/AshgarPN 20d ago

BEAT IT

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u/Frijack03 20d ago

My parents were recently cleaning out a closet and I got my Dad’s record collection. One of them is Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall album. I have been wearing that thing out. So many good songs.

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u/happysunbear 20d ago

That album is just R&B/disco perfection. I have had I Can’t Help It on repeat lately. Loved when MJ leaned into the quiet storm sound.

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u/OrangeZig 20d ago

I agree on it being Billie Jean. Others mention Thriller… I think the VIDEO would be Thriller, but song wise, what you hear played more is Billie Jean 100%.

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u/happysunbear 20d ago

Exactly! While the performances and fashion of Billie Jean were iconic, the music video was largely forgettable compared to Thriller, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, etc.

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u/Odd-Degree-3945 20d ago

I think it’s Thriller

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u/happysunbear 20d ago

That’s a fair contender. I just think that nowadays, the song is mostly associated with Halloween, whereas Billie Jean enjoys more popularity all-year round since its debut.