Released in 1987 in August 1987 Michael had devoted two and a half years to recording the follow up to the Thriller album , which at the time of the Bad albums release had sold over 40 million records and was the world best selling album.

Michael again worked with Quincy Jones as producer, and they both set out to make the most perfect album humanly possible.

Michael wrote all but 2 of the songs on the album, "Man In the Mirror" a great self message song co-written by Siedah Garrett who co sings on the love song "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" and "Just Good Friends" the duet with Stevie Wonder were the only other tracks not written by Michael.

The first 5 singles from the album all went to Number One in the U.S Billboards charts. To this day it remains the only album to have 5 number one singles.

On the Cd, new technology allowed space for an extra track "Leave Me Alone" a simple message and along with the video gets the message across of him wanting some privacy and trying to dispel some of the ludicrous stories constantly surrounding the now global superstar.

The album has sold over 30 million copies.