Remembering Michael Jackson: Posthumous Hits That Keep His Legacy Alive
The music world was shaken by the untimely death of Michael Jackson in 2009, just as he was gearing up for his final concert tour, the This Is It Tour. Despite his passing, new music from the King of Pop continued to be released, keeping his legacy alive. Here are some standout Michael Jackson songs that were released posthumously.
One of the first songs to be released after Jackson's death was "This Is It," originally known as "I Never Heard," a collaboration between Jackson and songwriter Paul Anka from the 80s. The song was discovered in demo form in Jackson's old tapes and later renamed without Anka's knowledge. After some legal disputes, Anka received partial credit for the song, which became a tribute to Jackson's final concert tour.
Another posthumous hit was "Chicago," featured on Jackson's Xscape album in 2014. Originally recorded for Invincible, the song was written by Cory Rooney and initially titled "She Was Lovin' Me." Producer Timbaland gave it a new life and name, leading to its popularity on platforms like TikTok, showcasing Jackson's enduring appeal.
"Hold My Hand," a collaboration with R&B star Akon, was a track that Jackson was particularly excited about. Akon had written the song for Whitney Houston but Jackson loved it and recorded vocals for it during his Thriller re-release project. Despite a leak in 2008, the song was officially released in 2010 as a single from the posthumous album Michael, showcasing Jackson's timeless talent and influence.
These posthumously released songs serve as a reminder of Michael Jackson's lasting impact on the music industry and his ability to captivate audiences across generations with his iconic sound and style.