Working Day and Night: Michael Jackson Biopic Yields New Compilation

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Friday, April 24 sees the release in theatres everywhere of Michael, director Antoine Fuqua’s biopic-slash-celebration of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.  Epic Records and Legacy Recordings are marking the occasion with the release the same day of Michael: Songs from the Motion Picture, a straightforward, 13-song soundtrack drawing on the period between The Jackson 5’s Motown debut and Jackson’s triumphant Bad (1987).

Filling the superstar’s shoes is his nephew (and son of brother Jermaine) Jaafar Jackson, who reportedly will do some of his own singing in the film.  Despite that, the soundtrack features only Michael’s original vocals.  The movie’s screenplay has been penned by Academy Award nominee and Tony winner John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator on film; Red, Moulin Rouge! on stage) and also stars Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy, and Miles Teller as John Branca.

Michael: Songs from the Motion Picture offers three recordings from The Jackson 5’s Motown era (“Who’s Lovin’ You,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” “I’ll Be There”) and more Motown-period songs in live versions from The Jacksons (“I Want You Back/ABC/The Love You Save” medley, “Ben”).  Jackson’s solo albums are represented by cuts from the Quincy Jones-produced trilogy of Off the Wall (“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Working Day and Night”), Thriller (the title track, “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Human Nature”), and Bad (its title song).  With just a baker’s dozen selections–all of which are previously released–the album serves as a Jackson sampler and a keepsake of the film but doesn’t add anything new to his discography.

The album is available on CD, LP, cassette (!), and digital formats April 24, with various color variants of the vinyl version available.  You’ll find the track listing and pre-order links below.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Michael (Songs from the Motion Picture) (Epic/Legacy, 2026)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Clear Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Translucent Black Ice Vinyl): Independent Record Stores
Cassette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

  1. I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5
  2. Never Can Say Goodbye – The Jackson 5
  3. Who’s Lovin’ You – The Jackson 5
  4. Medley: I Want You Back/ABC/The Love You Save (Live) – The Jacksons
  5. Ben (Live) – The Jacksons
  6. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
  7. Beat It – Michael Jackson
  8. Thriller – Michael Jackson
  9. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
  10. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ – Michael Jackson
  11. Human Nature – Michael Jackson
  12. Working Day and Night – Michael Jackson
  13. Bad – Michael Jackson

Track 1 from Third Album – Motown MS 718, 1970
Track 2 from Maybe Tomorrow – Motown MS 735, 1971
Track 3 from Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 – Motown MS 700, 1969
Tracks 4-5 from The Jacksons Live – Epic EG 37545, 1981
Tracks 6 and 12 from Off the Wall – Epic FE 35745, 1979
Tracks 7-11 from Thriller – Epic QE 38112, 1982
Track 13 from Bad – Epic OE 40600, 1987

Joe Marchese
Joe Marchese

JOE MARCHESE (Editor) joined The Second Disc shortly after its launch in early 2010, and has since penned daily news and reviews about classic music of all genres. In 2015, Joe formed the Second Disc Records label. Celebrating the great songwriters, producers and artists who created the sound of American popular song and beyond, Second Disc Records, in conjunction with labels including Real Gone Music and Cherry Red Records, has released newly-curated collections produced and annotated by Joe from iconic artists such as Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Spinners, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Darin, Meat Loaf, Laura Nyro, Melissa Manchester, Liza Minnelli, Darlene Love, Al Stewart, Michael Nesmith, and many others.

Joe has written liner notes, produced, or contributed to over 200 reissues from a diverse array of artists, among them America, JD Souther, Nat "King" Cole, Paul Williams, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield, BJ Thomas, The 5th Dimension, Burt Bacharach, The Mamas and the Papas, Carpenters, Perry Como, Rod McKuen, Doris Day, Jackie DeShannon, Petula Clark, Robert Goulet, and Andy Williams.

Over the past two decades, Joe has also worked in a variety of capacities on and off Broadway as well as at some of the premier theatres in the U.S., including Lincoln Center Theater, George Street Playhouse, Paper Mill Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, and the York Theatre Company. He has felt privileged to work on productions alongside artists such as the late Jack Klugman, Eli Wallach, Arthur Laurents, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. In 2009, Joe began contributing theatre and music reviews to the print publication The Sondheim Review, and in 2012, he joined the staff of The Digital Bits as a regular contributor writing about film and television on DVD and Blu-ray.

Joe currently resides in the suburbs of New York City.

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6 thoughts on “Working Day and Night: Michael Jackson Biopic Yields New Compilation”

  1. This is good news for me. I would love to purchase a collection of Michael Jackson ‘s and Jackson 5 music. Please let me know when and where and how to obtain these. I am not sure how to use all this technology stuff as I am old school and always loved Michael. Any information on how to have these will be greatly appreciated.

    1. Hi Helen, This CD can be ordered from Amazon by clicking on the link right next to the title. It will also be available in stores such as Barnes & Noble, perhaps Target or Walmart, etc. Hope this helps!

    2. You can go to Amazon and pre order his album right now. The release date is April 24th 2026. It should be under “Michael or Michael Jackson

  2. I hope that Sony will use this film to finally release “The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection” on other venues besides iTunes, which is where it’s been exclusively available since its release in 2013… but somehow I kind of doubt it.

  3. Thomas Barkley

    I’m a huge Michael and the Jackson fan no disrespect for the soundtrack the music itself we already have in our house hold why is that necessary that simple show the movie we got every soundtrack from Michael and the Jackson it basically the same songs we all have love and heard it before

  4. I have mixed feelings on this whole production. Michael Jackson is one of a kind, in his own class; noone in his league. It is one thing to create an honorary tribute to the orginal artist taken too soon. It is entirely different to impersonate an artist to profit off of his legacy. I hope the intentions for those producing this are genuinely paying tribute to Michael, something Michael would approve of. “This is it” showcased why Michael is and always will be the one and only King of Pop. Can anyone truly do him justice? Always a fan of MJ

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