The Essential Michael Jackson vs Number Ones?

[Nite Line]

These two albums are Michael's most well know greatest hits albums and they both are regulars on the charts. But which one is better?

The Essential Michael Jackson

Pros:
- Shows love to Michael's material with the Jackson 5 / The Jacksons.
- Shows some love to MJ's post 80s material by including various songs from Dangerous & History.

Cons:
- US version completely neglects History by including just one song from that album.
- No love shown to BOTDF & Invincible
- No new song.

Number Ones

Pros:
- A brand new song, One More Chance.
- A live version of Ben, which is gorgeous.

Cons:
- Completely abandons Michael's pre Off The Wall career. Hello, Michael's career began in 1969, not 1979.
- Very little love shown to 90s albums, especially Dangerous. It only features one song from Dangerous, which is mind boggling.
- Pointless inclusion of Break of Dawn. Like I love the song, but it wasn't even released as a single and nor did it go to number 1 in any market. Why was it included?

Overall, I think The Essential Michael Jackson is easily superior, as it gives a better representation of Michael's career.

What do you guys think?

 

[Mikky Dee]

I have both of these in my collection. I chose "The Essential Michael Jackson", mostly for the PRO reasons you gave in your post. It definitely gives a better coverage of Michael's career.

 

[83magic]

the first half of the 'essential' collection is practically perfect, and lives up to its title. i'm speaking of the second uk edition released in 2010, which omitted 'enjoy yourself' and contained the single/radio versions of the songs.

the track-listing is in chronological order, and the hits flow nicely into each other. I can literally hear the growth as it progresses.

the only songs I really skip is 'she's out of my life' and 'ben'. I understand why their there though..

I would have included: 'farewell my summer love', 'somebody's watching me', 'say say say', 'ease on down the road', and 'one day in your life'
bonus j5/jacksons hits: 'never can say goodbye', 'looking through the windows' and 'show you the way to go'

honestly, it was fine the way it was though

 

[NatureCriminal7896]

I like the Number Ones. while the essential has everything since he was a child Number Ones had a new song and live version of Ben. so I picked the Number Ones.

 

[JichaelMackson]

The essential has a better tracklist.

They released so many greatest hits packages over the years it's ridiculous. If they had released just one it would have accumulated all the sales and it would stand over 20 million by now.

 

[WillUBThere]

Essential has the better tracklist, but if I were to choose an "essential" Michael Jackson greatest hits album, it would be neither of these options. I think the Ultimate Collection is the best greatest hits album that's been released.

 

[Nite Line]

The essential has a better tracklist.

They released so many greatest hits packages over the years it's ridiculous. If they had released just one it would have accumulated all the sales and it would stand over 20 million by now.

I agree that MJ has too many greatest hits, and that definitely affects the sales of his less popular albums imo.

But regardless, both The Essential and Number Ones are great sellers. Number Ones has sales of 13 million worldwide and The Essential just over 7 million, which are pretty good numbers.

Essential has the better tracklist, but if I were to choose an "essential" Michael Jackson greatest hits album, it would be neither of these options. I think the Ultimate Collection is the best greatest hits album that's been released.

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Secondly, I completely agree with you. Aside from including Michael's greatest collection of songs from throughout his career, Ultimate Collection also includes quite a few previously unreleased demos and songs. A shame it isn't nearly as well known as Number Ones and The Essential.

 

[NatureCriminal7896]

It's funny to realize both of these came out when he was doing trials etc. they both sell it pretty good through like nite line said the essentials sell it lesser than the number ones.

but they still sell it pretty well through.

 

[ends1]

Always felt that number one's was just another notch for mj to get away from his album obligations in his contact

 

[wonderouzmj]

I never understood the point of both of these when HIStory already was a greatest hits album. The ultimate collection was a huge difference. I remember spending $55 on it & it took me so long to get it. The book was lit & even had Michael moonwalking with a flip book on each page. Came with a dvd & a bunch of never before heard stuff. I used to go to the mall when fye was still around & listen to those clips for hours & hours. I even remember they didnt have it out. U literally had to request it.

 

[Mikky Dee]

Essential has the better tracklist, but if I were to choose an "essential" Michael Jackson greatest hits album, it would be neither of these options. I think the Ultimate Collection is the best greatest hits album that's been released.

I absolutely agree with you, regarding The Ultimate Collection. I think it's amazing and it's a pity that it doesn't receive greater recognition.

 

[R1chard]

I pick Essential Michael Jackson as the best CD, followed by HIStory.

However, I'd probably pick Number Ones as the best DVD.

 

[Prince Of Pop]

Of these 2, Essentials is the best one. I like that there are radio versions of some of the songs like Black Or White (which I prefer to the album version).

But for me personally, the best hits package is The Ultimate Collection. I wish Michael released more boxsets in his lifetime.

 

[Hot_Street]

The Essential Michael Jackson Charting in the UK, Almost 20 Years After Its Release
July 19, 2024
“The Essential Michael Jackson” compilation was released on this date in 2005 and almost 20 years later, Forbes.com is reporting on its recent run on the UK Albums Chart. Running at over 2 ½ hours of music, this is the set to listen to this weekend to enjoy Michael. https://michaeljackson.lnk.to/TheEssential

The Essential Michael Jackson Charting in the UK, Almost 20 Years After Its Release

“The Essential Michael Jackson” compilation was released on this date in 2005 and almost 20 years later, Forbes.com is reporting on its recent run on the UK Albums Chart. Running at over 2 ½ hours of music, this is the set to listen to this weekend to enjoy Michael...

www.michaeljackson.com

 

[Hollywood_Tonight]

- Pointless inclusion of Break of Dawn. Like I love the song, but it wasn't even released as a single and nor did it go to number 1 in any market. Why was it included?

It's been long rumored the reason "Break of Dawn" was included on Number Ones was due to Dr. Freeze receiving only a co-writer credit for the song on Invincible, when in reality he wrote the entire song. Including "Break of Dawn" on Number Ones ensured Dr. Freeze would receive royalties from album sales.

 

[R1chard]

For me, Essential is a great CD. Number Ones is a great DVD.

Edit: doh, I replied years ago!

Cons:
- No new song.

Actually, this is a Pro

New songs are just contractual obligations, and are anti-consumer. For the general public, they're not interested in whatever crappy new song an artist is releasing, they just want the hits. And for a fan, greatest hits are pointless, so without one new song, they can be safely ignored.

Number Ones
- Pointless inclusion of Break of Dawn. Like I love the song, but it wasn't even released as a single and nor did it go to number 1 in any market. Why was it included?

Don't get me wrong, I think BOD is probably the worst song of MJ's entire career, but isn't the reason for inclusion obvious? Look at your point above, "No love shown to BOTDF & Invincible".

They released so many greatest hits packages over the years it's ridiculous. If they had released just one it would have accumulated all the sales and it would stand over 20 million by now.

That is a good point.

I think the Ultimate Collection is the best greatest hits album that's been released.

Nah, that's just an indiscriminate collection of everything, far too much filler. And it's too long and unweildy, making it harder to listen to. Not to mention expensive.