The Essential Michael Jackson

Following Jackson's death on June 25, the album sold 102,000 units in the US on the chart week ending July 1, 2009.{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=2009-07-01 |title=In Death as in Life, Michael Jackson Sets Music Sales Records |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/arts/music/02sales.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |issn=0362-4331}} The following week the album sold 125,000 units in the US on the chart week ending July 8, 2009 and was the third biggest-selling album of the week.{{Cite web |title=Michael Jackson Dominates 'Billboard' Charts |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/c8ojrs/michael-jackson-dominates-billboard-charts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206055718/https://www.mtv.com/news/c8ojrs/michael-jackson-dominates-billboard-charts |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=January 25, 2023 |website=MTV }} In the UK, where the album had peaked at number two in 2005, it reached number one for seven consecutive weeks from the weeks ending July 11, 2009 to August 22, 2009, dethroning Jackson's own album, Number Ones, which topped the chart the week ending July 4, 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16519/michael-jackson/ |title=MICHAEL JACKSON songs and albums - full Official Chart history |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Official Charts}}

The album has been certified 5× platinum in the United States 9× Platinum in Australia and 6× Platinum in the United Kingdom with worldwide sales estimated around 6 million copies.

As of November 30, 2024, the album reached a new milestone by remaining on the Billboard 200 chart for 500 consecutive weeks. This is Jackson's second album to achieve this feat right after his album Thriller, which holds the record for 653 weeks on the chart.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-02 |title=Michael Jackson's 'The Essential' album achieves 500 weeks on Billboard 200 |url=https://rollingout.com/2024/12/02/michael-jacksons-the-essential-album/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=rollingout.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |title=Michael Jackson Reaches A Major Chart Milestone–One That Few Musicians Ever See |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/11/30/michael-jackson-reaches-a-major-chart-milestoneone-that-few-musicians-ever-see/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241208031912/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/11/30/michael-jackson-reaches-a-major-chart-milestoneone-that-few-musicians-ever-see/ |archive-date=2024-12-08 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Abdur-Rahman |first=Nahlah |date=2024-12-02 |title=Michael Jackson Hits Milestone Record As Second Album Charts On Billboard 200 For Decade |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/michael-jackson-second-album-charted-billboard-200-decade/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Black Enterprise |language=en-US}}

{{Clear}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Disc one

| extra_column = Album

| title1 = I Want You Back

| writer1 = The Corporation (Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, Berry Gordy, Deke Richards)

| extra1 = Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1969)

| length1 = 2:58

| title2 = ABC

| writer2 = The Corporation

| extra2 = ABC (1970)

| length2 = 2:58

| title3 = The Love You Save

| writer3 = The Corporation

| extra3 = ABC

| length3 = 3:05

| title4 = Got to Be There

| writer4 = Elliot Willensky

| extra4 = Got to Be There (1972)

| length4 = 3:25

| title5 = Rockin' Robin

| writer5 = Leon Rene (under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas)

| extra5 = Got to Be There

| length5 = 2:32

| title6 = Ben

| writer6 = Walter Scharf, Don Black

| extra6 = Ben (1972)

| length6 = 2:46

| title7 = Enjoy Yourself

| note7 = edit of alternative version

| writer7 = Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff

| extra7 = The Jacksons (1976)

| length7 = 3:24

| title8 = Blame It on the Boogie

| note8 = edited version

| writer8 = Michael G. Jackson-Clark, David Jackson-Rich, Hans Kampschroer, Elmar Krohn, Thomas Meyer

| extra8 = Destiny (1978)

| length8 = 3:30

| title9 = Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)

| note9 = 7" version

| writer9 = Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson

| extra9 = Destiny

| length9 = 3:46

| title10 = Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

| note10 = original 12" edit

| writer10 = Michael Jackson

| extra10 = Off the Wall (1979)

| length10 = 5:50

| title11 = Rock with You

| note11 = 7" remix

| writer11 = Rod Temperton

| extra11 = Off the Wall

| length11 = 3:23

| title12 = Off the Wall

| note12 = attempted recreation of US 7" remix

| writer12 = Temperton

| extra12 = Off the Wall

| length12 = 3:46

| title13 = She's Out of My Life

| writer13 = Tom Bahler

| extra13 = Off the Wall

| length13 = 3:37

| title14 = Can You Feel It

| note14 = 7" edit

| writer14 = Michael Jackson, Jackie Jackson

| extra14 = Triumph (1980)

| length14 = 3:50

| title15 = The Girl Is Mine

| note15 = duet with Paul McCartney

| writer15 = Michael Jackson

| extra15 = Thriller (1982)

| length15 = 3:42

| title16 = Billie Jean

| writer16 = Michael Jackson

| extra16 = Thriller

| length16 = 4:54

| title17 = Beat It

| writer17 = Michael Jackson

| extra17 = Thriller

| length17 = 4:18

| title18 = Wanna Be Startin' Somethin{{'-}}

| note18 = attempted recreation of 7" version

| writer18 = Michael Jackson

| extra18 = Thriller

| length18 = 4:17

| title19 = Human Nature

| note19 = attempted recreation of 7" remix

| writer19 = Steve Porcaro, John Bettis

| extra19 = Thriller

| length19 = 3:45

| title20 = P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

| writer20 = James Ingram, Quincy Jones

| extra20 = Thriller

| length20 = 3:59

| title21 = Thriller

| note21 = radio edit

| writer21 = Temperton

| extra21 = Thriller

| length21 = 5:12

| total_length =

}}

• Tracks 1-3 performed by The Jackson 5.
• Tracks 7-9 and 14 performed by The Jacksons.

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Disc two

| extra_column = Album

| title1 = Bad

| note1 = 7" single mix

| writer1 = Michael Jackson

| extra1 = Bad (1987)

| length1 = 4:06

| title2 = I Just Can't Stop Loving You

| note2 = radio edit) (duet with Siedah Garrett

| writer2 = Michael Jackson

| extra2 = Bad

| length2 = 4:11

| title3 = Leave Me Alone

| writer3 = Michael Jackson

| extra3 = Bad

| length3 = 4:39

| title4 = The Way You Make Me Feel

| note4 = attempted recreation of 7" remix

| writer4 = Michael Jackson

| extra4 = Bad

| length4 = 4:26

| title5 = Man in the Mirror

| writer5 = Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard

| extra5 = Bad

| length5 = 5:18

| title6 = Dirty Diana

| note6 = single edit

| writer6 = Michael Jackson

| extra6 = Bad

| length6 = 4:40

| title7 = Another Part of Me

| note7 = 7" version

| writer7 = Michael Jackson

| extra7 = Bad

| length7 = 3:46

| title8 = Smooth Criminal

| note8 = album version #3

| writer8 = Michael Jackson

| extra8 = Bad

| length8 = 4:17

| title9 = Black or White

| note9 = single version

| writer9 = Michael Jackson; rap lyrics by Bill Bottrell

| extra9 = Dangerous (1991)

| length9 = 3:21

| title10 = Heal the World

| writer10 = Michael Jackson

| extra10 = Dangerous

| length10 = 6:24

| title11 = Remember the Time

| writer11 = Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle

| extra11 = Dangerous

| length11 = 3:59

| title12 = In the Closet

| note12 = 7" edit

| writer12 = Michael Jackson, Riley

| extra12 = Dangerous

| length12 = 4:48

| title13 = Who Is It

| note13 = 7" edit

| writer13 = Michael Jackson

| extra13 = Dangerous

| length13 = 3:59

| title14 = Will You Be There

| note14 = radio edit

| writer14 = Michael Jackson

| extra14 = Dangerous

| length14 = 3:40

| title15 = Dangerous

| writer15 = Michael Jackson, Bottrell, Riley

| extra15 = Dangerous

| length15 = 6:59

| title16 = You Are Not Alone

| note16 = album edit

| writer16 = R. Kelly

| extra16 = HIStory (1995)

| length16 = 4:55

| title17 = You Rock My World

| note17 = album edit

| writer17 = Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Nora Payne

| extra17 = Invincible (2001)

| length17 = 5:08

| total_length =

}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Album

| title1 = Can't Get Outta the Rain

| note1 = single version

| writer1 = Michael Jackson, Jones

| extra1 = "The Girl Is Mine" single (1982)

| length1 = 4:06

| title2 = Say Say Say

| note2 = duet with Paul McCartney

| writer2 = Michael Jackson, McCartney

| extra2 = Pipes of Peace (1983)

| length2 = 3:55

| title3 = Jam

| note3 = 7" edit

| writer3 = Michael Jackson, Moore, Swedien, Riley

| extra3 = Dangerous

| length3 = 4:08

| title4 = They Don't Care About Us

| note4 =

| writer4 = Michael Jackson

| extra4 = HIStory

| length4 = 4:44

| title5 = Blood on the Dance Floor

| writer5 = Michael Jackson, Riley

| extra5 = Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997)

| length5 = 4:15

| title6 = Stranger in Moscow

| note6 =

| writer6 = Michael Jackson

| extra6 = HIStory

| length6 = 5:45

| title7 = Butterflies

| writer7 = Andre Harris, Marsha Ambrosius

| extra7 = Invincible

| length7 = 4:40

}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Album

| headline = Disc one

| title1 = I Want You Back

| writer1 = The Corporation (Perren, Mizell, Gordy, Deke Richards)

| extra1 = Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

| length1 = 2:58

| title2 = ABC

| writer2 = The Corporation

| extra2 = ABC

| length2 = 2:58

| title3 = The Love You Save

| writer3 = The Corporation

| extra3 = ABC

| length3 = 3:05

| title4 = Got to Be There

| writer4 = Willensky

| extra4 = Got to Be There

| length4 = 3:25

| title5 = Rockin' Robin

| writer5 = Rene (under the pseudonym J. Thomas)

| extra5 = Got to Be There

| length5 = 2:32

| title6 = Ben

| writer6 = Walter Scharf, Don Black

| extra6 = Ben

| length6 = 2:46

| title7 = Blame It on the Boogie

| writer7 = Jackson-Clark, Jackson-Rich, Kampschroer, Krohn, Meyer

| extra7 = Destiny

| note7 = edited version

| length7 = 3:30

| title8 = Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)

| note8 = 7" version

| writer8 = Michael Jackson, R. Jackson

| extra8 = Destiny

| length8 = 3:46

| title9 = Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

| note9 = 7" edit

| writer9 = Michael Jackson

| extra9 = Off the Wall

| length9 = 3:56

| title10 = Off the Wall

| note10 = attempted recreation of US 7" remix

| writer10 = Temperton

| extra10 = Off the Wall

| length10 = 3:46

| title11 = Rock with You

| note11 = 7" remix

| writer11 = Temperton

| extra11 = Off the Wall

| length11 = 3:23

| title12 = She's Out of My Life

| writer12 = Bahler

| extra12 = Off the Wall

| length12 = 3:37

| title13 = Can You Feel It

| note13 = 7" edit

| writer13 = Michael Jackson, Jackie Jackson

| extra13 = Triumph

| length13 = 3:50

| title14 = The Girl Is Mine

| note14 = duet with Paul McCartney

| writer14 = Michael Jackson

| extra14 = Thriller

| length14 = 3:41

| title15 = Billie Jean

| writer15 = Michael Jackson

| extra15 = Thriller

| length15 = 4:55

| title16 = Beat It

| writer16 = Michael Jackson

| extra16 = Thriller

| length16 = 4:18

| title17 = Wanna Be Startin' Somethin{{'-}}

| note17 = attempted recreation of 7" version

| writer17 = Michael Jackson

| extra17 = Thriller

| length17 = 4:17

| title18 = Human Nature

| note18 = attempted recreation of 7" remix

| writer18 = Porcaro, Bettis

| extra18 = Thriller

| length18 = 3:45

| title19 = P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

| writer19 = Ingram, Jones

| extra19 = Thriller

| length19 = 3:58

| title20 = I Just Can't Stop Loving You

| note20 = radio edit) (duet with Siedah Garrett

| writer20 = Michael Jackson

| extra20 = Bad

| length20 = 4:11

| title21 = Thriller

| note21 = radio edit

| writer21 = Temperton

| extra21 = Thriller

| length21 = 5:14

}}

• Tracks 1-3 performed by The Jackson 5.
• Tracks 7-8 and 13 performed by The Jacksons.

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Disc two

| extra_column = Album

| title1 = Bad

| note1 = 7" single mix

| writer1 = Michael Jackson

| extra1 = Bad

| length1 = 4:06

| title2 = The Way You Make Me Feel

| note2 = attempted recreation of 7" remix

| writer2 = Michael Jackson

| extra2 = Bad

| length2 = 4:26

| title3 = Man in the Mirror

| writer3 = Garrett, Ballard

| extra3 = Bad

| length3 = 5:18

| title4 = Dirty Diana

| note4 = single edit

| writer4 = Michael Jackson

| extra4 = Bad

| length4 = 4:40

| title5 = Another Part of Me

| note5 = 7" version

| writer5 = Michael Jackson

| extra5 = Bad

| length5 = 3:46

| title6 = Smooth Criminal

| note6 = album version #3

| writer6 = Michael Jackson

| extra6 = Bad

| length6 = 4:17

| title7 = Leave Me Alone

| writer7 = Michael Jackson

| extra7 = Bad

| length7 = 4:39

| title8 = Black or White

| note8 = single version

| writer8 = Michael Jackson; rap lyrics by Bottrell

| extra8 = Dangerous

| length8 = 3:21

| title9 = Remember the Time

| writer9 = Michael Jackson, Riley, Belle

| extra9 = Dangerous

| length9 = 3:59

| title10 = In the Closet

| note10 = 7" edit

| writer10 = Michael Jackson, Riley

| extra10 = Dangerous

| length10 = 4:48

| title11 = Who Is It

| note11 = 7" edit

| writer11 = Michael Jackson

| extra11 = Dangerous

| length11 = 3:59

| title12 = Heal the World

| writer12 = Michael Jackson

| extra12 = Dangerous

| length12 = 6:24

| title13 = Will You Be There

| note13 = radio edit

| writer13 = Michael Jackson

| extra13 = Dangerous

| length13 = 3:40

| title14 = You Are Not Alone

| note14 = LP edit

| writer14 = R. Kelly

| extra14 = HIStory

| length14 = 4:55

| title15 = Earth Song

| note15 = radio edit

| writer15 = Michael Jackson

| extra15 = HIStory

| length15 = 5:02

| title16 = They Don't Care About Us

| writer16 = Michael Jackson

| extra16 = HIStory

| length16 = 4:44

| title17 = You Rock My World

| note17 = album edit

| writer17 = Jackson, Jerkins, Jerkins III, Daniels, Payne

| extra17 = Invincible

| length17 = 5:08

| total_length =

}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Disc one

| extra_column = Album

| title1 = I Want You Back

| length1 = 2:58

| writer1 = The Corporation (Perren, Mizell, Gordy, Richards)

| extra1 = Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

| title2 = ABC

| length2 = 2:58

| writer2 = The Corporation

| extra2 = ABC

| title3 = The Love You Save

| length3 = 3:05

| writer3 = The Corporation

| extra3 = ABC

| title4 = Got to Be There

| length4 = 3:25

| writer4 = Willensky

| extra4 = Got to Be There

| title5 = Rockin' Robin

| length5 = 2:32

| writer5 = Rene (under the pseudonym J. Thomas)

| extra5 = Got to Be There

| title6 = Ben

| length6 = 2:46

| writer6 = Scharf, Black

| extra6 = Ben

| title7 = Blame It on the Boogie

| note7 = edited version

| length7 = 3:30

| writer7 = Jackson-Clark, Jackson-Rich, Kampschroer, Krohn, Meyer

| extra7 = Destiny

| title8 = Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)

| note8 = 7" version

| length8 = 3:46

| writer8 = Michael Jackson, R. Jackson

| extra8 = Destiny

| title9 = Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

| note9 = 7" edit

| length9 = 3:56

| writer9 = Michael Jackson

| extra9 = Off the Wall

| title10 = Off the Wall

| note10 = attempted recreation of US 7" remix

| length10 = 3:46

| writer10 = Temperton

| extra10 = Off the Wall

| title11 = Rock with You

| note11 = 7" remix

| length11 = 3:23

| writer11 = Temperton

| extra11 = Off the Wall

| title12 = She's Out of My Life

| length12 = 3:37

| writer12 = Bahler

| extra12 = Off the Wall

| title13 = Can You Feel It

| note13 = 7" edit

| length13 = 3:50

| writer13 = Michael Jackson, J. Jackson

| extra13 = Triumph

| title14 = The Girl Is Mine

| note14 = duet with Paul McCartney

| length14 = 3:41

| writer14 = Michael Jackson

| extra14 = Thriller

| title15 = Billie Jean

| length15 = 4:55

| writer15 = Michael Jackson

| extra15 = Thriller

| title16 = Beat It

| length16 = 4:18

| writer16 = Michael Jackson

| extra16 = Thriller

| title17 = Wanna Be Startin' Somethin{{'-}}

| note17 = attempted recreation of 7" version

| length17 = 4:17

| writer17 = Michael Jackson

| extra17 = Thriller

| title18 = Human Nature

| note18 = attempted recreation of 7" remix

| length18 = 3:45

| writer18 = Porcaro, Bettis

| extra18 = Thriller

| title19 = P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

| length19 = 3:58

| writer19 = Ingram, Jones

| extra19 = Thriller

| title20 = I Just Can't Stop Loving You

| note20 = radio edit) (duet with Siedah Garrett

| length20 = 4:11

| writer20 = Michael Jackson

| extra20 = Bad

| title21 = Thriller

| note21 = radio edit

| writer21 = Temperton

| extra21 = Thriller

| length21 = 5:14

| total_length =

}}

• Tracks 1-3 performed by The Jackson 5.
• Tracks 7-8 and 13 performed by The Jacksons.

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Disc two

| extra_column = Album

| title1 = Bad

| note1 = 7" single mix

| length1 = 4:06

| writer1 = Michael Jackson

| extra1 = Bad

| title2 = The Way You Make Me Feel

| note2 = attempted recreation of 7" remix

| length2 = 4:26

| writer2 = Michael Jackson

| extra2 = Bad

| title3 = Man in the Mirror

| length3 = 5:18

| writer3 = Garrett, Ballard

| extra3 = Bad

| title4 = Dirty Diana

| note4 = single edit

| length4 = 4:40

| writer4 = Michael Jackson

| extra4 = Bad

| title5 = Another Part of Me

| note5 = 7" version

| length5 = 3:46

| writer5 = Michael Jackson

| extra5 = Bad

| title6 = Smooth Criminal

| note6 = album version #3

| length6 = 4:17

| writer6 = Michael Jackson

| extra6 = Bad

| title7 = Leave Me Alone

| length7 = 4:39

| writer7 = Michael Jackson

| extra7 = Bad

| title8 = Black or White

| note8 = single version

| length8 = 3:21

| writer8 = Michael Jackson; rap lyrics by Bottrell

| extra8 = Dangerous

| title9 = Remember the Time

| length9 = 3:59

| writer9 = Michael Jackson, Riley, Belle

| extra9 = Dangerous

| title10 = In the Closet

| note10 = 7" edit

| length10 = 4:48

| writer10 = Michael Jackson, Riley

| extra10 = Dangerous

| title11 = Who Is It

| note11 = 7" edit

| length11 = 3:59

| writer11 = Michael Jackson

| extra11 = Dangerous

| title12 = Heal the World

| length12 = 6:24

| writer12 = Michael Jackson

| extra12 = Dangerous

| title13 = Will You Be There

| note13 = radio edit

| length13 = 3:40

| writer13 = Michael Jackson

| extra13 = Dangerous

| title14 = You Are Not Alone

| note14 = album edit

| length14 = 4:55

| writer14 = R. Kelly

| extra14 = HIStory

| title15 = Blood on the Dance Floor

| length15 = 4:15

| writer15 = Michael Jackson, Riley

| extra15 = Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix

| title16 = One More Chance

| length16 = 3:49

| writer16 = R. Kelly

| extra16 = Number Ones (2003)

| title17 = You Rock My World

| note17 = album edit

| length17 = 5:08

| writer17 = Michael Jackson, Jerkins, Jerkins III, Daniels, Payne

| extra17 = Invincible

| total_length =

}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Disc one

| title1 = I Want You Back

| length1 = 2:58

| writer1 = The Corporation (Perren, Mizell, Gordy, Richards)

| title2 = ABC

| length2 = 2:58

| writer2 = The Corporation

| title3 = The Love You Save

| length3 = 3:04

| writer3 = The Corporation

| title4 = Got to Be There

| length4 = 3:23

| writer4 = Willensky

| title5 = Rockin' Robin

| length5 = 2:32

| writer5 = Rene

| title6 = Ben

| length6 = 2:46

| writer6 = Scharf, Black

| title7 = Enjoy Yourself

| length7 = 3:25

| writer7 = Gamble, Huff

| title8 = Blame It on the Boogie

| length8 = 3:30

| writer8 = Jackson-Clark, Jackson-Rich, Kampschroer, Krohn, Meyer

| title9 = Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)

| note9 = 7" version

| length9 = 3:46

| writer9 = Michael Jackson, R. Jackson

| title10 = Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

| note10 =

| length10 = 6:04

| writer10 = Michael Jackson

| title11 = Rock with You

| note11 = 7" remix

| length11 = 3:23

| writer11 = Temperton

| title12 = Off the Wall

| note12 = UK 7" remix – edited version

| length12 = 3:46

| writer12 = Temperton

| title13 = She's Out of My Life

| length13 = 3:37

| writer13 = Bahler

| title14 = Can You Feel It

| note14 = 7" edit

| length14 = 3:50

| writer14 = Michael Jackson, J. Jackson

| title15 = The Girl Is Mine

| note15 = duet with Paul McCartney

| length15 = 3:42

| writer15 = Michael Jackson

| title16 = Billie Jean

| length16 = 4:56

| writer16 = Michael Jackson

| title17 = Beat It

| length17 = 4:19

| writer17 = Michael Jackson

| title18 = Wanna Be Startin' Somethin{{'-}}

| note18 = 7" version

| length18 = 4:20

| writer18 = Michael Jackson

| title19 = Human Nature

| note19 = 7" remix

| length19 = 3:47

| writer19 = Porcaro, Bettis

| title20 = P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

| length20 = 3:59

| writer20 = Ingram, Jones

| title21 = Thriller

| note21 = radio edit

| writer21 = Temperton

| length21 = 5:12

| total_length =

}}

• Tracks 1-3 performed by The Jackson 5.
• Tracks 7-9 and 14 performed by The Jacksons.

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Disc two

| title1 = Bad

| note1 = 7" single mix

| length1 = 4:06

| writer1 = Michael Jackson

| title2 = I Just Can't Stop Loving You

| note2 = radio edit) (duet with Siedah Garrett

| length2 = 4:11

| writer2 = Michael Jackson

| title3 = Leave Me Alone

| length3 = 4:39

| writer3 = Michael Jackson

| title4 = The Way You Make Me Feel

| note4 = 7" remix

| length4 = 4:26

| writer4 = Michael Jackson

| title5 = Man in the Mirror

| length5 = 5:18

| writer5 = Garrett, Ballard

| title6 = Dirty Diana

| note6 = single edit

| length6 = 4:40

| writer6 = Michael Jackson

| title7 = Another Part of Me

| note7 = 7" version

| length7 = 3:46

| writer7 = Michael Jackson

| title8 = Smooth Criminal

| note8 = album version #3

| length8 = 4:17

| writer8 = Michael Jackson

| title9 = Black or White

| note9 =

| length9 = 4:16

| writer9 = Michael Jackson; rap lyrics by Bottrell

| title10 = Heal the World

| length10 = 6:24

| writer10 = Michael Jackson

| title11 = Remember the Time

| length11 = 3:59

| writer11 = Michael Jackson, Riley, Belle

| title12 = In the Closet

| note12 = 7" edit

| length12 = 4:48

| writer12 = Michael Jackson, Riley

| title13 = Who Is It

| note13 = 7" edit

| length13 = 3:59

| writer13 = Michael Jackson

| title14 = Will You Be There

| note14 = radio edit with string intro

| length14 = 3:40

| writer14 = Michael Jackson

| title15 = Dangerous

| length15 = 6:59

| writer15 = Michael Jackson, Bottrell, Riley

| title16 = You Are Not Alone

| note16 = album edit

| length16 = 4:55

| writer16 = R. Kelly

| title17 = You Rock My World

| note17 = album edit

| length17 = 5:08

| writer17 = Michael Jackson, Jerkins, Jerkins III, Daniels, Payne

| total_length =

}}

• All attempted recreation of single edits are restored to actual single versions on digital edition with the exception of "Off the Wall", which is a further edit of UK 7" remix and "Will You Be There", which is a radio edit with newly added string intro. Both versions are exclusive to this release.
• "Enjoy Yourself", "Blame It on the Boogie", "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", and "Black or White" are restored to their album length on the digital edition.
• The uncut version of "The Lady in My Life" was announced on Legacy Recordings' website to be released on 2008's 3.0 edition bonus disc, but eventually omitted for unknown reasons. However, this version is previously available on the 2002 compilation The Songs of Rod Temperton, which has become a much sought-after item among Jackson collectors upon release, despite the fact that the version on the compilation is an inferior tape transfer with heavy, irreparable distortion due to tape degradation.
• A UK-exclusive edition of this compilation was renamed as The Hits (with the same font as the five-album box set The Collection) and given a colorized version of the cover in 2009.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for The Essential Michael Jackson|format=3col}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential Michael Jackson|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2018|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=9}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential Michael Jackson|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2007|certmonth=7|region=Belgium|award=Gold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=3|id=14070|relyear=2005|certyear=2024|source=chart|access-date=July 5, 2024}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential Michael Jackson|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2009|region=Finland|award=Gold|salesamount=20,290}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|certmonth=10|region=France|award=Gold|number=2|access-date=November 23, 2017}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|relmonth=7|certyear=2010|region=Hungary|award=Gold}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|region=Ireland|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Michael Jackson|title=The Essential Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=1|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2013|access-date=April 6, 2023|note=sales since 2009}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2009|region=Japan|award=Gold}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2009|region=Mexico|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Michael Jackson|title=The Essential Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=4|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2020|access-date=December 14, 2024|source=radioscope}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|region=Sweden|award=Gold}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2024|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=6|access-date=November 1, 2024|id=6913-168-2}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2018|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=5|multidisc=2}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=The Essential Michael Jackson|artist=Michael Jackson|type=album|relyear=2005|certyear=2009|region=Europe|award=Platinum|number=2}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=6,000,000|salesref=|access-date=July 29, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

• List of number-one albums of 2009 (Australia)
• List of number-one albums of 2009 (Mexico)
• List of number-one albums from the 2000s (UK)
• List of number-one R&B albums of 2009 (UK)

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4730407.stm |title=US fans shun Michael Jackson CD|work=BBC News|date=30 July 2005}}

{{Michael Jackson}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Essential Michael Jackson, The}}

Category:2005 greatest hits albums

Category:Michael Jackson compilation albums

Category:Albums produced by Michael Jackson

Category:Epic Records compilation albums

Category:Legacy Recordings compilation albums

Category:Sony BMG compilation albums