When people talk about Michael Jackson, guitars are not always the first thing that come to mind. The Moonwalk. The voice. The groove. The spectacle.
But here’s the truth every guitarist eventually discovers:
Michael Jackson’s catalog is packed with iconic guitar parts, legendary solos, and masterclass rhythm playing.
From razor-sharp funk scratches to stadium-level rock solos, MJ didn’t just use guitars—he curated them, pairing the right guitarist with the right song and pushing pop music into new sonic territory.
This guide is written for guitarists. Not casual listeners.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand:
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Which Michael Jackson guitar songs truly matter
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Why they work musically
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What techniques they teach
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And how to learn Michael Jackson songs on guitar the right way
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate player, or a seasoned guitarist revisiting the classics—there’s a lot here for you.
Why Guitar Matters So Much in Michael Jackson’s Music
Michael Jackson grew up on soul, funk, and rock. He idolized artists who used guitar as a rhythmic weapon—not just a lead instrument.
MJ’s production philosophy was simple but ruthless:
Every instrument must serve the groove.
That’s why his guitar parts are:
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Tight, percussive, and minimal
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Rhythm-first, ego-last
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Often recorded by multiple guitarists to layer textures
He also collaborated with some of the greatest guitarists of all time, blending rock credibility with pop accessibility.
The Guitarists Behind the Magic
Before we break down individual songs, you should know the players who shaped MJ’s guitar sound.
🎸 Eddie Van Halen
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Delivered the most famous guitar solo in pop history on “Beat It”
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Recorded it for free, in one take
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Changed how rock guitar fit into pop forever
🎸 Steve Lukather
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Rhythm and lead work across Thriller
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Precision, funk, and clarity personified
🎸 Slash
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Explosive solos on “Black or White” and “Give In to Me”
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Brought raw hard rock attitude into MJ’s 90s sound
🎸 Jennifer Batten
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Touring guitarist during the Bad and Dangerous eras
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Known for two-handed tapping, whammy-bar textures, and precision live work
These guitarists weren’t decoration—they were essential collaborators.
The Most Important Michael Jackson Guitar Songs (For Learning & Inspiration)
Let’s break them down song by song, focusing on what guitarists can learn from each.
1. Beat It – The Ultimate Pop-Rock Guitar Statement
Album: Thriller (1982)
If you only learn one Michael Jackson guitar song, make it this one.
The rhythm guitar drives the song with:
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Tight palm-muted eighth notes
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Aggressive downstrokes
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A rock-solid groove that never overplays
And then comes that solo.
Eddie Van Halen’s solo is:
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Fast but melodic
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Technically flashy but emotionally direct
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Perfectly structured (phrases, bends, resolution)
🎸 What Guitarists Learn:
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How to blend rock guitar into pop music
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The power of phrasing over speed
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How contrast (funk verse → rock chorus) creates excitement
This is essential if you want to learn Michael Jackson songs seriously.
2. Billie Jean – Minimalism as a Weapon
Album: Thriller (1982)
No big solo. No distortion overload.
Yet Billie Jean is one of the most studied guitar songs ever.
The guitar part is:
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Clean
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Percussive
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Locked tightly with bass and drums
Every note feels intentional.
🎸 Techniques Involved:
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Muted strums
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Tight rhythm control
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Dynamic restraint
🎸 What Guitarists Learn:
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How not to overplay
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How groove beats complexity
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How guitar can behave like a percussion instrument
If you struggle with timing, this song will fix you.
3. Black or White – Pop Meets Hard Rock
Album: Dangerous (1991)
This song exploded Michael Jackson into the 90s with distortion, power chords, and attitude.
Slash’s solo is raw, aggressive, and blues-based—almost rebellious compared to MJ’s usual polish.
🎸 Guitar Highlights:
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Crunchy rhythm guitars
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Power chord transitions
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Pentatonic-based rock soloing
🎸 What Guitarists Learn:
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How to balance pop structure with rock tone
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Using simple scales emotionally
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Controlled aggression
4. Dirty Diana – Dark, Aggressive, and Guitar-Driven
Album: Bad (1987)
This is one of MJ’s heaviest tracks—and guitar is front and center.
The song features:
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Driving distorted riffs
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Call-and-response between vocals and guitar
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A sense of tension throughout
🎸 Techniques:
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Power chord movement
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Controlled feedback
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Rock rhythm discipline
🎸 Why Guitarists Love It:
It proves MJ wasn’t afraid of edge, distortion, and darkness.
5. Smooth Criminal – Groove Guitar Masterclass
Album: Bad (1987)
The guitar here is subtle—but deadly effective.
It works in layers:
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Funk stabs
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Clean rhythmic accents
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Short melodic fills
🎸 What Guitarists Learn:
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Playing around the vocal
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Syncopation and space
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How small parts create massive impact
This is perfect for intermediate players wanting to refine groove.
6. The Way You Make Me Feel – Funk Rhythm Gold
Album: Bad (1987)
This song is a funk clinic.
The guitar:
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Chops on offbeats
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Uses muted strings extensively
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Locks tightly with the snare
🎸 Techniques:
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Funk muting
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16th-note rhythm control
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Clean tone precision
🎸 Learning Outcome:
If you want to play funk properly, this song is mandatory.
7. Give In to Me – Slash Unleashed
Album: Dangerous (1991)
This track feels like MJ walked straight into a rock arena.
Slash’s playing is:
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Emotional
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Blues-heavy
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Aggressive but tasteful
🎸 What Guitarists Learn:
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Expressive bends
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Vibrato control
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Letting notes breathe
8. Human Nature – Atmospheric Guitar Textures
Album: Thriller (1982)
Not flashy. Not loud.
But beautifully expressive.
The guitar adds:
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Sustained clean tones
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Chorus and delay textures
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Emotional depth
🎸 Learning Value:
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Tone shaping
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Playing for emotion
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Supporting the song, not dominating it
9. Bad – Rhythm Guitar Attitude
Album: Bad (1987)
Short stabs. Tight rhythm. Maximum swagger.
🎸 Guitar Focus:
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Syncopated hits
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Clean-to-crunch transitions
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Precision timing
Perfect for players working on tight ensemble playing.
How to Learn Michael Jackson Songs on Guitar (The Smart Way)
If your goal is to truly learn Michael Jackson songs, don’t approach them like generic pop tunes.
1. Prioritize Rhythm Over Solos
Even iconic solos come second to groove in MJ’s music.
2. Play With a Metronome
Most MJ songs fall apart without perfect timing.
3. Study the Bass Line
Your guitar part often mirrors or complements the bass.
4. Keep Your Tone Clean (At First)
Overdrive hides mistakes. MJ’s parts expose them.
5. Learn Live Versions
Tour versions often reveal how parts were intended to feel.
Why Michael Jackson Guitar Songs Are Still Relevant Today
Modern pop guitar owes a lot to MJ:
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Funk-pop rhythm styles
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Rock-pop crossover solos
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Minimalist, groove-based arrangements
Artists today still copy this formula—often without realizing where it came from.
If you’re a guitarist who wants:
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Better timing
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Better groove
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Better musical judgment
Michael Jackson’s catalog is a goldmine.
Final Thoughts
Michael Jackson didn’t play guitar—but he understood it deeply.
He treated the instrument like:
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A rhythmic engine
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A melodic accent
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A storytelling device
That’s why Michael Jackson guitar songs continue to be studied, covered, and loved by guitarists decades later.
If you genuinely want to learn Michael Jackson songs, you’re not just learning pop—you’re learning musical discipline, groove, and taste.
And that’s timeless.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Are Michael Jackson songs good for beginner guitarists?
Yes. Songs like Billie Jean and The Way You Make Me Feel are technically simple but rhythmically challenging—perfect for building solid foundations.
❓ Which Michael Jackson song has the best guitar solo?
Beat It is widely considered the most iconic due to Eddie Van Halen’s legendary performance.
❓ Did Michael Jackson play guitar himself?
No, but he was heavily involved in guitar arrangement, tone selection, and choosing the right guitarist for each track.
❓ Are Michael Jackson songs good for learning funk guitar?
Absolutely. His catalog is one of the best resources for funk-pop rhythm guitar.
❓ What guitar tone should I use for Michael Jackson songs?
Clean or lightly overdriven tones with compression, chorus, and tight muting work best.
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