| Title | Writer(s) | Notes | Ref. |
| "11pm"(2010) | Michael JacksonBrad Buxer | Written between 2008-2009 Instrumental track originally produced by Buxer; lacks any vocals from Michael Later revision produced by Michael Durham Prince exists | |
| "A Baby Smiles"* | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded during the Off the Wall sessions Lyrics to the song were featured as a poem titled "When Babies Smile" in the 1992 book Dancing the Dream | |
| "A Pretty Face Is" | Stevie Wonder | Originally written in 1974 The song was originally intended for the Jackson 5 but was later recorded as a duet between Wonder and Jackson; the two reportedly recorded the song for Wonder's 1987 Characters album Was reworked with Bryan Loren during the Dangerous sessions A DAT tape of the Dangerous rework was discovered along with other outtakes in a shed once belonging to Loren in 2023 Dangerous version currently in the hands of a private collector | |
| "Adore You"(2009) | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded during sessions at the Neverland Ranch between late 2004 and January 2005 Only some "background vocals" were recorded by Jackson and a full 30-piece choir. Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death Full song currently in the hands of a private collector, with snippets circulating online | |
| "All My Children"† | Michael Jackson | | |
| "All The Truth You Need"† | Bryan Loren | Also known as "All The Truth" One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991 Loren sings the verses on this song, with Jackson in the choruses Described to be similar to Do the Bartman Has a runtime of 5:02 minutes | |
| "Alright Now"* | Michael JacksonJohn Barnes | Originally written and recorded during the 1980s Given to Ralph Tresvant to record for his 1990 album Ralph Tresvant Said to sound identical to Tresvant's version. Tresvant's version of the song features Jackson on background vocals | |
| "Apocalypse Now" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded during 1986–1987 The track consists of numerous military cadences composed by drummer John Robinson Lacks any vocals from Michael. Described by Robinson in Rhythm magazine: "There was a track I did called 'Apocalypse Now' that I wrote six and a half minutes of military drum cadences for. I brought in Don Williams, Dan Greco, and Bob Zimmitti. We recorded with four field snares, four piccolo snares, two sets of piatti, and one gran casa. It was a very hip tune, but it never made the record. I was kind of upset about that." Has a runtime of 6:24 minutes | |
| "Ask Rene" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded during the HIStory sessions Also known as "Ask Rene 3" Instrumental groove with no vocals DAT tape put up for auction along with other songs in 2013" | |
| "Bad Girl"* | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded on February 28, 1986 during the Bad sessions Although vocals were recorded, it was never worked on again Bottrell is unaware of current state of completion of song | |
| "Bang Your Head"(2010) | Michael JacksonTheron FeemsterMichael Durham Prince | Written sometime between 2008 and 2009 Lacks any vocals from Michael | |
| "Be Me 4 a Day"† | Michael JacksonCalix Days Grey | Written during the Invincible sessions Unknown if ever recorded by Michael | |
| "Beatbox 2010"(2009) | Michael JacksonEric J. KirklandMichael Durham Prince | | |
| "Bio" | Michael JacksonBrad Buxer | Written in late 1997 at Buxer's home studio approximately a week after the HIStory World Tour ended Was allegedly the first song worked on for the Invincible album, alongside "Seeing Voices" | |
| “Blue Powder” | Brad Buxer | Written and recorded in June 2000 during the Invincible sessions Vocals sung by Jackson’s personal driver Very low tempo song; described by collectors as “boring and insignificant” Full song currently in the hands of a private collector A snippet leaked onto the internet in 2025 | |
| "Bombay Nights" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded in during the HIStory sessions A DAT tape containing the song was auctioned in 2013 alongside other songs Described as a "repetitive, yet funky" track | |
| "Boots Song" | Michael Jackson | Written and possibly recorded in 1979 during the Off The Wall sessions Also known as "Boots Groove" Described as having a similar sound to "Get on the Floor" with a Brothers Johnson-inspired bass line Rumored to have full vocals, though nothing is confirmed | |
| "From The Bottom of My Heart"(2010) | Michael JacksonBrad BuxerMichael Durham Prince | Also known as "Bottom of My Heart" Instrumental track; lacks any vocals from Michael Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death Full song currently in the hands of a private collector, with snippets circulating online | |
| "Boy No"(2009 & 2010) | Michael JacksonBrad BuxerMichael Durham Prince | Written and recorded in 2009 Vocally incomplete; is a somber song about loneliness Full song currently in the hands of a private collector, with snippets circulating online | |
| "Breathe" | Michael Jackson | Written sometime between 2008 and 2009 Also known as "Breath" Unknown if ever recorded | |
| "Broken Chair"(2010) | Michael JacksonTheron FeemsterMichael Durham Prince | Written sometime between 2008 and 2009 The name "Broken Chair" was a working title and a placeholder until lyrics were to be written Instrumental track; lacks any vocals from Michael Features "booming digital drums and rock/electric guitar" Listed on notes consisting of songs Jackson wanted to finish that were found in his bedroom after his death | |
| "Bubbles" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded during the Dangerous sessions Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album Lacks any vocals from Jackson Described as having "an entire musical bed of industrial sounds." Has a runtime of 1:30 minutes Full song currently in the hands of a private collector | |
| "Buffalo Bill"* | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded in 1983 during sessions for the Victory album Jackson's first studio collaboration with John Barnes Inspired by bison hunter William Cody Failed to make the Victory and Bad albums The song is vocally complete and ready for release Two versions exist; one with background vocals from The Jacksons, and the other being a soloist version from Michael. Mentioned by Jackson during the 1983 "unauthorized interview": "We're doing a new album right now: the Jacksons album, and I'm writing several songs on it. The latest one I'm writing is called 'Buffalo Bill'; it's about Will Cody, the cowboy, and how he died." As described by Bill Bottrell, the chorus lyrics include: "Who shot Buffalo Bill? They said he shot a lot, did he ever get killed?" | |
| "California Grass"* | Michael Jackson | Written circa 1993 Recorded before or after 1993, however exact year is unknown | |
| "Change" | Steve Porcaro | Written and recorded in mid 2009 Presented to Jackson during the This Is It rehearsals Vocals performed by Michael Sherwood | |
| "Changes" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded with John Barnes during the early Bad sessions Described as "an upbeat piano-driven demo with rolling drum programming" and "incredibly catchy". Features a "really rough" scratch vocal with Jackson mumbling and humming a melody over the music, with the only discernible lyrics talking about "going through changes" Revisited during the HIStory sessions, with an added gospel performance from the Andraé Crouch choir and a few ad-lib solos added HIStory version currently in the hands of a private collector, with snippets circulating online | |
| "Chicago 1945" | Michael Jackson(lyrics)Steve Porcaro(music) | Written and recorded in early 1983 during the Victory sessions A vocally complete song about three girls who went out and mysteriously disappeared throughout the night, with a hook of "never to be found again" According to Porcaro, Jackson researched the significant events that occurred in 1930's and 1940's Chicago to write the lyrics Failed to make the Victory and Bad albums According to author Bruce Najar, a version was allegedly worked on by Quincy Jones during the Bad sessions, but was never finished Porcaro was approached by the estate about using it on Xscape, but declined to permit on the basis that the song didn't need any "contemporizing", and that he disapproved of the estate's "straight to remix" approach to Jackson's unreleased material Porcaro continued to work on the song, resulting in a version with added horns and ad-libs dated to 2021 Said 2021 version was given to producer Brad Sundberg to be played in his seminars, and later leaked onto internet in 2023. Considered for Thriller 40 | |
| "Children's Holiday"† | Michael Jackson | Written in 1998 as a charity single after the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake Given to the Japanese fundraising group J-Friends, along with "People of the World" May or may have not been recorded by Jackson | |
| "Circles" | Michael Jackson | Written during the HIStory sessions Lacks any vocals from Michael DAT tape dated June 23, 1994 was put up for online auction in 2023 alongside other songs | |
| "Crack Kills"* | Michael JacksonDarryl McDanielsJoseph Simmons | Written during the Bad sessions Originally known as "Rap Song" during early sessions Plans to include rapper duo Run-D.M.C. on a Westlake version fell through after Michael's pet Bubbles allegedly bit Jam Master Jay. A solo version was recorded by Michael with a full vocal in November 1986 | |
| "Craze" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded in during the early Invincible sessions Was mentioned by Michael Prince in a March 2017 episode of the MJCast Is reportedly at least six minutes in runtime duration | |
| "Cry"* | Michael Jackson | | |
| "Dancing for Love" | Michael JacksonRedOne | Written in the late 2000s Song title was found on a court document investigating La Toya Jackson's boyfriend, who was accused of stealing items owned by Michael upon his death. Producer RedOne has stated that he'll only release the track if all profits go to charity | |
| "H2O" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded in 2008 Most popularly referred to as "Dark Lady" Described as having an Arabic sound to the chorus and a bassline similar to Queen's "Under Pressure" Demo has complete vocals on the choruses and scratch vocals on the verses Lyrics include: "Dark lady will get what she wants every time, Dark lady don't know what she is." Full song currently in the hands of a private collector, with snippets circulating online | |
| "Days in Gloucestershire" | Michael JacksonBrad Buxer | Written and recorded in 2004 at one of the Neverland Ranch's bungalows Also known as "Gloucestershire" Inspired by Jackson's visit with the Jackson 5 to Gloucestershire while on tour three decades earlier; it was still one of his fondest memories Full song leaked onto internet in 2013 following the hacking of Sony's servers | |
| "Deep in the Night" | Michael JacksonBryan Loren | Written and recorded in 1990 One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991 Song title was listed on an early configuration of the Dangerous album Only a chorus was recorded by Jackson Full song leaked onto internet in 2023 Has a runtime of 4:19 minutes | |
| "Diana Ross" | Michael Jackson | Written during the HIStory sessions DAT tape containing song was put up for online auction in 2023 alongside other songs | |
| "Doing Dirty"(1982) | Michael JacksonMarlon Jackson | | |
| "Don't Believe It" | Michael JacksonBryan Loren | One of around 20–25 songs recorded with Loren for the Dangerous album between 1989 and 1991 Recorded at Loren's house around the time of Thanksgiving or Christmas The song is about tabloids, Features Jackson imitating the voice of journalists, saying things like "strange pictures" and the clicks of cameras The song ends with a beatbox from Jackson, with a dialogue between him and Loren behind heard. The two were tired after their long session Has a runtime of 5:46 minutes Full song owned by Shana Mangatal, who shared a snippet of it in 2020 | |
| "Don't Make Me Stay"(2010) | Michael JacksonBrad BuxerTheron FeemsterMichael Durham Prince | Written and recorded in 2009 Features a scratch vocal from Jackson that sounds "distant" Described as having a similar sound to Janet Jackson's "Runaway" |
| "Dream Away" | Michael JacksonSteve Porcaro | Written and recorded shortly after the release of the Thriller album in 1983, according to Porcaro Described as being similar to Human Nature and For All Time Failed to make the Victory album Considered for Xscape, However Poracaro refused to let it get the "contemporized" treatment A recording of the song during a seminar leaked in 2022 | |
| "Dreaming" | Michael Jacksonwill.i.am | Worked on during 2006–2007 Also known as "I'm Dreamin Samples "I Can't Wake Up (I'm a Blunt)" by KRS-One Chorus lyrics are: "I'm dreaming about being in love / I'm floating around and I just can't wake up" will.i.am attempted to release the song in 2013, but was unable to receive approval to do so from the Estate | |
| "Dreams" | Michael Jackson | Written and possibly during the late Dangerous sessions May or may not have been intended for Pepsi's "Dreams" campaign to promote the album | |
| "D.I.E."(2010) | Michael JacksonMichael PrinceTheron Feemster III | Written between 2008 and 2009 Lacks any vocals from Jackson Described as a "hard-hitting rock song with strong strings and a haunting bridge" Two versions of the song were registered with the United States Copyright Office (the first Prince is not credited) | |
| "Earth Love" | Michael Jackson | CD was found in Jackson's collection after his death, dated April 22, 2009 Song title was also found on a court document investigating La Toya Jackson's boyfriend, who was accused of stealing items owned by Michael upon his death. | |
| "Eaten Alive" | Michael JacksonMaurice GibbBarry Gibb | Original version of the song written by the Gibb brothers, but was reworked by Jackson who was granted co-writer credits Jackson recorded a demo version circa 1985, but it remains unreleased Later recorded and released by Diana Ross | |
| "Ekan Satyam (The One Truth)" | A. R. RahmanA. R. ParthasarathyKanika Myer Bharat | Recorded as a duet in 1999 by Jackson (singing in English) and Rahman (singing in Sanskrit) Created for the MJ and Friends concerts, but was pulled when Michael suffered an accident during the Munich, Germany show. | |
| "Elizabeth, I Love You" | Michael Jackson | Written and performed by Jackson as a tribute to his friend Elizabeth Taylor in 1997 A shorter, studio version is known to exist | |
| "Faces" | Michael Jackson | Written and recorded in 1994 Lacks any vocals from Michael Failed to make the HIStory album Features a percussive groove performed by STOMP The demo features a spoken intro which was intended to have been recorded by Nelson Mandela, but the 1993 child molestation allegations scared his advisors enough for them to strongly reconsider his involvement Has a runtime of 5:57 minutes Full song leaked onto internet in 2023 | |