When Michael Jackson passed away a few years ago, it was clear that the world lost a musical powerhouse. He managed to tuck thirteen #1 singles under his belt as a solo artist, with “The Jackson 5” snagging an additional four. His legendary album “Thriller” is currently tied for America’s best-selling album of all time. I could go on and on about his achievements, but people are already well-aware of his success, as shown in the lasting popularity of his most famous songs, including “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean.” Due to Jackson’s massive outpouring of content, it can be easy to lose track of all the great songs he produced over the years. Just in case you’re stuck in a rut and can’t remember any songs outside of MJ’s classic hits, here are a few underrated songs that deserve popularity in their own right.

1. “Threatened”

If you’re looking for a song with a strong beat, this may just be the perfect match. “Threatened” sounds, well, threatening, and probably belongs on a Halloween album just as much as “Thriller.” It carries a sort of surety that transforms the eerie lyrics into a reality as it instills a false sense that you are the threatening person, ready to bust some heads. (I really hope I’m not alone in this.) In short, this is a good song for an intense workout.

2. “Sunset Driver”

This song is guaranteed to make you boogie or your money back. It was originally unreleased, but was later included in the “Ultimate Collection” box set. It is one of Jackson’s earlier songs, recorded in the late 70s near the end of the disco era. You can substitute any song in “Saturday Night Fever” with this one and the dances would probably still work. Don’t blame me if your knees and hips are sore from trying to dance too authentically.

3. “Say, Say, Say”

I hesitate to call this song underrated, but it’s certainly not put in the spotlight very often. “Say, Say, Say” is a duet with none other than Sir Paul McCartney, who used to be in a small group called “The Beatles.” Maybe you’ve heard of them.

Admittedly, it is a rather peculiar song, but when two drastically different artists collaborate, the result is going to be a little strange. The song seems confused as to where it belongs on the genre scale, but who cares? It’s Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, after all. The music video may make you feel incredibly awkward, but they’re lyrical geniuses, right? Right?

4. “Money”

If there’s anything Mr. Jackson had besides talent, it was money. He knew of its allure and dangers as well as anybody. “Money” highlights humanity’s inherent greed, and by extension, the desire and desperation to obtain more wealth. People go to church and fight for their country and decide they are good people, but would leave their morals at the door for a wad of cash. It’s a song containing a lot of truths, most of them unpleasant, but it’s an understandable choice of topic when you consider the effects money probably had on Jackson’s relationships with family and friends.

5. “Just Good Friends”

Despite being on the legendary “Bad” album, “Just Good Friends” was never a very popular song, probably due to the fact that it was never released as a single, and never had a music video. The song features Stevie Wonder, not exactly your everyday cameo. “Just Good Friends” is for all you love-torn souls out there, as it includes the “do they, do they not” dynamic that is apparent in so many romantic fantasies. This song is a good fit for anyone who doesn’t want an overwhelming beat or controversial undertones.

6. “A Place With No Name”

This song was released posthumously on the album “XSCAPE” along with other previously unreleased tracks. Originally recorded in the late 1990s, it closely resembles “A Horse With No Name” by the band America. A second “contemporized” version was released by StarGate producers. Although “A Place With No Name” was heavily influenced by another song, Jackson’s special twist makes it very enjoyable in its own right.

Michael Jackson’s classics are classics for a reason, but don’t let his other recordings get swept under the rug just because they don’t have a huge cult following. It’s hard to deny that he was the King of Pop, and his legacy will live on through the ingenious songs he left behind. I invite you to browse through his albums for yourself in order to discover more hidden gems.