Michael Jackson Thought Mick Jagger Sang Off-Key—But Still Gave Him His Biggest Hit!

In the mid-1980s, Michael Jackson was a global icon, the “King of Pop” whose influence reached far beyond music. His name alone was synonymous with stardom. While many artists were still working hard to maintain their celebrity, Jackson had already transcended the industry and became a cultural phenomenon. For him, fame was a constant companion, a lifelong experience that shaped not only his career but also his personal life. But even in his unrivaled success, Jackson found himself working with rock legends, like Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, in ways that would ultimately solidify both their legacies.

Though Jackson had already become a solo superstar by the time of Off the Wall and Thriller, he was still very much a part of The Jacksons. In 1984, the group released Victory, their final album together, and the lead single “State of Shock” was born from an unexpected collaboration. Originally rumored to feature Freddie Mercury, the song eventually saw Mick Jagger stepping up to contribute his distinctive voice. While the combination of the King of Pop and the Rolling Stones frontman was undeniably thrilling for fans, the behind-the-scenes reality of their working relationship was far less harmonious.

Despite Jackson’s immense success, his collaboration with Jagger on “State of Shock” was less than perfect, with both artists openly expressing dissatisfaction with the final product. Mick Jagger, in an interview with The New York Times, recalled the recording process with some frustration: “He had the two of us practice scales for two hours, and then we recorded the vocals in two takes. When he sent the finished track to me later, I was kind of disappointed in the production and the mix. But I think he’s a really good singer.”

However, the most surprising part of this collaboration came from Jackson’s own reaction to Jagger’s vocal performance. According to the biography Mick: The Wild Life and Mad Genius of Jagger by Christopher Andersen, Jackson was less than impressed with his counterpart’s singing abilities. The King of Pop even went so far as to question Jagger’s rise to fame, reportedly saying, “How did he ever get to be a star?” Jackson also felt Jagger’s singing was “off-key.”

Despite the creative differences between the two music giants, the results were undeniable. “State of Shock” became a commercial success, climbing to number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and remains Jagger’s highest-charting solo track. Though it may not be considered a masterpiece by either artist, it was still a significant moment in both of their careers. Jackson, with his larger-than-life influence, had once again made his mark, and even if Jagger was left with some lingering disappointment, he undoubtedly owed a great deal to Jackson’s willingness to collaborate.

For Jagger, “State of Shock” may not have been the musical triumph he hoped for, but it certainly became a defining moment in his solo career. And in the end, Jackson’s contribution to Jagger’s legacy remains clear: sometimes the most memorable collaborations come not from perfection, but from the sheer spectacle of two icons coming together, regardless of their differences. Their careers will forever be linked, and Jackson, whether he realized it or not, helped give Mick Jagger his biggest solo hit.