If only for the bass-line… but let’s face it, for every other part of the song as well. For the title, the story, the voice and the video.

Bad was the first album I begged my parents to buy me, in 1987, and I still have it. It’s vinyl and the years have not been kind – there’s a scratch in Liberian Girl and a hint of warping which has changed the tune and time signature of Dirty Diana.

When I heard about the Thriller album, which came out the year I was born, I begged again, largely for Billie Jean. I have been more protective of that album than I was of Bad because I don’t want Billie Jean to change shape.