Heal the World
| "Heal the World" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Heal the World" is a song featured on Michael Jackson's hit album, Dangerous, released in 1991. The music video features children living in countries suffering from unrest. It is also one of only a handful of Michael Jackson's videos not to feature the singer, the others being "Cry", "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror". (The clips for "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror" only feature Michael Jackson in archival footage). Jackson performed the song in the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show with a 35000 person flash card performance.
The song reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1992, kept off the #1 position by Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". It fared less well in the US, reaching a peak of #27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In a 2001 Internet chat with fans, Jackson said "Heal the World" is the song he is most proud to have created. He also created the Heal the World Foundation, a charitable organization which was designed to improve the lives of children. The organization was also meant to teach children how to help others. This concept of 'betterment for all' would become a centerpiece for the Dangerous World Tour. In the documentary Living with Michael Jackson, Jackson said he created the song in his "giving tree" at the Neverland Ranch.
In 2009, a Facebook petition was launched to have Jackson dedicate the song to murdered toddler James Bulger. Bulger, who was murdered in 1993, was a fan of Jackson and had the song played at his funeral.[1]
Track listing
Original release
- "Heal the World" (7" edit) – 4:31
- "Heal the World" (Album version) – 6:25
- "She Drives Me Wild" – 3:41
- "Man in the Mirror" – 4:55
Visionary single
- CD side
- "Heal the World" (7" edit)
- "Will You Be There"
- DVD Side
- "Heal the World" (Music video)
Mixes
- Album version – 6:25
- 7" edit w/intro
- 7" edit
- Spoken version [includes a special message from Michael Jackson of the "Signature Series" promo CD]
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | 27 |
| Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 62 |
| Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 9 |
| UK Singles Chart | 2 |
| UK Singles Chart (1992 Year-End) | 9 |
Credits
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Produced by Michael Jackson & David Foster
- Co-produced by Bruce Swedien
- Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien and Matt Forger
- Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
- Ending solo vocal: Christa Larson
- Playground girl: Ashley Farell
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Orchestra arranged and conducted by Marty Paich
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Bahler
- Choir arrangement by John Bahler, featuring the John Bahler Singers
- Keyboards: Daivd Paich and Brad Buxer
- Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker, David Paich and Steve Porcaro
- Drums: Jeff Porcaro
- Percussion: Bryan Loren
- Prelude composed, arranged and conducted by Marty Paich
Cover versions
- The song was covered as "Heal Massa God World" in a reggae style by Jamaican artist Wayne Wonder on his 2006 album Don't Have To.
References
- ^ Corrigan, Elissa (March 18, 2009). "Michael Jackson to dedicate 'Heal the World' to James Bulger". clickliverpool.com. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
