Who Is It (Michael Jackson song)

"Who Is It"
Song

"Who Is It" is a song by Michael Jackson from his 1991 Dangerous album. The song is, like several of Jackson's most famous songs, about rumors. The song peaked at #6 on the U.S. R&B charts, and #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 when released. Michael Jackson sang it a cappella during his 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, and the positive reaction to this prompted Sony to issue it as a single in the U.S. instead of the planned "Give In to Me".

Music video

The music video for "Who Is It" was directed by David Fincher. The video is set in a neo-chrome Blade Runner-like landscape, where surfaces reflect light and denote luxury in all its splendor. We see Michael Jackson as a suffering recluse who has come to the conclusion that his girlfriend is cheating. He finds a platinum business card with the name 'Alex' seemingly confirming that she is cheating with the person whose name is on the card. As the video progresses, we learn that the girlfriend is working for a secret exclusive billionaire-boys-club escort agency. Her identity and visual appearance is changed regularly, usually between clients, and is confirmed by the platinum business cards she presents to each client as the night goes on. This reveals that the name 'Alex' on the card found by Jackson is one of her aliases and is not a secret lover. She senses that something is wrong, defies her watchers and runs back to Jackson's home to find him. She finds Jackson's assistant at the door, who refuses to let her in and reveals that Jackson has left and probably for good. The assistant then hands her a collection of her alias business cards revealing that her secret is out and that she has been exposed. Devastated, she is forced to return submissively back to her ruthless employees and continue on as a high class prostitute. The video ends with the ex-girlfriend being prepared for another client while Jackson attempts to sleep on a jet. Throughout the video, a strange ghostly face appears in Jackson's surroundings -- the appearances seem to coincide with Jackson's despair.

In the United States, the music video was never aired on MTV or VH-1. Instead, the video was replaced with montage footage of various music videos by Jackson, as well as live performances during the Bad tour and Motown 25.

Track listing

UK single

1. "Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) – 7:44
2. "Who Is It" (IHS Mix) – 7:58
3. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground solution mix) – 6:22

UK 7" single

1. "Who Is It" (Single Edit)
2. "Rock With You" (Master's At Work Remix)

U.S. single

1. "Who Is It" (Oprah Winfrey Special Intro) – 4:00
2. "Who Is It" (Patience Edit) – 4:01
3. "Who Is It" (House 7") – 3:55
4. "Who Is It" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:13
5. "Beat It" (Moby's Sub Mix) – 6:11

Charts

Chart (1992)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	14
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	6
UK Singles Chart	10
Australian Singles Chart	34
Austrian Singles Chart	5
French Singles Chart	8
Norwegian Singles Chart	10
Swedish Singles Chart	24
Swiss Singles Chart	14
Chart (2009)	Peak position
Swiss Singles Chart	49

Credits

• Written, arranged and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell
• Lead and background vocals by Michael Jackson
• Drums by Bill Bottrell and Byran Loren
• Synthesizer by Bill Bottrell
• Bass by Louis Johnson
• Keyboard arrangements by Brad Buxer and David Paich
• Keyboard performance and programming by Brad Buxer, Michael Boddicker, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Jai Winding
• String arrangement by George del Barrio
• Concertmaster: Endre Grant
• Solo Cello by Larry Corbett
• Soprano voice by Michael Jackson and Linda Harmon