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Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)

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"Human Nature"
Song
B-side"Baby Be Mine"

"Human Nature" is a song performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The lyrics describe a passer-by in New York City. It was written and composed by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the fifth single from the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). Initially, Porcaro had recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette, which was then given to Jones. Enjoying the demo, Jones brought in Bettis to finish the lyrics and had the ballad included on the "Thriller" album. The song was the last selected for the album, removing "Carousel" from the final track listing.

"Human Nature" was released on July 3, 1983, as the album's fifth single. Although not released in the UK, the song achieved chart success in the US. Reaching number two on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart and number seven on the Hot 100, the song became Jackson's fifth Top 10 hit from "Thriller". In Canada and the Netherlands the single reached number 11. The ballad garnered many positive reviews from music critics. "Human Nature" has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, including Stevie Wonder, Vijay Iyer, John Mayer, Miles Davis, SWV, ELEW, Nas, 2Cellos, Jason Nevins, Danny Chan, David Mead and Chris Brown.

Production

"Human Nature" was written and composed by Steve Porcaro of Toto and John Bettis for Michael Jackson's Thriller album. Initially, Porcaro recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette.[2] He had written the song after his first grade daughter came home crying because a boy pushed her off the slide. He blurted out three reasons for the incident to comfort her: one the boy liked her, two people can be strange and three it's human nature. [3] Fellow Toto band member David Paich gave the demo, along with two songs written by Paich, to producer Quincy Jones, hoping they would be included on Thriller.[2] Jones did not think Paich's songs were right for the album, but enjoyed the rough demo of "Human Nature" at the end of the cassette.[2] Jones explained, "All of a sudden, at the end, there was all this silence, there was: 'why, why, dah dah da-dum dah dah, why, why'. Just a dummy lyric and a very skeletal thing—I get goosebumps talking about it. I said, 'This is where we wanna go, because it's got such a wonderful flavor'".[4] However, Jones was dissatisfied with the original lyrics and so Bettis, who had written lyrics for hits by The Carpenters and The Pointer Sisters, among others, was asked to add lyrics to the song. He completed the song in two days.[5] The producer asked if the song could be included on Jackson's album, to which Porcaro and Bettis agreed.[2] "Human Nature" was the last song selected for Thriller, ousting "Carousel" from the final track listing.

Release and reception

A template for new jack swing and hip-hop soul ballads, "Human Nature" is comparatively slower and more intimate than "Thriller's" other songs. "If this town is just an apple, let me take a bite," quivers Jackson's voice over a cascading synthesizer and percolating bass line. Though written by John Bettis and Steve Porcaro of Toto, the lyrics resonate with Jackson's yearning to break free from his tower of celebrity and mingle with young people in a "city that winks its sleepless eye."

"Human Nature" was released on July 3, 1983, as the fifth single from Thriller.[2] Although not released in the UK, the song achieved chart success in the US.[2] Reaching number two on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart and number seven on the Hot 100, the song became Jackson's fifth Top 10 hit from Thriller.[7][8] "Human Nature" charted at number 27 on the R&B singles chart.[7] In the Netherlands the single reached number 11.[9]

John Rockwell, of The New York Times, stated that "Human Nature" was a "haunting, brooding ballad" with an "irresistible" chorus.[10] Allmusic noted that the "gentle and lovely" "Human Nature" coexisted comfortably with the "tough, scared" "Beat It".[11] They later added that the song was a "soft rocker".[12] Reflecting on Thriller, Slant expressed their fondness of the song, stating that it was "probably the best musical composition on the album and surely one of the only A/C ballads of its era worth remembering".[13] The magazine added that the track's "buttery harmonies" were powerful.[13] Stylus also praised the song, describing it as "the smoothest of ballads".[14] They further added that the music "does little to embody the song’s message" and that it couches Jackson's "glazed voice" in "bubble synths and drum pillows".[14]

"Human Nature"
"Human Nature" was described as "the smoothest of ballads" by Stylus.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

About.com's Bill Lamb looked back on the track 25 years after its release. He felt that the song "set down a blueprint for what would become known as adult R&B".[15] Kelefa Sanneh of Blender described the "soft-serve balladry" of the song as a "silk-sheets masterstroke".[16] In a 2008 IGN review, Todd Gilchrist explained that the elements of "Human Nature" worked better today than they did before. He added that it may be because modern R&B "sucks".[17] Tom Ewing, reviewer for Pitchfork Media, described the song as "meltingly tender", with MTV adding that it was an "airy ballad".[18][19] Rolling Stone claimed that the "most beautifully fragile" "Human Nature" was so open and brave it made "She's Out of My Life" seem phony.[20] The Los Angeles Times concluded that it was Jackson's delivery that made the "middling ballad" take off.[21]

Vogue cites the poster for starting one of the hottest trends in costume jewelry that year. “Several years back he borrowed three heraldic-style brooches -with crests, crowns, and Maltese crosses- for a poster he was shooting, and the minute that poster came out, everybody wanted brooches,” says Connie Parente in the Vogue interview. Connie Parente is the popular Los Angeles jewelry collector who gave the pieces for the shoot, close to the photographers and Michael Jackson's personal stylist at the time Jyl Klein.[22]

Live performances

The song was first performed during The Jacksons' Victory Tour. Michael started to sing "Ben", but stopped and proceeded to sing "Human Nature". It was also performed during Michael's Bad World Tour and Dangerous World Tour. Jackson also performed the song live during his 1996 Royal Brunei concert. It was going to be performed for Jackson's This Is It concerts, but they were cancelled due to his death, however it was included on the posthumous album to coincide with the concerts. Live versions of the song are available on the DVDs Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 and Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour.

Charts

Track listing

  • 45 RPM:
  1. "Human Nature" (7" remix) – 3:47 (Misprinted as 4:06)
  2. "Baby Be Mine" – 4:20

Official remixes

  1. Album version – 4:06
  2. 7" remix – 3:47 (This version features an alternate synth before the bridge and several bars are cut after the final verse. The only digital source is the 3" CD single for "Thriller" released in Japan in 1987.)
  3. Edit – 3:46 (This edit from the Essential Collection is an attempt at re-creating the original 7" version, however it does not match the instrumentation.)
  4. Live – 4:29 (This version is taken from Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 and included in the deluxe edition of Bad 25.)
  5. "Speechless"/"Human Nature" – 3:18 (Immortal version)

Cover versions

Sampling

Personnel

Notes

  1. ^ "Michael Jackson's musical career". The Denver Post. June 26, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f Halstead, p. 144
  3. ^ Knopper, Steve (2015). MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson. Scribner. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-4767-3039-4. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  4. ^ Thriller 25: The Book, p. 13
  5. ^ Shannon, Bob; John Javna (1986). Behind The Hits:Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll. New York: Warner Books. p. 14. ISBN 0-446-38171-3.
  6. ^ Powers, Ann (February 15, 2008). "Nine reasons why Jackson masterpiece remains a 'Thriller'". South Coast Today. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ a b George, p. 39
  8. ^ Borza, Michael J. (September 7, 1984). "Jacksons captivated JFK Stadium". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Dutch Singles Chart Archives". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Rockwell, John (December 19, 1982). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': Superb Job". The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Allmusic's 'Thriller' Review". Allmusic. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  12. ^ "Allmusic's Thriller 25 review". Allmusic. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Henderson, Eric (2003). "Slant's 'Thriller' review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  14. ^ a b "Thriller - The Diamond". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  15. ^ Lamb, Bill. "About.com's Thriller 25 review". About.com. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  16. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (April 11, 2008). "Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition Blender review". Blender. Retrieved March 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link‍]
  17. ^ Gilchrist, Todd. "IGN's Thriller 25 review". IGN. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  18. ^ Ewing, Tom (April 11, 2008). "Pitchfork Media's Thriller 25 review". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Michael Jackson biography". MTV. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  20. ^ Sheffield, Rob. "Rolling Stone's Thriller 25 review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (February 12, 2008). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' turns 25". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link‍]
  22. ^ Betts, Katherine (December 1, 1991). "Connie Parente's vintage pieces recall a more glamorous past - with a hint of whimsy". Vogue. 181 (12): 110–114. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  23. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  24. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  25. ^ "Radio2 top 30: 8 oktober 1983" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  26. ^ CHART NUMBER 1394 – Saturday, October 01, 1983 at the Wayback Machine (archived 13 February 2006). CHUM. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  27. ^ "Adult Contemporary - Volume 39, No. 4, Sep 24, 1983". RPM. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  28. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 39, No. 5, Oct 01, 1983". RPM. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  29. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Michael Jackson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  30. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Human Nature" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  31. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  32. ^ a b c d e "Thriller – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  33. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending SEPTEMBER 24, 1983". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved June 3, 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ "Week Commencing 13th July 2009" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  35. ^ "50 Back Catalogue Singles – 18/07/09" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  36. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  37. ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 29 (dal 2009-07-13 al 2009-07-19)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  38. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  39. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  40. ^ "Michael Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  41. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  42. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1983" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ "The Top Singles of 1983". RPM. December 24, 1983. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  44. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1983". Longbored Surfer. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  45. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ "allmusic (( Steppin' Out > Overview )))". Allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g Halstead, p. 145
  48. ^ Davis, Francis (July 4, 1985). "You're Under Arrest review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  49. ^ Hackett, Regina (September 5, 1987). "Miles Davis treats a forgiving crowd to his lean, hard-driving dance music". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link‍]
  50. ^ Carr, Ian (1998) Miles Davis: The Definitive Biography, rev.ed (paperback) HarperCollins, London p.510f.
  51. ^ Harris, Mike (February 11, 2005). "'Throwback' review". PopMatters. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  52. ^ Spencer, Todd (August 23, 2004). "New CDs: R. Kelly, Earle". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  53. ^ "Heroes overview". Allmusic.com.
  54. ^ "Heroes : David Benoit : Concord Music Group". ConcordMusicGroup.com.
  55. ^ Powers, Ann; Martens, Todd (July 7, 2009) "Michael Jackson memorial: John Mayer performs 'Human Nature'". LA Times (accessed July 8, 2009))
  56. ^ Gary Trust (February 10, 2012). "Weekly Chart Notes: Madonna, Michael Jackson, 'Godspell'". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  57. ^ http://www.toriset.org/c.php?c=1878
  58. ^ http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/arts/2015/02/09/cole-still-unforgettable-singing-standards/23127793/
  59. ^ "SWV biography". MTV. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  60. ^ "Journey to the Past". Enotes.com. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  61. ^ Farley, Christopher John (June 20, 1994). "Street stories". Time. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  62. ^ Rivaldo, Joey. "Jason Nevins featuring Holly - I'm in Heaven". About.com. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  63. ^ Litman, Joseph (March 31, 2003). "Blackstreet - Blackstreet Level II". Michigan Daily. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  64. ^ "Ne-Yo feat. LL Cool J's So Sick (Remix) sample of Michael Jackson's Human Nature". WhoSampled. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  65. ^ "Yung Berg ft Lil Wayne We Miss You (MJ Tribute) mp3 - Free Download from 4shared". FilesTube.com. June 23, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  66. ^ "Video Premiere: Chris Brown "She Ain't You" Dedicated To Michael Jackson". Drfunkenberry.com. May 3, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  67. ^ ""Human Nature" | Soul Sessions". Blogs.centrictv.com. May 3, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  68. ^ Muldoon, Padraig. "Azerbaijan: Ell & Nikki's Michael Jackson tribute ain't a thriller". Eurovision 2016 Predictions, Polls, Odds, Rankings | wiwibloggs. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  69. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jackson, Michael. Thriller booklet. Sony BMG.

References

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