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Jam (Michael Jackson song)

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This article is about the Michael Jackson song. For The Yellow Monkey song, see Jam/Tactics.
"Jam"
Song

"Jam" is a song by Michael Jackson. The song is the fourth single from his 1991 album Dangerous. It appears as track one on Dangerous and track two on his 2009 This Is It compilation album. The single was re-released in 2006 as part of Jackson's Visionary: The Video Singles collection and it was remixed to the Cirque du Soleil's Immortal World Tour, releasing that remix on the soundtrack album. "Jam" is a mix of aggressive hard funk, dance and rap, or funk hip hop. The bridge features a rap performed by Heavy D (of the group Heavy D & the Boyz). The music video of the song featured NBA legend Michael Jordan (the other "MJ"). The song was also featured on the Chicago Bulls'—Jordan's team at that time—1992 NBA Championship video "Untouchabulls" and was also used in many promotional ads of the NBA in the said season. Despite this heavy form of promotion, the single only reached #26 in the United States. The song re-entered the UK charts in 2006, reaching number 22.[2]

Reception

"Jam" was generally well received by music critics. Adam Gilham of Sputnikmusic in his review for Dangerous described the song as a perfect album opener and rated it "5/5".[3] Allmusic editor Stephen T. E. wrote that there's a lot to be said for professional craftsmanship at its peak and he called this song blistering plus highlight on album.[4] Alan Light praised the song: "Jam," the album's opener, addresses Jackson's uneasy relationship to the world and reveals a canny self-awareness that carries the strongest message on Dangerous. "Jam" features a dense, swirling Riley track, propelled by horn samples and a subtle scratch effect, and includes a fleet rap by Riley favorite Heavy D. Though it initially sounds like a simple, funky dance vehicle, Jackson's voice bites into each phrase with a desperation that urges us to look deeper. He is singing as "false prophets cry of doom" and exhorts us to "live each day like it's the last." The chorus declares that the miseries of the world "ain't too much stuff" to stop us from jamming. To Jackson, who insists that he comes truly alive only onstage, the ability to "Jam" is the sole means to find "peace within myself," and this hope rings more sincere than the childlike wishes found in the ballads."[5]

Music video

The music video for "Jam" takes place within an abandoned indoor basketball court, where Michael Jackson teaches basketball legend Michael Jordan how to dance, and in return, Jordan teaches Jackson how to play basketball. Special effects have Jackson throwing a basketball from a window and scoring in the hoop at the opposite end, as well as Jackson scoring by tossing the ball behind him and kicking the ball into the hoop with his heel. The extended versions of the video include Jackson teaching Jordan how to do the physically complicated moonwalk dance technique. The rap duo Kris Kross makes a cameo appearance, as does Heavy D (who performs a rap during the bridge).

The video was included on Dangerous – The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision. The music video was directed by David Kellogg and premiered on FOX June 19, 1992 at 9:30 p.m. EST.[6]

Live performances

Jackson performed "Jam" as the opening number throughout his Dangerous World Tour. He also performed it at the Royal Brunei Concert in 1996, which turned out to be the last live performance of the song. A portion of the song was performed during the 1993 Superbowl halftime show. The song was also supposed to be performed at the This Is It concert series, with a snippet of Another Part Of Me. However, the shows were cancelled due to his untimely death.

Track listings and formats

Jam (U.K. CD Single 6583602)[7]

  1. "Jam" (7" Edit) – 4:10
  2. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) – 5:54
  3. "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Dub) – 6:06 (Incorrectly listed on insert as "Atlantan Techno Mix")
  4. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:40

Jam (U.S. CD Single 49K74334)[8]

  1. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) – 3:57
  2. "Jam" (Silky 7" Mix) - 4:17
  3. "Jam" (Roger's Club Mix) – 6:20
  4. "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Mix) – 6:06
  5. "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) – 5:29

Jam (U.S. Promo CD Single ESK6754)[9]

  1. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) – 3:57
  2. "Jam" (Teddy's Jam) - 5:48
  3. "Jam" (7" Edit) - 4:10
  4. "Jam" (MJ's Raw Mix) – 4:24
  5. "Jam" (Teddy's 12" Mix) - 5:42
  6. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) – 5:54
  7. "Jam" (Acapella) – 5:39

Jam (US VHS promo single ESK8880)[9]

  1. "Jam" (music video) - 8:00

Running time: 9 minutes

Jam (2006 DualDisc Single ESK4583)[9]

CD SIDE

  1. "Jam" (7" Edit) - 4:10
  2. "Jam" (Silky 12" Mix) - 6:28

DVD SIDE

1. "Jam" (music video) - 8:00

Personnel

Charts

Release history

Country Date
United States July 13, 1992 (1992-07-13)
Europe September 27, 1992 (1992-09-27)

References

  1. ^ "Dangerous". Sputnik. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  2. ^ "The official UK singles chart: Gnarls Barkley make it eight weeks at the top, while Christina Milian, Busta Rhymes and Sunblock see strong upsurges following the physical availability of their singles. (Top 75)". Music Week. 2006-05-27.
  3. ^ "Jam", Michael Jackson Dangerous. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
  4. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/dangerous-mw0000674875
  5. ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/dangerous-19920101
  6. ^ http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-06-19/features/1992171254_1_dondre-whitfield-shari-headley-richard-lawson
  7. ^ http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=25278
  8. ^ http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=8562
  9. ^ a b c http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=6837
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Michael Jackson - Jam (song)". LesCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  11. ^ http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=8
  12. ^ "Michael Jackson - Jam". ChartsStats.com. Chart Stats. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  13. ^ a b c "allmusic (( Dangerous > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
  14. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
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