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==Production==
==Production==
The first version of "Human Nature" was written by[[Steve Porcaro]] of [[Toto (band)|Toto]]. Porcaro recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette.<ref name="halstead 144">Halstead, p. 144</ref> 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''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Knopper, Steve|title=MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=17L_BgAAQBAJ&pg=PT106|accessdate=13 December 2015|date= 2015|publisher=Scribner|isbn=978-1-4767-3039-4|page=106}}</ref> Fellow Toto band member [[David Paich]] asked Steve Porcaro to put his two own songs on a tape, but because he had run out of tapes recorded them onto the tape that had his demo recorded on to send to[[Quincy Jones]] hoping they would be used by Jackson.<ref name="halstead 144"/> Jones did not think Paich's songs were right for Jackson's current work, but enjoyed the rough demo of "Human Nature" at the end of the cassette on the B side of the the tape as it automatically had switched and begun playing the demo .<ref name="halstead 144"/> 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'".<ref name="Thriller book 13">Thriller 25: The Book, p. 13</ref> However, Jones was dissatisfied with the original lyrics and so [[John 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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Behind The Hits:Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll |last=Shannon |first=Bob |authorlink=Bob Shannon (WCBS-FM) |author2=John Javna |year=1986 |publisher=Warner Books |location=New York |isbn=0-446-38171-3 |page=14 |pages= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> The producer asked if the song could be included on Jackson's album, to which Porcaro and Bettis agreed.<ref name="halstead 144"/> "Human Nature" was the last song selected for ''Thriller'', ousting "Carousel" from the final track listing.
The first version of "Human Nature" was written by [[Steve Porcaro]] of [[Toto (band)|Toto]]. Porcaro recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette.<ref name="halstead 144">Halstead, p. 144</ref> 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''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Knopper, Steve|title=MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=17L_BgAAQBAJ&pg=PT106|accessdate=13 December 2015|date= 2015|publisher=Scribner|isbn=978-1-4767-3039-4|page=106}}</ref> Fellow Toto band member [[David Paich]] asked Steve Porcaro to put his two own songs on a tape, but because he had run out of tapes recorded them onto the tape that had his demo recorded on to send to [[Quincy Jones]] hoping they would be used by Jackson.<ref name="halstead 144"/> Jones did not think Paich's songs were right for Jackson's current work, but enjoyed the rough demo of "Human Nature" at the end of the cassette on the B side of the the tape as it automatically had switched and begun playing the demo .<ref name="halstead 144"/> 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'".<ref name="Thriller book 13">Thriller 25: The Book, p. 13</ref> However, Jones was dissatisfied with the original lyrics and so [[John 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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Behind The Hits:Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll |last=Shannon |first=Bob |authorlink=Bob Shannon (WCBS-FM) |author2=John Javna |year=1986 |publisher=Warner Books |location=New York |isbn=0-446-38171-3 |page=14 |pages= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> The producer asked if the song could be included on Jackson's album, to which Porcaro and Bettis agreed.<ref name="halstead 144"/> "Human Nature" was the last song selected for ''Thriller'', ousting "Carousel" from the final track listing.
A demo of Michael Jackson's version of
Human Nature surfaced on Youtube in 2017.


==Release and reception==
==Release and reception==

Revision as of 08:42, 12 July 2017

"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 Jackson's sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). Initially, Porcaro recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette, which was then given to Jones, who brought in Bettis to finish the lyrics. 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 became Jackson's fifth top 10 hit from Thriller in the US, reaching number two on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart and number seven on the Hot 100. In Canada and the Netherlands the single reached number 11. The song garnered 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, Bence Peter, Jason Nevins, Danny Swain, David Mead, and Chris Brown.

Production

The first version of "Human Nature" was written by Steve Porcaro of Toto. 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 asked Steve Porcaro to put his two own songs on a tape, but because he had run out of tapes recorded them onto the tape that had his demo recorded on to send to Quincy Jones hoping they would be used by Jackson.[2] Jones did not think Paich's songs were right for Jackson's current work, but enjoyed the rough demo of "Human Nature" at the end of the cassette on the B side of the the tape as it automatically had switched and begun playing the demo .[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 John 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. A demo of Michael Jackson's version of Human Nature surfaced on Youtube in 2017.

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."

Serena Kim, South Coast Today.[6]

"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] However, 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]

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)

Samplings

The specific samplings include the following songs:

  • Right Here by SWV. Originally, a 1993 remix of the song produced by Teddy Riley sampled Human Nature, and the music video for the remix included clips of Jackson performing on the Dangerous Tour. The song was also mashed up with Human Nature for SWV's Remixes EP.
  • It Ain't Hard to Tell by Nas. Nas has performed It Ain't Hard to Tell as a mashup with Human Nature using Jackson's original vocals at some concerts.[46]

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. Archived from the original on May 23, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  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". Archived from the original on February 13, 2006. Retrieved June 3, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help). 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. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (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. ^ It Ain't Hard To Tell vs. Human Nature – Nas feat. Michael Jackson (live at Lovebox 2014, London – fancam) YouTube
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jackson, Michael. Thriller booklet. Sony BMG.

References

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Human_Nature_(Michael_Jackson_song)&oldid=790209656"