Human Nature (Michael Jackson song) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search "Human Nature" Single by Michael Jackson from the album Thriller B-side "Baby Be Mine" Released July 3, 1983 Format 7" single Recorded 1982 Genre R&B Length 4:06 (Album version) 3:45 (Single version) Label Epic Records Writer(s) Steve Porcaro John Bettis Producer Quincy Jones Michael Jackson singles chronology "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (1983) "Human Nature" (1983) "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" (1983) 'Thriller' track listing "Billie Jean" (6) "Human Nature" (7) "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" (8) "Human Nature" is an R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis, and produced by Quincy Jones for 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 had the ballad included on the Thriller album. The song was the last selected for the album, ousting "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 New Zealand 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 Miles Davis, SWV, Nas, Jason Nevins and Boyz II Men. Contents [hide] 1 Background 2 Release and reception 3 Charts 4 Cover and sample versions 5 Credits 6 Notes 7 References [edit] Background "Human Nature" was written 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.[1] Fellow Toto band member David Paich then gave the demo, along with two songs written by Paich, to producer Quincy Jones, hoping they would be included on Thriller.[1] Jones didn't like Paich's songs, but enjoyed the rough demo of "Human Nature" at the end of the cassette.[1] 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 flavour'".[2] The producer asked if the song could be included on Jackson's album, to which Porcaro and Bettis agreed.[1] "Human Nature" was the last song selected for Thriller, ousting "Carousel" from the final track listing.[1] [edit] 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.[3] "Human Nature" was released on July 3, 1983, as the fifth single from Thriller.[1] Although not released in the UK, the song achieved moderate chart success in the US.[1] 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.[4][5] "Human Nature" charted at number 27 on the R&B singles chart.[4] In the Netherlands the single reached number 11.[6] John Rockwell, of The New York Times, stated that "Human Nature" was a "haunting, brooding ballad" with an "irresistible" chorus.[7] Allmusic noted that the "gentle and lovely" "Human Nature" coexisted comfortably with the "tough, scared" "Beat It".[8] They later added that the song was a "soft rocker".[9] 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".[10] The magazine added that the track's "buttery harmonies" were powerful.[10] Stylus also praised the song, describing it as "the smoothest of ballads".[11] They further added that the music "does little to embody the song’s message" and that it couches Jackson's "glazed voice" in "cloudy synths and drum pillows".[11] "Human Nature" "Human Nature" was described as "the smoothest of ballads" by Stylus. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problems listening to 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".[12] Kelefa Sanneh of Blender described the "soft-serve balladry" of the song as a "silk-sheets masterstroke".[13] 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".[14] Tom Ewing, reviewer for Pitchfork Media, described the song as "meltingly tender", with MTV adding that it was an "airy ballad".[15][16] 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.[17] The Los Angeles Times concluded that it was Jackson's delivery that made the "middling ballad" take off.[18] [edit] Charts Chart (1983) Peak position U.S. Billboard Hot 100 7[4] U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart 27[4] U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart 2[19] Dutch Singles Chart 11[6] Chart (2009) Peak position Danish Singles Chart 39 Swiss Singles Chart 46[20] UK Singles Chart 62[21] U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs 21[22] [edit] Cover and sample versions Miles Davis included a cover version of "Human Nature" on You're Under Arrest in 1985.[23] At the time, Rolling Stone described the track's inclusion on the album as "glorified filler".[24] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer disagreed, stating it was "particularly good".[25] In 1993, "Human Nature" was sampled by R&B group SWV. Entitled "Right Here/Human Nature", the song was a remix of the group's "Right Here".[23][26] "Right Here/Human Nature" reached number one on the R&B singles chart and number two on the Hot 100.[23] In the UK the song charted at number 3.[23] The song was later included on the soundtrack album of Free Willy, alongside Jackson's "Will You Be There".[23] SWV's remix was sampled by Tupac Shakur on "Thug Nature", from the 2001 posthumous album Too Gangsta for Radio.[23] "Human Nature" was sampled in 1994 for "It Ain't Hard to Tell" by Nas. The cover featured on Nas's Illmatic album.[23][27] Jason Nevins sampled Jackson's track on "I'm in Heaven", which also featured vocals by Holly James.[28] BLACKstreet's "Why, Why" also sampled "Human Nature". The song appeared on the 2003 album Level II.[23][29] In 2004, Boyz II Men included a Latin-style cover of the song on their Throwback, Vol. 1 album.[30][31] Claudette Ortiz provided backing vocals on the track.[23] Nashville singer-songwriter David Mead also recorded a version of "Human Nature" for his 2004 release, Indiana.[23] Mead later commented, "At a Nashville tribute set theme night, I played Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "Human Nature". "Human Nature" was the one that stuck. When I started playing opening slots, it was a way to play something I liked and get people to pay attention."[32] John Mayer playing guitar on "Human Nature" at Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009John Mayer performed an instrumental version of the song at Jackson's public memorial service on July 7, 2009.[33] [edit] Credits Written and composed: Steve Porcaro and John Bettis[34] Synthesizer and programming: Steve Porcaro[34] Synthesizer: David Paich[34] Guitar: Steve Lukather[34] Drums: Jeff Porcaro[34] Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa[34] Emulator: Michael Boddicker[34] Arrangement: David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Steve Lukather[34] [edit] Notes ^ a b c d e f g Halstead, p. 144 ^ Thriller 25: The Book, p. 13 ^ Powers, Ann (February 15, 2008). "Nine reasons why Jackson masterpiece remains a 'Thriller'". South Coast Today. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/LIFE/802150316. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ a b c d George, p. 39 ^ Borza, Michael J. (September 7, 1984). "Jacksons captivated JFK Stadium". The Daily Collegian. http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG/1984/09/07&EntityId=Ar02400. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ a b "Dutch Singles Chart Archives". dutchcharts.nl. http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Human+Nature&cat=s. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Rockwell, John (December 19, 1982). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': Superb Job". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/19/arts/michael-jackson-s-thriller-superb-job.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Allmusic's 'Thriller' Review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:w9fixq95ld6e. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ "Allmusic's Thriller 25 review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:w9fwxzejldke~T1. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ a b Henderson, Eric (2003). "Slant's 'Thriller' review". Slant Magazine. http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=358. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ a b "Thriller - The Diamond". Stylus Magazine. http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/diamond/michael-jackson-thriller.htm. Retrieved on February 21, 2009. ^ Lamb, Bill. "About.com's Thriller 25 review". About.com. http://top40.about.com/od/albums/fr/mjacksonthril25.htm. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (April 11, 2008). "Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition Blender review". Blender. http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4996. Retrieved on March 10, 2009. ^ Gilchrist, Todd. "IGN's Thriller 25 review". IGN. http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/850/850483p2.html. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Ewing, Tom (April 11, 2008). "Pitchfork Media's Thriller 25 review". Pitchfork Media. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/48645-thriller-25th-anniversary-edition. Retrieved on February 21, 2009. ^ "Michael Jackson biography". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Sheffield, Rob. "Rolling Stone's Thriller 25 review". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/18290476/review/18305830/thriller_25_deluxe_edition. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (February 12, 2008). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' turns 25". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-etlede5572856feb12,1,7023998.story?page=2. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications), page 269. ^ "Swiss Singles Chart Archives". hitparade.ch. http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Human+Nature&cat=s. Retrieved on July 18, 2009. ^ "UK Singles Chart". The Official UK Charts Company. http://www.theofficialcharts.com/top40_singles.php. Retrieved on 6 July 2009. ^ "U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=Hot+Digital+Songs. Retrieved on 15 July 2009. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halstead, p. 145 ^ Davis, Francis (July 4, 1985). "You're Under Arrest review". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/177991/review/6067406?utm_source=Rhapsody&utm_medium=CDreview. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Hackett, Regina (September 5, 1987). "Miles Davis treats a forgiving crowd to his lean, hard-driving dance music". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/archives/1987/8701240051.asp. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ "SWV biography". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/swv/artist.jhtml. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Farley, Christopher John (June 20, 1994). "Street stories". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,980934,00.html. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Rivaldo, Joey. "Jason Nevins featuring Holly - I'm in Heaven". About.com. http://dancemusic.about.com/cs/reviews/fr/JasNeviHollHeav.htm. Retrieved on June 7, 2009. ^ Litman, Joseph (March 31, 2003). "Blackstreet - Blackstreet Level II". Michigan Daily. http://www.michigandaily.com/node/41639. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Harris, Mike (February 11, 2005). "'Throwback' review". PopMatters. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/boyziimen-throwback/. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Spencer, Todd (August 23, 2004). "New CDs: R. Kelly, Earle". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/boyziimen/articles/story/6438437/new_cds_r_kelly_earle. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Miller, Sara (August 11, 2009). "Migrant musician Mead hits the 40 Watt". The Red and Black. http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2001/11/08/Variety/Migrant.Musician.Mead.Hits.The.40.Watt-2597485.shtml. Retrieved on April 11, 2009. ^ Powers, Ann; Martens, Todd (July 7, 2009) "Michael Jackson memorial: John Mayer performs 'Human Nature'". LA Times (accessed 2009-07-08) ^ a b c d e f g h Jackson, Michael. Thriller booklet. Sony BMG. [edit] References George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG. Halstead, Craig (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. ISBN 978-0-7552026-7-6. Thriller 25: The Book (2008). Thriller 25: The Book. ML Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-9768891-9-9. [hide]v • d • eMichael Jackson singles Got to Be There "Got to Be There" · "Rockin' Robin" · "I Wanna Be Where You Are" · "Ain't No Sunshine" Ben "Ben" Music & Me "With a Child's Heart" · "Happy" Forever, Michael "We're Almost There" · "Just a Little Bit of You" The Wiz "Ease on Down the Road" · "You Can't Win" · Off the Wall "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" · "Rock with You" · "Off the Wall" · "She's Out of My Life" · "Girlfriend" One Day in Your Life "One Day in Your Life" Thriller "The Girl Is Mine" · "Billie Jean" · "Beat It" · "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" · "Human Nature" · "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" · "Thriller" Bad "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" · "Bad" · "The Way You Make Me Feel" · "Man in the Mirror" · "Dirty Diana" · "Another Part of Me" · "Smooth Criminal" · "Leave Me Alone" · "Liberian Girl" Dangerous "Black or White" · "Remember the Time" · "In the Closet" · "Jam" · "Who Is It" · "Give In to Me" · "Heal the World" · "Will You Be There" · "Gone Too Soon" HIStory "Scream/Childhood" · "You Are Not Alone" · "Earth Song" · "They Don't Care About Us" · "Stranger in Moscow" Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix "Blood on the Dance Floor" · "HIStory/Ghosts" Invincible "You Rock My World" · "Cry" · "Butterflies" Number Ones "One More Chance" Thriller 25 "The Girl Is Mine 2008" · "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" Notable collaborations and album tracks "Say Say Say" · "Somebody's Watching Me" · "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin'" · "We Are the World" · "Get It" · "Dangerous" · "D.S." · "Why" · "I Need You" · "What More Can I Give" · "Do the Bartman" Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Nature_(Michael_Jackson_song)" Categories: Michael Jackson songs | 1982 songs | 1983 singles