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Hollywood Tonight

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"Hollywood Tonight"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Michael
ReleasedFebruary 11, 2011 (2011-02-11)
Recorded
  • 1999–2008 (vocals)
  • 2010 (additional music overdubs and mixing)
Genre
Length4:31
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Hold My Hand"
(2010) 		"Hollywood Tonight"
(2011) 		"Behind the Mask"
(2011)
Music video
"Hollywood Tonight" on YouTube
Audio sample

"Hollywood Tonight" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, included on his posthumous album, Michael. The song was released by Epic Records on February 11, 2011, as the second single from Michael. The spoken parts were performed by Jackson's nephew, Taryll Jackson and written by Teddy Riley. An accompanying music video was released on March 10, 2011. It features Algerian dancer Sofia Boutella dressed in a Jackson-inspired outfit performing a routine with 60 dancers.

Background and release

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The song was written by Michael Jackson during the time of the Invincible album. Michael pulled the track out of the archives in 2007 to work on the song with producer Theron "Neff-U" Feemster.[1] Jackson first put down a sketch of the lyrics in 1999, then he began working out the music with longtime friend and collaborator, Brad Buxer, who co-wrote the song. Over the next ten years, Jackson returned to the track numerous times. Jackson and Brad Buxer continued tinkering with it in Las Vegas in 2007. In October 2008, when Jackson lived in Los Angeles, he asked recording engineer Michael Prince to put the latest mix of the song on CD so he could listen to it and see what might be improved, but he never got around to working on it again.[2] Teddy Riley co-produced the song along with Theron "Neff-U" Feemster following Jackson's death. Riley also wrote a new bridge, performed by Taryll Jackson, that included different lyrics from those left by Jackson.[2]

On December 3, 2010, before the album Michael's release, the song premiered on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[3] The song was first released as a single to radio stations in Italy, on February 11, 2011,[4] and it was first listed on BBC Radio 2's playlist A one-day later.[5] In Poland, the song was released on February 14, 2011.[6] A later announcement from the official Jackson website stated that "Behind the Mask" would be released as a radio single in the United States, Canada, Japan and France, with "Hollywood Tonight" taking its place for the rest of the world.[7] Despite this, "Hollywood Tonight" was released to urban contemporary and adult contemporary radio stations in the US on April 5, 2011.[8]

Reception

[edit]
"Hollywood Tonight" (Throwback mix)
A 37-second sample of Jackson's song "Hollywood Tonight" (Throwback mix). This remix is similar to the arrangement of the album version mix, and uses the beats of "Billie Jean" to give it more dance style.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. Teddy Riley, the producer said, "I was looking at just doing the next level of 'Billie Jean' meets 'Dangerous' or 'Leave Me Alone'. It's like one of those driving bass lines that you will remember."[9] Joe Vogel of The Huffington Post stated that the song was "definitely an album highlight. The song begins with a haunting Gothic church choir, before transforming into an energetic dance stomper", and that the track "features Michael in a notably deeper voice, and concludes with military-style whistling."[10] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said the song "feels leaner and more urgent, crackling with Jackson's trademark percussive shuffle and pop."[11] Dan Martin of NME called the album Michael "not as terrible as you may think", and "the worst thing you can say about 'Hollywood Tonight' is that its catchy signature gets annoying after a while."[12] Jason Lipshutz, Gail Mitchell and Gary Graff from Billboard thought the song "sounds like Britney Spears' 'Lucky' crossed with Justin Timberlake's 'LoveStoned'."[9] Neil McCormick of Daily Telegraph said, "it has the extraordinary confidence of a pop classic and presages an album that may well be Jackson's best work since his Eighties glory days."[1] Jim Farber of the Daily News praised "Hollywood Tonight" for exhibiting Jackson's "old verve."[13] Gerard McGarry of Shout! Music Magazine stated that "while this single doesn't quite touch on the greatness of classic Jackson tracks, it does recall that infectious disco groove that used to be his trademark. There's a strong 80's vibe to 'Hollywood Tonight'—even the female dancer in the video looks like a young Brooke Shields, who Michael was linked to in the 80's."[14]

Negative review comes from Carl Cortez of Assignment X for the "throwback mix" on 7-inch single and music video, he said the mix is "a little sharper than the original, but again, the song really isn't all that good. Another previously unreleased B-side or even the original demo might have been more interesting."[15]

Chart performance

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"Hollywood Tonight" was released as the second single from the album, Michael, in most territories. Due to the massive airplay on BBC Radio 2 in the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 38 on The UK Radio Airplay Chart on Week 7, 2011 (from February 13 to February 19, 2011), and peaked at number 35 on Week 8, 2011 (from February 20 to February 26, 2011).[16]

In the United States, the song debuted at number 89 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the week ending April 16, 2011, marking Jackson's 52nd solo hit on this chart,[17] and peaked at number 60.[18] It debuted at number 36 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart for the week ending April 30, 2011,[19][20] and on June 11, 2011, it became Jackson's first number-one hit on the chart since his 1995 hit "Scream"[21][22] and his 13th overall as a solo artist.[23]

Music video

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Jackson's official website announced a music video for Hollywood Tonight. While expected originally to be released at the end of February, it was later pushed back to March 10, 2011. A 19-second sneak preview of the video was made available on Jackson's official Facebook page.[24] On March 10, as expected the full video[25] was released with a new mix called "Throwback Mix", featuring alternate demo vocals without autotune, sampling the beat of "Billie Jean" and removing the spoken word bridge.[26]

The video was directed by Wayne Isham,[27] who previously directed the video for Jackson's 1995 number-one hit "You Are Not Alone".[28] It was shot in front of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, California.[29]

The lead dancer in the video is Sofia Boutella,[27] who wears an outfit inspired by Jackson's stage costumes. More than 60 dancers performed a Jackson-inspired routine as seen in a video posted by TMZ. The video revolves around a young woman arriving in Hollywood, vying to become a known dancer.[28] It also includes images of Jackson from the music videos for "Black or White", "Billie Jean", "Jam", "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "In the Closet".[14]

Michael Jackson: The Experience

[edit]

Hollywood Tonight is a playable song in the PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS and iOS versions of Michael Jackson: The Experience.

Track listing

[edit]
Korean CD maxi single (S10988C)[30] / EU digital EP[31]
No.TitleLength
1."Hollywood Tonight" (Throwback mix)3:46
2."Hollywood Tonight" (DJ Chuckie radio edit)3:54
3."Hollywood Tonight" (DJ Chuckie remix)6:02
4."Hollywood Tonight" (radio edit)3:46
Total length:16:48
EU 7" single (34-788083 / 88697880837)[32]
No.TitleLength
1."Hollywood Tonight" (Throwback mix)3:46
2."Behind the Mask" (radio edit)3:36
Total length:7:22
EU CD single Epic 88697902982 (Sony) / EAN 0886979029828[33][34]
No.TitleLength
2."Hollywood Tonight" (Throwback mix)3:48
3."Hollywood Tonight" (DJ Chuckie remix)5:58
Total length:6:06

Official versions

[edit]
  • Album version – 4:31
  • Radio edit – 3:46
  • Demo – 5:26
  • Throwback mix – 3:46
  • Throwback mix with intro (video mix) – 3:59
  • Throwback instrumental – 3:59
  • Throwback instrumental—no beatbox – 4:00
  • DJ Chuckie remix – 6:01
  • DJ Chuckie remix—no talk – 6:01
  • DJ Chuckie radio edit – 3:53
  • DJ Chuckie dub – 5:00
  • Jody Den Broeder extended vocal mix – 6:53
  • Jody Den Broeder dub – 6:53
  • Jody Den Broeder radio edit – 3:51
  • Yiannis Walk of Fame mix – 7:11
  • Yiannis Walk of Fame dub – 7:07
  • Theron "Neff-U" Feemster mix – 4:09
  • Recall 3 main – 4:29
  • Recall 3 background vocals down – 4:29
  • Recall 3 instrumental – 4:29
  • Recall 3 a capella – 3:53

Charts

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Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Hollywood Tonight"
Region Date Format(s) Ref.
Italy April 8, 2011 Digital single [41]
February 11, 2011
[4]
United Kingdom
April 10, 2011 Digital single [31]
April 16, 2011 7" single [32]
April 26, 2011 CD single [42]
Poland February 14, 2011
  • Radio airplay
  • digital download
 [6]
Spain March 8, 2011 [43]
China March 22, 2011 [44][45]
Sweden March 10, 2011 [46]
Korea [47]
March 31, 2011 CD single [30]
United States April 5, 2011 Urban airplay [8][48]
Germany April 8, 2011 Digital single [49][50]
April 15, 2011 CD single [51]

Personnel

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  • Originally written and composed by Michael Jackson
  • Soprano voice by Michael Jackson
  • Updated version writers: Brad Buxer, Teddy Riley
  • Spoken bridge written by Teddy Riley
  • Produced by Teddy Riley and Michael Jackson
  • Co-produced by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster and Brad Buxer
  • Arrangement by Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley and Theron "Neff-U" Feemster
  • Mixed by Jean-Marie Horvat, Teddy Riley and Scott Elgin
  • Mix engineers: John Hanes assisted by Tim Roberts, Jean Marie Horvat, Teddy Riley, Scott Elgin
  • Programming: Teddy Riley
  • Additional background vocals: Mischke
  • Vocals recorded by Michael Durham Prince and Mischke
  • Spoken bridge written by Teddy Riley and Labyron Walton
  • Spoken bridge by Taryll Jackson
  • Whistling: Danny Ray McDonald Jr. Michael Jackson, and Michael Durham Prince
  • Beatbox by Michael Jackson
  • Engineered by Scott Elgin, James Murray, Michael Durham Prince and Jon Nettlesbey
  • Assistant engineer: Quentinn Gilkey
  • Keyboard: Theron "Neff-U" Feemster and Edward Brown
  • Guitar: Erick Donell Walls and Eric Jackson
  • Guitar engineer: Cristian Delano
  • Horns: The Regiment
  • Drum programming by Brad Buxer and Theron "Neff-U" Feemster

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Michael Jackson's new single confirmed as 'Hollywood Tonight'". Music-news.com. January 26, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Vogel, Joe (March 14, 2011). "Exclusive: Inside Michael Jackson's "Hollywood"". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  3. ^ "Ellen Debuts New Michael Jackson Song "Hollywood Tonight". SoulCulture. December 4, 2010. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  4. ^ a b ""Hollywood Tonight": il nuovo singolo di Michael Jackson in radio dall'11 febbraio". michaeljackson.com. February 3, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio 2 Playlist". Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "'Hollywood Tonight' drugim singlem z płyty 'MICHAEL'". michaeljackson.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011.
  7. ^ "New Michael Jackson Singles Coming From The Global #1 Album "Michael"". Michaeljackson.com. February 27, 2011. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  8. ^ a b "Urban/UAC Future Releases - R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates". All Access. March 18, 2011. Archived from the original on March 30, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason; Mitchell, Gail; Graff, Gary (December 8, 2010). "Michael Jackson's 'Michael' Track-By-Track". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  10. ^ "Joe Vogel: Is Michael Really Michael? A Review of the King of Pop's New Album". Huffingtonpost.com. December 4, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  11. ^ Leah Greenblatt (December 8, 2011). "Music Review: Michael". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  12. ^ Martin, Dan (December 4, 2010). "Album review: Michael Jackson – 'Michael' (Epic)". NME. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  13. ^ Farber, Jim (December 13, 2010). "Michael". Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  14. ^ a b McGarry, Gerard (April 11, 2011). "Michael Jackson - Hollywood Tonight - Single review". unrealityshout.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ Cortez, Carl (April 20, 2011). "Single Review: MICHAEL JACKSON – "Behind the Mask" 7 inch (Record Day 2011 Exclusive)". Assignment X. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  16. ^ "The UK Radio Airplay Chart". February 19, 2011. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  17. ^ "Ask Billboard: StarGate, Michael Jackson, Pia Toscano - Chart Beat". Billboard. April 8, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  19. ^ "Chart Highlights: Pop, Country Songs & More - Chart Beat". Billboard.com. April 18, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  20. ^ "Michael Jackson: 'Hollywood Tonight' #36* Billboard Hot Shot Debut". promotion-us.com. April 20, 2011. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  21. ^ "Chart Highlights: Pop Songs, Adult Contemporary & More - Chart Beat". Billboard.com. May 30, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  22. ^ "Michael Jackson: Hollywood Tonight #1 Billboard Dance Chart!". promotion-us.com. May 31, 2011. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  23. ^ Trust, Gary (May 31, 2011). "Hooray For 'Hollywood': Michael Jackson Tops Dance/Club Play Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  24. ^ "Hollywood Tonight Music Video Teaser on Facebook". Sony Music. facebook.com. March 5, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  25. ^ "Michael Jackson - Hollywood Tonight Official Video". via Youtube. mymusicplug.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  26. ^ "Michael Jackson: Hollywood Tonight (Throwback Mix)". promotion-us.com. May 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  27. ^ a b "Watch The Making of Hollywood Tonight - The Official Michael Jackson Site". michaeljackson.com. March 24, 2011. Archived from the original on April 21, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  28. ^ a b "Hollywood Tonight Video - The Official Michael Jackson Site". Sony Music Entertainment. michaeljackson.com. March 11, 2011. Archived from the original on March 14, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  29. ^ "MJ Music Video Shoot Takes Over Hollywood". TMZ.com. February 22, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  30. ^ a b "Michael Jackson : Hollywood Tonight (Maxi Single) - 소니뮤직". March 31, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  31. ^ a b "Hollywood Tonight: Michael Jackson: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon UK. Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  32. ^ a b "Michael Jackson - Hollywood Tonight - Vintage Vinyl Records". VVinyl. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  33. ^ "dutchcharts.nl - Michael Jackson - Hollywood Tonight". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  34. ^ "Jackson, Michael - Hollywood Tonight - 5 Zoll Single CD (2-Track) SGL-CD - musicline.de". Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  35. ^ "Michael Jackson – Hollywood Tonight" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  36. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 29, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Michael Jackson".
  37. ^ "Dance Chart :: Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. June 16, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  38. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 23.04.2011 (wk14)". zobbel.de. April 23, 2011. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  39. ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  40. ^ "Best of 2011: Dance/Club Songs (41–50)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  41. ^ "Hollywood Tonight - EP di Michael Jackson - Scarica Hollywood Tonight - EP su iTunes". iTunes. April 8, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  42. ^ "Hollywood Tonight: Michael Jackson: Amazon.co.uk: Music". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  43. ^ "HOY SE LANZA "HOLLYWOOD TONIGHT", EL NUEVO SINGLE DE MICHAEL JACKSON". The Official Michael Jackson Site. MichaelJackson.com. March 8, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  44. ^ "2011年3月22日Hit FM独家首播Hollywood Tonight-Michael Jackson". Hit FM. Kaixin001.com. March 22, 2011. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  45. ^ "HIT FM - PLAYING THE HOTTEST HITS". Hit FM. Myspace. Archived from the original on April 21, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  46. ^ "Äntligen kan vi presentera videon till "Hollywood Tonight"!". The Official Michael Jackson Site. MichaelJackson.com. March 10, 2011. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  47. ^ "Michael Jackson : Hollywood Tonight (Single) - 소니뮤직". Sony Music Korea. sonymusic.co.kr. March 10, 2011. Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  48. ^ "The single, "Hollywood Tonight" impacts Urban/Urban AC on April 5th". allaccess.com. September 4, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  49. ^ "Hollywood Tonight: Michael Jackson: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads". Amazon.de. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  50. ^ "Hollywood Tonight: Michael Jackson: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads". Amazon.de. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  51. ^ "Hollywood Tonight: Michael Jackson: Amazon.de: Musik". amazon.de. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
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