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Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)

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"Human Nature"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
B-side"Baby Be Mine"
ReleasedJuly 4, 1983
Recorded1982
StudioWestlake (Los Angeles, California)[1]
Genre
Length
  • 4:06 (album version)
  • 3:47 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
(1983) 		"Human Nature"
(1983) 		"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
(1983)
Audio video
"Human Nature" on YouTube
Audio sample
"Human Nature"

"Human Nature" is a song performed by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, and the fifth single from his sixth solo album, Thriller. The track was produced by Quincy Jones and performed by some band members of Toto with Jackson providing vocals.

It was originally written by keyboardist Steve Porcaro, based on a conversation he had with his young daughter Heather after a boy hit her at school,[7] Porcaro said "he probably likes you and it's human nature". Porcaro, along with some Toto bandmates, had been assisting with the production of Thriller, but he had not intended for "Human Nature" to be used by Jackson. However, Jones inadvertently heard a demo version of the track and thought it would be a great fit for the album. Jones then brought in songwriter John Bettis to rewrite the verses, whose lyrics are about a passerby in New York City.[8] The song would ultimately replace the track "Carousel", which had been already recorded for Thriller.[9]

"Human Nature" was released as a single on July 4, 1983. Like the four Thriller singles before it, the song became a top 10 hit in the US, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In Canada and the Netherlands, the single reached number 11. The single was not released in the UK. The song garnered positive reviews from music critics. "Human Nature" has been sampled by numerous artists, including Nas with "It Ain't Hard to Tell", and Teddy Riley who remixed SWV's single "Right Here" with a sample of "Human Nature", with the remix reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100.[10]

Production

[edit]
Porcaro in 2013

The first version of "Human Nature" was written and composed by Steve Porcaro of Toto.[11] He wrote the song when his first-grade daughter came home crying after a boy pushed her off the slide. He blurted out three reasons for the incident to comfort her: the boy liked her, people can be strange, and "it's human nature".[12] He recorded a rough demo of the song in their studio while the Toto song "Africa" was being mixed.[8] Fellow Toto keyboardist David Paich added some synthesizer strings on top of the demo. Originally, the song was offered to Toto but they passed on it as they preferred stadium rock-oriented material.[13]

Paich had prepared some demo tracks for producer Quincy Jones to listen to as possible songs for Thriller and asked Porcaro to make Jones a tape with the songs.[11] Running low on cassette tapes, Porcaro used the tape on which he had already recorded his "Human Nature" demo, putting Paich's songs on the reverse side and marking that on the label as the side that Jones should listen to.[8] Jones listened to Paich's songs but did not think they were right for Thriller. However, he did not stop the tape when the songs finished playing, and the cassette deck playing the tape had "auto-reverse" capability, meaning that it started playing the other side as soon as the first side was finished.[8] As Jones described it, "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'".[14] However, Jones was dissatisfied with the original lyrics for the verses and asked John Bettis, who had written lyrics for hits by the Carpenters and the Pointer Sisters, among others, to write new lyrics for the song. He completed the song in two days.[15] Jones asked if the song could be included on Jackson's album, to which Porcaro and Bettis agreed.[11] Porcaro discusses Bettis' input in "Human Nature":

"At the last minute, Quincy (Jones) asked me if I'd mind if John Bettis took a shot at the verse lyrics, and I said, 'No, not at all.' I didn't consider myself a great lyricist. Sometimes what just came out of my mouth when I was writing, I mean like the chorus on "Human Nature" could be keepers. But I was wide open. But with John Bettis, I didn't change a single syllable, he just nailed it. He turned my record into a song, with a beginning, middle and end. Those lyrics are amazing and I don't talk about that enough."[16]

The song, as it turns out, did not change much musically from the demo through to the final album, as Jones liked the song as it was.[17] It was, for the most part, recreated in the studio.[16] Even engineer Bruce Swedien asked Porcaro, who played most of the parts and helped Jackson with the vocal phrasing, to help reproduce the phrasing of the accents of the "Why, why" that can be heard on the demo.[17]

Release and reception

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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.[18]

"Human Nature" was released in July 1983, as the fifth single from Thriller.[11] It was not released as a single in the UK. The song achieved chart success in the US.[11] 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.[19][20] "Human Nature" charted at number 27 on the R&B singles chart.[19] In the Netherlands, the single reached number 11.[21]

John Rockwell of The New York Times stated that "Human Nature" was a "haunting, brooding ballad" with an "irresistible" chorus.[22] AllMusic noted that the "gentle and lovely" "Human Nature" coexisted comfortably with the "tough, scared" "Beat It".[23] They later added that the song was a "soft rocker".[24] 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".[25] The magazine added that the track's "buttery harmonies" were powerful.[25] Stylus also praised the song, describing it as "the smoothest of ballads".[26] 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".[26]

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".[2] Kelefa Sanneh of Blender described the "soft-serve balladry" of the song as a "silk-sheets masterstroke".[27] 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".[28] Tom Ewing, reviewer for Pitchfork Media, described the song as "meltingly tender", with MTV adding that it was an "airy ballad".[29][30] 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.[31] The Los Angeles Times concluded that it was Jackson's delivery that made the "middling ballad" take off.[32]

Live performances

[edit]

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, which were canceled 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. Toto has performed the song in some of their shows with vocals by Joseph Williams. A live version is available on the 2019 DVD 40 Trips Around the Sun.

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Human Nature" (single version) – 3:47 (Misprinted as 4:05)
  2. "Baby Be Mine" – 4:20

Official remixes

[edit]
  1. Album version – 4:06
  2. Single version – 3:47[34]
  3. Live – 4:29 (This version is taken from Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 and included in the deluxe edition of Bad 25.)
  4. "Speechless"/"Human Nature" – 3:18 (Immortal version)

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Human Nature"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[61] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62] Gold 45,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[63] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[64] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[65] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Sampling

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Songs that have sampled "Human Nature" include:

Other versions

[edit]

"Human Nature" was covered by Miles Davis on his 1985 album You're Under Arrest; at the time Davis also suggested that the song could become a jazz standard.[67]

Toto has occasionally performed the song as part of a tribute to Jackson and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Randall Roberts (August 29, 2012). "Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature': An NYC classic on his birthday". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "About.com's Thriller 25 review". About.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  3. ^ Shelter, Scott (June 25, 2014). "The 10 most underrated Michael Jackson songs". AXS. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Johnston, Maura; Reeves, Mosi (August 8, 2017). "The 30 Best '90s R&B Songs – 20. SWV, "Right Here (Human Nature)" (1992)". Spin. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  5. ^ Harvey, Eric (May 19, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  6. ^ Baca, Ricardo (June 26, 2009). "Michael Jackson's musical career". The Denver Post.
  7. ^ Steve Porcaro Story Behind Human Nature by Michael Jackson, September 3, 2015, retrieved June 27, 2023
  8. ^ a b c d "KLCS interview of Steve Porcaro". Youtube. September 3, 2015. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017.
  9. ^ This Song ACCIDENTALLY Made It on "Thriller". Retrieved April 17, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  10. ^ "SWV Right Here (Human Nature)/Downtown Chart History". Billboard.
  11. ^ a b c d e Halstead, p. 144
  12. ^ Knopper, Steve (2015). MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson. Scribner. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-4767-3039-4. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  13. ^ Toto's Steve Porcaro: The Story Behind "Human Nature,' Michael Jackson. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  14. ^ Thriller 25: The Book. p. 13.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ a b Perry, Shawn. "The Steve Porcaro Interview (2016)". vintagerock.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Meeting Steve Porcaro and hearing "Chicago 1945"". July 4, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  18. ^ Powers, Ann (February 15, 2008). "Nine reasons why Jackson masterpiece remains a 'Thriller'". South Coast Today. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  19. ^ a b George, p. 39
  20. ^ Borza, Michael J. (September 7, 1984). "Jacksons captivated JFK Stadium". The Daily Collegian. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  21. ^ "Dutch Singles Chart Archives". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  22. ^ Rockwell, John (December 19, 1982). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': Superb Job". The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  23. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Allmusic's 'Thriller' Review". Allmusic. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  24. ^ "Allmusic's Thriller 25 review". Allmusic. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  25. ^ a b Henderson, Eric (2003). "Slant's 'Thriller' review". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  26. ^ a b "Thriller - The Diamond". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  27. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (April 11, 2008). "Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition Blender review". Blender. Archived from the original on May 23, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  28. ^ Gilchrist, Todd. "IGN's Thriller 25 review". IGN. Archived from the original on February 14, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ "Michael Jackson biography". MTV. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  31. ^ Sheffield, Rob. "Rolling Stone's Thriller 25 review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  32. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (February 12, 2008). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' turns 25". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 11, 2009.[dead link‍]
  33. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Human Nature" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  34. ^ "The Essential Michael Jackson by Michael Jackson". Apple Music (US). Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jackson, Michael. Thriller booklet. Sony BMG.
  36. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  37. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  38. ^ "Radio2 top 30: 8 oktober 1983" (in Dutch). Top 30. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  39. ^ "Las canciones más populares en América Latina". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). December 5, 1983. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  40. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 39, No. 5, Oct 01, 1983". RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  41. ^ "Adult Contemporary - Volume 39, No. 4, Sep 24, 1983". RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  42. ^ "CHART NUMBER 1394 – Saturday, October 01, 1983". Archived from the original on February 13, 2006. Retrieved June 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). CHUM. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  43. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Michael Jackson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  44. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Human Nature" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  45. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  46. ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  47. ^ a b c d "Thriller – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  48. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending SEPTEMBER 24, 1983". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  49. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Jackson – Human Nature" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  50. ^ "Week Commencing 13th July 2009" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  51. ^ "50 Back Catalogue Singles – 18/07/09" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  52. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  53. ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 29 (dal 2009-07-13 al 2009-07-19)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  54. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  55. ^ "Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  56. ^ "Michael Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1983" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  58. ^ "The Top Singles of 1983". RPM. December 24, 1983. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  59. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1983". Longbored Surfer. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  60. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  61. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Music Canada. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  62. ^ "Danish single certifications – Michael Jackson – Human Nature". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  63. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved April 21, 2022. Type Michael Jackson in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Human Nature in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  64. ^ "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Human Nature". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  65. ^ "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – Human Nature". Recording Industry Association of America.
  66. ^ It Ain't Hard To Tell vs. Human Nature – Nas feat. Michael Jackson (live at Lovebox 2014, London – fancam) YouTube
  67. ^ Richard Cook (November 6, 2012). "Miles Davis: 'Coltrane was a very greedy man. Bird was, too. He was a big hog' – a classic interview from the vaults". theguardian.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.

Sources

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