"Behind the Mask" is a previously unreleased cover of Yellow Magic Orchestra's song of the same name, performed by Michael Jackson and released on the Michael album. It was released as a single on February 21, 2011, serving as the third single from the album. The demo was released on Thriller 40 in 2022, and was officially dubbed "Mike's Mix (Demo)".
Background[]
"Behind the Mask" was first recorded in October 1981 during the Thriller sessions. It was a cover of an instrumental track by Yellow Magic Orchestra. Production continued until one year later, which was when the song didn't make the cut for the album. It was later given to Greg Philliganes and Eric Clapton who included it on their albums.
Decades later, after Jackson's passing, the song was reworked for the posthumous album, Michael. It was released as the third and final single from the album. It featured completely reworked instrumentation done by John McClain. In this version of the song, verse 3 replaces verse 2, and a saxophone solo is included.
Very few physical copies were released, as the single was made popular mainly through digital downloads. However, it'd would see a 7" vinyl release on April 16, 2011, during the Record Store Day, with only 4000 pressings being made.[1] In the same year, a exclusive promotional CD was released in Poland.[2]
Music video[]
The Behind the Mask Project[]
On February 28, 2011, the Michael Jackson Estate announced the project, where fans could send videos of them dancing, singing, etc. to "Behind the Mask". The full video was released on June 14, 2011.
Official video[]
An alternate video was directed by Dan Shapiro and Alex Topaller. This featured masked dancers in a nightclub. Initially, the video wasn't published and the "Behind the Mask" Project served as the official video.
This music video was leaked online on July 31, 2013. It would be finally uploaded to Michael Jackson's official YouTube channel on August 3, 2018.[3]
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
All along, I had to talk about it
But like a two-edged sword
It cuts you and it stabs me
All along, I knew you were a phony girl
You sit behind the mask
And you control your world
You sit around and I watch your face
I try to find the truth
But that's your hiding place
You say you love me, but it's hard to see
'Cause when he's in your arms
You're throwing rocks at me!
[Chorus 1]
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don't know
Who do you love?
I don't want you
If you can't answer
You know me
[Chorus 2]
(There is nothing in your eyes)
There is nothing in your eyes
(But that's the way you cry)
But that's the way you cry, girl (Cry, girl)
(All is grand, all is bright)
All is grand, all is bright
(You're just studying my mind)
[Verse 2]
I walk around, I’m suffering in my doom
When I come to you
You're sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask, so I can see your face!
[Chorus 1]
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don't know
Who do you love, babe?
I don't want you
If you can't answer
I know you
[Chorus 3]
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You got me scared, girl
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every year, yours are good
(Where's your soul? Where'd it go?)
You got me scared, girl
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You know where you've been
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every year, na-na-na
(Where's your soul? Where did it go?)
Is it me?
Is it you?
Behind this mask, I ask
[Verse 3]
I walk around, I’m suffering in my doom
And when I come to you
You're sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask
So I can see your face!
[Chorus 1]
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love, babe?
I don't want you
If you can't answer
I know you!
[Chorus 1]
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don't know
Who do you love?
I don't want you
If you can't answer
I don't know
[Outro]
Is it me?
Is it you?
Behind this mask, I ask
Is it me?
Is it you?
Behind this mask, I ask
Is it me?
Is it you?
Behind this mask, I ask
I don't want to talk about it (Let's talk about it)
I don't want to talk about it (Let's talk about it)
I don't want to talk about it (Let's talk about it)
[Verse 1]
All along, I had to talk about it
But like a two-edged sword
It cuts you and it stabs me
All along I knew you were a phony girl
You sit behind the mask
And you control your world
Wonders, what are you doing to me?
But you know the truth, you're nowhere next to me
I can't trust what you do to me
All I know is true, that you're damaging, baby
[Chorus 1]
Now, the mask you're wearing
Heaven must be wary
Is stoney and staring
You got me scared, girl
Lines and tears, age and fears
Every years, you've been through
Growing old, passions cold
You got me scared, girl
Now, the mask you're wearing
Heaven must be wary
Is stoney and staring
You know what you did
Lines and tears, age and fears
Every year, na na na
Growing old, passions cold
Ey-ey-ey!
[Verse 2]
You sit around and I watch your face
You try to be the truth
You look for a hiding place
Behind the mask, I know whatcha do to me
I'm watching all your games, but then your eye can see…
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love?
I don't want you
If you can't answer
You know me! Hoo!
[Chorus 2]
There is nothing in your eyes
There is nothing in your eyes
That marks where you cried
But that's the way you cry, girl
All is blank, all is blind
All is grand, all is bright
Dead inside, the inner mind
Hee-hee, hee-hee
There is nothing in your eyes
That marks where you cried
But that's the way you cry
Hoo! Uh!
All is blank, all is blind
All is bright
Dead inside, the inner mind
Eh-eh ey
[Bridge]
Is it me, is it you
Behind this mask, I ask
Is it me, is it you
Who wears another face
[Verse 3]
I walk around, I’m suffering in my doom
When I come to you
You're sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask, so I can see your face!
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With You?
I don't know
Who do you love, babe?
I don't want you
If you can't answer
I know you
[Bridge]
Is it me, is it you
Behind this mask, I ask
Is it me, is it you
Who wears another face
[Outro]
Who do you love?
Uh!
Is it me?
With You?
Who do you love, babe?
I don't want you
If you can't answer
I know you
I don't want to talk about it
I don't want to talk about it
I don't want to talk about it
Is it me, is it you
Behind this mask, I ask
Is it me, is it you
Who wears another face
Is it me, is it you
Behind this mask, I ask
I ask
I ask
Gallery[]
!["Hollywood Tonight" / "Behind the Mask" Record Store Day vinyl[1]](/wiki/File:Btm7vinyl.jpg "Btm7vinyl.jpg (95 KB)")
![Promotional CD (Poland exclusive)l[2]](/wiki/File:Behindthemaskpromocd.jpg "Behindthemaskpromocd.jpg (75 KB)")