"Best of Joy" (originally titled "The Toy") is a previously unreleased song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the fourth track from the first posthumous studio album, Michael. The demo was released on the Thriller 40 anniversary album.
Background[]
Originally under the title "The Toy", Jackson recorded the track in 1981, which featured different lyrics in some places. Quincy Jones came up with the idea for Jackson to write a song for the soundtrack to Richard Pryor's movie of the same name.[1] When asked about it during a deposition in 1984, Jackson confirmed that the whole idea and song was scrapped in favor of Thriller, and felt the song was just as strong if not stronger than tracks on the album.[2]
The song was later revisited by Jackson and retitled to "Best of Joy" in April 1991 during the Dangerous sessions.[3] It is unknown which producer helped craft this version, but it could be either Teddy Riley, Bill Bottrell or Bryan Loren. It eventually didn't make the cut again.
Jackson revisited "Best of Joy" in the late summer of 2008, and re-recorded it in November at a Bel Air hotel bathroom.[4][5] This version included a new third verse, not featured in the previous versions. This time, Brad Buxer stood behind production, although it stayed the same as featured in the original demo.[6]
After Jackson's passing in 2009, "Best of Joy" was completely reworked by Neff-U for Michael. It featured a new instrumental but kept the 2008 vocals. For unknown reasons, the third verse was cut out, probably due to its unfinished state.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I am your joy, your best of joy
I am the moonlight, you are the spring
Our life's a sacred thing
You know I always will love you, I am forever
[Pre-Chorus]
I am the one who came when you fell down
I was the only one around (The only one)
When things would hurt you, I am forever
Wasn't it I who said that you are free?
When living seemed so hard to be
And things would hurt you
[Chorus]
I am forever (I am forever)
We are forever (We are forever)
[Verse 2]
I am your friend through thick and thin
We need each other, we'll never part
Our love is from the heart
We never say, "I don't need you", we are forever
[Pre-Chorus]
I am the one who said that you are free
When living seemed so hard to be (The only one)
And nothing would cheer you
I am forever
Wasn't it I who carried you around?
When all the walls came tumblin' down
When things would hurt you
[Chorus]
I am forever (I am forever)
We are forever (We are forever)
[Bridge]
You are the sun that lights up the sky
When things are shady, let come what may we do get by
[Pre-Chorus]
I was the only one around (The only one)
When things would hurt you
[Chorus]
We are forever (I am forever, alright)
We are forever (I am forever, uh-huh)
We are forever (Ah, what you do? What ya live for?)
We are forever (What you do? What ya live for? Our love is strong)
We are forever (What you do? What ya live for? Uh-huh)
We are forever (Uh-huh, alright)
I am forever, I am forever (Ah, uh-huh, alright)
We are forever (Hoo-hoo), we are forever (Hee)
I am forever, I am forever
[Verse 1]
I am your toy, I am your boy
I am the moonlight, you are the spring
Our lives are sacred things
You know I always will love you, I am forever
[Pre-Chorus]
I am the one who came when you fell down
I was the only one around when things would hurt you
I am forever
Wasn't it I who said that you are free?
When living seemed so hard to be
And things would hurt you
[Chorus]
I am forever
[Verse 2]
I am your friend through thick and thin
We need each other, we'll never part
Our love is from the heart
We'll never say "I don't need you"
We are forever
[Pre-Chorus]
Wasn't it I who said that you are free?
When living seemed so hard to be
And things would hurt you
I am forever
I am the one who came when you fell down
I was the only one around
When things would hurt you
[Chorus]
I am forever
[Bridge]
You are the sun that lights up the sky
When things are shady, what comes what may we do get by
[Pre-Chorus]
I was the only one around when things would hurt you
I am forever
[Verse 3]
I am your toy, I am your boy
I am the moonlight, you are the spring
Our lives are sacred things
You know I always will love you, I am forever
I am the one who came when you fell down
I was the only one around when things would hurt you
I am forever
Wasn't it I who said that you are free?
When living seemed so hard to be
And things would hurt you
[Outro]
We are forever
Uh-huh
We are forever
Uh-huh
We are forever
We are forever
We are forever
[Verse 3] ("Best of Joy", 2008)
Remember the time
You said your life was through
That's when I held and carried you
These arms are to hold you
We are forever
I am the rock that stands on solid ground
I am that friend always around
When things are shady
We are forever[5][7]
[Alternate Verse] ("Best of Joy", 2008)
I am the one who chased the clouds away
I'll be here forever and a day
Nothing can hurt you
I am forever
Wasn't it I who said that you are free
It use to be you
But now it's we
And nothing can hurt you
We are forever
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- For years, it has been rumored that "Best of Joy" was planned to have been added to the setlist for the final This Is It concert. This, however, has never been confirmed.
- On November 19, 2022, a collector called Korg Nex posted a snippet of his mix for the track. This featured a small part of the third unreleased verse from the 2008 version.[8] On January 9, 2024, Korg Nex posted his full mix, featuring the entire lost unreleased third verse.[7] The mix itself is rather meant to be humorous, as it is poorly executed, and repeatedly overdubbed by the lyric "forever".
References[]
- ↑ Michael Jackson Thriller 40 – The Toy
- ↑ Jet: December 1984–January 1985
- ↑ @DamienShields – X, Sep 22, 2022
- ↑ 052: Michael Prince Special – The MJCast
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 @DamienShields – X, Nov 28, 2022
- ↑ @DamienShields – X, Sep 29, 2023
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 MICHAEL JACKSON – We Are Forever
- ↑ We Are Forever (Korg's Mix – PREVIEW) – MICHAEL JACKSON
[]
| Michael | ||
|---|---|---|
| "Hold My Hand" • "Hollywood Tonight" • "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" • "Best of Joy" • "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" • "Behind the Mask" • "Much Too Soon" | ||
|