"For All Time" is a previously unreleased song produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the sixteenth track from the Thriller 25 anniversary album.
Background[]
"For All Time" was written by Steve Porcaro and Michael Sherwood. It was recorded between May 1990–1991 for the Dangerous album, although it failed to make the final cut.[1]
| “ | Michael had called and he wanted a follow-up, something that was in the vibe of Human Nature and obviously something from Steve. We wrote several songs and one of them was For All Time. He was going to put it on the Dangerous album indeed and it was supposed to be the ballad. Michael recorded it and it was coming out really well so we were really excited. But then there was this kid, Ryan White, who died of a blood transfusion contracting AIDS, and it was very sad. Michael had this beautiful song called Gone Too Soon and it had to go on the record. So it kind of knocked our song off the Dangerous record. We were hoping that maybe it would be on the next record, then we hoped it would be on the next record and then we finally just gave up on it and continued writing. At some point Lionel Richie was approached and he was interested to perform it. Steve told me that they did a track for him with Nathan East and some other people but I never heard it and it never surfaced. | ” |
–Michael Sherwood in an interview with Brice Najar[2] | ||
Sometime between 2005–early 2006, Jackson called Sherwood to rework and include "For All Time" on Thriller 25, even though it has nothing related to Thriller.
| “ | Well, in 2005, maybe early 2006, we got a call from Michael saying that he was releasing the Thriller 25th anniversary record and that he would like to put For All Time on it. We were very surprised but we dusted it off and finished it up. It was 20 years later but you must never give up because you never know! It was a very pleasant surprise when Steve called me and said : « Are you sitting down? » I said : « No. » He said : « Sit down! » (laughs) Then I talked to Michael because I wanted to rewrite the verses. You know, 20 years later, I was a better writer so I said : « Can I please rewrite the verses? I love the chorus and the bridge, but I think the verses need a little more work. » But Michael said : « Oh, no, I want to keep it just like it is! » I said : « All right. » thinking to myself « You’re the King of Pop!… » (laughs) | ” |
–Sherwood revealed in an interview with Najar[2] | ||
Audio[]
On July 7, 2002, a demo of "For All Time" was leaked online. An even earlier demo was leaked in 2022, two decades after the original leak, in low quality. The same demo was leaked again in high quality on January 27, 2023, following the Brad Sundberg laptop theft. The same year, a seminar recording of Sherwood's original demo was leaked, featuring Jackson on background vocals.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Sun comes up on this new morning
Shifting shadows, a songbird sings
And if these words could keep you happy
I'd do anything
And if you feel alone, I'll be your shoulder
With a tender touch you know so well
Somebody once said it's the soul that matters
But baby, who can really tell when two hearts belong so well
[Chorus]
And maybe the walls will tumble
And the sun may refuse to shine
But when I say I love you
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
[Verse 2]
Moon shines down on this good evening
One warm kiss in the cold night air
And for this good love I'm receiving
I'd go anywhere just as long as you were there
[Chorus]
And maybe the walls will tumble
And the sun may refuse to shine
When I say I love you
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
[Bridge]
Oh, and on these quiet days
Where souls embrace so silently
Oh, the rain may wash away
All these words that young lovers say
[Chorus]
And maybe the walls will crumble
And the sun may refuse to shine
But when I say I need you
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
[Outro]
Say that you'll never go, that's for all time
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
Baby, you gotta know that's for all time
(That's for all time)
(That's for all time)
Say that you'll never go, that's for all time
Baby, you'll never go, that's for all time