"Human Nature" is a song by Michael Jackson released as the seventh track from the Thriller album. It was released as a single on July 3, 1983, serving as the fifth single from the album. It's considered one of Jackson's most famous and known songs. A Album edit was released as a B-side to the "Leave Me Alone" single.
Background[]
The track was famously written by a member of the band, Toto, keyboardist Steve Porcaro, in 1980. The idea came up to his mind when having a talk with his daughter, after a boy pushed her off the slide. Porcaro told his daughter that the boy probably likes her and it's just human nature. Porcaro recorded a demo while in studio with Toto, mixing their hit song "Africa". The band's keyboardist, David Paich, helped with synthesizers on it. The track was presented to the other bandmates, however they passed on it, stating it's not rock enough for what they'd usually be expected to do and suggested the song would work better if used by someone else.
Porcaro, along with some of his bandmates from the band Toto, had been assisting with the production of Thriller, but he had not intended for "Human Nature" to be used by Jackson.
At one point, Paich and Porcaro presented demos to Quincy Jones, with hopes for some of them to be included on Thriller. Jones listened to most of them, with "Human Nature" being the the track he thought would most fit the album. He asked John Bettis to help re-write the lyrics though, as he wasn't satisfied with the current ones.
"Human Nature" ultimately replaced "Carousel" - another song that was very close to making it on Thriller's track list.
Live performances[]
Jackson stated "Human Nature" is his favorite song to perform.[1] He sang it during all of his tours, although only a few times during the HIStory World Tour. The last time the song would be performed was during the June 23, 2009 rehearsals for the This Is It concerts.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Why?
[Verse 1]
Looking out across the nighttime
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice, shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs
Get me out into the nighttime
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town is just an apple
Then let me take a bite
[Chorus]
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?)
Tell them that it's human nature
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?)
Tell them that it's human nature
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
[Verse 2]
Reaching out to touch a stranger
Electric eyes are everywhere
See that girl, she knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare
[Chorus]
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?)
Just tell them that it's human nature
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?)
(She's giving in by keeping him a-round)
Tell them that it's human nature
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
[Bridge]
I like livin' this way
I like lovin' this way
(That way) Why? Oh, why?
(That way) Why? Oh, why?
[Verse 3]
Looking out across the morning
The city's heart begins to beat
Reaching out, I touch her shoulder
I'm dreaming of the street
[Chorus]
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?)
Tell them that it's human nature
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?)
(She's giving in by keeping him a-round)
Ooh-ooh, tell 'em!
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?), why (Why?)
Cha-da-cha-sha-sha-sha-sha-sha (Aah-ah)
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (Why? Why?), why (Why? Why? Why?)
(She's giving in by keeping him a-round)
Ooh-ooh, tell 'em! (Aah-ah)
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?), why (Why?)
Ooh, tell 'em!
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
If they say why (Why?), why (Why?)
(She's giving in by keeping him a-round)
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da
Why (Why?), why (Why?), does he do me that way?
I like living this way
[Outro]
Why? Oh, why? (That way)
Why? Oh, why? (That way)
Why? Oh, why? (That way)
Gallery[]
![Vinyl back cover[2]](/wiki/File:Humannaturevinylback.jpg "Humannaturevinylback.jpg (100 KB)")
![Vinyl[2]](/wiki/File:Humannaturevinyl.jpg "Humannaturevinyl.jpg (79 KB)")
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"Look deep within yourself, and you'll find something amazing." To view the Human Nature gallery, click here. |
Trivia[]
- Jeff Porcaro, Steve's brother and Toto's drummer is credited for drums on "Human Nature".[3]
- The track was also released as a B-side to the "Gone Too Soon" single alongside "She's Out of My Life" and "Thriller".