"Liberian Girl" is a song by Michael Jackson released as the fourth track from the Bad album. It was released as a single on July 3, 1989, serving as the ninth and final single from the album.
Background[]
The track was first written and recorded in 1983, for the Victory album with the Jacksons. The song didn't make the cut for the album however.[1] It was later re-recorded on January 28, 1986 during the early Bad sessions and once again during the main sessions in August. The song was dedicated to Michael's late long-time friend, Elizabeth Taylor.
| “ | I wrote that at my house in the game room. I guess I was playing some pinball or something, and the song just popped into my head. And I think I ran upstairs, put it on tape, and it became ‘Liberian Girl’…..I don’t think about it, it just comes. | ” |
–Michael Jackson[2] | ||
Music video[]
It was directed by Jerry Kramer. The "Liberian Girl" video features multiple celebrities, most notably: Quincy Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Olivia Newton-John, Steven Spielberg and 'Weird Al' Yankovic and more.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Nakupenda pia
Nakutaka pia
Mpenzi we'
[Verse 1]
Liberian girl
You came and you changed my world
A love so brand new
Liberian girl
You came and you changed me, girl
A feeling so true
[Chorus]
Liberian girl
You know that you came and you changed my world
Just like in the movies
With two lovers in a scene
And she says, "Do you love me?"
And he says so endlessly
"I love you, Liberian girl"
[Post-Chorus]
Nakupenda pia
Nakutaka pia
Mpenzi we'
[Verse 2]
Liberian girl
More precious than any pearl
Your love's so complete
Liberian girl
You kiss me then, ooh, the world
You do this to me
[Chorus]
Liberian girl
You know that you came and you changed my world
Just like in the movies
With two lovers in a scene
And she says, "Do you love me?"
And he says so endlessly
"I love you, Liberian girl"
[Post-Chorus]
Nakupenda pia
Nakutaka pia
Mpenzi we'
[Chorus]
Liberian girl
You know that you came and you changed my world
I wait for the day
When you have to say, "I do"
And I'll smile and say it, too
And forever will be true
[Outro]
I love you, Liberian girl
All the time
I love you, Liberian girl
All the time
I love you, Liberian girl
All the time
I love you, Liberian girl
All the time
I love you
I love you, baby
I want you
I love you, baby
Ooh
I love you, baby
I want it, baby
Ooh
Gallery[]
![Vinyl back cover[3]](/wiki/File:Liberiangirlbackvinyl.jpg "Liberiangirlbackvinyl.jpg (67 KB)")
![Vinyl[3]](/wiki/File:Liberiangirlvinyl.jpg "Liberiangirlvinyl.jpg (87 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The song received a positive reception in Liberia, with women from the country viewing the song as empowering. Liberian woman Margaret Carson said in an interview with The Washington Times "When that music came out … the Liberian girls were so astonished to hear a great musician like Michael Jackson thinking about a little country in Africa. It gave us hope, especially when things went bad … . It made us to feel that we are still part of the world."[4]
- At the start, "Speed Demon" can be briefly heard.