"Much Too Soon" is a previously unreleased song performed by Michael Jackson released as the seventh and final track on Jackson's first posthumous album Michael.
Background[]
"Much Too Soon" was first recorded in the fall of 1981 during the Thriller sessions, originally titled "Learned My Lesson". Two versions of the song were registered with the U.S. Copyright Office[1]. However, it didn't make the cut for the album.
The song was picked up again during HIStory sessions. It was fully recorded in April 1994 with Bruce Swedien behind the mixing. The song ultimately didn't make the final selection for the album and was cut again.[2]
In 2010, the track was completed for the posthumous album, Michael. A different mixing and additional production was added with McClain returning to work on the song.
Audio[]
In 2018, #JCsMusicology uploaded a podcast regarding Jackson's work from 1993 until 1997, where a snippet of the original, 1994 master recording of "Much Too Soon" was included.[3]
- Demo - (
listen)
On January 13, 2020, the multitrack for the 1994 version of "Much Too Soon" leaked online.[4]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
She was there just sitting at the table
Thinking now that things won't be the same
And wouldn't you like to go with me?
And she answered no to me
But I guess I learned my lesson much too soon
[Verse 2]
I never thought she'd leave me here forever
But who knows just what the future brings
And wouldn't you like to go with me?
And she answered no to me
But I guess I learned my lesson much too soon
[Bridge]
Take away this never ending sorrow
Take this lonely feelin' from my soul
If only I knew what things bring tomorrow
She'd be sitting here beside me
And my heart would fill with gold
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
I hope to make a change now for the better
Never letting fate control my soul
And I'm hoping that my prayers will see
The day that she'll come back to me
But I guess I learned my lesson much too soon
Ooh, ooh
[Outro]
Yes, I guess I learned my lesson much too soon
Trivia[]
- A CD of rough mixes for HIStory from 1994-1995 was discovered, which included "Much Too Soon".
References[]
- ↑ https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/8511609
- ↑ https://www.discogs.com/release/3530246-Michael-Jackson-HIStory
- ↑ https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cona2HSPqR3mfesAnuWEX?si=FgsgAKiWTvGSUPqDPXBByQ&t=619&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A63b0DgpACQxAIyC4an6tXo
- ↑ https://archive.org/details/muchtoosoonmultitracks-michaeljackson