"Remember the Time" is a song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the fifth track from the Dangerous album. It was released as a single on January 14, 1992, serving as the second single from the album.
Background[]
"Remember the Time" was written with Teddy Riley, Tammy Lucas and Bernard Belle, with Riley and Jackson as producers. It was recorded at Record One in February 1991 and later at Future Recording Studios in October 1991, where they finished the recording and mixing process. The track drew comparisons from the media to "Rock with You", from Off the Wall.[1]
In May 1991, while mixing both Dangerous and "Remember the track, Riley invited his friends and fellow BLACKstreet members Chauncey Hannibal and Joseph Stonestreet to deliver some background vocals for the track, as well as "Jam". The backing vocals eventually weren't in the final version.
Riley supposedly stated in a 1996 Los Angeles Times interview that he was inspired to write "Remember the time" after hearing Jackson describe "falling in love with the woman he just married". The article assumes he's referring to Debbie Rowe, but Riley himself makes no mention of her.[2] In a 2011 reply to a fan on Twitter, Riley denied that the song was about Rowe.[3] Others have noted that when the single was originally released in 1992, Jackson dedicated the song to Diana Ross.
Short film[]
The music video/short film, directed by John Singleton, was released on February 2, 1992.
The video is set in Ancient Egypt and features appearances of Eddie Murphy, Iman, The Pharcyde, Magic Johnson, Tom "Tiny" Lister, Jr., and Wylie Draper, who would also play Jackson in the mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream, released in the same year.
To coincide with the 2LP 33RPM and SACD re-releases of Dangerous, on August 9, 2025, the short film was updated on YouTube with 4K upscaling done using artificial intelligence. Similar to the "Black or White" update, it caused mixed reactions within Jackson's fanbase.
Live performances[]
Jackson originally planned to perform "Remember the Time" during the Dangerous World Tour in 1992. Jackson rehearsed the track multiple times; however, it was never present at any of the shows. This is because, due to time and technical reasons, it had to be cut from the concerts.[4]
Instead, the first performance took place during the Soul Train Awards in 1993, where the song won Jackson for Best R&B/Soul Single – Male. At the time, Jackson twisted one of his ankles and couldn't dance for the performance. Instead, he sat on a golden chair, vibed, and mouthed to the lyrics while being surrounded by dancers.[5]
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
I don't know, bet you wanna try
Every time you see
[Verse 1]
Do you remember when we fell in love?
We were young and innocent then
Do you remember how it all began?
It just seemed like heaven, so why did it end?
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Do you remember, back in the fall?
We'd be together all day long
Do you remember us holding hands?
In each other's eyes, we'd stare
Tell me
[Chorus]
Do you remember the time?
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
When we first met, girl
Do you remember the time?
(Oh, I)
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
[Verse 2]
Do you remember how we used to talk?
You know, we'd stay on the phone at night 'til dawn
Do you remember all the things we said?
Like, "I love you so, I'll never let you go"
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Do you remember, back in the spring?
Every morning, birds would sing
Do you remember those special times?
They'll just go on and on
In the back of my mind
[Chorus]
Do you remember the time?
(Oh, I)
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
When we first met, girl
Do you remember the time?
(Oh, I)
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
[Bridge]
Those sweet memories
Will always be dear to me
And girl, no matter what was said
I will never forget what we had
Now, baby
[Chorus]
Do you remember the time?
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
When we first met, girl
Do you remember the time?
(Oh, I)
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
(Remember, my baby)
Do you remember the time?
('Cause I remember)
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
(All in my mind, girl)
Do you remember the time?
(Oh, I)
When we fell in love
Do you remember the time?
(Remember, my baby)
[Breakdown]
(Remember the time)
Hoo!
(Remember the time)
Do you remember, girl?
(Remember the time)
On the phone, you and me
(Remember the time)
'Til dawn, 'til three
What about us, girl?
(Remember the time)
Do you, do you, do you?
(Remember the time)
Do you, do you?
In the park, on the beach
(Remember the time)
You and me, in Spain
What about, what about
(Remember the time)
Grrrrrat, tat tat, tat
Grrrrrat, tat tat
(Remember the time)
Hoo! In the park
(Remember the time)
After dark, do you, do you, do you?
(Remember the time)
Do you, do you, do you, do you?
(Remember the time)
Yeah, yeah, hoo!
(Remember the time, remember the time)
Gallery[]
![Vinyl back cover[6]](/wiki/File:Rememberthetimevinylback.jpg "Rememberthetimevinylback.jpg (60 KB)")
![Vinyl[6]](/wiki/File:Rememberthetimevinyl.jpg "Rememberthetimevinyl.jpg (101 KB)")
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"Look deep within yourself, and you'll find something amazing." To view the Remember the Time gallery, click here. |
Trivia[]
- The single release of "Remember the Time" featured a completely fresh take of "Smooth Criminal" and the 5-minute version of the previously unreleased "Come Together" cover.