"Someone in the Dark" is a song by Michael Jackson released as a promotional single to the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial audiobook companion album. The track is divided into two parts: "Opening Version" and "Closing Version".
Background[]
Ed Eckstine, executive vice president and general manager of Quincy Jones Productions, stated in the Thriller 40 documentary at approximately 46 minutes and 25 seconds in to the documentary, Quincy Jones had initially became friends with Steven Spielberg. While Steven Spielberg was working on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson was invited on the set. During the course of Michael and Quincy being on set, Spielberg told Quincy that they should do a record together of some sorts. Quincy then pitched the idea to Michael of doing the storybook album of E.T. where Michael would narrate the story and write and sing a song for the album. Michael was then on board with idea. In the summer of 1982, Epic Records allowed Michael to record the story-book album - including one new song, "Someone in the Dark" - for MCA, on two conditions:
- MCA must hold back the album until after Christmas 1982, so it wouldn't compete with Michael's new album, Thriller.
- MCA must not release "Someone in the Dark" as a single.
MCA breached both conditions in the States, by releasing the album in November 1982, and by servicing radio stations with promo copies of "Someone in the Dark". The problem was no proceeded to call Walter Yetnikoff, President of Epic Records at the time, to clear the rights over due to the album being released on Universal/MCA. This proceeded in Yetnikoff relaying a message to Branca to relay to Michael to "stop kissing the monster" in reference to the poster of E.T. hugging Michael.
Court action resulted in MCA having to withdraw the album, and being prohibited from releasing this song as a single - thus creating, arguably, one of Michael's rarest and most sought after promo single, with copies changing hands for £1,000+. According to John Branca in the Thriller 40 documentary, Michael then was upset at Yetnikoff. Yetnikoff questioned what should he do to make the situation better. Michael Jackson owned all of his masters as a result of the lawsuit starting from Off the Wall until the future releases that followed.
Audio[]
The "Opening Version" was re-released on multiple of Jackson's releases. It almost made it on the scrapped 1990s compilation album, Decade. It later made multiple appearances on the 2001 special edition of Thriller, The Ultimate Collection in 2004 and finally Thriller 25 in 2008.
- "Closing Version" - (
listen)
Lyrics[]
Opening Version[]
All alone wishing on stars
Waiting for you to find me
One sweet night I knew I would see
A stranger who'd be my friend
When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells you never be afraid
Then somewhere in your heart you can feel the glow
A light to keep you warm when the night winds blow
Like it was written in the stars I knew
My friend, my someone in the dark was you
Promise me we'll always be
Walking the world together
Hand in hand where dreams never end
My star secret friend and me
When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells you never be afraid
Then somewhere in your heart you can feel the glow
A light to keep you warm when the night winds blow
Look for the rainbow in the sky
I believe you and I
Could never really say goodbye
Wherever you may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Wherever you may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Though you're gone star far away
Each time I see a rainbow
I'll remember being with you
Smiles coming through my tears
When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells you never be afraid
Then somewhere in your heart you can feel the glow
A light to keep you warm when the night winds blow
Look for the rainbow in the sky
I believe you and I
Could never really say goodbye
Wherever you may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Wherever you may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Closing Version[]
Though you're gone star far away
Each time I see a rainbow
I'll remember being with you
Smiles coming through my tears
When someone in the dark reaches out for you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells you never be afraid
Then somewhere in your heart you can feel the glow
A light to keep you warm when the night winds blow
Look for the rainbow in the sky
I believe you and I
Could never really say goodbye
Wherever you may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Wherever you may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
![Vinyl (side a)[1]](/wiki/File:Someone_in_the_Dark_Vinyl_1.jpeg "Someone in the Dark Vinyl 1.jpeg (101 KB)")
![Vinyl (side b)[1]](/wiki/File:Someone_in_the_Dark_Vinyl_2.jpeg "Someone in the Dark Vinyl 2.jpeg (94 KB)")