"Stranger in Moscow" is a song by Michael Jackson released as the third track on the second disc of the HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I album. It was released as a single on November 4, 1996, serving as the fifth single from the album.
Background[]
Michael and Brad Buxer came up with the initial idea for the track in September 1993 during the development of Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog 3.[1] While in Moscow during the Dangerous World Tour, Michael felt melancholic over the accusations of child sexual abuse against him. He'd call up Brad Buxer at 10:30 AM one day in a hotel and tell the producer to "start playing something". Buxer and Jackson managed to finish writing the track in an hour and a half.[2] The track would serve as the game's end credits cue in the final game. After Jackson left the production of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, he'd record and finish "Stranger in Moscow" between January 1994 and early 1995 for the HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I album at The Hit Factory, and Sony Music Studios. Brad however, was ultimately left uncredited for the production.
Music video[]
The music video had sequences in slow motion (coffee spilling, a baseball smashing a window, etc.), but it was given good reviews. It became the sixth single off the HIStory album, and it was the third track on the CD.
The music video opens with Michael walking down the streets of a city (presumably Moscow) feeling sad, mainly because of the accusations made against him. Five other "strangers" are seen, feeling sad as well. The strangers are: a woman reading a newspaper, a teenage boy watching other kids playing baseball, a man watching activity in the streets, a poor man who is shown lying down next to the dumpsters, and a businessman. Halfway through the video, a rainstorm begins and several people flee to their homes to escape the rain. However, Michael and the five strangers decide to go outside and let the rain soak them. The video ends with an unseen man speaking Russian as Michael soaks himself in the rain.
Live performances[]
"Stranger in Moscow" was only performed during Michael's HIStory World Tour, as the fourth number in the setlist.
Michael Bearden, the keyboard player for Michael's This Is It concerts, confirmed that the song was to be a part of the tour, replacing "Human Nature", but would only be performed at a few concerts, as Jackson himself pondered whether or not the fans would like it.
Tee's In-House Club Mix[]
"Stranger in Moscow (Tee's In-House Club Mix)" is a club remix of "Stranger in Moscow" done by Todd Terry and released as the ninth track on the Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix album.
Audio[]
- "Strange in Moscow" audio sample (
listen) - Sonic the Hedgehog 3 End Credits theme audio sample ( listen)
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I was wanderin' in the rain
(Mask of life feelin' insane)
Swift and sudden fall from grace
(Sunny days seem far away)
Kremlin's shadow belittlin' me
(Stalin's tomb won't let me be)
On and on and on, it came
(Wish the rain would just let me—)
[Chorus]
How does it feel (How does it feel?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
When you're alone and you're cold inside?
[Verse 2]
Here abandoned in my fame
(Armageddon of the brain)
KGB was doggin' me (Hee)
(Take my name and just let me be)
But then a beggar boy (Hee) called my name
(Happy days will drown the pain)
On and on and on, it came and the rain
And again, and again
(Take my name and just let me)
[Chorus]
How does it feel (How does it feel?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel (How does it feel now?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
When you're alone and you're cold inside?
[Interlude]
(привет, Michael!)
[Chorus]
How does it feel (How does it feel?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel (How does it feel now?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
When you're alone and you're cold inside?
[Breakdown]
Like a stranger in Moscow
Lord, have mercy
Like a stranger in Moscow (Hee)
Lord, have mercy
We're talkin' danger
We're talkin' danger, baby
Like a stranger in Moscow
We're talkin' danger
We're talkin' danger, baby
Like a stranger in Moscow
I'm livin' lonely
I'm livin' lonely, baby
Stranger in Moscow
[KGB interrogator - Russian to English Translation]
Why have you come from the West?
Confess, to steal the great achievements of the people
The accomplishments of the worker
[Intro]
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy
We're talking danger
We're talking danger, baby
Like a stranger in Moscow
We're talking danger
We're talking danger, baby
Like a stranger in Moscow
I'm living lonely
I'm living lonely, baby
[Verse 1]
I was wandering in the rain
Mask of life, feeling insane
Swift and sudden fall from grace
Sunny days seem far away
Kremlin's shadow belittling me
Stalin's tomb won't let me be
On and on and on it came
Wish the rain would just let me
[Chorus]
How does it feel (How does it feel?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
When you're alone
And you're cold inside?
[Verse 2]
Here abandoned in my fame
Armageddon of the brain
KGB was dogging me
Take my name and just let me be
Then a beggar boy called my name
Happy days will drown the pain
On and on and on it came and again, and again, and again
Take my name and just let me
[Chorus]
How does it feel (How does it feel?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel (How does it feel now?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
When you're alone
And you're cold inside?
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
How does it feel (How does it feel?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel
How does it feel (How does it feel now?)
How does it feel
How does it feel
When you're alone
And you're cold inside?
[Outro]
Like a stranger in Moscow
Lord have mercy
Like a stranger in Moscow
Lord have mercy
We're talking danger
We're talking danger, baby
Like a stranger in Moscow
We're talking danger
We're talking danger, baby
Like a stranger in Moscow
I'm living lonely
I'm living lonely, baby
Stranger in Moscow
[Instrumental Outro]
![CD back cover[3]](/wiki/File:Strangerinmoscowcdback.jpg "Strangerinmoscowcdback.jpg (117 KB)")
![CD[3]](/wiki/File:Strangerinmoscowcd.jpg "Strangerinmoscowcd.jpg (96 KB)")