"Whatever Happens" is a song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the fifteenth track from the Invincible album. The legendary guitarist, composer and musician, Carlos Santana, performs on the electric guitar.
Background[]
"Whatever Happens" was written and produced by Jackson and Teddy Riley, with Geoffrey Williams, Gil Cang, and Jasmine Quay helping with writing. It was recorded between December 1998–February 2001.
Jackson sings the song from a third-person perspective. The song's lyrics, described by Rolling Stone magazine as having a "jagged intensity", narrate the story of two people involved in an unnamed threatening situation.
Audio[]
On September 16, 2008, one of the co-writers, Cang, posted his and Geoffrey Williams' demo of "Whatever Happens" on YouTube.[1]
- Writer's demo - (
listen)
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
He gives another smile, tries to understand her side
To show that he cares
She can't stay in the room
She's consumed with everything that's been going on
She says, "Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand"
[Verse 2]
"Everything will be alright", he assures her
But she doesn't hear a word that he says
Preoccupied, she's afraid
Afraid what they've been doing's not right
He doesn't know what to say, so he prays
Whatever, whatever, whatever
[Chorus]
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
See, whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
[Guitar Solo]
Don't let go of my hand
Don't let go of my hand
[Verse 3]
He's working day and night, thinks he'll make her happy
Forgetting all the dreams that he had
He doesn't realize it's not the end of the world
It doesn't have to be that bad
She tries to explain, "It's you that makes me happy"
Whatever, whatever, whatever
[Chorus]
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
See, whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
See whatever happens, don't go of my hand
See whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
Whatever happens, don't you let go of my hand
Whatever happens, just don't let go of my hand
[Outro]
Thank you, man
Thank you, Carlos
Trivia[]
- In the track's outro, Jackson and Santana thank each other for contributing to the song.