"Who Is It" is a song by Michael Jackson released as the ninth track from the Dangerous album. It was released as a single on July 13, 1992, serving as the fifth single from the album.
Background[]
The song was first recorded in September 1990 and finished in October 1991. Teddy Riley said that the track reminded him of "Dirty Diana", a song from the Bad album.
| “ | This reminds me so much of Dirty Diana. I think he recaptured that sound on this song. You know, I think he went back to his roots of recording with this song to record an incredible track. I thought it would take someone like Quincy Jones [who produced Dirty Diana] to really put an incredible track like that together. I thought it would take someone like Quincy to get that sound, but Michael came up with it. It was really difficult for me having to follow in Quincy Jones' footsteps. He left big footsteps! He did hear this album and he really gave me a great compliment on my production. He heard it before it was released and he said this was a masterpiece, and that it's ready to come out. Michael was taking so long and he brought Quincy in to hear it - he was like a quality controller for Michael. If Michael had the chance he'd keep working on songs forever. | ” |
–Teddy Riley for MusicRadar, December 20, 2021[1] | ||
Music video[]
Compilation video[]
First version was a compilation of previously seen footage from older music videos or live performances. This video was aired in USA, as the other one couldn't be aired due to reportedly being "too dark".[2]
Official video[]
The actual music video was directed by David Fincher and released in March 1993. As IMDB states, "Michael sings of heartbreak over a lover, while the woman he sings about changes costumes and identities for her work as a high-class call girl."[3]
Awards[]
This song hit no.6 on the R&B singles chart, no.14 on the the Hot 100 in the U.S., no.10 in the U.K., and no.1 in Zimbabwe.[4]
Audio[]
An alternate, rough mix of "Who Is It" had leaked online at an unknown time in the 2000s. This version is seven minutes-long and features previously unheard ad-libs.
- Demo - (
listen)
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I gave her money, I gave her time
I gave her everything inside one heart could find
I gave her passion, my very soul
I gave her promises and secrets so untold
[Pre-Chorus]
And she promised me forever
And a day we'd live as one
We made our vows we'd live a life anew
And she promised me in secret
That she'd love me for all time
It's a promise so untrue
Tell me what will I do?
[Chorus]
And it doesn't seem to matter
And it doesn't seem right
'Cause the will has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure
'Cause I'm lying to myself
And the reason why she left me
Did she find in someone else?
[Post-Chorus]
Who is it?
Is it a friend of mine?
Who is it?
Is it my brother?
Who is it?
Somebody hurt my soul now
Who is it?
I can't take this stuff no more
[Verse 2]
I am the damned, I am the dead
I am the agony inside dying head
This is injustice, woe unto thee
I pray this punishment would have mercy on me
[Pre-Chorus]
And she promised me forever
That we'd live our life as one
We made our vows we'd live a love so true
It seems that she has left me
For such reasons unexplained
I need to find the truth
But see, what will I do?
[Chorus]
And it doesn't seem to matter
And it doesn't seem right
'Cause the will has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure
'Cause I'm bothered everyday
And she didn't leave a letter
She just up and ran away
[Post-Chorus]
Who is it?
It is a friend of mine?
Who is it?
Is it my brother?
Who is it?
Somebody hurt my soul now
Who is it?
I can't take it 'cause I'm lonely
[Bridge]
(Hee-hee, hee-hee)
Don't try to pick me
Don't try, quit it
I never was, we never were
Just won't stop
Don't bother me
Don't bother me
[Pre-Chorus]
Who is it?
It is a friend of mine?
Who is it?
To me, I'm bothered
Who is it?
Somebody hurt my soul now
Who is it?
I can't take it 'cause I'm lonely
[Chorus]
And it doesn't seem to matter (Hee-hee)
And it doesn't seem right (Hee-hee)
'Cause the will has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure (Body)
'Cause I'm lying to myself
And the reason why she left me
Did she find in someone else?
And it doesn't seem to matter (Don't bother me)
And it doesn't seem right (Da da da da)
'Cause the will has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night (Think of another brother)
Don't you judge of my composure
'Cause I'm bothered every day
And she didn't leave a letter
She just upped and ran away (You can really say I'm lonely)
And it doesn't seem to matter
And it doesn't seem right (Hee-hee!)
'Cause the will has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure (Don't be, don't be, don't be judging)
'Cause I'm lying to myself
And the reason why she left me (Don't be, don't do)
Did she find in someone else? (Can't take it 'cause I'm lonely)
And it doesn't seem to matter (Don't bother me)
And it doesn't seem right (This won't cut it)
'Cause the will has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night (Think of another brother)
Don't you judge of my composure (Don't be judging)
'Cause I'm bothered every day (Don't be, don't be)
And she didn't leave a letter
She just upped and ran away (Can't you really feel I'm lonely?)
And it doesn't seem to matter (Hee-hee!)
And it doesn't seem right (Hee-hee!)
'Cause the will has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night (She don't, she don't want me)
Don't you judge of my composure
'Cause I'm bothered every day (She don't, she don't, she don't need it)
And she didn't leave a letter (She don't, she don't want it)
She just upped and ran away (Is it my brother?)
And it doesn't seem to matter (Don't bother me, you just couldn't)
And it doesn't seem right
'Cause the will has brought no fortune (Da da, da da, da da, da)
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure (Hee!)
'Cause I'm lying to myself (Hee!)
And the reason why she left me
Did she find in someone else? (I can't take it 'cause I'm lonely)
Gallery[]
![Vinyl back cover[5]](/wiki/File:Whoisitvinylback.jpg "Whoisitvinylback.jpg (32 KB)")
![Vinyl[5]](/wiki/File:Whoisitvinyl.jpg "Whoisitvinyl.jpg (94 KB)")
|
"Look deep within yourself, and you'll find something amazing." To view the Who Is It gallery, click here. |
Trivia[]
- The compilation music video was actually thought by fans to be "lost media", even though it has been available on the @michaeljackson YouTube for years. This is due to the video being made unlisted, as it was replaced by the official music video for "Who Is It".
- The IHS Mix of "Who Is It" that was included on The Ultimate Collection was originally supposed to be released on back in 2001 on the scrapped bonus disc for Dangerous: Special Edition.
References[]
- ↑ https://www.musicradar.com/news/michael-jackson-dangerous-teddy-riley-quincy-jones
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6677232/trivia/?ref_=tt_trv_trv
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6663648/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_who%2520is%2520it%2520micael
- ↑ http://www.mjtunes.com/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=247
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.discogs.com/master/35050-Michael-Jackson-Who-Is-It/image/SW1hZ2U6MTQ4OTU5OA==