Who Is It (Michael Jackson song)

"Who Is It"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Dangerous
Released August 31, 1992 (1992-08-31)
Format CD single, 7", 12"
Recorded 1989-1991
Genre R&B, New jack swing
Length 6:34 (album version)
4:00 (single/7" edit)
Label Epic Records
Writer(s) Michael Jackson
Producer Michael Jackson
Bill Bottrell
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Jam"
(1992)		 "Who Is It"
(1992)		 "Heal the World"
(1992)
Dangerous track listing
"Black Or White"
(8)		 "Who Is It"
(9)		 "Give In To Me"
(10)

"Who Is It" is a song by American songwriter and recording artist Michael Jackson. "Who Is It" was released by Epic Records on August 31, as the fifth single from Jackson's eighth studio album, Dangerous in 1991. The song was written and composed by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and Bill Bottrell. The song's lyrics pertain to despair over being left by someone you love; some critics noted a comparison to the lyrics of the song to Jackson's Thriller albums 1983 single, "Billie Jean".

"Who Is It" was commercially successful worldwide, generally peaking within the top thirty positions on national music charts. The song peaked at number fourteen on the United States' Billboard Hot 100 chart, while peaking at number six on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as well as topping the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play. Internationally, "Who Is It" peaked at number two on New Zealand charts, as well as peaking at number five in Austria, number eight in France and number ten in the United Kingdom. The song also peaked within the top twenty positions on Swiss and Dutch charts. The song was not performed by Jackson on any of his world concert tours. As part of the promotion for the song, two music videos were released in 1993.

Contents

Background and composition

"Who Is It" was recorded by Michael Jackson in 1990 for his eighth studio album, Dangerous, which was released the following year.[1] Jackson wrote and composed the track, and produced it with Bill Bottrell.[1] "Who is It" was released as the fifth single from Dangerous on August 31, 1992, by Jackson's record label, Epic Records. The song was not performed by Jackson on any of his world concert tours.

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing Co. Inc, the song is set in the time signature of common time, and is played in the key of D minor.[2] Throughout "Who Is It" Jackson's vocal range spans from D4 to C6.[2] The track has a moderate tempo and its metronome is 100 beats per minute.[2] The song's chord progression changes from D3–A7–D3–A7 to G7–A7–G7–A7.[2] Lyrically, "Who Is It" pertains to being in despair after someone that you are in a relationship with cheated on you and wondering with whom.[3]

Release and reception

Music critics compared "Who Is It" to Jackson's 1983 single "Billie Jean". Jon Pareles, a writer for The New York Times described "Who Is It" as being an "imitation" of "Billie Jean".[4] Adam Gilham of Sputnikmusic praised the song in his review for Dangerous, describing it as a "real fan favourite and a criminally underrated song" and rated the album a "5/5".[3] He noted that it was "a very dark, introspective song about wondering who his girl cheated on with 'Is it my brother?' etc." and added that "Who is It" is "really superb, particularly the chorus".[3] Chris Willman of The Los Angeles Times claimed that the track "recaptures some of the slinky, insinuating feel of 'Billie Jean.'"[5]

The track was commercial successful worldwide, generally peaking within the top thirty positions on countries' music charts. The song peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[6] "Who is It" also appeared on Billboard component charts, peaking at number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs one and topping the Hot Dance Club Play chart,[6] replacing Madonna's "Fever" single, for one week on May 23, 1993. The song debuted on the United Kingdom music chart at number twelve on July 25, 1992, and the following week reached its peak position, number ten.[7] The track remained within the top one hundred positions for seven consecutive weeks from July to September 1992.[7] In France, the track peaked at number eight on August 29.[8] "Who Is It" reached its highest position at number thirty-four in Australia.[9]

In Austria, the track debuted at its peak position, number five; the song remained within the top thirty chart positions from August to October.[10] "Who Is It" debuted in Switzerland on August 2, at number forty, and peaked at number fourteen two weeks later.[11] The song debuted at number ninety-four in the Netherlands, and the following week moved up sixty positions, eventually peaking at number thirteen.[12] In Sweden, the track entered the country's music chart at its peak position, number twenty-four and, after four weeks, fell out of the top fifty.[13] In Norway, the track debuted at its peak position, number ten on the thirtieth week of 1992; the song charted at its peak position for two weeks before falling off the chart.[14] The song peaked at number sixteen in New Zealand.[15] After Jackson's death in June 2009, his music experienced a surge in popularity. "Who Is It" re-entered Switzerland music charts for the first time in over seventeen years, hitting number forty nine on July 12, 2009.[10]

Music video

The video was released in 1993. It begins with Jackson in what seems to be a hotel, singing about his girlfriend. He is distressed because he found a silver card in with the name "Alex" on it. To him, it implies that "Alex" is another man who his girlfriend is with; thus, she is cheating on Jackson. However, as the story in the video unfolds, this is not true, because the girl takes on different identities (I.e. Eve, Diana, etc.) for her job. "Alex"(which is also a girl's name), just happens to be one of them. The video alternates scenes from where Jackson is singing about his pain, to where the girl is being changed into her different identities and taking care of her jobs (mostly meeting with other men and making love with them). Towards the end of the video, Jackson has packed up his bags to leave town, because of his distress. A helicopter comes to pick him up from his house, where he is only seen again on it, trying to sleep. The girl comes to Jackson's house, and she asks the doorman to let her in. The doorman shakes his head, implying that he left. When she asks why, the doorman drops a flutter of silver nameplates (including the one that said "Alex") from a slot in the door. The girl only nods and walks away.

Another version of the video features footage from past music videos and live performances.

Track listing

CD-Maxi (658179 2)[8]
  1. "Who Is It (7" Edit With Intro)" - 4:10
  2. "Who Is It (The Most Patient Mix)" - 7:44
  3. "Who Is It (IHS Mix) 7:58
  4. "Who Is It (P-Man Dub) 7:31
  5. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Roger's Underground Solution Mix)" - 6:22
7" Single (658179 7)[8]
  1. "Who Is It (7' Edit With Intro)" - 4:10
  2. "Rock With You (Masters At Work Remix)" 5:29
The Remixes - 12" Maxi (658179 6)[8]
  1. "Who Is It (Patience Mix)" - 7:44
  2. "Who Is It (The Most Patient Mix)" - 7:44
  3. "Who Is It (IHS Mix)" - :7:58
  4. "Who Is It (P-Man Dub)" - 7:31
CD-Single (658179 5 )[8]
  1. "Who Is It (The Most Patient Mix)" - 7:44
  2. "Who Is It (IHS Mix)" - 7:58
  3. "Don't Stop¨'Til You Get Enough (Roger's Underground Club Solution)" - 6:22
The Remixes - CD-Maxi (ESCA 5652)[8]
  1. "Who Is It (Patience Mix)" - 7:44
  2. "Who Is It (The Most Patient Mix)" - 7:44
  3. "Who Is It (IHS Mix)" - 7:58
  4. "Who Is It (P-Man Dub)" - 7:31
  5. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Roger's Underground Club Solution)" - 6:22
CD-Maxi (49K 74420)[8]
  1. "Who Is It (The Oprah Winfrey Special Intro)" - 4:00
  2. "Who Is It (Patience Edit)" - 4:01
  3. "Who Is It (House 7')" - 3:55
  4. "Who Is It (Brother's In Rhythm House Mix)" - 7:13
  5. "Beat It (Moby's Sub Mix)" - 6:11
12" Maxi (49 74420)[8]
  1. "Who Is It (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix)
  2. "Who Is It (Tribal Version)
  3. "Who Is It (Brothers Cool Dub)
  4. "Who Is It (Lakeside Dub)
  5. "Beat It (Moby's Sub Mix)

Credits and personnel

  • Written and composed by Michael Jackson[1]
  • Produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell
  • Recorded and mixed by Bill Bottrell
  • Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals
  • Arrangement by Michael Jackson
  • Bryan Loren, Bill Bottrell: Drums
  • Bill Bottrell: Synthesizer
  • Louis Johnson: Bass (Bass guitar)
  • Keyboard arrangements by Brad Buxer and David Paich
  • Keyboard performance and programming: Brad Buxer, Michael Boddicker, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Jai Winding
  • String arrangement by George del Barrio
  • Concertmaster: Endre Grant
  • Solo Cello: Larry Corbett
  • Soprano voice by Michael Jackson and Linda Harmon

Charts

Chart (1992/2009) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 34[8]
Austrian Singles Chart 5[8]
Dutch Singles Chart 12[8]
French Singles Chart 8[8]
New Zealand Singles Chart 2[8]
Norwegian Singles Chart 10[8]
Swedish Singles Chart 24[8]
Swiss Singles Chart 14[8]
UK Singles Chart 10[7]
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 14[6]
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1[6]
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 6[6]
Preceded by
"Fever" by Madonna		 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
May 22, 1993		 Succeeded by
"I Can't Get No Sleep" by Masters at Work featuring India

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dangerous liner notes Epic Records (1991).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Who Is It - Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download)". MusicNotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0075745. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Gilham, Adam (2006-04-16). "Michael Jackson Dangerous". Sputnikmusic. Sputnikmusic.com. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=7504. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  4. ↑ Pareles, Jon (1991-11-24). "RECORDINGS VIEW; Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness (Page 2)". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). 
  5. ↑ Willman, Chris (1991-11-24). "Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous'". Tribune Company. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-archive-dangerous-review-nov24,0,959277.story. Retrieved 2010-04-22. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "allmusic (( Dangerous > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:j9foxq95ld6e~T31. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Michael Jackson - Who Is It". ChartStats.com. Hung Medien. http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=20013. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 "Michael Jackson - Who is it (song)". LesCharts.com. Hung Medien. http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-03-14. 
  9. ↑ "Michael Jackson - Who Is It (song)". Australian-Charts.com. Hung Medien. http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Michael Jackson - Who Is It (song)". AustrianCharts.com. Hung Medien. http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-04-20. 
  11. ↑ "Michael Jackson - Who Is It (song)". HitParade.com. Hung Medien. http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  12. ↑ "Michael Jackson - Who Is It (nummer)". DutchCharts.nl. Hung Medien. http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  13. ↑ "Michael Jackson - Who Is It (song)". SwedishCharts.com. Hung Medien. http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  14. ↑ "Michael Jackson - Who Is It (song)". NorwegianCharts.com. Hung Medien. http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
  15. ↑ "Michael Jackson - Who Is It (song)". Charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Who+Is+It&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-04-21. 
Bibliography
  • Halstead, Craig (2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine. ISBN 9780755202676.