"Human Nature" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written and composed by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the fifth single from the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). Initially, Porcaro had recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette, which was then given to Jones. Enjoying the demo, Jones had the ballad included on the Thriller album. The song was the last selected for the album, removing "Carousel" from the final track listing.
"Human Nature" was released on July 3, 1983, as the album's fifth single. Although not released in the UK, the song achieved chart success in the US. Reaching number two onBillboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart and number seven on the Hot 100, the song became Jackson's fifth Top 10 hit from Thriller. In New Zealand the single reached number 11. The ballad garnered many positive reviews from music critics. "Human Nature" has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, including Stevie Wonder, John Mayer,Miles Davis, SWV, Nas and Chris Brown.
"Human Nature" was written and composed by Steve Porcaro of Toto and John Bettis for Michael Jackson's Thriller album. Initially, Porcaro recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette.[2] Fellow Toto band member David Paich then gave the demo, along with two songs written by Paich, to producer Quincy Jones, hoping they would be included onThriller.[2] Jones didn't like Paich's songs, but enjoyed the rough demo of "Human Nature" at the end of the cassette.[2] Jones explained, "All of a sudden, at the end, there was all this silence, there was: 'why, why, dah dah da-dum dah dah, why, why'. Just a dummy lyric and a very skeletal thing—I get goosebumps talking about it. I said, 'This is where we wanna go, because it's got such a wonderful flavor'".[3] Bettis, who had written lyrics for hits by The Carpenters and The Pointer Sisters, among others, was asked to add lyrics to the song. He completed the song in two days.[4] The producer asked if the song could be included on Jackson's album, to which Porcaro and Bettis agreed.[2] "Human Nature" was the last song selected for Thriller, ousting "Carousel" from the final track listing.
A template for new jack swing and hip-hop soul ballads, "Human Nature" is comparatively slower and more intimate than "Thriller's" other songs. "If this town is just an apple, let me take a bite," quivers Jackson's voice over a cascading synthesizer and percolating bass line. Though written by John Bettis and Steve Porcaro of Toto, the lyrics resonate with Jackson's yearning to break free from his tower of celebrity and mingle with young people in a "city that winks its sleepless eye."
"Human Nature" was released on July 3, 1983, as the fifth single from Thriller.[2]Although not released in the UK, the song achieved moderate chart success in the US.[2]Reaching number two on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart and number seven on the Hot 100, the song became Jackson's fifth Top 10 hit from Thriller.[6][7] "Human Nature" charted at number 27 on the R&B singles chart.[6] In the Netherlands the single reached number 11.[8]
John Rockwell, of The New York Times, stated that "Human Nature" was a "haunting, brooding ballad" with an "irresistible" chorus.[9]Allmusic noted that the "gentle and lovely" "Human Nature" coexisted comfortably with the "tough, scared" "Beat It".[10] They later added that the song was a "soft rocker".[11] Reflecting on Thriller, Slant expressed their fondness of the song, stating that it was "probably the best musical composition on the album and surely one of the only A/C ballads of its era worth remembering".[12] The magazine added that the track's "buttery harmonies" were powerful.[12]Stylus also praised the song, describing it as "the smoothest of ballads".[13] They further added that the music "does little to embody the song’s message" and that it couches Jackson's "glazed voice" in "cloudy synths and drum pillows".[13]
About.com's Bill Lamb looked back on the track 25 years after its release. He felt that the song "set down a blueprint for what would become known as adult R&B".[14] Kelefa Sanneh of Blender described the "soft-serve balladry" of the song as a "silk-sheets masterstroke".[15] In a 2008 IGN review, Todd Gilchrist explained that the elements of "Human Nature" worked better today than they did before. He added that it may be because modern R&B "sucks".[16] Tom Ewing, reviewer for Pitchfork Media, described the song as "meltingly tender", with MTV adding that it was an "airy ballad".[17][18]Rolling Stone claimed that the "most beautifully fragile" "Human Nature" was so open and brave it made "She's Out of My Life" seem phony.[19] The Los Angeles Times concluded that it was Jackson's delivery that made the "middling ballad" take off.[20]
Human Nature was first performed live by Michael during The Jacksons'Victory Tour. Jackson would begin to sing Ben, but would then stop and proceed to sing "Human Nature" after saying he wants to sing something new. Jackson also performed this song during theBad World Tour and Dangerous World Tour. He would then perform it for the last time during the Royal Brunei concert in 1996. He was also supposed to perform it during the This Is It concert series, however the shows were cancelled due to his death.
7" Remix - 3:47 - This version features an alternate synth before the bridge. The only digital source is the 3" CD single for "Thriller" released in Japan in 1987.
Edit - 3:46 – This edit from the Essential Collection is an attempt at re-creating the original 7" version, however it doesn't match the instrumentation.
In 1985, American jazz artist Miles Davis included a cover version of the song on his album You're Under Arrest.[27] At the time,Rolling Stone described the track's inclusion on the album as "glorified filler".[28] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer disagreed, stating it was "particularly good".[29]
In 2004, Filipina Pop singer Kyla covered the song from her album, Not Your Ordinary Girl.
In 2004, Nashville singer-songwriter David Mead also recorded a version of "Human Nature" for his release, Indiana,[27] which featured Butterfly Boucher.
In 2009 Chillwave artist Toro Y Moi recorded a cover of "Human Nature" for a Michael Jackson tribute album titled Chum Onah that was released for free on the music blog, ButterXFace.[35]
In 2010, Jazz pianist Vijay Iyer included a solo piano version of the song in his album Solo.
In 2010, singer Craig David sang an acoustic cover of the song.
In 2011, Toto covered the song in memory of Michael Jackson and a dedication to Mike Porcaro during their 2011 tour. Joseph Williams was the lead vocalist. The Band continued to perform this as a cover in their 2012 tour.
In 2012, Amber Riley and Chord Overstreet (who play Mercedes Jones and Sam Evans) covered this song in Glee's episode "Michael" (aired on January 31). This cover debuted and peaked at Number 56 at Billboard Hot 100, Number 31 at Billboard Digital Songs, and Number 62 at Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart at the week of February 18, 2012. [36]
In 2003, American R&B group BLACKstreet's "Why, Why" also sampled "Human Nature". The song appeared on the album Level II.[27][41]
In 2006, R&B-pop artist Ne-Yo used a sample of "Human Nature" for his remix version of "So Sick",[42] that also features rapper LL Cool J. The remix released later on LL Cool J's album Todd Smith. Also in 2006, Human Nature was remixed by Japanese Drum & Bass producer Makoto together with The Specialist.
In 2009, following Jackson's death on June 25, the American rappers Yung Berg and Lil Wayne sampled "Human Nature" on their tribute song "We Miss You".[43]
[1st Verse]
Looking Out
Across The Night-Time
The City Winks A Sleepless Eye
Hear Her Voice
Shake My Window
Sweet Seducing Sighs
[2nd Verse]
Get Me Out
Into The Night-Time
Four Walls Won't Hold Me Tonight
If This Town
Is Just An Apple
Then Let Me Take A Bite
[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
[3rd Verse]
Reaching Out
To Touch A Stranger
Electric Eyes Are Ev'rywhere
See That Girl
She Knows I'm Watching
She Likes The Way I Stare
[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin' This Way
I Like Lovin' This Way
[4th Verse]
Looking Out
Across The Morning
The City's Heart Begins To Beat
Reaching Out
I Touch Her Shoulder
I'm Dreaming Of The Street
[Chorus]
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
I Like Livin' This Way
[Repeat Chorus - Ad-Lib/Fade-Out]===Lyrics by azlyrics.com===
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