Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)

"Human Nature"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
B-side"Baby Be Mine"
ReleasedJuly 4, 1983
Recorded1982
StudioWestlake (Los Angeles, California)[1]
Genre
Length
  • 4:06 (album version)
  • 3:47 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
(1983) 		"Human Nature"
(1983) 		"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
(1983)
Audio video
"Human Nature" on YouTube
Audio sample
"Human Nature"

"Human Nature" is a song performed by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, and the fifth single from his sixth solo album, Thriller. The track was produced by Quincy Jones and performed by some band members of Toto with Jackson providing vocals.

It was originally written by keyboardist Steve Porcaro, based on a conversation he had with his young daughter Heather after a boy hit her at school,[7] Porcaro said "he probably likes you and it's human nature". Porcaro, along with some Toto bandmates, had been assisting with the production of Thriller, but he had not intended for "Human Nature" to be used by Jackson. However, Jones inadvertently heard a demo version of the track and thought it would be a great fit for the album. Jones then brought in songwriter John Bettis to rewrite the verses, whose lyrics are about a passerby in New York City.[8] The song would ultimately replace the track "Carousel", which had been already recorded for Thriller.[9]

"Human Nature" was released as a single on July 4, 1983. Like the four Thriller singles before it, the song became a top 10 hit in the US, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In Canada and the Netherlands, the single reached number 11. The single was not released in the UK. The song garnered positive reviews from music critics. "Human Nature" has been sampled by numerous artists, including Nas with "It Ain't Hard to Tell", and Teddy Riley who remixed SWV's single "Right Here" with a sample of "Human Nature", with the remix reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100.[10]

  1. ^ Randall Roberts (August 29, 2012). "Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature': An NYC classic on his birthday". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference About.com T25 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Shelter, Scott (June 25, 2014). "The 10 most underrated Michael Jackson songs". AXS. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Johnston, Maura; Reeves, Mosi (August 8, 2017). "The 30 Best '90s R&B Songs – 20. SWV, "Right Here (Human Nature)" (1992)". Spin. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  5. ^ Harvey, Eric (May 19, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  6. ^ Baca, Ricardo (June 26, 2009). "Michael Jackson's musical career". The Denver Post.
  7. ^ Steve Porcaro Story Behind Human Nature by Michael Jackson, September 3, 2015, retrieved June 27, 2023
  8. ^ "KLCS interview of Steve Porcaro". Youtube. September 3, 2015. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017.
  9. ^ This Song ACCIDENTALLY Made It on "Thriller". Retrieved April 17, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  10. ^ "SWV Right Here (Human Nature)/Downtown Chart History". Billboard.