Description
Michael Jackson Earth Song
Label: Epic 662695 2
Format: CD, Single
Country: UK & Europe
Released: 1995
Tracklist
1 Earth Song (Radio Edit) 4:58
Co-producer Bill Bottrell
Producer David Foster, Michael Jackson
2 Earth Song (Hanis Club Experience) 7:55
Co-producer Bill Bottrell
Producer David Foster, Michael Jackson
Remix Hani
3. Michael Jackson DMC Megamix (11:18)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEWsw1OITYU
3.1 Billie Jean
3.2 Rock With You
3.3 Bad
3.4 Thriller
3.5 Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
3.6 Black Or White
3.7 Scream
3.8 Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
Phonographic Copyright (p) MJJ Productions Inc.
Published By Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.
DJ Mix [Megamix] Alan Coulthard (tracks: 3.1 to 3.8)
Executive-Producer Michael Jackson
Warner Chappell Music Ltd.
1995 MJJ Productions Inc.
Made in Austria
Barcode: 5099766269528
Label Code: LC 0199
Rights Society: MCPS/BIEM/SDRM
Matrix / Runout: A0100176922-0101 11A1
“Earth Song” is the third single from Michael Jacksons album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It is the fifth song on the second disc of the album. It is a ballad that incorporates elements of blues, gospel and opera. Jackson had a long-standing history of releasing socially conscious material such as “We Are the World”, “Man in the Mirror” and “Heal the World”. However, “Earth Song” was the first that overtly dealt with the environment and animal welfare. Earth Song was made for the “Dangerous” album but it failed to make the album. The song was written and composed by Jackson; the task of production was split between Jackson, David Foster and Bill Bottrell.
“Earth Song” was accompanied by a lavish music video shot on four geographical regions. It centered around the destruction and rebirth of Earth and went on to receive a Grammy nomination in 1997. The song was a top five hit in most European countries. In the United Kingdom, it remains Jacksons best-selling single and was the countrys 1995 Christmas number-one single. “Earth Song” was not released as a single in the United States. Jackson went on to receive recognition from various animal and environmental organizations.
In 2011 the song was paired-up with the poem “Planet Earth” (previously released on Michael Jacksons This Is It, in 2009) and released as a song in the remix album Immortal. The single has sold 10 million copies.
Background:
Jackson already had a long-standing history of writing charitable or socially conscious material. As a child, he had recorded the song “In Our Small Way” for his first album Got to Be There. As an adult Jackson used his fame and wealth to promote various causes. In 1985, he co-wrote the charity single “We Are the World” with Lionel Richie, which was released worldwide to aid the poor in Africa and the US. The single became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief. It was also the first time Jackson was seen as a humanitarian. All of the profits from his single “Man in the Mirror” went to charity. Jackson founded the “Heal the World Foundation” in 1992, inspired by his charity single of the same name.
Following the illness and death of Ryan White, Jackson helped draw public attention to HIV/AIDS, something that was still controversial at the time. He publicly pleaded with the Clinton Administration at Bill Clintons Inaugural Gala to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and research. He would go on to perform the song “Gone Too Soon” for White and other victims of the illness.
Production and music:
“Earth Song” was originally written and composed by Jackson in a hotel in Austria under the title “What About Us”. A demo, which featured Jackson singing the ending in falsetto, was to be released as part of a bonus disc for the remastered Dangerous album in 2001 but the release was cancelled; the song along with other tracks were leaked on the internet. Production of the song was a collaborative effort between Jackson, David Foster and Bill Bottrell. Andrae Crouchs Choir and Jackson engage in a back and forth chant as the song reaches its climatic finale. Jacksons intent was to create a song that was lyrically deep yet melodically simple, so the whole world, particularly non-English-speaking fans, could sing along. He conceptualized a song that had an emotional message. “Earth Song” is a ballad that incorporates elements of blues, gospel and opera. In the socially conscious track, Jackson issues a plea to God about problems ranging from war to endangered animals
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