Gone Too Soon

"Gone Too Soon" is a ballad recorded by American musician Michael Jackson. It was written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, produced by Jackson, and co-produced by Bruce Swedien for the singer's eighth studio album, Dangerous (1991). The song was also mixed by Swedien, and featured instrumentation by artists such as David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Michael Boddicker, Abraham Laboriel and Paulinho Da Costa. "Gone Too Soon" was dedicated to the memory of Jackson's friend Ryan White, a teenager from Kokomo, Indiana who came to national attention, after being expelled from his school for having HIV/AIDS.
The song was released on December 1, 1993, as the ninth and final single from the Dangerous album. Following its release—on World AIDS Day of 1993—"Gone Too Soon" became a moderate chart success in several countries: France, Germany, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland and the UK. The song was released as a cassette single in the US,[1] and became a hit in Zimbabwe, where it charted at number 3. "Gone Too Soon" was not a significant critical success, as it received mixed reviews from music critics.
"Gone Too Soon" was promoted with a music video directed by Bill DiCicco, which showed footage of Jackson and White together, as well as scenes from the latter's funeral. A live performance by Jackson at Bill Clinton's inaugural celebration also served as a promotional platform, for both the song and AIDS-related funding. "Gone Too Soon" later received more exposure, following the deaths of both Diana, Princess of Wales, and Jackson himself.

Background and Production


Ryan White was an American teenager from Kokomo, Indiana who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS in the United States after being expelled from school because of his infection.[2] A hemophiliac, he became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment and, when diagnosed in 1984, was given six months to live.[2] Though doctors said he posed no risk to other students, AIDS was poorly understood at the time, and when White tried to return to school, many parents and teachers in Kokomo rallied against his attendance.[2] A lengthy legal battle with the school system ensued, and media coverage of the struggle made White into a national celebrity and spokesman for AIDS research and public education.[2]
During this time, White was befriended by singer Michael Jackson.[3] White's mother Jeanne commented on the friendship, "It's a really good relationship. They have a good time. [Michael Jackson] treats [Ryan White] like he's not sick. And Ryan treats Michael like he's not a celebrity."[3] The pop star bought the teenager a red Ford Mustang, and invited White and his mother to spend time at his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County, California.[4][5] Surprising his doctors, White lived five years longer than initially predicted and died in April 1990, shortly before he would have completed high school.[2] His funeral was attended by Jackson, as well as English musician Elton John, media personality Phil Donahue, First Lady of the United States Barbara Bush, and 1000 other mourners.[6]
"Gone Too Soon" was written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan for Jackson's Dangerous album, as well as the memory of White.[7] The prelude to the song was composed, arranged and conducted by American musician Marty Paich.[7] Bruce Swedien, who had worked extensively on Jackson's Thriller, was drafted to record and mix the ballad.[7] The music engineer also served as the co-producer for "Gone Too Soon", with Jackson producing the song.[7] Prior to the production of the finalized version of "Gone Too Soon", Jackson had recorded a demo version of the song, which featured different vocals and a "perfect sunflower" lyric. To date, the demo has not received an official release.[8]

Release and Reception


"Gone Too Soon" was released on December 1, 1993—World AIDS Day—as the ninth and final single from the Dangerous album.[8][9] It charted in numerous countries outside of the US. In the UK singles chart, "Gone Too Soon"—which featured an instrumental version on its B-side—reached number 33, becoming Jackson's ninth Top 40 hit from the one album (Dangerous). He thus equalled his own record, set with Bad and its accompanying singles.[8][10] Outside of the UK, in the African country of Zimbabwe, "Gone Too Soon" became a hit, charting at number 3 on their singles chart.[11] The song reached number three in The Netherlands, number 32 in France, and number 33 in Switzerland.[12] In Germany, "Gone Too Soon" peaked at number 45.[11]
The Toronto Star's Peter Howell described the song as a "simply beautiful ode to youthful AIDS victim Ryan White".[13] The staff of the Kansas City Star alleged that "Gone Too Soon" made syrup seem "tart in comparison".[14] The Miami Herald noted that Jackson "rediscover[ed]" his falsetto voice on the track, while the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel compared his tenor to that featured on a Broadway ballad.[15][16] Edna Gundersen of USA Today, reviewing the songs on Dangerous, offered the opinion that Jackson's "heartfelt" delivery redeemed the "fairy-tale cliches" of "Gone Too Soon". She felt that the song was "shamelessly Disneyesque".[17] The Worcester Telegram Gazette added to the reviews, stating that "Gone Too Soon" was a "orchestra-drenched ballad full of insipid little boy innocence".[18] Journalist David Browne, writing for Entertainment Weekly, claimed that the song "recasts the equally melodramatic Off the Wall hit "She's Out of My Life"; he noted that Jackson sobs during the finale of both songs.[19]

Promotion


"Gone Too Soon" was promoted with a short music video directed by Bill DiCicco. The footage in the music video featured scenes of Jackson and White together, as well as brief coverage from White's funeral.[10] Home movies, donated by White's mother Jeanne, were also shown in the short film.[20] At the time of its creation, Jeanne White revealed that the video for "Gone Too Soon" would demonstrate how much Jackson cared for her ill son.[21] The music video was later featured on Jackson's 1993 VHS Dangerous - The Short Films.[22] The song was further promoted with a live performance of "Gone Too Soon" at President-elect Bill Clinton's inauguration celebration, An American Reunion: The 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala. The pop star dedicated his performance to White, and used the occasion to plead with the incoming president for funding toward AIDS-related research:[23]
I would like to take a moment from this very public ceremony to speak of something very personal. It concerns a dear friend of mine who is no longer with us. His name is Ryan White. He was a hemophiliac who was diagnosed with the AIDS virus when he was eleven. He died shortly after turning eighteen, the very time most young people are beginning to explore life's wonderful possibilities. My friend Ryan was a very bright, very brave, and very normal young man who never wanted to be a symbol or a spokesperson for a deadly disease. Over the years, I've shared many silly, happy, and painful moments with Ryan and I was with him at the end of his brief but eventful journey. Ryan is gone and just as anyone who has lost a loved one to AIDS, I miss him deeply and constantly. He is gone, but I want his life to have meaning beyond his passing. It is my hope, President-elect Clinton, that you and your administration commit the resources needed to eliminate this awful disease that took my friend, and ended so many promising lives before their time.[23]
Gone Too Soon© is also the title of a theater production by St.Jones® president of Promised Land Theater Productions. The song by Michael Jackson is used in the closing of the second act.
GONE TOO SOON© is an inspiring theatrical production that re-lives the successes and setbacks of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement of the 1960s through court depositions by six of his closest associates. This two-act contemporary play is set in an Atlanta courtroom where Coretta Scott King uses a rarely known Tennessee statute to present new witnesses directly to the grand jury and bypass the District Attorney’s refusal to hear new evidence about the assassination of Dr. King on the balcony of a Memphis motel. The district attorney, determined to overturn this appeal to re-open the case, uses all the government's evidence to keep those who marched alongside Dr. King from having the conspiracy laden sealed transcripts made public. Under oath, Dexter King, John Lewis, Jesse Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Andrew Young and Coretta Scott King re-enact, pivotal moments of the struggle with historical accuracy through dramatic cross-examinations, songs, speeches and choreography. Memorable scenes are brought to life as they unfolded during the Montgomery bus boycott of 1957, the 1963 March on Washington, the tragic events on Bloody Sunday of 1965, to the rousing Promised Land speech the night before his premature death on April 4, 1968. The verdict, based upon the final closing arguments by the District Attorney and the opposing council, examines the current status of civil rights in this country and the issues we still need to overcome as a people to reach the Promised Land set forth in the dream by Martin Luther King Jr.

Cover Versions


Babyface and Stevie Wonder duetted on the song during a 1997 performance,[24][25] with the former performing and dedicating the song to Jackson in June and July 2009.[26][27][28][29][30][31] Dionne Warwick sang the song in 1984???, with a dedication to Janis Joplin.[32] American hip-hop artist b-Rabbit recorded a song entitled "Broken Hearts (R&B Remix)" that sampled Jackson's vocals in early 2012.

Death of Diana, Princess of Wales


In life, Diana herself was an advocate for those inflicted with HIV/AIDS; in the late 1980s, The Princess of Wales was one of the first public figures to be photographed touching a person infected with HIV. She contributed to changing the public opinion of AIDS sufferers during the subsequent years, as her involvement with a variety of AIDS charities was a consistent public role she embraced.[33] Diana was also a fan and personal friend of Jackson, who particularly enjoyed his hit "Dirty Diana".[34][35] During the Bad World Tour, she and The Prince of Wales attended one of the seven sell-out shows in Wembley, where Jackson presented the couple with four tour jackets for themselves and Princes William and Harry.[36][37] Following his friend's death in August 1997, Jackson permitted "Gone Too Soon" to be included on a Diana commemorative album entitled Tribute. The proceeds from the sale of the album went to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.[10]

Death of Michael Jackson


Michael Jackson died in June 2009, after suffering a cardiac arrest.[38] His memorial service was held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, preceded by a private family service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty.[39] The event was reported to have been viewed by more than one billion people.[40] At the memorial, R&B singer Usher performed "Gone Too Soon" as a tribute to the late singer. During the performance, the entertainer—wearing dark sunglasses and a yellow rose pinned to the lapel of his jacket—approached Jackson's gold-plated casket, which was in attendance. Usher placed his left hand upon the coffin, before completing the final lyric—"gone too soon"—through tears.[41]

Personnel


Music by Larry Grossman
Lyrics by Buz Kohan
Produced by Michael Jackson
Co-Produced by Bruce Swedien
Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
Solo vocal by Michael Jackson
Rhythm arrangement by David Paich
Orchestra arranged and conducted by Marty Paich
David Paich - Keyboards
David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Michael Boddicker - Synthesizers
Abraham Laboriel - Bass
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
Prelude composed, arranged and conducted by Marty Paich

Track Listing


CD single
Gone Too Soon – 3:22
Human Nature – 4:06
She's Out of My Life – 3:38
Thriller – 5:57
CD promo
Gone Too Soon – 3:22
Gone Too Soon (Instrumental) – 3:22

Charts


Chart Peak
position
Dutch Singles Chart 20[12]
French Singles Chart 32[42]
German Singles Chart 45[11]
New Zealand Singles Chart 6[43]
Swiss Singles Chart 33[44]
UK Singles Chart 33[11]
Zimbabwean Singles Chart 3[11]
Chart (2009) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs 67[45]