Who Is It Single

"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 1992, 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 single, "Billie Jean" from the album Thriller. The song was not performed by Jackson on any of his world concert tours. He did, however, perform a small segment of the song in his interview with Oprah Winfrey in early 1993. The instrumental version of the song was supposed to be used during the "This Is It Tour" which was canceled due to Jackson's death. As part of the promotion for the song, two music videos were released in the same year. The single was released only two days after Jackson's 34th birthday.

Reception


"Who Is It" was commercially successful worldwide, generally peaking within the top thirty positions on national music charts. 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".[1] added that it was "a very dark, introspective song about wondering who his girl cheated on with 'Is it my brother?' etc." and praised that "Who Is It" is "really superb, particularly the chorus".[1]
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 debuted on the United Kingdom music chart at number twelve on July 25, 1992, and the following week reached its peak position, number ten.[2] The track remained within the top one hundred positions for seven consecutive weeks from July to September 1992.[2] In France, the track peaked at number eight on August 29.[3] "Who Is It" reached its highest position at number thirty-four in Australia.[4]
In Austria, the track debuted at its peak position, number five; the song remained within the top thirty chart positions from August to October.[5] "Who Is It" debuted in Switzerland on August 2, at number forty, and peaked at number fourteen two weeks later.[6] The song debuted at number ninety-four in the Netherlands, and the following week moved up sixty positions, eventually peaking at number thirteen.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] The song peaked at number sixteen in New Zealand.[10] 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.[5]
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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.[11] Jackson wrote and composed the track, and produced it with Bill Bottrell.[11] "Who is It" was released as the fifth single from Dangerous on August 31, 1992, by Jackson's record label, Epic Records.
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.[12] Throughout "Who Is It" Jackson's vocal range spans from E3 to C5.[12] The track has a moderate tempo and its metronome is 100 beats per minute.[12] The song's chord progression changes from D3–A7–D3–A7 to G7–A7–G7–A7.[12] 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.[1]

Music Video


Released in 1992, the music video, or as Jackson called "short film", was directed by David Fincher, who would later direct the classic films, Fight Club, Zodiac, Se7en and the critically acclaimed The Social Network.
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 as a high class call girl. "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 even some women 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 his assistant (who knows the situation and aided Jackson in his departure) to let her in. The assistant shakes his head, implying that he left. When she asks why, he 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.
This version did not initially air in the USA but was included on the video albums: Dangerous: The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision.
Another version of the video features footage from past music videos and live performances. (This is the version that first aired in the USA.)

Track Listing


CD-Maxi (658179 2)[3]
"Who Is It" (7" Edit with Intro) - 4:10
"Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) - 7:44
"Who Is It" (IHS Mix) - 7:58
"Who Is It" (P-Man Dub) - 7:31
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground Solution Mix) - 6:22
7" Single and 3" Inch Single (658179 7)[3]
"Who Is It" (7" Edit with Intro) - 4:10
"Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) - 5:29
The Remixes - 12" Maxi (658179 6)[3]
"Who Is It" (Patience Mix) - 7:44
"Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) - 7:44
"Who Is It" (IHS Mix) - 7:58
"Who Is It" (P-Man Dub) - 7:31
CD-Single (658179 5)[3]
"Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) - 7:44
"Who Is It" (IHS Mix) - 7:58
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground Club Solution) - 6:22
The Remixes - CD-Maxi (ESCA 5652)[3]
"Who Is It" (Patience Mix) - 7:44
"Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) - 7:44
"Who Is It" (IHS Mix) - 7:58
"Who Is It" (P-Man Dub) - 7:31
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground Club Solution) - 6:22
CD-Maxi (49K 74420)[3]
"Who Is It" (The Oprah Winfrey Special Intro) - 4:00
"Who Is It" (Patience Edit) - 4:01
"Who Is It" (House 7") - 3:55
"Who Is It" (Brother's In Rhythm House Mix) - 7:13
"Beat It" (Moby's Sub Mix) - 6:11
12" Maxi (49 74420)[3]
"Who Is It" (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix) - 7:11
"Who Is It" (Tribal Version) - 7:39
"Who Is It" (Brothers Cool Dub) - 5:47
"Who Is It" (Lakeside Dub) - 7:36
"Beat It" (Moby's Sub Mix) - 6:18
Cassette Single[3]
"Who Is It" (7" Edit) - 4:01
"Who Is It" (The Oprah Winfrey Special Intro) - 4:00
Maxi CD Single[3]
"Who Is It" (7" Edit with Intro) - 4:10
"Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) - 7:44
"Who Is It" (IHS Mix) - 7:58
"Who Is It" (P-Man Dub) - 7:31
"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground Solution Mix) - 6:22
United States Single CD
1. "Who Is It" (7" Edit with Intro)
2. "Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix)
3. "Who Is It" (IHS Mix)
4. "Who Is It" (P-Man Dub)
5. "Who Is It" (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix)
6. "Who Is It" (House 7")
7. "Who Is It" (Patience Edit)
8. "Who Is It" (The Oprah Winfrey Special Intro)
9. "Beat It" (Moby's Sub Mix)

Credits and Personnel


Written, composed, arrangement, solo and background vocals by Michael Jackson[11]
Produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell[11]
Recorded, mixed and synthesizer by Bill Bottrell
Bryan Loren, Bill Bottrell: Drums
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[3]
Austrian Singles Chart 5[3]
Dutch Singles Chart 12[3]
French Singles Chart 8[3]
New Zealand Singles Chart 2[3]
Norwegian Singles Chart 10[3]
Swedish Singles Chart 24[3]
Swiss Singles Chart 14[3]
UK Singles Chart 10[2]
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 14[13]
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1[13]
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 6[13]