Human Nature

"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 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. 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.[1] 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 on Thriller.[1] Jones didn't like Paich's songs, but enjoyed the rough demo of "Human Nature" at the end of the cassette.[1] 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'".[2] 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.[3] The producer asked if the song could be included on Jackson's album, to which Porcaro and Bettis agreed.[1] "Human Nature" was the last song selected for Thriller, ousting "Carousel" from the final track listing.

Release and Reception


"Human Nature" was released on July 3, 1983, as the fifth single from Thriller.[1] Although not released in the UK, the song achieved moderate chart success in the US.[1] 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.[5][6] "Human Nature" charted at number 27 on the R&B singles chart.[5] In the Netherlands the single reached number 11.[7]
John Rockwell, of The New York Times, stated that "Human Nature" was a "haunting, brooding ballad" with an "irresistible" chorus.[8] Allmusic noted that the "gentle and lovely" "Human Nature" coexisted comfortably with the "tough, scared" "Beat It".[9] They later added that the song was a "soft rocker".[10] 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".[11] The magazine added that the track's "buttery harmonies" were powerful.[11] Stylus also praised the song, describing it as "the smoothest of ballads".[12] 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".[12]

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".[13] Kelefa Sanneh of Blender described the "soft-serve balladry" of the song as a "silk-sheets masterstroke".[14] 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".[15] Tom Ewing, reviewer for Pitchfork Media, described the song as "meltingly tender", with MTV adding that it was an "airy ballad".[16][17] 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.[18] The Los Angeles Times concluded that it was Jackson's delivery that made the "middling ballad" take off.[19]

Live Performances


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 the Bad 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.

Charts


Chart (1983) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 7[5]
U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart 3[5]
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart 2[20]
Dutch Singles Chart 6[7]
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Danish Singles Chart 3
Swiss Singles Chart 27[21]
UK Singles Chart 35[22]
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs 21[23]

Track Listing


45 RPM:
Human Nature - 3:47 – Misprinted as 4:06
Baby be Mine - 4:20
[edit]Official Remixes

Album Version - 4:06
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.
Instrumental (Unreleased)
Extended Mix - 4:23 (Unreleased)

Cover Versions


In 1984, the song was first covered by Philadelphia saxophonist George Howard in his album Steppin' Out.[24]
In 1985, American jazz artist Miles Davis included a cover version of the song on his album You're Under Arrest.[25] At the time, Rolling Stone described the track's inclusion on the album as "glorified filler".[26] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer disagreed, stating it was "particularly good".[27]
In 2003, Brass band Youngblood Brass Band (from Oregon, Wisconsin, U.S.) recorded a Riot Jazz version of the song under the name "Human Nature Pt. 2" on their album Center:Level:Roar.
In 2003, jazz fusion/contemporary jazz pianist David Benoit covered the song from his renditions album "Heroes."[28][29]
In 2004, Boyz II Men included a Latin-style cover of the song on their Throwback, Vol. 1 album.[30][31]
Claudette Ortiz provided backing vocals on the track.[25]
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,[25] which featured Butterfly Boucher.
In 2009, on July 7 John Mayer performed an instrumental version of the song at Jackson's public memorial service.[32]
In 2009, July Mario (entertainer) covered the song in memory of Micheal Jackson
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.[33]
In 2010, Jazz pianist Vijay Iyer included a solo piano version of the song in his album Solo.
In 2010, Brazilian star Ivete Sangalo recorded the song for their DVD live at Madison Square Garden.
In 2010, Heather Peace covered the song on her acoustic album This Is Me.
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.
In 2011, at the induction of John Bettis into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, Skylar Grey performed the song using a lap dulcimer.
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. [34]

Sampling


In 1993, "Human Nature" was sampled by R&B group SWV. Titled "Right Here/Human Nature", the song was a remix of the group's "Right Here".[25][35] The song was later included on the soundtrack album of Free Willy, alongside Jackson's "Will You Be There".[25]
In 1997, "Human Nature" was sampled by R&B singer Aaliyah for the pop/R&B version of the song titled "Journey to the Past" for the 1997 animated film Anastasia soundtrack.[36]
SWV's remix was sampled by the late American rapper Tupac Shakur on "Thug Nature", from the 2001 posthumous album Too Gangsta for Radio.[25]
In 1994, New York-based rapper Nas sampled the song for his track "It Ain't Hard to Tell" from his debut album Illmatic.[25][37]
Jason Nevins, an DJ from New York, sampled Jackson's track on "I'm in Heaven", which also featured vocals by Holly James.[38]
In 2003, American R&B group BLACKstreet's "Why, Why" also sampled "Human Nature". The song appeared on the album Level II.[25][39]
In 2006, R&B-pop artist Ne-Yo used a sample of "Human Nature" for his remix version of "So Sick",[40] that also features rapper LL Cool J. The remix released later on LL Cool J's album Todd Smith.
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".[41]
In 2011, American pop singer Chris Brown sampled Michael Jackson's version and SWV's remix version for his 4th single "She Ain't You"off his album F.A.M.E..[42][43]
In 2012, Australian Bluegrass band John Flanagan & The Begin Agains recorded a version of the song for release on YouTube.[citation needed]

Personnel


Written and composed by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis[44]
Produced by Quincy Jones[44]
David Paich: Synthesizer[44]
Steve Porcaro: Synthesizer, synthesizer programming[44]
Steve Lukather: Guitar[44]
Jeff Porcaro: Drums[44]
Paulinho Da Costa: Percussion[44]
Michael Boddicker: Emulator[44]
Arrangement by David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Steve Lukather[44]