In the Closet
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"In the Closet" | ||
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Single by Michael Jackson | ||
from the album Dangerous | ||
Released | May 1992 | |
Format | CD single | |
Recorded | 1991 | |
Genre | R&B/New Jack Swing | |
Length | 6:31 | |
Label | Epic Records | |
Writer(s) | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley |
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Producer(s) | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley |
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Chart positions | ||
Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||
"Remember the Time" (1992) |
"In the Closet" (1992) |
"Who Is It" (1992) |
Michael Jackson's Visionary chronology | ||
"Remember the Time" (2006) |
"In the Closet" (2006) |
"Jam" (2006) |
"In the Closet" is a song by American pop and R&B singer Michael Jackson from his 1991 album Dangerous. The song became that album's second number one R&B single and its third top ten pop single, hitting number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
Contents |
[edit] Song information
The song, written by Jackson and Teddy Riley, is about keeping a relationship between secret. It was also allegedly Jackson's attempt to silence critics who questioned his sexuality. To further squelch rumors, the video, directed by Herb Ritts, features Jackson dancing suggestively with model Naomi Campbell. The song's female vocal was originally labeled "Mystery Girl" but was later revealed to be Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, though the vocal was originally meant for Madonna).
The song, with its heavy industrial sounding percussion and uptempo arrangement, is typical of producer Teddy Riley's New Jack Swing style. The unique, Eastern-influenced backing vocals, sexually-charged lyrics, and crescendoing middle eight imbue the song with an erotic edge usually missing from Jackson's music. His vocals are whispered and subdued for most of the song, embellished with gasps and shudders. Only in the chorus is his typically soulful falsetto given free reign.
In keeping with the trend in the early 1990s, several remixes were commissioned by Jackson and released on a maxi-CD. The most prolific of these remixes was "The Promise" remix by UK DJ Frankie Knuckles, which made its way into the club circuit.
[edit] Track listing
[edit] Original release
[edit] UK single
- "In The Closet" (7" edit) – 4:49
- "In The Closet" (club mix) – 7:53
- "In The Closet" (the underground mix) – 5:32
- "In The Closet" (touch me dub) – 7:53
- "In The Closet" (ki's 12") – 6:55
- "In The Closet" (the promise) – 7:18
[edit] US single
- "In The Closet" (Club Edit – 4:07
- "In The Closet" (the underground mix) – 5:34
- "In The Closet" (the promise) – 7:20
- "In The Closet" (the vow) – 4:49
- "Remember The Time" (new jack jazz 21) – 5:06
[edit] Visionary single
- CD Side
- "In the Closet" (7" Edit)
- "In the Closet" (Club Mix)
- DVD Side
- "In the Closet" (Music Video)
[edit] Mixes
- Album Version – 6:31
- 7" Edit – 4:47
- Radio Edit – 4:29
- Video Mix – 6:05
- Club Mix – 8:05
- Club Edit
- Touch Me Dub
- The Underground Mix
- The Underground Dub
- The Mission
- The Mission Radio Edit
- The Mix Of Life
- The Vow
- The Promise
- The Reprise
- KI's 12"
- Freestyle Mix
- The Newark Mix
[edit] Credits
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson and Teddy Riley
- Produced by Teddy Riley and Michael Jackson
- Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley, Jean-Marie Horvat and Dave Way
- Duet: Michael Jackson and Mystery Girl
- Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
- Rhythm arrangement by Teddy Riley
- Synthesizer arrangement by Teddy Riley
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Keyboards and synthesizers: Teddy Riley
- Sequencing and programming: Wayne Cobham
Preceded by "Honey Love" by R. Kelly |
Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number one single July 4, 1992 |
Succeeded by "Do it to Me" by Lionel Richie |