In the Closet

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"In the Closet"
"In the Closet" cover
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
Producer(s) Michael Jackson
Teddy Riley
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

  1. "In The Closet" (7" edit) – 4:49
  2. "In The Closet" (club mix) – 7:53
  3. "In The Closet" (the underground mix) – 5:32
  4. "In The Closet" (touch me dub) – 7:53
  5. "In The Closet" (ki's 12") – 6:55
  6. "In The Closet" (the promise) – 7:18

[edit] US single

  1. "In The Closet" (Club Edit – 4:07
  2. "In The Closet" (the underground mix) – 5:34
  3. "In The Closet" (the promise) – 7:20
  4. "In The Closet" (the vow) – 4:49
  5. "Remember The Time" (new jack jazz 21) – 5:06

[edit] Visionary single

CD Side
  1. "In the Closet" (7" Edit)
  2. "In the Closet" (Club Mix)
DVD Side
  1. "In the Closet" (Music Video)

[edit] Mixes

  1. Album Version – 6:31
  2. 7" Edit – 4:47
  3. Radio Edit – 4:29
  4. Video Mix – 6:05
  5. Club Mix – 8:05
  6. Club Edit
  7. Touch Me Dub
  8. The Underground Mix
  9. The Underground Dub
  10. The Mission
  11. The Mission Radio Edit
  12. The Mix Of Life
  13. The Vow
  14. The Promise
  15. The Reprise
  16. KI's 12"
  17. Freestyle Mix
  18. 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


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