In the Closet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “In the Closet” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||
| Single by Michael Jackson from the album Dangerous |
|||||
| Released | May 1992 | ||||
| Format | CD single | ||||
| Recorded | 1990/91 | ||||
| Genre | R&B/New jack swing | ||||
| Length | 6:31 | ||||
| Label | Epic Records | ||||
| Writer(s) | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley |
||||
| Producer | Michael Jackson Teddy Riley |
||||
| Michael Jackson singles chronology | |||||
|
|||||
| Michael Jackson's Visionary chronology | |||||
| "Remember the Time" (2006) |
"In the Closet" (2006) |
"Jam" (2006) |
|||
| Dangerous track listing | |||||
|
|||||
"In the Closet" is a song by American rock 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 lovers. It was also Jackson's effort to silence critics who questioned his sexuality. In an attempt to squelch the 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. Campbell sings the lyrics for the music video.
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, 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. It is generally considered one of his most provocative singles with lyrics that include "If its aching you have to rub it". Only in the chorus is his typically soulful falsetto given free rein.
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 listings
[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] U.S. 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)
- Album version – 6:31
- 7" edit – 4:47
- Radio edit – 4:29
- Video Mix – 6:05
[edit] Tommy Musto mixes
- The Underground Mix - 5:39
- The Underground Dub
[edit] Frankie Knuckles mixes
- The Mission - 9:27
- The Mission Radio Edit
- The Mix of Life - 7:41
- The Vow - 4:53
- The Promise - 7:26
- The Reprise - 2:44
[edit] Other Mixes
- Club Mix – 8:05
- Club Edit
- Touch Me Dub
- KI's 12" - 7:16
- Freestyle Mix - 6:34
- The Newark Mix - 7:07
[edit] Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
| Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 1 |
| Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 1 |
| Australian Single Charts | 5 |
| Austrian Single Charts | 23 |
| Dutch Single Charts | 36 |
| French Single Charts | 9 |
| Italian Single Charts | 9 |
| Norwegian Single Charts | 10 |
| Swedish Single Charts | 29 |
| Swiss Single Charts | 25 |
[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
[edit] Trivia
A beat from this song is used for Knuckles Theme in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
[edit] External links
| 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 |
