Home · Songs · Michael Jackson · Human Nature
From album
Thriller
Michael Jackson · 1982 · Track 7
Details
TonalidadD
Tempo123 BPM
Duración4:29
CompositorJohn Bettis / Steve Porcaro
ÁlbumThriller
Año1982
ISRCUSSM19902992
Credits
Music John Bettis, Steve Porcaro
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The story behind
The story behind Human Nature is fascinating, and it begins in a very personal way. Musician Steve Porcaro, part of the band Toto, was working on the production of the album Thriller. One day, his young daughter came home crying because a boy had pushed her. To comfort her, Porcaro explained that perhaps the boy liked her, that people are sometimes strange, and that "it's human nature." That conversation inspired the melody that would later become Human Nature. Porcaro recorded a demo of this idea in his studio, while the band was finishing mixing their own track Africa. Originally, he didn't think Michael Jackson would use this piece; in fact, he had offered it to Toto, but they discarded it.
The producer Quincy Jones was reviewing some tapes with potential tracks for Thriller, and due to a cassette error, he ended up listening to the demo of Human Nature. He was captivated by the atmosphere it created, describing that moment as "having a wonderful taste." Even though the original lyrics were just a guide, Jones saw the potential. To shape it, he called on lyricist John Bettis, who had already collaborated on hits for other artists. Bettis reimagined the lyrics, focusing on the experience of someone observing life in New York City. This song ended up replacing Carousel, which had already been recorded for the album. Human Nature was released as a single on July 4, 1983, and became a hit, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
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