Album: Dangerous (1991)

Charted: 13 26

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• Heavy D performed the rap on this song.
• Basketball star Michael Jordan is in the video. The concept is Jackson teaching Jordan to dance, and Jordan teaching Jackson to dunk. Director David Kellogg remembers keeping the production under wraps and having to sneak the performers on location. He told Rolling Stone: "We found this rat-infested, abandoned, bombed-out armory in a neglected neighborhood in Chicago. I think it was the Southside. Somewhere near where the Bulls play. The production went into the neighborhood under the guise of a mayonnaise commercial. Neither the police or the landlord really knew what we were planning. Michael Jackson arrived in a motor home. We built a tunnel for him so he couldn't really be seen entering the building. It was followed shortly by Michael Jordan, who drove himself."
  
  As for filming the superstars together, there wasn't a whole lot of direction: "It was easier just to play the music and let them go – either dance or play basketball. It was so loud that they couldn't really talk, so they had to let the music tell them how to behave."
• Producer Teddy Riley told Musicradar.com that Jackson had the original idea for this track. He explained: "He told me to see what I could do with it so I took it and created some more instruments and reproduced the record – and he loved it. That's the way it worked a lot of the time. He'd come in with an idea and I'd flesh it out in the studio. He bought it to me as a DAT, and he told me there were things he wanted done, and I did them. It was my idea to get the rapper Heavy D to perform on there as well. He was Michael's favorite rapper at the time."

Comments: 7

• John from Nashville, TnOne of the co-writers of this song was Rene Moore, one-half of 80s r&b duo Rene and Angela. The duo's biggest hits were "I'll Be Good", "Your Smile" and "You Don't Have To Cry". The duo also produced half of Janet Jackson's self-titled debut album in 1982.
• Helena from London, EnglandThis song is so underrated! It's one of the best MJ songs ever!
• B from MelbourneThis is my favourite MJ song. It's fast-paced, the lyrics are simply genius, and it's hard-edged to a degree we haven't previously seen from Michael. If you have ever seen Michael perform this song live, it is nothing short of spectacular. Amazing dancing to an amazing beat, and explosions left right and center. This song is incredibly underrated since it didn't even make it to the top 10, but I think it should be in every MJ greatest hits collection because it's simply a phenomenon.
• Sarah Floyd from Bloomingdale, Ili like this song and i think there is no high notes in the song. and i hope this song goes on and on forever. and if it does i would be so happy. well this song gave me the good feeling.
• Harry from BrisbaneI dont really love the song but it is great to sing to if you can reach the high notes!
• Joshua from Niagara Falls, CanadaI love that song!!!! I have the CD dangerous. I give the song and the album 5 out of 5 stars!!!
  P.S: GO MICHAEL JACKSON, KEEP DANCING!!!
• Jam Kemal from Lindua, South AfricaI heard that Jam was a poem Jackson wrote for his poem book, Dancing The Dream, but Teddy Riley read it and loved it, so they composed and produced it to make a funky R&B/new Jack Swing song. The song was used as the opener for The Dangerous World Tour

More Songfacts:

Give Me Everything (Tonight)Pitbull

Pitbull's line "I got it locked up like Lindsay Lohan" in his 2011 song "Give Me Everything (Tonight)" didn't go over well with Lohan, who sued him for defamation. Around this time, she was in a downward spiral and often getting arrested. Her case was thrown out, but she did get her life back together.

After MidnightEric Clapton

"After Midnight" was written by the Oklahoma guitarist J.J. Cale, who was dirt poor until Eric Clapton recorded his song and turned it into a hit.

MusclesDiana Ross

Michael Jackson wrote the Diana Ross hit "Muscles," which he named after his pet boa constrictor.

Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'Journey

Journey lead singer Steve Perry wrote the rather dramatic "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" with the opening lyrics, "You make me weep, I wanna die," after seeing his girlfriend kissing another man.

Walk On The Wild SideLou Reed

Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side" tells the story of real people who were part of Andy Warhol's "factory," including Holly Woodlawn and Candy Darling.

Heartbreak HotelElvis Presley

The lyrics to "Heartbreak Hotel" were written by a steel guitar player who was once a dishwasher repairman. He was inspired by a newspaper story about a man who killed himself and left behind a note saying only, "I walk a lonely street."

Editor's Picks

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.