HIStory - Past, Present and Future, Book I is a double-disc album (one half greatest hits, one half studio album) by American musician Michael Jackson released in June of 1995 by the Epic Records division of Sony BMG.

The first disc, (HIStory Begins) contains fifteen hit singles from the past fifteen plus years of his career to this point (which was re-released in late 2001 as an only-compilation project, entitled Greatest Hits - HIStory Volume I). The tracklist included fourteen U.S. Top 10 singles (nine of which were number-one hits) plus the worldwide top 5 hit "Heal the World". The second disc, (HIStory Continues) contains fifteen previously unreleased recordings, five of which were released as singles.

HIStory debuted at #1 in several countries including the UK and the U.S, while also being was nominated for several 1996 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, which it did not win however "Scream's" expensive science fiction-inspired music video won a Grammy Award for Best Short-Form Music Video.

Track listing

Disc one: HIStory Begins

1. "Billie Jean" (Jackson) – 4:54
2. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Jackson) – 4:57
3. "Black or White" (Jackson/Bottrell) – 4:15
4. "Rock with You" (Temperton) – 3:40
5. "She's out of My Life" (Bahler) – 3:38
6. "Bad" (Jackson) – 4:07
7. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" featuring Siedah Garrett (Jackson) – 4:12
8. "Man in the Mirror" (Ballard/Garrett) – 5:19
9. "Thriller" (Temperton/Jackson) – 5:57
10. "Beat It" (Jackson) – 4:18
11. "The Girl Is Mine" featuring Paul McCartney (Jackson) – 3:41
12. "Remember the Time" (Riley/Jackson/Belle) – 3:59
13. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (Jackson) – 6:05
14. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Jackson) – 6:04
15. "Heal the World" (Jackson) – 6:24

Disc two: HIStory Continues

1. "Scream" featuring Janet Jackson (Harris/Lewis/Jackson/Jackson) – 4:38
2. "They Don't Care About Us" (Jackson) – 4:44
3. "Stranger in Moscow" (Jackson) – 5:44
4. "This Time Around" featuring The Notorious B.I.G. (Moore/Austin/Swedien/Jackson/Wallace) – 4:20
5. "Earth Song" (Jackson) – 6:46
6. "D.S." (Jackson) – 4:49
7. "Money" (Jackson) – 4:41
8. "Come Together" (Lennon/McCartney) – 4:02
9. "You Are Not Alone" (Kelly) – 6:01
10. "Childhood (Theme from Free Willy 2)" (Jackson) – 4:28
11. "Tabloid Junkie" (Harris/Lewis/Jackson) – 4:32
12. "2 Bad" featuring Shaquille O'Neal (Harris/Lewis/Jackson/O'Neal) – 4:49
13. "HIStory" featuring Boyz II Men on background vocals (Harris/Lewis/Jackson) – 6:37
14. "Little Susie" (Jackson) – 6:13
15. "Smile" (Chaplin) – 4:56

Overview

HIStory was the first album where Jackson showcased his instrumental abilities, playing keyboard and synthesizer, guitar, drums and percussion on the album, as well as lead and backing vocals. He was also more involved in the production of this album, collaborating with producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin, Bill Bottrell and R. Kelly.

Sony Music backed the album's promotion with a 30 million dollar promotion and marketing campaign, the largest budget set for an album at that time. The campaign included a full set of singles and music videos, television and radio advertising, an 82 concert world tour, and eventually a remix album. Reviews were mixed and Jackson was ridiculed in the press for his promotional campaign of erecting statues of himself around Europe and floating himself down the River Thames.

For the first time in his career, Jackson significantly utilizes coarse language on this album, the majority of which are still not allowed on network television in the United States. Michael also experimented with more genres on HIStory than on any other album, ranging from orchestral to adult contemporary R&B to "Gothic pop".

Sales

In America, HIStory had the best sales debut of 1995^{[citation needed]}, selling over 390,000 copies in its first week. In October 1999, the RIAA certified HIStory at 7x Platinum, for shipments of 3.5 million in the United States. Thus far, HIStory has sold an estimated 18 million copies worldwide (36 million units) and is one of the greatest selling multiple-disc album of all times.^[1] The first disc of previously released hits was re-released in 2001 selling an estimated 3 million.^[2].

Initial sales were strong, with the album debuting at #1 in most countries around the world. In the U.S., it outsold Dangerous's first weeks total with 391,000 copies sold as compared to 326,500. In the UK, it sold 100,000 in its first 2 days making it at that time, the fastest-selling album ever^{[citation needed]}. It did not keep up these initial good sales figures however and only remained at #1 in the U.S. for 2 weeks and in the UK for 1 week. It remained at the top of other album charts around the world for an average of 2 weeks.

Sales in the UK picked up during the huge success of the second single "You Are Not Alone" and particularly the only-European hit "Earth Song". Sales by the end of the year were just over 1 million copies making it triple platinum. The other successful HIStory singles and the tour helped HIStory to go onto sell over 1.5 million copies during its promotional period. This was not as good as Dangerous but in revenue terms much higher due to HIStory's price. In fact, HIStory was the second highest-grossing album during 1995 in the UK^{[citation needed]}.

Sales in the U.S. picked up during the success of "You Are Not Alone" but the decision by Sony USA to not release a follow up single caused sales to start a decline . "This Time Around" and "Earth Song" were released to radio instead in an attempt to get people to buy the album. The fact that Michael cancelled his One Night Only concert in New York City due to a health scare was a set-back. The album would go on to be awarded a 7x Platinum award for 3.5 million copies sold by the RIAA. This was just over half of Dangerous's total sales of 7 million. In the UK, the album grossed more in revenue terms than Dangerous and most other albums released during 1995.

Worldwide, the album sold well in Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia, where it was certified 7x Platinum (490,000 copies) in Australia by ARIA. It was Michael's best-selling album ever in Denmark, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium. With sales increased by the HIStory World Tour and successful singles, it went on to sell 10 million copies outside the UK and U.S. Total European sales as of late 1996 were 6 million copies^{[citation needed]}. This was a similar figure to Bad but not as good as Dangerous.

Facts to note:

• If each disc was counted separately, it would be counted in the top 20 best-selling albums of all time.
• In revenue terms, it was the second highest grossing album after Thriller for Jackson.

Singles

"Scream"/"Childhood"

The first single from the album was "Scream"/"Childhood", released in May 1995 as a double A-side single. "Scream" was a duet between Michael and his younger sister Janet, and "Childhood" was the theme song for the Warner Bros. film Free Willy 2. Both songs were supported by a music video. "Scream"'s expensive science fiction-inspired music video won a Grammy Award for Best Short-Form Music Video, and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography in 1995. "Childhood"'s Peter Pan-inspired video showed Jackson singing in a forest with pirate ships floating above him.

The double A-side single made history by debuting at its peak of number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, the highest debut chart position to that point, breaking a 25-year record set by the Beatles with their single "Let It Be", which debuted at number six in 1970. The single remained on the U.S. charts for 17 weeks, and by July 31, 1995, it had been certified Platinum. The single also reached number three in the UK, number two in Australia and number one in New Zealand, Finland, Spain, Hungary, Italy, France, and also on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles Chart.

"You Are Not Alone"

HIStory's second single, "You Are Not Alone", was written and produced by R. Kelly and released in August 1995. It became the first-ever single to debut at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, garnering Jackson a "Billboard Hot 100 Achievement Award" for this accomplishment. The single remained on the U.S. charts for 20 weeks, and within 8 weeks was certificated Platinum for selling over a million. It also went to number one in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Switzerland, and on the Eurochart (where it stayed for 6 weeks). The music video was controversial in that it featured an almost totally nude Jackson and then-wife Lisa Marie Presley.

Plagiarism

SABAM, a Belgian right society, confirmed that the melody for "You Are Not Alone" was originally composed in 1993 by veteran Belgian songwriters, producers, and music publishers, Eddy & Danny Van Passel. As can be seen in this document, dated October 18, 1995, SABAM found that "the largest part of the melody is identical. There is a strong similarity (75%)". On September 11 2007, a Belgian judge ruled that it was indeed plagiarism. The song was subsequently banned from the airwaves in Belgium. ^[3]

"Earth Song"

"Earth Song" was the third single released from the album in December 1995, except in the U.S., where it was released to radio along with the song "This Time Around". In the UK, "Earth Song" debuted at number one and stayed there for 6 weeks. By doing so, the single went on the become the UK Christmas number-one single for 1995. Impressively, the track also blocked the largely expected comeback Beatles's single "Free as a Bird", which only reached #2. "Earth Song" remained on the charts a total of 19 weeks, and is Jackson's biggest UK hit.

The single also reached number one in Germany, Switzerland, Latvia and the Eurochart. In total, it reached the top 10 in 16 European countries. At the 1996 BRIT Awards, the song caused some controversy. Jarvis Cocker protested against Jackson's performance of the song, claiming Jackson was taking on a "Christ-like" image. Because of the performance and Cocker's protest, "Earth Song" climbed back up the UK charts (from number 38 to number 16). It went on to sell 3 million copies worldwide making it the most successful single on the album. The video for "Earth Song" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 1996, but the song lost out to the costly video for Michael's other single "Scream".

"They Don't Care About Us"

"They Don't Care About Us" was the fourth single released from HIStory in May 1996, and also caused controversy - this time over alleged anti-Semitic lyrics. Jackson changed the lyrics "Jew me, sue me" and "kick me, kike me" to various outcomes in order for the single to be played on radio and music television. The original music video, which was shot in March on the streets of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, was reportedly not "entirely satisfactory" to Jackson's liking, and so a second music video, the "Prison Version", was made a week later. However, this new music video was banned in some countries, due to complaints that it was too violent, and on both MTV and VH1 it was only allowed to be shown after the 9 o'clock watershed.

In the UK, "They Don't Care About Us" reached number four and stayed in the top 100 for 18 weeks, whilst in both Germany and Italy it reached number one. In contrast, the single peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 30, but remained on the chart for 13 weeks. On the Eurochart, "They Don't Care About Us" peaked at number two, and stayed there for 8 weeks, and all together stayed on the chart 26 weeks.

"Stranger in Moscow"

"Stranger in Moscow", released in November 1996, was the fifth single from HIStory, and like "They Don't Care About Us", it proved to be more popular in Europe than the United States. In Britain, "Stranger in Moscow" reached number four, and remained in the top 100 for 16 weeks. In both Spain and Italy, it reached number one, whilst on the Eurochart it reached number six and remained in the top 100 for 17 weeks. The single was a commercial failure in the United States, peaking at number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100 before dropping off the chart completely.

"HIStory/Ghosts"

In June 1997, just as the second leg of the Michael Jackson's HIStory tour was at its midway point, "HIStory (Tony Moran's History Lesson)" - a remixed version of the song "HIStory", was released worldwide (except in the U.S.), along with "Ghosts", a track from Jackson's 1997 album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix. The single debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number five, and remained on the charts for 8 weeks. In France and Italy, the single reached number four and number three respectively. The single also made the top 50 in Australia, peaking at #43.[3]

"Smile"

"Smile" is a cover version of Charlie Chaplin's 1928 song, which Jackson covered for its inclusion on HIStory. It was due to be released as HIStory's seventh and final single in October 1997^[4] . However its release was subsequently cancelled by Sony. (There are a few promotional CD singles and 12" Vinyls floating around, which have been sold on eBay, ranging in price from £550-£850)

Outtakes

• "What About Us" (later became "Earth Song")
• "In the Back" - Later included on The Ultimate Collection in 2004.
• "Basszouille"
• "Fear"
• "On the Line" - From the film Get on the Bus - Later released as a limited edition MiniMax CD in the Ghost's Box Set in 1997 and on The Ultimate Collection in 2004.
• "Superfly Sister" - Later included on Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix, released in 1997.
• "Face"
• "Why" - It was recorded for HIStory but Michael offered to 3T

Music sample

Credits

"Scream"

• Written and composed by James Harris III and Terry Lewis, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson
• Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson

"They Don't Care About Us"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson

"Stranger in Moscow"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson
• Bass and Keyboards by David Paich

"This Time Around"

• Songs and lyrics written by Michael Jackson
• Music composed by Dallas Austin, Bruce Swedien and Rene
• Appearance by The Notorious B.I.G.
• Produced Dallas Austin and Michael Jackson
• Co-produced by Bruce Swedien and Rene

"Earth Song"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson and David Foster
• Co-produced by Bill Bottrell
• Keyboards by David Paich(TOTO)

"D.S."

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson

"Money"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson

"Come Together"

• Written and composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
• Produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell

"You Are Not Alone"

• Written and composed by R. Kelly
• Produced by R. Kelly and Michael Jackson

"Childhood (Theme From "Free Willy 2")"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson and David Foster

"Tabloid Junkie"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson, James Harris III and Terry Lewis
• Produced by Michael Jackson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

"2 Bad"

• Songs and lyrics written by Michael Jackson
• Music composed by Bruce Swedien, Rene and Dallas Austin
• Produced by Michael Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Bruce Swedien and Rene

"History"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson, James Harris III and Terry Lewis
• Produced by Michael Jackson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

"Little Susie"

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson

"Smile"

• Written by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
• Music composed by Charles Chaplin
• Produced by David Foster and Michael Jackson

Artist credits

• Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
• "Scream" - vocal duet - solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson
• Additional background vocals: R. Kelly; Boyz II Men: Nathan Morris, Wayne Morris, Shawn Stockman, Michael McCrary; Bryan Loren; Andrae and Sandra Crouch and the Andrae Crouch Singers; Carol Dennis; Jackie Gouche; Gloria Augustus; and Linda McCrary
• Child soloists:
  • "HIStory": Leah Frazier
  • "Little Susie": Markita Prescott
• Rap performances by The Notorious B.I.G. and Shaquille O'Neal
• Arrangements by Michael Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin, Bruce Swedien, R. Kelly, Rene, Jeremy Lubbock, Brad Buxer and Johnny Mandel
• Vocal arrangements by Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
• Orchestral arrangements by David Foster, Elmer Bernstein and Bill Ross
• Orchestral realization by Steve Porcaro
• String arrangements by Michael Jackson
• Sequencer arrangement by Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer
• Keyboard arrangements by Michael Jackson
• Orchestras conducted by Elmer Bernstein, Jeremy Lubbock, Bill Ross and Susie Katayama
• Horn arrangement by Michael Jackson and Jerry Hey
• Piano performances by David Foster, Brad Buxer, BIG "Jim" Wright, and Jonathan Mackey
• Keyboards and synthesizers: Michael Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, David Foster, Steve "Yada" Porcaro, David Paich, Bill Bottrell, Dallas Austin, R. Kelly, Rene, Brad Buxer, Simon Franglen, Greg Phillinganes, Lafayette Carthon, Michael Boddicker, Chuck Wild, Rob Arbitter, Gary Adante, John Barnes and Randy Waldman
• Synthesizer programming: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Simon Franglen, Steve Porcaro, Brad Buxer, Peter Mokran, Michael Boddicker, Chuck Wild, Andrew Scheps, Rick Sheppard, Rob Hoffman, Bobby Brooks, Jeff Bova, Chris Palmero, Jason Miles, Arnie Schulze and Gregg Mangiafico
• Drum programming: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Peter Mokran and Andrew Scheps
• Synclavier programming: Andrew Scheps and Simon Franglen
• Guitars: Slash, Nile Rodgers, Trevor Rabin, Paul Jackson Jr., Steve Lukather, Bill Bottrell, Jeff Mirinow, Michael Jackson, Rob Hoffman, Michael Thompson and Jen Leigh
• Drums and percussion: Michael Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Bill Bottrell, Buddy Williams, Bruce Swedien, Simon Franglen, Rene, Chuck Wild, Bobby Brooks, Bryan Loren, Omar Hakim and Steve Ferrone
• Bass: David Paich, Colin Wolfe, Louis Johnson, Wayne Pedzwater, Keith Rouster, Doug Grigsby and Guy Pratt
• Synth bass: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Greg Phillinganes
• Horns: Larry Williams, Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Bill Reichenbach and Kim Hutchcroft
• Organ: BIG "Jim" Wright
• Violin solo: Paul Peabody
• Intro soundscapes and sound effects: Bruce Swedien, Chuck Wild, Brad Buxer, Andrew Scheps and Matt Forger
• Children's choir conductors: Michael Boddicker, Annette Sanders and Maxi Anderson
• Children's choirs:
  • "Childhood (Theme From "Free Willy 2")" - New York: Tracey Spindler, Natalia harris, Jonathon Ungar, Brandi Stewart, Reeve Carney, Caryn Jones and Brian Jones
  • "They Don't Care About Us" - Los Angeles: Kimberley Johnson, Crystal Poundsm Rhonda Hoskins, Crystal Grant, Caleena Campbell, Nikisha Grier, Chauna Bryant, Jania Foxworth, Crystal Jackson, Kandy Jackson, Charity Young, Amgela Fisher and Coy Mattison
• Background voiceovers: Alan Shearman, Anna Mathias, Gregory Martin, Dawn McMillan, Phillip G. Proctor, Susan Silo, Jesse Corti, Hattie Winston, Maurice La Marche and Rodger Bumpass
• Narrative by Russian boy: Daniel Medvedev
• Narrative by KGB interrogator: Ed Wiesnieski
• Orchestras coordinated by Jesse Levy and Nathan Kaproff
• Orchestrations: Emily Bernstein, Brad Buxer ande Geoff Grace

Technical credits

• Executive producer: Michael Jackson
• Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
• Additional Recording and mixing by Eddie De Lena, Steve Hodge and W.J.R.
• Technical directors: Matt Forger and Brad Sundberg
• Additional engineering by Eddie De Lena, Bill Bottrell, Matt Forger, Brad Sundberg, Dan Wallin, Andrew Scheps, Steve Hodge, Peter Mokran, Rob Hoffman, Bobby Brooks, Felipe El Gueta, John Van Nest and Harry Maslin
• Assistant engineers: Rob Hoffman, Brian Vibberts, Tony Duino-Black, Gus Garces, Carl Nappa, Jeff DeMorris, Jeff Taylor, Trini Alvarez Jr., Glen Marchese, Chris Theis, Jim Champagne, Joshua Shapera, Ron Lowe, Calr Glanville, Ryan Arnold, Jamie Seyberth, Stephani Gylden, Ben Wallach, Rick Dasher, Gabriel Sutter, Bill Easystone, Peter Germansen, David Nottingham, Chris Roberts and Julie Last
• Production coordination: Rachel Smith
• Mastered by Bernie Grundman
• Computer programming and technical direction assistance by Craig Johnson
• Additional synthersizer programming and sound design by Michael Boddicker, Chuck Wild, Scott Pittinsky, Bobby Brooks, Roberta Swedien and Darry Ross

Certifications

Notes

See also

• List of double albums
• HIStory World Tour

External links

• IMDb soundtrack listing for "Get on the Bus"