The Best Track on Thriller

Released in 1982, Michael Jackson's Thriller is chock full of golden pop singles. In my opinion, the best track (and the most "Video Pop" of all) is also the most subtle.

"Human Nature" comes near the end of the album, and people's memory of it is usually erased by the subsequent upbeat crowd-pleaser "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)."

But "Human Nature" is better. It's that kind of pop ballad that has an unspeakably beautiful melancholy tinge to it - one of the best melodies I've ever heard. And it almost didn't make the album.

Apparently the guys from Toto (!) had sent over a tape of demos to Quincy Jones. The tape contained original material they thought might be good for Michael Jackson to sing. Jones heard the first two demos and wasn't impressed, but he forgot to stop the tape. It kept playing for a few seconds, nothing but silence.

Then suddenly, he heard the "skeletal" sketch of a gorgeous song:

Why? Why?
Da-da da da da da da da
Why? Why?

Quincy knew there was only one spot for a "mood" track on the album, so he immediately decided to remove the song "Carousel" and replace it with what would become "Human Nature." The music was written by Steve Porcaro of Toto (pictured above) with lyrics penned by John Bettis, who also wrote lyrics for The Carpenters (who are guaranteed to show up on Video Pop).

What's especially great about "Human Nature" is that it resulted in the creation of two more amazing pop tracks, both of which sampled its otherworldly hook. The first is SWV's 1992 track "Right Here (Human Nature Remix)." The second is Jason Nevins' "I'm In Heaven" from 2003, which features Holly James on vocals.

The original by The King of Pop is still the best, but they all have their own unique flavor. (NB: I couldn't find an mp3 of the Nevins track, so I've included the music video. If you can find it anywhere, please pass it along!)



Michael Jackson - Human Nature




SWV - Right Here (Human Nature Remix)




Jason Nevins ft. Holly James - I'm In Heaven


Moments of Pop Bliss:
The entirety of all three tracks. Porcaro deserves the first Nobel Prize in Music for this.

**BITTERSWEET BONUS**

Miles Davis, at his least innovative, looking like a brokeass pimp, covering "Human Nature."