Dangerous (Michael Jackson song)
Encyclopedia
"Dangerous" is an R&B
-pop song by American recording artist Michael Jackson
. The song appeared on Jackson's solo studio album of the same name, released in November 1991. Written and composed by Jackson, Bill Bottrell
and Teddy Riley, the song was planned as the tenth single from the album. These plans were canceled due to allegations of child sexual abuse which were made against Jackson
in August 1993, Jackson's health concerns, and the failure of previous single, "Gone Too Soon
", to top the charts.
Prior to the planned release of the song, "Dangerous" received a positive reaction from contemporary critics in reviews of the track's parent album. Although the song has not been released as a single, "Dangerous" entered music charts in mid-2009 after Jackson's death in June
. In 1994, songwriter Crystal Cartier alleged that Jackson, Bottrell and Riley had plagiarized "Dangerous". At the subsequent court hearing the judge ruled in favor of Jackson, Bottrell and Riley, due to lack of evidence; Cartier was refused the right to appeal her case.
Near the end of Dangerous: The Short Films, the song is played over footage of various performances during his Dangerous World Tour
.
album. During recording sessions in September 1990 for Dangerous, Jackson recorded a 6:40 minute demo of "Dangerous", which he wrote with Bill Bottrell
. Teddy Riley later added writing and produced it with Jackson in early 1991. According to music commentator Nelson George
the demo is "very different to the final version. Here the keyboards are spacey, in strong contrast to the taunt, mechanical rhythm track. Throughout the song, Jackson keeps up a spoken word rap about the dangerous woman who is this song's subject. Overall it is much moodier". The demo was released in November 2004, on Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection
. A different, longer version also exists, with Jackson heard screaming at the beginning—after a sound protection wall
fell on him as he was about to record. "The genesis of the songs we co-wrote [for Dangerous]", said Bottrell, "consisted of Jackson humming melodies and grooves, and him then leaving the studio while I developed these ideas with a bunch of drum machines and samplers". "Dangerous" is played in the key
of D Minor with Jackson's vocal range
being from A3 to A4. The song's tempo
is moderate at 112 beats per minute. "Dangerous" is credited as being a dance-pop
, new jack swing
and R&B
song.
In 1994, songwriter Crystal Cartier accused Jackson, Bottrell and Riley of plagiarizing the song. Cartier claimed she had written, copyrighted and recorded the song in 1985. At a court hearing, Jackson testified that "Dangerous" grew out of the song "Streetwalker", which he co-wrote with Bottrell in 1985. His original demo version of the song was played in court. The recordings were followed by acapella performances of "Dangerous" and "Billie Jean
," giving a rare insight into his songwriting habits. As Cartier was unable to supply any original tapes to back up her suit, the judge found in Jackson's favor, and Cartier was refused the right to appeal.
:
For the Michael Jackson and Friends concerts and the 50th American Bandstand, Jackson wore a red shirt instead of the original white shirt and tie, but the tie was kept in. For all of the performances but those in the year 2002, Michael would have an armband in his black jacket.
. However August 1993 saw intensifying media scrutiny surrounding allegations of child sexual abuse on Jackson's part
. The albums ninth single, "Gone Too Soon
", did not perform well in the United Kingdom and Jackson's health deteriorated, which eventually led to the cancellation of the albums tenth single "Dangerous" but it was released, with Remember the Time and Black Or White on the box set Tour Souvenir Pack. An alternative version and a remix, entitled "Roger's Rough Dub", were both to be included on the expanded edition of Dangerous–the bonus disc was later canceled.
"Dangerous" was generally well received by contemporary music critics. Jon Pareles
, a writer for The New York Times
, called it "[Jackson's] latest song about a predatory lover" and highlighted the lyrics "I felt taken by lust
's strange inhumanity", observing, "He is a great dancer, yet his songs proclaim a terror of the body and of fleshly pleasures". Music critic Nelson George
said of the song, "[it is] a pile driving track...that explodes from radio speakers. 'Dangerous' in fact, opens another window into Michael's artistic process". Writer Barry Farber noted that the same lyrics "are an excellent representation of how sex can sometimes feel like a powerful biologically driven force".
. The track debuted at its peak position, number seventy eight, on the Swiss Singles Chart for the week of July 12, 2009. The song also peaked at number ninety nine on the German Singles Chart for the week of July 13, 2009. "Dangerous" only remained on the two countries chart for one week.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
-pop song by American recording artist Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. The song appeared on Jackson's solo studio album of the same name, released in November 1991. Written and composed by Jackson, Bill Bottrell
Bill Bottrell
Bill Bottrell is an American record producer, songwriter and musician, probably best known for his Grammy Award-winning collaborations with Michael Jackson, E.L.O. and Sheryl Crow.- Biography :...
and Teddy Riley, the song was planned as the tenth single from the album. These plans were canceled due to allegations of child sexual abuse which were made against Jackson
1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson
In 1993, Evan Chandler accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing his thirteen-year-old son, Jordan. The relationship between Jackson and Jordan began in May 1992. Evan initially welcomed and encouraged the friendship, and bragged about his connection to a celebrity. The friendship became well...
in August 1993, Jackson's health concerns, and the failure of previous single, "Gone Too Soon
Gone Too Soon
"Gone Too Soon" is a ballad recorded by American musician Michael Jackson. It was written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, produced by Jackson, and co-produced by Bruce Swedien for the singer's eighth studio album, Dangerous...
", to top the charts.
Prior to the planned release of the song, "Dangerous" received a positive reaction from contemporary critics in reviews of the track's parent album. Although the song has not been released as a single, "Dangerous" entered music charts in mid-2009 after Jackson's death in June
Death of Michael Jackson
On June 25, 2009, American singer Michael Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication after he suffered a respiratory arrest at his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he found Jackson in his room, not breathing, but with a faint pulse,...
. In 1994, songwriter Crystal Cartier alleged that Jackson, Bottrell and Riley had plagiarized "Dangerous". At the subsequent court hearing the judge ruled in favor of Jackson, Bottrell and Riley, due to lack of evidence; Cartier was refused the right to appeal her case.
Near the end of Dangerous: The Short Films, the song is played over footage of various performances during his Dangerous World Tour
Dangerous World Tour
The Dangerous World Tour was the second worldwide concert tour by American megasuperstar Michael Jackson. The tour, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, included 69 performances to an audience of 3.5 million. All profits were donated to various charities including Jackson's own "Heal the World Foundation". The...
.
Background
"Dangerous" was developed from another song titled "Streetwalker", which Jackson wrote for his 1987 BadBad (album)
Bad is the seventh studio album by American songwriter and recording artist Michael Jackson. The album was released on August 31, 1987 by Epic/CBS Records, nearly five years after Jackson's previous studio album, Thriller, which went on to become the world's best-selling album...
album. During recording sessions in September 1990 for Dangerous, Jackson recorded a 6:40 minute demo of "Dangerous", which he wrote with Bill Bottrell
Bill Bottrell
Bill Bottrell is an American record producer, songwriter and musician, probably best known for his Grammy Award-winning collaborations with Michael Jackson, E.L.O. and Sheryl Crow.- Biography :...
. Teddy Riley later added writing and produced it with Jackson in early 1991. According to music commentator Nelson George
Nelson George
Nelson George is an African American author, columnist, music and culture critic, journalist, and filmmaker. He has been nominated twice for the National Book Critics Circle Award....
the demo is "very different to the final version. Here the keyboards are spacey, in strong contrast to the taunt, mechanical rhythm track. Throughout the song, Jackson keeps up a spoken word rap about the dangerous woman who is this song's subject. Overall it is much moodier". The demo was released in November 2004, on Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection
Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection
Disc 2Disc 3Disc 4*The Jackson 5 perform tracks 1-3 and 7 . The Jacksons perform tracks 8, 11-12, 18-19 and track 8 .DVD - Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour # "Intro"# "Jam"...
. A different, longer version also exists, with Jackson heard screaming at the beginning—after a sound protection wall
Soundproofing
Soundproofing is any means of reducing the sound pressure with respect to a specified sound source and receptor. There are several basic approaches to reducing sound: increasing the distance between source and receiver, using noise barriers to reflect or absorb the energy of the sound waves, using...
fell on him as he was about to record. "The genesis of the songs we co-wrote [for Dangerous]", said Bottrell, "consisted of Jackson humming melodies and grooves, and him then leaving the studio while I developed these ideas with a bunch of drum machines and samplers". "Dangerous" is played in the key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
of D Minor with Jackson's vocal range
Vocal range
Vocal range is the measure of the breadth of pitches that a human voice can phonate. Although the study of vocal range has little practical application in terms of speech, it is a topic of study within linguistics, phonetics, and speech and language pathology, particularly in relation to the study...
being from A3 to A4. The song's tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
is moderate at 112 beats per minute. "Dangerous" is credited as being a dance-pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, new jack swing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
and R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
song.
In 1994, songwriter Crystal Cartier accused Jackson, Bottrell and Riley of plagiarizing the song. Cartier claimed she had written, copyrighted and recorded the song in 1985. At a court hearing, Jackson testified that "Dangerous" grew out of the song "Streetwalker", which he co-wrote with Bottrell in 1985. His original demo version of the song was played in court. The recordings were followed by acapella performances of "Dangerous" and "Billie Jean
Billie Jean
"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop/R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written, composed, and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones from the singer's sixth album, Thriller . Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and...
," giving a rare insight into his songwriting habits. As Cartier was unable to supply any original tapes to back up her suit, the judge found in Jackson's favor, and Cartier was refused the right to appeal.
Live Performances
There were five live performance versions of DangerousDangerous (Michael Jackson song)
"Dangerous" is an R&B-pop song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The song appeared on Jackson's solo studio album of the same name, released in November 1991. Written and composed by Jackson, Bill Bottrell and Teddy Riley, the song was planned as the tenth single from the album...
:
- The first was performed on the final leg of the Dangerous Tour and at the 1993 American Music AwardsAmerican Music Awards-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
. This version included Jackson singing the second verse, chorus, bridge, and third speaking interlude. - The second was performed from 1995 to 1997, on some presentations like the 1995 MTV Music Awards, and during the entire HIStory World TourHIStory World TourThe HIStory World Tour was the third and final worldwide solo concert tour by American megasuperstar Michael Jackson, covering Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America. The tour included a total of 82 concerts and was attended by approximately 4.5 million fans, beating his previous Bad Tour...
. It did not contain the second verse, bridge, or third speaking interlude. This version samples an extract from "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by Yes, Ennio Morricone's "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" theme, "Smooth CriminalSmooth Criminal"Smooth Criminal" is the seventh single from Michael Jackson's 1987 Bad album. The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson's lyrics about a woman named Annie, who has been attacked in her apartment by a "smooth" assailant. It was released as a single on October 24, 1988 and peaked...
", Janet JacksonJanet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
's "You Want ThisYou Want This"You Want This" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, janet. . Released as the album's seventh single in August 1994, the track was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.-Song information:Based on samples from Diana Ross & the Supremes'...
" and "Let's Dance," Judy GarlandJudy GarlandJudy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
's "Get HappyGet Happy (song)"Get Happy" is a song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler.It was the first song they wrote together, and was introduced by Ruth Etting in The Nine-Fifteen Revue in 1930....
", Monty NormanMonty NormanMonty Norman is a singer and film composer best known for being credited with composing the "James Bond Theme".-Biography:...
's "James Bond ThemeJames Bond ThemeThe "James Bond Theme" is the main signature theme of the James Bond films and has featured in every Eon Productions Bond film since Dr. No. The piece has been used as an accompanying fanfare to the gun barrel sequence in almost every James Bond film....
", and a guitar intro from Duran Duran's "A View to a KillA View to a Kill (song)"A View to a Kill" is the thirteenth single by Duran Duran, released in May 1985.It was a stand-alone single, created for the James Bond movie A View to a Kill, and it remains the only James Bond theme song to have reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100; it also made it to #2 for 3 weeks on the UK...
". - The third was performed twice: during both Michael Jackson & Friends concerts. It contained different audio effects, and a short interlude with the dancers introducing themselves.
- The fourth was performed twice on the 50th American BandstandAmerican BandstandAmerican Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
Special and President Clinton's presidential gala in 2002 and it's a variation of both the second and third version. - The fifth was being rehearsed for his This Is It concertsThis Is It (Michael Jackson concerts)This Is It was a planned series of fifty concerts by Michael Jackson to be held at The O2 Arena in London. They were scheduled to begin in July 2009 and continue through to March 2010. However, with all concerts sold out, Jackson died less than three weeks before the first concert date...
at in Staples Center and the Forum in L.A, but were cancelled because of his sudden deathDeath of Michael JacksonOn June 25, 2009, American singer Michael Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication after he suffered a respiratory arrest at his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he found Jackson in his room, not breathing, but with a faint pulse,...
. Audio of this version leaked online in 2010. It features snippets of "Morphine," "2000 Watts," and a snippet of the song "This Place Hotel/Heartbreak Hotel". In January 2011, at "Carnival", the This Is It concertsThis Is It (Michael Jackson concerts)This Is It was a planned series of fifty concerts by Michael Jackson to be held at The O2 Arena in London. They were scheduled to begin in July 2009 and continue through to March 2010. However, with all concerts sold out, Jackson died less than three weeks before the first concert date...
dancers performed a snippet of Dangerous, as it would have been in the concerts, but without the leaked intro. This performance featured samples from "Smooth CriminalSmooth Criminal"Smooth Criminal" is the seventh single from Michael Jackson's 1987 Bad album. The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson's lyrics about a woman named Annie, who has been attacked in her apartment by a "smooth" assailant. It was released as a single on October 24, 1988 and peaked...
", "Stranger In MoscowStranger in Moscow"Stranger in Moscow" is the fifth and final single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. The song was released worldwide in November 1996 but was not released in the United States until August 1997...
", and the Psycho theme.
For the Michael Jackson and Friends concerts and the 50th American Bandstand, Jackson wore a red shirt instead of the original white shirt and tie, but the tie was kept in. For all of the performances but those in the year 2002, Michael would have an armband in his black jacket.
Planned release as a single and critical analysis
The album Dangerous was released in November 1991, and with shipments of seven million copies in the United States and 32 million copies sold worldwide, it stands as one of the world's best-selling records. The album's appeal and commercial success prompted Jackson's record company to keep releasing singles throughout 1992 and 1993, especially as Jackson was still promoting the album with a worldwide concert tourDangerous World Tour
The Dangerous World Tour was the second worldwide concert tour by American megasuperstar Michael Jackson. The tour, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, included 69 performances to an audience of 3.5 million. All profits were donated to various charities including Jackson's own "Heal the World Foundation". The...
. However August 1993 saw intensifying media scrutiny surrounding allegations of child sexual abuse on Jackson's part
1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson
In 1993, Evan Chandler accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing his thirteen-year-old son, Jordan. The relationship between Jackson and Jordan began in May 1992. Evan initially welcomed and encouraged the friendship, and bragged about his connection to a celebrity. The friendship became well...
. The albums ninth single, "Gone Too Soon
Gone Too Soon
"Gone Too Soon" is a ballad recorded by American musician Michael Jackson. It was written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, produced by Jackson, and co-produced by Bruce Swedien for the singer's eighth studio album, Dangerous...
", did not perform well in the United Kingdom and Jackson's health deteriorated, which eventually led to the cancellation of the albums tenth single "Dangerous" but it was released, with Remember the Time and Black Or White on the box set Tour Souvenir Pack. An alternative version and a remix, entitled "Roger's Rough Dub", were both to be included on the expanded edition of Dangerous–the bonus disc was later canceled.
"Dangerous" was generally well received by contemporary music critics. Jon Pareles
Jon Pareles
Jon Pareles is an American journalist who is the chief popular music critic in the arts section of the New York Times. He played jazz flute and piano, and graduated from Yale University with a degree in music. In the 1970s he was an associate editor of Crawdaddy!, and in the 1980s an associate...
, a writer for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, called it "[Jackson's] latest song about a predatory lover" and highlighted the lyrics "I felt taken by lust
Lust
Lust is an emotional force that is directly associated with the thinking or fantasizing about one's desire, usually in a sexual way.-Etymology:The word lust is phonetically similar to the ancient Roman lustrum, which literally meant "purification"...
's strange inhumanity", observing, "He is a great dancer, yet his songs proclaim a terror of the body and of fleshly pleasures". Music critic Nelson George
Nelson George
Nelson George is an African American author, columnist, music and culture critic, journalist, and filmmaker. He has been nominated twice for the National Book Critics Circle Award....
said of the song, "[it is] a pile driving track...that explodes from radio speakers. 'Dangerous' in fact, opens another window into Michael's artistic process". Writer Barry Farber noted that the same lyrics "are an excellent representation of how sex can sometimes feel like a powerful biologically driven force".
Chart performance
Although it has not been released as a single, "Dangerous" entered music charts in mid-2009 after Jackson's death in JuneDeath of Michael Jackson
On June 25, 2009, American singer Michael Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication after he suffered a respiratory arrest at his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he found Jackson in his room, not breathing, but with a faint pulse,...
. The track debuted at its peak position, number seventy eight, on the Swiss Singles Chart for the week of July 12, 2009. The song also peaked at number ninety nine on the German Singles Chart for the week of July 13, 2009. "Dangerous" only remained on the two countries chart for one week.
Personnel
- WrittenSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and composed by Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Bill Bottrell and Teddy Riley - Produced by Teddy Riley and Michael Jackson
- Recorded by Jean-Marie Horvat, Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley and Thom Russo
- MixedAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
by Bruce Swedien and Teddy Riley - Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Rhythm and synthesizer arrangements by Teddy Riley
- Teddy Riley: Synthesizer
- Brad Buxer, Rhett Lawrence: Synthesizers
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Swiss Singles Chart | 78 |
| German Singles Chart | 99 |
Remixes
- Roger's Dangerous Club Mix - 6:58
- Roger's Dangerous Edit - 4:40
- Roger's Rough Dub - 6:48