Heal the World

This article is about the Michael Jackson song. For the concept in Jewish moral philosophy, see Tikkun olam.
"Heal the World"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Dangerous
B-side "She Drives Me Wild"
Released November 23, 1992 (1992-11-23)
Format CD, cassette, 7", 12"
Recorded December 15, 1990 – October 29, 1991
Genre
Length
  • 6:25 (album version)
  • 4:32 (7" edit)
  • 4:55 (7" edit with intro)
Label Epic
Writer(s) Michael Jackson
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Who Is It"
(1992)		 "Heal the World"
(1992)		 "Give In to Me"
(1993)
Music video
"Heal The World" on YouTube
Audio sample
file info · help

"Heal the World" is a song from Michael Jackson's album Dangerous, released in 1991.

In a 2001 Internet chat with fans, Jackson said "Heal the World" is the song he was most proud to have created. He also created the Heal the World Foundation, a charitable organization which was designed to improve the lives of children. The organization was also meant to teach children how to help others. This concept of 'betterment for all' would become a centerpiece for the Dangerous World Tour. In the documentary Living with Michael Jackson, Jackson said he created the song in his "Giving Tree" at Neverland Ranch.

An ensemble performance of "We Are the World" and "Heal the World" closed Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. The song was performed as rehearsed by Jackson at the venue just weeks earlier, in preparation for his planned "This Is It" concerts in London along with "Dirty Diana". R&B singer Ciara sang the song as a tribute to Jackson at the 2009 BET Awards.

The song was played at the funeral of James Bulger,[1] and Jackson also donated the song to be used as the anthem for the charity the James Bulger Red Balloon Centre, a school for children to go to if they are being bullied or have learning difficulties.[2]

Composition

This song is written in the key of A major, and it spans from E4 to C#6. It has a tempo of 80 beats per minute.[3]

Reception

The song reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in December 1992, kept off the number one position by Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". It peaked number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called this song "middle-class soft."[4] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly praised the song: "And when his voice isn't competing with drum machines, it has rarely sounded stronger-achingly pure on Heal the World,"[5] Rolling Stone's Alan Light was not satisfied, calling it "a Hallmark-card knockoff of "We Are the World."[6]

Music video

The music video (directed by Joe Pytka) features children living in countries suffering from unrest, especially Burundi. It is also one of only a handful of Michael Jackson's videos not to feature Jackson himself, the others being "Cry", "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror". (The clips for "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror" only feature Michael Jackson in archival footage).[7] The version of the video included on Dangerous: The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision contains an introductory video that features a speech from Jackson taken from the special "spoken word" version of the track. This version was not included on Video Greatest Hits – HIStory featuring the music video. Jackson performed the song in the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show with a 35,000 person flash card performance.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1992–93) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 20
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 3
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] 4
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 21
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 3
France (SNEP)[14] 2
Germany (Official German Charts)[15] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[16] 2
Italy (FIMI)[17] 14
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[18] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 3
Norway (VG-lista)[21] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] 15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] 5
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[24] 2
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[25] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[25] 27
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles[25] 62
US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[25] 21
US Cash Box[26] 26
Zimbabwe[27] 2
Chart (2006) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[28] 63
France (SNEP)[14] 60
Germany (Official German Charts)[15] 90
Ireland (IRMA)[16] 22
Italy (FIMI)[29] 13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 40
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[30] 1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[31] 27
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 26
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 22
Belgium (Back Catalogue Singles Flanders)[32] 3
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Singles)[25] 28
Denmark (Tracklisten)[33] 7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[34] 24
France (SNEP) Download Chart[35] 6
Germany (Official German Charts)[15] 18
Italy (FIMI)[29] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 19
Norway (VG-lista)[21] 3
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[30] 44
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] 18
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] 9
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[36] 44
US Billboard Hot Digital Songs[25] 39

Year-end charts

Chart (1992) Rank
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[37] 88
Chart (1993) Rank
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[38] 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[39] 56
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[40] 43
Italy (FIMI)[17] 61
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 50
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 15
Chart (2009) Position
Italy (FIMI)[43] 92

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] Gold 35,000^
France (SNEP)[45] Silver 203,000[46]
Germany (BVMI)[47] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[48] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Gold 400,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Track listing

  • 7" single and cassette single:[10]
  1. "Heal the World" (7" edit) – 4:32
  2. "She Drives Me Wild" – 3:41
  1. "Heal the World" (album version) – 6:25
  2. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:40
  3. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (Rogers Underground Solution) – 6:18
  4. "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) – 5:29
  1. "Heal the World" (7" edit) – 4:32
  2. "Heal the World" (7" edit with intro) – 4:55
  3. "Heal the World" (LP version) – 6:25
  4. "She Drives Me Wild" (album version) – 3:41
  1. "Heal the World" (7" edit) – 4:32
  2. "Heal the World" (7" edit with intro) – 4:55
  1. Live version
  • DualDisc single:[10]
CD side
  1. "Heal the World" (single version) – 4:32
  2. "Will You Be There" – 7:39
DVD side
  1. "Heal the World" (music video) – 7:31

Personnel

  • Written and composed by Michael Jackson
  • Produced by Michael Jackson
  • Co-Produced by Bruce Swedien
  • Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien and Matt Forger
  • Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals
  • Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson

Cover versions

See also

References

  1. ↑ Miles, Tina (October 8, 2009). Michael Jackson's Heal The World released to support new Liverpool James Bulger centre for bullied children at the Wayback Machine (archived October 16, 2009). Liverpool Daily Post.
  2. ↑ Hamilton, Julian (June 6, 2009). 'Heal The World' song launched for Red Balloon Centre in Liverpool at the Wayback Machine (archived February 22, 2012). Click Liverpool.
  3. ↑ "Heal the World By Michael Jackson – Digital Sheet Music". MusicNotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  4. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  5. ↑ Browne, David (November 29, 1991). "MUSIC REVIEW – Dangerous (1991) – Michael Jackson". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  6. ↑ Light, Alan (January 1, 1992). "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  7. ↑ Heal the World (Music Video). Epic Records. YouTube. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Australian-charts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Austriancharts.at – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ultratop.be – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1841." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1825." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 105 no. 6. February 6, 1993. p. 46. ISSN 0006-2510.
  14. 1 2 "Lescharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  16. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Heal the World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  17. 1 2 "I singoli più venduti del 1993" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Michael Jackson - Heal The World search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  19. 1 2 3 "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  20. 1 2 "Charts.org.nz – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  21. 1 2 "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". VG-lista. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  22. 1 2 "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  23. 1 2 "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Archive Chart: 1992-12-12" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Dangerous – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  26. ↑ CASH BOX Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending MARCH 20, 1993 at the Wayback Machine (archived October 10, 2012). Cash Box magazine.
  27. ↑ Halstead, Craig; Cadman, Chris (2003). Michael Jackson the Solo Years. Authors On Line Ltd. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7552-0091-7.
  28. ↑ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989, part 2". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  29. 1 2 "Italiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Top Digital Download. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  30. 1 2 "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2006-06-03" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  32. ↑ "50 Back Catalogue Singles – 18/07/2009". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Tracklisten. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  35. ↑ "lescharts.com – Les charts français" (in French). Les classement de telechargement single. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  36. ↑ "Michael Jackson: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1993" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  40. ↑ "The RPM Top 100 A\C Tracks of 1993". RPM. Vol. 58 no. 23. December 18, 1993. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  43. ↑ "I singoli più venduti del 2009" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  44. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  45. ↑ "Les Singles / Titres Certifiés "Argent"" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  46. ↑ (French) Les Singles en Argent at the Wayback Machine (archived May 29, 2014). Infodisc.
  47. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Jackson; 'Heal the World')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  48. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 06 JULY 2009". NZ Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  49. ↑ "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Heal the World". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Heal the World in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  50. ↑ "Dej ska jag älska all min tid / Leif Bloms" (in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Beautiful World – Single". iTunes. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  52. ↑ Joshi, Sonam (August 31, 2016). "45 Kids Got Together For This Cover Of MJ's 'Heal The World' And It's Sheer Brilliance". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 2, 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/27/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.