"Who Is It" is a song by American recording artist

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...

. It was released by

Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America Sony Corporation of America (SONAM, also known as SCA), is the American arm of the Japanese conglomerate Sony Group ...

on July 13, 1992, as the fifth single from Jackson's eighth studio album, ''

Dangerous Dangerous may refer to: Film and television * ''Dangerous'' (1935 film), an American film starring Bette Davis * '' Dangerous: The Short Films'', a 1993 collection of music videos by Michael Jackson * ''Dangerous'' (2021 film), a Canadian-Ameri ...

'' (1991). The song was written and composed by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and

Bill Bottrell William A. Bottrell (born October 27, 1952) is an American record producer and songwriter. He has collaborated with Michael Jackson, Madonna, Electric Light Orchestra and Sheryl Crow. Biography Between 1967 and 1970, Bottrell attended Cresc ...

. The song's lyrics pertain to despair over being left by someone you love; some critics noted a comparison to the lyrics of the song to Jackson's single "

Billie Jean "Billie Jean" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on January 2, 1983, as the second single from his sixth studio album, '' Thriller'' (1982). It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by Jackson and ...

" from the album '' Thriller''. As part of the promotion for the song, two music videos were released in 1992. The song was not performed by Jackson on any of his world concert tours. He did, however, perform a small segment of the song in his interview with

Oprah Winfrey Oprah Gail Winfrey (; born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954), or simply Oprah, is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', br ...

in early 1993.

Background and composition

"Who Is It" was recorded by

for his eighth studio album, ''

''. Jackson wrote and composed the track, and produced it with

. It was released as the fifth single from ''Dangerous'' on July 13, 1992, in the UK by Jackson's record label,

. The lyrics of the song tell of a man who is left in despair when his lover suddenly leaves him. He learns that she was unfaithful to him and wants to know with whom she cheated.

Reception

Critical reception

Several music critics compared "Who Is It" to Jackson's 1983 single "

". Chris Lacy from Albumism described the song as a "haunting masterpiece" that "finds Jackson teeming with rage and regret when his lover leaves him unexpectedly."

Larry Flick Larry Flick is an American journalist, former dance music columnist, single reviewer, and Senior Talent Editor for ''Billboard'' magazine, where he worked for 14 years. Now he produces and hosts Sirius XM radio shows. Flick started in the music ...

from ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' called it a "stellar jam", adding that "minor-key synths and rigid rhythms underscore a white-knuckled vocal and a hook reminiscent of "Billie Jean"." Chris Willman of the ''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...

'' claimed that it "recaptures some of the slinky, insinuating feel of 'Billie Jean.'"

Jon Pareles Jon Pareles (born October 25, 1953) is an American journalist who is the chief popular music critic in the arts section of ''The New York Times''.The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', said the song is an "imitation" of "Billie Jean". Alan Light of ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...

'' noted that unlike his previous efforts, it is about betrayal. Jonathan Bernstein, a writer for ''

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning * Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis * Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...

'', wrote that "Who Is It" was "close skin to "Billie Jean".

Commercial reception

"Who Is It" was commercially successful worldwide, generally peaking within the top 30 positions on national music charts. The song peaked at number 14 on the United States' ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, while peaking at number six on ''Billboard''

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

, as well as topping the ''Billboard''

Hot Dance Club Play Dance Club Songs is a chart published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine in the United States. It is a national look over of club disc jockeys to determine the most popular songs being played in nightclubs across the country. It was launched as t ...

. Internationally, "Who Is It" reached the top 20 in several countries. The song debuted on the United Kingdom music chart at number 12 on July 25, 1992, and the following week reached its peak position, number 10. It remained within the top 100 positions for seven consecutive weeks from July to September 1992. In France, the track peaked at number eight on August 29. "Who Is It" reached its lowest peak position at number 34 in Australia. In Austria, the track debuted at its peak position, number five; the song remained within the top 30 chart positions from August to October. "Who Is It" debuted in Switzerland on August 2, at number 40, and peaked at number 14 two weeks later. The song debuted at number 94 in the Netherlands, and the following week moved up 60 positions, eventually peaking at number 13. In Sweden, the track entered the country's music chart at its peak position, number 24 and, after four weeks, fell out of the top 50. In Norway, the track debuted at its peak position, number 10 on the 30th week of 1992; the song charted at its peak position for two weeks before falling off the chart. The song also peaked at number 16 in New Zealand. After Jackson's death in June 2009, his music experienced a surge in popularity. "Who Is It" re-entered the Switzerland music charts for the first time in over 17 years, hitting number 49 on July 12, 2009.

Music video

Directed by

David Fincher David Andrew Leo Fincher (born August 28, 1962) is an American film director. His films, mostly psychological thrillers and biographical dramas, have received 40 nominations at the Academy Awards, including three for him as Best Director. Fin ...

, the accompanying

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...

for "Who Is It" was released in 1993. The music video was filmed in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

and the helicopter scene in the video was filmed at the

Neverland Ranch Sycamore Valley Ranch, formerly Neverland Ranch"Neverland Never More"
, by William Etling (author ...

. It begins with Jackson in what seems to be a hotel, singing about his girlfriend portrayed by English model

Yasmin Le Bon Yasmin Le Bon (née Parvaneh; born 29 October 1964) is an English model. She was one of the highest-earning models during the 1980s and is also known for being the wife of pop star Simon Le Bon. Early life Yasmin Parvaneh was born in Oxford, E ...

. He is distressed because he found a silver card with the name "Alex" on it. It implies that his girlfriend is cheating on him with someone else. As the story in the video unfolds, the girl takes on different identities (i.e. Eve, Diana, etc.) for her job as a high class call girl. "Alex" (which is also a girl's name) just happens to be one of them. The video alternates scenes from where Jackson is singing about his pain, to where the girl is being changed into her different identities and taking care of her jobs (mostly meeting with other men and even some women, and sleeping with them). Towards the end of the video, Jackson has packed up his bags to leave town, because of his distress. A helicopter comes to pick him up from his house. The girl comes to Jackson's house and she asks his assistant (who knows the situation and aided Jackson in his departure) to let her in. It is likely she quit the job for him and wants to stay. The assistant shakes his head, implying that he left. When she asks why, he drops a flutter of silver nameplates (including the one that said "Alex") from a slot in the door. After that scene, Jackson is seen sleeping and smoke floats out the side of the screen. Having lost her love and without any alternative, the girl turns to her profession as a call girl again. Her employer (portrayed by actress

Lois Chiles Lois Cleveland Chiles (born April 15, 1947)Profile
entertainment.msn.com; accessed April 9, 2016. ...

) slaps her in the face and the video ends as the girl is seen being prepared for a new identity. This version did not initially air in the USA but was included on the video albums: '' Dangerous: The Short Films'' and ''

Michael Jackson's Vision ''Michael Jackson's Vision'' is a deluxe DVD video album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 22, 2010 by Epic Records, Legacy Recordings, and Jackson's own label, MJJ Productions. It includes three DVDs, feat ...

''. Another version of the video features footage from past music videos and live performances. This is the version that first aired in the USA.

Track listings

* CD-maxi (658179 2) # "Who Is It" (7-inch edit with intro) – 4:10 # "Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) – 7:44 # "Who Is It" (IHS Mix) – 7:58 # "Who Is It" (P-Man Dub) – 7:31 # "

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" is a single written and recorded by American singer Michael Jackson. Released under Epic Records on July 10, 1979, the song is the first track on Jackson's fifth studio album ''Off the Wall'' (1979). It was the ...

" (Roger's Underground Solution Mix) – 6:22 * 7-inch single (658179 7) # "Who Is It" (7-inch edit with intro) – 4:10 # "

Rock with You "Rock with You" was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. It was first offered to Karen Carpenter, while she was working on her first solo album, but she turned it down. It was released on November 3, 1979, by Epic Records as ...

" (

Masters at Work Masters at Work is the American garage house production and remix team of "Little" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. The duo has produced music together under the names MAW, KenLou, Sole Fusion, Hardrive, and Nuyorican Soul. They have been r ...

Remix) – 5:29 * The Remixes – 12-inch maxi (658179 6) # "Who Is It" (Patience Mix) – 7:44 # "Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) – 7:44 # "Who Is It" (IHS Mix) – 7:58 # "Who Is It" (P-Man Dub) – 7:31 * CD single (658179 5) # "Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) – 7:44 # "Who Is It" (IHS Mix) – 7:58 # "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground Club Solution) – 6:22 * The Remixes – CD-maxi (ESCA 5652) # "Who Is It" (Patience Mix) – 7:44 # "Who Is It" (The Most Patient Mix) – 7:44 # "Who Is It" (IHS Mix) – 7:58 # "Who Is It" (P-Man Dub) – 7:31 # "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground Club Solution) – 6:22 * CD-maxi (49K 74420) # "Who Is It" (The

Special Intro) – 4:00 # "Who Is It" (Patience Edit) – 4:01 # "Who Is It" (House 7-inch) – 3:55 # "Who Is It" ( Brother's In Rhythm House Mix) – 7:13 # "

Beat It "Beat It" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his sixth studio album, '' Thriller'' (1982). It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Jones encouraged Jackson to include a rock song on the album. Jackson l ...

" (

Moby Richard Melville Hall (born September 11, 1965), known professionally as Moby, is an American musician, songwriter, singer, producer, and animal rights activist. He has sold 20 million records worldwide. AllMusic considers him to be "among the ...

's Sub Mix) – 6:11 * 12-inch maxi (49 74420) # "Who Is It" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:11 # "Who Is It" (Tribal Version) – 7:39 # "Who Is It" (Brothers Cool Dub) – 5:47 # "Who Is It" (Lakeside Dub) – 7:36 # "Beat It" (Moby's Sub Mix) – 6:18

Credits and personnel

*Written, composed, arrangement, soprano voice, solo and background vocals by Michael Jackson *Produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell *Recorded, mixed and synthesizer by Bill Bottrell *

Bryan Loren Bryan Loren Hudson (born May 5, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist and record producer. Hudson is professionally known as Bryan Loren, although he started his music career using his given name, and has significant accomplis ...

, Bill Bottrell: Drums *Louis Johnson: Bass (bass guitar) *Keyboard arrangements by

Brad Buxer Bradley Buxer is an American keyboardist and composer, known for his many collaborations with the American musician Michael Jackson. In addition to recording with Jackson, Buxer was also the musical director for Jackson's tours for many years. Pr ...

and David Paich *Keyboard performance and programming: Brad Buxer, Michael Boddicker, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Jai Winding *String arrangement by George del Barrio *Concertmaster: Endre Grant *Solo cello: Larry Corbett

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

;Bibliography * {{Good article 1991 songs 1992 singles 1993 singles Epic Records singles Michael Jackson songs Music videos directed by David Fincher Song recordings produced by Bill Bottrell Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson Songs written by Michael Jackson