Did You Know? Michael Jackson - Human Nature (1983)

We all know "Human Nature" as one of the most beautiful songs on the Thriller album of 1982- at least, that's what I think. Did you know though, that the song was written by a dude from Toto, and lyrics from the same guy that would later write Madonna's hit song "Crazy For You"?

It's true. Steve Porcaro of Toto- (one of the Porcaro brothers of Toto, anyway) is the band's resident keyboardist, and one of it's composers. Later on, he'd compose "Lea" which became a Toto hit in 1985. Supposedly, the 1982 Toto hit "Rosanna" was written about him and his "it's-rather-complicated" then-relationship with Patricia Arquette.

John Bettis, on the other hand provided the lyrics for "Human Nature"- and was the same dude who came up with the lyrics for The Carpenters' "Top of the World" (among others), and later on after "Human Nature", came up with the words for Madonna's "Crazy For You", Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time", and Christopher Cross' "Swept Away".

Both were tapped by Quincy Jones to help out on the Thriller project in 1982, particularly for the song "Human Nature"


What's The Song All About?

"Human Nature" is supposedly one of Michael Jackson's songs that never quite had a clear-cut meaning. In fact, even today, everyone might very well have a different interpretation of the song. According to Wikipedia:

While talking about Thriller in his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk, Jackson mentions that "Human Nature" is "music with wings". It is also mentioned that people asked him frequently about the real meaning of the lyrics. Jackson replied with "People often think the lyrics have some special personal significance...which often isn't true...it's important to reach people, to move them...sometimes one can do this with the mosaic of the music melody arrangement and lyrics...sometimes it is the intellectual context of the lyrics".

Additionally, both Jackson and "Q" (how Jackson refers to Quincy Jones in the book) believed that "Human Nature" had the "prettiest melody that they had heard by far".

How Human Nature Got Included in the Thriller Album:

The following is taken from the special edition of Thriller, where Quincy Jones talks in the album's extra tracks. Again, this was taken from Wikipedia:

"Human Nature" would not have been included on Thriller if it weren't for forgetfulness. While producing Thriller in 1982, both Jackson and Quincy Jones had planned to include the song "Carousel" (now an outtake) on the album, as there was room for just one more "mood-like" song, as Jones puts it. However, Jones believed that "Carousel" had to be taken out and replaced. During this time, Toto sent Jones two demo tapes that they thought would be suitable for Michael.

The first two songs on the demo tape did not impress Jones. After the first two samples, Jones forgot to turn the tape off. It was at this moment, as Jones describes it on the special edition of Thriller, that "...and all of a sudden there was all this silence, and then it went "why? why?...da da da da da da da da...why? why?". While talking about it, Jones mentions that he gets "goosebumps from just talking about it".

It was this demo, written by Porcaro, that Jones decided to take Carousel out of the album, and was then replaced by "Human Nature", partly due to its "wonderful flavour". Jones then contacted Bettis to write a lyric to the song.

Lyrics, which are now immortalized, in my opinion, in probably one of the best ballads of all time. So everybody sing along now to "Human Nature". Video by Stacey of tinaandstacey on YouTube :)

Michael Jackson
"Human Nature" (1983)

Looking out
Across the night-time
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs

Get me out
Into the night-time
Four walls won’t hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite

If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"

Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are ev’rywhere
See that girl
She knows I’m watching
She likes the way I stare

If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
I like livin’ this way
I like livin’ this way

Lookin' out
Across the morning
The city’s heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I’m dreaming of the street

If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
If they say -
"Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature
"Why, why does he do me that way?"
I like livin’ this way


Did You Know? is a continuing project of "My Thoughts In Stereo" to educate the music-listening radio audience. There's a lot more to your songs than you might actually know. And with more stories about your favorite songs, you might actually appreciate them more.

Cheers once again!

Much More Music: Whitesnake - "Here I Go Again" (1987)

"This is just like in the Whitesnake video!" - Ricky Bobby, "Talladega Nights", 2006.

It wasn't the first time "Here I Go Again" was referenced in a Will Ferrell movie. The first time, if you would recall, was in the 2003 comedy "Old School".

"Here I Go Again" was a massive hit for Whitesnake in 1987. It was first released in the UK in 1982- David Coverdale just left Deep Purple at the time, and decided to form the band (while he was still popular, I suppose- and it did make a lot of sense). As opposed to the original release, the 1987 US version sounded more slick- mixed with better production elements and backing vocals, giving it that more radio-friendly sound.

The video was particularly memorable because it featured a rather scantily-clad (well, for its time, at least anyway) Tawny Kitaen prancing on the hood, and inside two Jaguars (one belonged to David, and the other belonged to director Marty Callner). It was a huge hit for the MTV-viewing audience, and somehow set the trend for rock bands to use more sexy women in their videos from that point onwards.

Aside from the two Will Ferrell movies, "Here I Go Again" was also referenced in an episode of "American Dad", the "1985" music video of Bowling For Soup, alluded to in "Death Proof", and more recently, in the modern-warfare-themed PC real-time strategy game, "World In Conflict".

Here's Whitesnake with "Here I Go Again". Enjoy!

Whitesnake
"Here I Go Again" (1987)

Intro  :        G   D   C       G   D   C


G       D              C     D
I don't know where I'm going,
G       D                    C    D
but I sure know where I've been.
G                D           C                    G Am
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday.
                  D
And I've made up my mind.
Am                        D
I ain't wasting no more time,
         Em
here I go again.
Am            G     Em Am C D
Here I go again.

G             D                C       D
Though I keep searching for an answer,
G                  D                     C   D
I never seem to find what I'm looking for.
G           D                 C                    G Am
Oh Lord I pray you give me strength to carry on,
                     D
'cause I know what it means,
Am                                       D   C   D
to walk along the lonely streets of dreams.

                  G          C           D   C   D
CHORUS :        And here I go again on my own,
                    G              C               D   C   D
              going down the only road I've ever known.
                       G             C           D     C 
              Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
            Am7                     D 
              And I've made up my mind,
            Am7                         D    C    D
              I ain't wasting no more time.

    G                  D                C        D
      I'm just another heart in need of rescue,
    G            D                 C      D
      waiting on love's sweet charity.
    G               D               C                  G  Am7
      And I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days,
                              D
      'cause I know what it means,
         Am7                                D       C   D
      to walk along the lonely street of dreams.

                
                  G          C           D   C   D
CHORUS :        And here I go again on my own,
                    G              C               D   C   D
              going down the only road I've ever known.
                       G             C           D   C 
              Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
            Am7                     D 
              And I've made up my mind,
            Am7                         D
              I ain't wasting no more time.
                  C      D   Em  Am             Em
              but here I go again,  here I go again.
           Am             Em  Am           Em   Am  C  D
              Here I go again,  here I go.


REPEAT AND FADE:
                  G          C           D   C   D
CHORUS :        And here I go again on my own,
                    G              C               D   C   D
              going down the only road I've ever known.
                       G             C           D   C 
              Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
            Am7                     D 
              And I've made up my mind,
            Am7                         D
              I ain't wasting no more time.

I hope you liked this one. Here are a couple of factoids about Whitesnake:

Did You Know?

1. Whitesnake featured an ever-changing roster of musicians ever since they started out in 1977, but the one constant in the line-up to this day has been lead singer David Coverdale himself.

2. Tawny Kitaen appeared in at least three other Whitesnake videos, including "Is This Love" in 1987.

3. David Coverdale and Tawny Kitaen actually ended up getting married in 1989, but divorced two years later in 1991.

4. The name "Whitesnake" was actually a euphemism for male genitalia.

So there you have it. Also cool from Whitesnake: "Is This Love" (1987). Check out the band's official website here.

Cheers!

Did You Know? Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (1983)

You'll probably never listen to this song the same way ever again.

Did you know that "Total Eclipse of the Heart", the massive 1983 radio hit by Bonnie Tyler may actually have pedophilia elements?

True, the song sounds harmless enough- heck, the listening public loved it, and continues to play on hundreds of radio stations and mp3 players all over the world.

The song is completely overplayed in the Philippines, though, but the fact that Max Weinberg (music director on Late Night with Conan o'Brien, band leader for the Max Weinberg 7 and resident drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band) played the drum tracks on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" just made it awesome for me once again.

But check this out: watch the video closely, and look at the various elements in it. It would seem that Bonnie Tyler (the singer) is floating around in a dream, going through a hallway with rooms- lots of rooms, with lots of boys- in a classroom, some with bright orbs for eyes ("bright eyes", indeed), others dancing around, etc.

As the song goes on, everybody is worked up to a dancing frenzy (at least some form of intetpretative dance, anyway), and then a teenage boy in underpants with giant wings growing out of his back (an angel, apparently), wraps his arms around a crying Bonnie Tyler.

Video concludes with a scene on the steps of a private school, and we see Bonnie Tyler's character is, apparently, a school teacher. She gets introduced to the boys in her class- seemingly harmless enough- until one of them grabs hold of her hand and looks at her with...bright orbs for eyes- "Bright Eyes" Boy from the dream!

So the dream was probably all about the schoolteacher's fantasies about her students- and that the events that transpired the night before probably wasn't even a dream after all!

Read more about "Total Eclipse of the Heart" on Wikipedia, here. In the meantime, check out the video provided below, and watch for yourself. Lyrics provided if you want to sing along- just in case. Of course, you'll probably want to read them all over again and you might actually find some hidden meaning behind the lyrics, now that you know what the video was all about. Again, that's Max Weinberg on drums.

Cheers everyone!

Bonnie Tyler
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" (1983)

(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit lonely
and you're never coming around
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit tired
of listening to the sound of my tears
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit nervous
that the best of all the years have gone by
(Turn around) Every now and then I get a
little bit terrified
and then I see the look in your eyes

(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart



(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit restless
and I dream of something wild
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit helpless
and I'm lying like a child in your arms
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit angry
and I know I've got to get out and cry
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit terrified
but then I see the look in your eyes

(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong
Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
(All of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart

(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong
Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
(All of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
(Turn around bright eyes)
(Turn around bright eyes, turn around)

Other "Total Eclipse of the Heart" trivia you might want to know:

1. This song was written by Jim Steinman- same dude behind a lot of Meatloaf's songs, including the power ballad "I'll Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)." Notice the tendency for surreal imagery, elaborate production, and a comparatively long running time- the song clocks in at 6:51.

2. The radio edit of the song takes away the third verse and fades the ending out earlier, chopping the song to a more radio-friendly 4:28.

3. The song was featured prominently in the 2001 movie Bandits. Cate Blanchett's character loves the song, describing it as "The ultimate haiku to the complexity of love." She soon finds out that Bruce Willis' character also loves the song, and so now they have a relationship of sorts going on, much to the dismay of Billy Bob Thornton's character.

4. In addition to Max Weinberg, another E Street Band member- Roy Bittan- also played on the song. Roy played the keyboards.

5. From Songfacts: A wedding band sings a surprisingly vulgar version of this in the movie Old School. It was performed by The Dan Band, which is a real group specializing in obscene versions of songs made popular by female singers. Here's a video of The Dan Band in action- their version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart".



Did You Know? is a continuing project of "My Thoughts In Stereo" to educate the music-listening radio audience. There's a lot more to your songs than you might actually know. And with more stories about your favorite songs, you might actually appreciate them more.

Cheers once again!