Eric Clapton - Behind The Mask

* Music By Greg Phillinganes & Michael Jackson

Written by Chris Mosdell and Ryuichi Sakomoto, with additional lyrics by Michael.

The original instrumental version, with choral backing, was recorded by the Yellow Magic Orchestra, for their 1979 album, Solid State Survivor. Quincy Jones heard Yellow Magic Orchestra's version during the Thriller sessions, and bought it to Michael's attention.

"I didn't know who Michael Jackson was - I wasn't into the whole soul disco stuff," confessed Chris Mosdell. "When Michael Jackson recorded it, he also added an extra melody line and a few extra lyrics, so they wanted to split royalties - which is quite impossible. You can't take a Beatles song and add a melody line, a few more lyrics, and ask for fifty percent."

Legal battles meant Michael's version didn't make his Thriller album and remains unreleased.

Michael's keyboardist, Greg Phillinganes, did record a version for his album, Pulse, issued in 1985. It was released as a single and achieved no.77 on the R&B singles chart in the US, but failed to make the Hot 100 and wasn't a hit in the UK.

Phillinganes first met Michael and his brothers during the sessions for the Jacksons' Destiny album in 1978, and went on to serve as musical director for Michael's Bad World Tour.

Phillinganes, who also played with his band, brought the song to Eric Clapton's attention. Clapton's cover version, on which Phillinganes played keyboards and sang backing vocals, hit no.15 in the UK in 1987. This version, curiously, failed to credit Michael as one of the song's co-writers - but Chris Mosdell has confirmed Michael does take 50% of the song-writing royalties.

Behind The Mask - Lyrics

All alone
had to talk about it
I can do with someone who really stands me.
All alone will you look for me girl?
Se behind the mask and you control me girl.
Yesterday he had you in his arms

When I'm holding you I feel his bitter charms
I can't touch what you do to me.
Camouflage the truth and don't you fantasy.

Who do you love? Is it me now?
Is it him
babe? I don't know.
Who do you love? Is it me babe?
Is it him now? I don't know.

There is nothing in your eyes
There is nothing in your eyes

So when you cry
girl
All is brilliant
all is bright

All is brilliant
all is bright.
There is nothing in your eyes
I'm so confused.

There is nothing in your eyes
There is nothing in your eyes

So when you cry
girl
All is brilliant
all is bright

All is brilliant
all is bright.
There is nothing in your eyes.

What if I'm invited to your masquerade
When the party's over 'n' I'll take off your face

Share in love and it's hard to see
'Cos when you're in his arms throwing rocks at me.

Who do you love? Is it me now?
Is it him
babe? I don't know.
Who do you love? Is it me babe?
Is it him now? I don't know.

Who do you love? Is it me now?
Is it him
babe? I don't know.
Who do you love? Is it me babe?
Is it him now? I don't know.

There is nothing in your eyes
There is nothing in your eyes

So when you cry
girl
All is brilliant
all is bright

All is brilliant
all is bright.
There is nothing in your eyes
I'm so confused.

There is nothing in your eyes
There is nothing in your eyes

So when you cry
girl
All is brilliant
all is bright

All is brilliant
all is bright.
There is nothing in your eyes.

I walk around stuck within my gloom
When I come to you and sit in your room

Truth is new
I have not a trace
Take off your mask so I can see your face.

Who do you love? Is it me now?
Is it him
babe? I don't know.
Who do you love? Is it me babe?
Is it him now? I don't know.

Who do you love ...