Michael Jackson – Earth Song

Written by Michael in his hotel room in Austria – evolved from a song titled, What About Us.

"I was feeling so much pain and so much suffering at the plight of the planet earth," said Michael. "And for me, this is Earth Song, because I think nature is trying so hard to compensate for man’s mismanagement of the Earth… and that’s what inspired it. And it just suddenly dropped into my lap, when I was on tour in Austria."

Shirley Caesar, of the Caesar Sisters, has confirmed Michael originally wanted her to be involved with the song. "The studio technicians played the tape of the song Michael wanted me to consider," she wrote in her book, The Lady, The Melody & The Word, "but it didn’t sound like something I’d sing. The name of it was ‘Earth’, and it dealt with environmental issued. I guess I felt that way because he had only rough taping of the song, but the finished product was awsome." Caesar withdraw from the project when the Church world became critical of her involvement with Michael. "Let the record show, however" she states, "that I love Michael Jackson and I don’t allow anyone to discuss him negatively in my presence."

It went on to become Michael’s most successful single in the UK and in Germany – it topped the chart for six weeks in both countries. In the UK, it captured the coverted Christmas no.1 slot, and went on to shift over one million copies. In Germany, it gave Michael his first no.1 (for six weeks), and went on to become his only million seller.

Promo short film shot by Nicolas Brandt was filmed on four different continents: South America (Amazon Rainforest), Africa (Tanzania), Europe (Croaatia) and North America (New York).

It was promoted with three unusually high profile TV appearances: the German TV show, Wetten Dass? in 1995, The Brits awards ceremony in February 1996, and the World Music Awards in May 1996.

Michael, in his first British TV appearance since 1979, was named Artist Of A Generation at The Brits – Sir Bob Geldof presented him with the award. Michael’s ‘quasi-religious’ performance upset some, including the lead singer of Britpop group Pulp, Jarvis Cocker, who invaded the stage halfway though the song, causing mayhem. Later, in a statement, Michael said: "I am sickened, saddened, shocked, upset, cheated and angry, but was proud with how the cast remained professional."

Credits

* Written and composed by Michael Jackson
* Produced by Michael Jackson and David Foster
* Co-produced by Bill Bottrell
* Piano by David Paich
* Remixed & Recycled by Hani (producer)

Earth Song – Lyrics

What about sunrise
What about rain
What about all the things
That you said we were to gain…
What about killing fields
Is there a time
What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine…
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we’ve shed before
Did you ever stop this notice
The crying earth the weeping shore?

Aaaaaaaaaah aaaaaaaaaah
Ooooooooooh ooooooooooh

What have we done to the world
Look what we’ve done
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son…
What about flowering fields
Is there a time
What about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine…
Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from war
Did you ever stop to notice
The crying earth this weeping shores?

Aaaaaaaaaaah aaaaaaaaaaah
Ooooooooooh ooooooooooh

I used to dream
I used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don’t know where we are
Although I know we’ve drifted far

Aaaaaaaaaaah aaaaaaaaaaaah
Ooooooooooh ooooooooooh

Hey, what about yesterday
(what about us)
What about the seas
(what about us)
The heavens are falling down
(what about us)
I can’t even breathe
(what about us)
What about everything
(what about us)
I have given you
(what about us)
What about natures worth
(ooo,ooo)
It’s our planets womb
(what about us)
What about animals
(what about it)
We’ve turned kingdoms to dust
(what about us)
What about elephants
(what about us)
Have we lost their trust
(what about us)
What about crying whales
(what about us)
We’re ravaging the seas
(what about us)
What about forest trails
(ooo, ooo)
Burnt despite our pleas

(what about us)
What about the holy land
(what about it)
Torn apart by creed
(what about us)
What about the common man
(what about us)
Can’t we set him free
(what about us)
What about children dying
(what about us)
Can’t you hear them cry
(what about us)
Where did we go wrong
(ooo, ooo)
Someone tell me why
(what about us)
What about baby boy
(what about it)
What about the days
(what about us)
What about all their joy
(what about us)
What about the men
(what about us)
What about the crying man
(what about us)
What about Abraham
(what was us)
What about death again
(ooo, ooo)
Do we give a damn