Michael Jackson – Someone In The Dark

*Written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
*Composed by Rod Temperton

Michael recorded this for the storybook album, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, issued in November 1982 in the US and in January 1983 in the UK.

Michael’s record company, CBS/Epic, allowed him to record the story-book album – including one new song, Someone In The Dark – for MCA, on two conditions:

One: MCA must hold back the album until after Christmas 1982, so it wouldn’t compete with Michael’s new album, Thriller (!).

Two: MCA must not release Someone In The Dark as a single.

MCA breached both conditions in the States, by releasing the album in November 1982, and by servicing radio stations with promo copies of Someone In The Dark.

Court action resulted in MCA having to withdraw the album, and being prohibited from releasing this song as a single – thus creating, arguably, Michael’s rarest and most sought after promo single, with copies changing hands for £1,000+.

It was scheduled to feature on Michael’s canceled compilation, Decade 1980-1990.

It made its CD debut on the special, expanded version of Thriller, released in 2001.

Someone In The Dark – Lyrics

All alone wishing on stars
Waiting for you to find me
One sweet night I knew I would see
A stranger who’d be my friend

When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells you never be afraid
Then somewhere in your heart you can feel the glow
A light to keep you warm when the night winds blow
Like it was written in the stars I knew
My friend, my someone in the dark was you

Promise me we’ll always be
Walking the world together
Hand in hand where dreams never end
My star secret friend and me

When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells you never be afraid
Then somewhere in your heart you can feel the glow
A light to keep you warm when the night winds blow
Look for the rainbow in the sky
I believe you and I
Could never really say goodbye
Wherever you may be
I’ll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Wherever you may be
I’ll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me