Or browse Music Database and Discography sections

Or browse Unreleased songs section

Or browse all the Remixes

Or browse MjTunes Vision section

Michael Jackson - Who Is It

Written by Michael, and recorded for his album, Dangerous, issued in November 1991 - early versions were allegedly titled Lying To Myself and It Doesn't Seem To Matter. The latter was mentioned in Revolution magazine, in a list of supposed songs for the album.

Extended demo version featured different harmonies, some of which have been released on various remixes.

It charted at no.6 on the R&B singles chart and no.14 on the Hot 100 in the US, and no.10 in the UK - hit no.1 in Zimbabwe.

It was released instead of Give In To Me in the US, following Michael's brief a cappella rendition during his televised interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The world premier of the promo short film, directed by David Fincher, aired on BBC2's Def II show in the UK on 13th July 1992. The following day, unhappy with the promo and its premature release, Michael withdrew it (though it was included on his home video, Dangerous - The Short Films).

It was promoted in the US with a montage of Michael's previous short films and in concert footage.

Remix included on the first acetate version of the expanded, special edition of Michael's Dangerous album in 2001 - bonus disc cancelled.

[Teddy Riley's Words About The Song]
This reminds me so much of Dirty Diana. I think he recaptured that sound on this song. You know, I think he went back to his roots of recording with this song to record an incredible track. I thought it would take someone like Quincy Jones [who produced Dirty Diana] to really put an incredible track like that together. I thought it would take someone like Quincy to get that sound, but Michael came up with it.

Who Is It - Lyrics

I Gave Her Money
I Gave Her Time
I Gave Her Everything
Inside One Heart Could Find
I Gave Her Passion
My Very Soul
I Gave Her Promises
And Secrets So Untold

And She Promised Me Forever
And A Day We'd Live As One
We Made Our Vows
We'd Live A Life Anew
And She Promised Me In Secret
That She'd Love Me For All Time
It's A Promise So Untrue
Tell Me What Will I Do?

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seem Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Lying To Myself
And The Reason Why She Left Me
Did She Find In Someone Else?

(Who Is It?)
It Is A Friend Of Mine
(Who Is It?)
Is It My Brother!
(Who Is It?)
Somebody Hurt My Soul, Now
(Who Is It?)
I Can't Take This Stuff No More

I Am The Damned
I Am The Dead
I Am The Agony Inside
The Dying Head
This Is Injustice
Woe Unto Thee
I Pray This Punishment
Would Have Mercy On Me

And She Promised Me Forever
That We'd Live Our Life As One
We Made Our Vows
We'd Live A Love So True
It Seems That She Has Left Me
For Such Reasons Unexplained
I Need To Find The Truth
But See What Will I Do!

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seem Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Bothered Everyday
And She Didn't Leave A Letter
She Just Up And Ran Away

(Who Is It?)
It Is A Friend Of Mine
(Who Is It?)
Is It My Brother?
(Who Is It?)
Somebody Hurt My Soul, Now
(Who Is It?)
I Can't Take It 'Cause I'm Lonely

(Who Is It?)
It Is Friend Of Mine
(Who Is It?)
To Me I'm Bothered
(Who Is It?)
Somebody Hurt My Soul, Now
(Who Is It?)
I Can't Take It 'Cause I'm Lonely

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seen Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Lying To Myself
And The Reason Why She Left Me
Did She Find Someone Else?

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seem Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Bothered Everyday
And She Didn't Leave A Letter
She Just Up And Ran Away

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seem Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Lying To Myself
And The Reason Why She Left Me
Did She Find Someone Else?

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seem Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Bothered Everyday
And She Didn't Leave A Letter
She Just Up And Ran Away

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seem Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Bothered Everyday
And She Didn't Leave A Letter
She Just Up And Ran Away

And It Doesn't Seem To Matter
And It Doesn't Seem Right
'Cause The Will Has Brought
No Fortune
Still I Cry Alone At Night
Don't You Judge Of My Composure
'Cause I'm Lying To Myself
And The Reason Why She Left Me
Did She Find Someone Else?

LoveMJ99

Spokesman
Posts: 625

2014/9/18 15:33

Long live the King of Pop!

loveumoremj

Chorus Singer
Posts: 54

2013/8/21 22:14

Looove this song! Always been one of my favorites! I love you Michael

Samanthamj

Who Is It ?
Posts: 1

2013/4/13 4:21

I love it i love the base of the song and i love how michael jackson make beat box of this song in the interview with oprah titles: Michael talks to oprah

http://www.mjtunes.com/uploads/smil46d19bfb9fbae.gif

Guest

2013/4/5 2:20

I loveeeee so much this one

Guest

2012/10/21 5:17

This has always been one of my favorites!!! I love you Michael your music will live until the end of time <3 No one will ever match your genius.

LoveMJ99

Spokesman
Posts: 625

2012/10/18 16:29

Michael is in a league of his own, right on top of the highest peak.

loveumoremj

Chorus Singer
Posts: 54

2012/9/17 5:50

LOVE this song!!!! His vocals are so amazing

Simy

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 168

2012/5/31 9:59

♥ I really like this song! ♥

mjloove

Spokesman
Posts: 452

2012/1/26 14:01

J'aime tellement cette chanson L'instrumentale est magnifique et la voix de michael par dessus fait de cette musique un chef-d'oeuvre comme on n'en voit très rarement a part chez Michael !

Tajnax

Chorus Singer
Posts: 56

2012/1/22 12:00

I Լ.Ơ.Ɣ.Є it ツQueen of all the songs!

Guest

2011/6/23 23:20

Eu amo esta musica! Perfect!

mjloove

Spokesman
Posts: 452

2011/6/4 12:05

Chanson parfaite et chanté magnifiquement bien !!

Respect au king of music !

Tajnax

Chorus Singer
Posts: 56

2011/4/21 13:02

Imagine that all the songs i know -no matter the style,no matter the rhythm,no matter the performer -are a kingdom.
And "WHO IS IT" is a queen of this kingdom...every song serves her,admires her...none of them can compare to the Queen!!!

LiFeGnzalz

Chorus Singer
Posts: 85

2011/4/19 22:15

woooohoooo!!! I L.O.V.E. this song...L.O.V.E. You Michael.

Tajnax

Chorus Singer
Posts: 56

2011/4/14 11:35

This song is very special! You can not like her if you love good music!
I personally adore her!

Tajnax

Chorus Singer
Posts: 56

2011/2/13 13:54

I have a special fondness for this song...

Vashatie

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 122

2011/1/8 16:32

This song is so emotional. I love it!!! Love you Michael

carmelita

MjTunes Donator
Posts: 79

2010/9/18 13:13

Je ne m'en lasse pas. Quand je l'entends, j'arrête tout pour écouter !

DiDi48

Chorus Singer
Posts: 38

2010/7/25 22:05

So emotional!

okanigo_MJ

Who Is It ?
Posts: 4

2010/7/4 20:10

very very good excellent

Teres

MjTunes Donator
Posts: 19

2010/6/22 22:50

I love this song also and actually love all of his songs. I have never come across a celebrity where I felt every one of his songs is great.

nataliamee

Chorus Singer
Posts: 50

2010/6/22 22:18

i loooooooooooooveeeeeee this song!!

Ishani

Who Is It ?
Posts: 7

2010/4/11 15:48

The music is awesome.I love you Michael darling.

KLVan

Chorus Singer
Posts: 43

2010/4/11 6:21

Such a depressing song L.O.V.E.

Guest

2010/4/7 4:25

This song is one of thoes songs that make you want to tell someone that is going through a rough time in their relationship that nothing will be the same after the trouble dissapears.

Guest

2010/4/2 16:44

Hum what a beautiful sad song! Me, I would not have betrayed you sweet Michael...

pinotte

Chorus Singer
Posts: 32

2010/3/21 7:38

Oh my God! This song seems the same thing that I've live with one of my relation in the past. I really love that one. It's one of my favorite. She's touching me deep in my soul each time I hear it. She very great.

fjolka

MjTunes Donator
Posts: 29

2010/3/2 1:25

This Is It is the best on Dangerous for me and one of my favourites of all MJ collection. I love it, I could listen to it for hours

Guest

2010/2/19 21:52

une chanson qui montre bien ce que mike pensait des femmes. helas toutes les femmes ne sont pas come ca.nous sommes sinceres lui il pensait qu'elles n'aimaient que par interet. c'est tres triste.

MissusHitchcock

Who Is It ?
Posts: 4

2010/2/11 9:56

Whenever I hear this song it reminds me of how genius Michael is at coming up with beats and backing tracks for his songs. This especially reminds of his Oprah interview. Absolutely amazing

blaxiegirl

Chorus Singer
Posts: 44

2010/1/24 14:53

I always wish that I could be with him,when (in the video) he falled asleep,to carresing his forehead! Sleep tight my king!

AceLa

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 111

2010/1/1 16:50

who is it is another favorite of mine. I love the beat michael made up. the wordsand the Harmonies. I love to sing who is it and do the ending beatboxing part.

Bibibo28

Who Is It ?
Posts: 12

2010/1/1 16:44

one of my favourites in the dangerous album. . . its lyrics and its music as well as Michael's performance make it just perfect ...

katpar

Who Is It ?
Posts: 1

2009/12/12 12:04

I love this song!!!

MURMOSA51

Chorus Singer
Posts: 83

2009/11/24 18:21

GREAT SONG

I LOVE THIS. MICHAEL, YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Guest

2009/9/27 7:12

great song!!!!!....love the energy..love Michael!!

Guest

2009/9/7 14:54

the best song my ears ever listened... unbelievable quality and lyrics! just the best! love you Michael for ever!

Guest

2009/8/30 13:13

beautiful song!!!! MICHAEL will live forever!!!!!!!!!

Copy

Chorus Singer
Posts: 98

2009/8/19 5:20

ME ENCANTA WHO IS IT, ES UNA CANCION MUY BONITA Y EL VIDEO ES INTERESANTISIMO ¡ME FASCINA!

sweetnrit

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 104

2009/8/14 22:20

Superb song with perfect music and video. Michael has always been perfection in his work Love You Michael

MJKing_TVXQ89

Chorus Singer
Posts: 36

2009/8/12 2:49

I recalled he beatbox-ed to Who Is It on Oprah's show in '93.. Friggin' MIND-BLOWING, i say!!! Who Is It has been my all-time fav. track.

Everything blends in PERFECTLY! One thing for sure: i don't wanna be that girl in the video.

MICHAEL IS TOOOOO GOOD!

LennoNZ

Who Is It ?
Posts: 14

2009/7/22 2:02

going thru a break up right now and this song is my theme song right now!

Guest

2008/12/1 14:41

My favorite song !! Juste one of this best tube !!

mj_nikos

Who Is It ?
Posts: 3

2008/11/22 16:23

Wow!!!!!This song I made me Fan!!!!!Thank u Michael!!!!!!!

rolitas

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 115

2008/11/13 23:45

Una de mis canciones preferidas

GiJackson

Chorus Singer
Posts: 42

2008/10/11 10:34

Minha favorita do álbum DANGEROUS! Uma de minhas favoritas, ...porque adoro todas! o vídeo é muito legal também!!

voulamj87

Chorus Singer
Posts: 50

2008/10/9 11:34

OH JESUS CHRIST THIS soNG IS KILLING ME RITE NOW!!!!!!!!! DAMN I LOVE IT!!! THE BEAT, HIS PASSION, THE RYTHM EVERYHTING IS HOT !!!!!! AND DANGEROUS ALBUM IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!!!!! AOW!!!! F@CK DA PRESS MJ YOU'RE DA BEST!!!!!! HEE HEE!!!

TheOne

Who Is It ?
Posts: 11

2008/5/20 0:42

I agree with the Billie Jean of the 90's reference. That bassline... the paranoia... Makes a great ringback tone or ringtone. I didn't appreciate this song when I first heard the Dangerous album until he sang and beatboxed it on the Oprah special in '92

gsummers

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 278

2008/4/10 23:34

Great track, billie jean of the 90's. Love the beat and MJ's vocals

CeyennaLuvsMJ

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 119

2008/1/16 8:25

Another one of my favorites by an extraordinary performer.

Guest

2007/12/8 22:08

Simply one of the best song ever written by MJ, if not THE best. I could be listening to it forever without any problem... The bass is just amazing, strong and soft at the same time ; the strings (& cello) are just perfect; and MJ's voice... amazing. And I won't forget the first 21 seconds, the Angel Intro that breaks my heart every time I hear it. My favorite ever.

fan82

Who Is It ?
Posts: 1

2007/10/30 1:04

Cosa dire di questa magnifica canzone? è semplicemente perfetta!in ogni aspetto! è la mia canzone preferita, e quella che mi prende realmente il cuore!! I love you michael

daffy89

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 101

2007/9/30 16:36

le rhytme basse et la voix parfaitement ajusté a ce morceau ajusté parfaitement sur cette voix unique!!! vraiment who is it me lait d une force incroyable!! elle est inclassable vraiment...

curieux

Chorus Singer
Posts: 56

2007/9/21 23:01

ahhh l'album Dangerous toute ma jeunesse! que des titres énoorme! et je suis d accord moi aussi pour dire que cet album etait très avant gardiste pour l'époque! who is it en est la preuve ^parfaite ! c'est une chanson magnifique un pur chef d'oeuvre!!!

Stranger_In_Moscow

Who Is It ?
Posts: 11

2007/9/9 11:51

This is one of my favorites.

helene

Chorus Singer
Posts: 89

2007/8/15 14:54

Michael a fait preuve ici d'une extraordinaire maturité musicale ! Cette chanson est incroyablement moderne voir avant-gardiste pour son époque (le tout début des années 90) et a marqué un tournant décisif dans le R&B... Dangerous est devenu l'album le plus récompensé de l'année à sa sortie, pas étonnant... Michael était alors à son apogée... Et il a fallu que les sordides rumeurs que l'on connait viennent le mettre à genou (mais ils n'ont pas réussit -et n'arriveront JAMAIS- à le faire tomber) C'est le Roi de la Pop, point barre.

estela4mj

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 146

2007/7/26 2:55

this is one of my all time favs. the lyrics are very personal and mike sounds very emotional. the beat is just amazing and i love the flute part. once again he shows his incredible beat-boxing, i just love it!

this is some of his best work. it's just brilliant. xoxoxo, estela

mrrich95

Chorus Singer
Posts: 46

2007/6/25 8:01

Much like Billie Jean, a great bass hook. He gets the best beats. Definately one of my all time favorites.

satrohraj

Spokesman
Posts: 369

2007/4/24 5:19

Very emotional song.

chandy

Who Is It ?
Posts: 14

2007/2/27 9:10

Le texte de cette chanson est superbe, et je dois dire que le clip colle magnifiquement bien à l'ambiance. Même s'il est un peu compliqué c'est un clip splendide !

PORTISHEAD

MjTunes Official DJ
Posts: 415

2007/2/24 20:28

I love Who Is It my favourite song MJ

damon77

Who Is It ?
Posts: 8

2007/2/17 14:56

+ jeune in the closet etait ma préféré..;+ originale mais je dois reconnaitre kel a moins bien viellie...

lydiemj13

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 117

2006/12/5 20:32

Ahhhh ma chanson préféré de michael !!! franchement elle est pas magnifique, extraordinaire, superbe??? moi mon moment préféré c'est le refrain And It doesn't seem to matter And It doesn't seem right Cause the will as brought no fortune still I cry alone at night............ Ahhhh j'adore!!!!!!!!!!!

Discography

The Jackson 5 - Beginning Years 1967-68 (Album)

Michael Jackson - The Stripped Mixes (Album)

Jackson 5 - Goin' Back To Indiana (Album)

Michael Jackson - Got To Be There (Album)

More...

MjTV