In the closet - Michael Jackson

Only Michael Jackson would use a title like 'In the closet' for a heterosexual love song. Despite the song's suggestive title the lyric does not allude to a hidden sexual orientation but rather a concealed relationship: 'Don't hide our love/ Woman to man'.

The song's female vocal was originally labeled 'Mystery girl' but was later revealed to be Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. Originally the song was conceived as a duet between Jackson and Madonna. According to a 1992 interview with British journalist Jonathan Ross, Madonna claimed she worked on some lyrical ideas for the song but when she presented them to Michael, he decided her vocals were too weak and he decided not to continue with the project. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Netherlands. My copy of the single came in a limited edition poster sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 2484
Found: London, October 29, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'In the closet (7" edit)' / 'In the closet (The Mission radio edit)'

Black or white - Michael Jackson

After two years of silence, Michael Jackson returned to the pop scene with 'Black or white', the first single from his 1991 album 'Dangerous'. Written, composed, and arranged by Jackson with the rap lyrics by Bill Bottrell, it is a song that promotes racial unity. The song's introduction and main riff are performed by guitarist Slash and Bill Bottrell.

The international audiences were obviously waiting for Jackson's comeback single, because it went number 1 in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. In the Netherlands, it peaked at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 3254
Found: October 20, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Black or white' / 'Black or white (instrumental)'

Liberian girl - Michael Jackson

'Liberian girl' was released in July 1989, just as I was starting an education to become a librarian. I soon dubbed the song 'Librarian girl' as a result of this. The song was released as the ninth and final single from the album 'Bad', and was dedicated to one of his best friends, Elizabeth Taylor.

The single reached number 1 in Ireland, number 13 in the UK and number 14 in the Netherlands. The music video featured a celebrity cast waiting for Michael to show up. At the end it becomes obvious that Michael was behind the camera. Among the celebrities in the video are people like Paula Abdul, Debbie Gibson, Whoopi Goldberg, Quincy Jones, Olivia Newton-John, Steven Spielberg and 'Weird Al' Yankovic.

My collection: 7" single no. 943
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Liberian girl' / 'Girlfriend'

Leave me alone - Michael Jackson

'Leave me alone' only appeared on the cd version of Michael Jackson's 1987 album 'Bad' as a bonus track. It was released in Europe as the eighth single from the album. The accompanying music video was taken from the movie 'Moonwalker', in which the song featured.

The single reached number 1 in Ireland and Spain, peaked at number 2 in the UK and number 5 in the Netherlands. The song was never performed live by Michael.

My collection: 7" single no. 2500
Found: London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Leave me alone' / 'Human nature'

Smooth criminal - Michael Jackson

An early version of 'Smooth criminal' was written by Michael Jackson and John Barnes in 1985. The original demo was recorded in 1986. The original title was 'Al Capone' which is probably about the Italian-American gangster. But this version didn't make it onto the album 'Bad' and was re-worked and re-written as 'Smooth criminal'. The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson's lyrics about a woman named Annie, who has been attacked in her apartment by an assailant.

Released as the seventh single from 'Bad', it is also the central theme of Michael's 1988 movie 'Moonwalker'. The European sleeve of the single 'Smooth criminal' (pictured above) uses the film poster of that movie, while the UK version (pictured below) uses a still from the movie.

'Smooth criminal' was a number 1 hitsingle in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Israel and Spain, while in the UK it peaked at number 8 and in the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 7.

My collection: 7" single no. 742 / no. 2528
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 9, 1989 / London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders / 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Smooth criminal' / 'Smooth criminal (instrumental)'

Bad - Michael Jackson

In his 1988 autobiography 'Moonwalk', Michael Jackson wrote: ''Bad' is a song about the street. It's about this kid from a bad neighborhood who gets to go away to a private school. He comes back to the old neighborhood when he's on a break from school and the kids from the neighborhood start giving him trouble. He sings, 'I'm bad, you're bad, who's bad, who's the best?' He's saying when you're strong and good, then you're bad.'

Released as the second single from the album 'Bad', this single reached number 1 in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Ireland. In the UK, the single peaked at number 3. The song was parodies by 'Weird Al' Yankovic. His version is called 'Fat'. He also parodied Jackson's album cover by having his album titled 'Even worse', complete with Yankovic dressed like Jackson.

My collection: 7" single no. 2447
Found: September 2, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Bad' / 'I can't help it'

I just can't stop loving you - Michael Jackson

'I just can't stop loving you' was released as the first single from Michael Jackson's 1987 album 'Bad'. Written and composed by Jackson, it was originally intended to be a duet between Jackson and his woman of choice: either Barbra Streisand or Whitney Houston. Even Aretha Franklin and Agnetha Fältskog (formerly of ABBA) were offered the song, but all four had other obligations. Quincy Jones protege Siedah Garrett volunteered to sing with Jackson. She was unaware she would be singing the song - although she had received a tape of it - until the day of the recording session, when Jones told her to step up to the microphone and sing it with Jackson.

This single features a spoken intro by Jackson backed with a longer version of the opening music. The spoken words were mixed out on later releases of the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1078
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I just can't stop loving you' / 'Baby be mine'