Album: The Ultimate Collection (2004)

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Songfacts®:

• This very stark song from Michael Jackson tells two tragic stories. In the first verse, a young girl wonders why her father was killed by police when he didn't have a gun. In the second verse, a young boy in a distant land is killed in a bomb blast, a casualty of war.
  
  Jackson wrote the lyric with the esteemed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, who explained the concept in a post on her website:
  
  "He said he didn't want to be fanciful in this particular song. He wanted to shock, he wanted that when people listened, they felt like they were being psychologically slaughtered. The song is actually a contestation for everything that happens to us badly now and then. In fact, we always question the fact that this is happening to us and put the name of God on everything, of course everything is possible if God allows it, but does everything have to do with God or with ourselves?"
• The song was written for Jackson's 2001 album Invincible, but didn't make the cut. It ended up on his 2004 compilation The Ultimate Collection. The song wasn't released as a single and he never performed it live, so it's one of his lesser-known tunes.
• Along with Jackson and Carole Bayer Sager, the song was written by his frequent collaborators LaShawn Daniels and Rodney Jerkins (who also produced it). Daniels and Jerkins were dialed in to the sound of the late '90s and early '00s; they also worked on the Destiny's Child hit "Say My Name." Carole Bayer Sager had decades of hits as a writer, including "A Groovy Kind Of Love," "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)." She and Jackson go back to 1979, when he released a song she co-wrote called "It's the Falling in Love" on his album Off The Wall. They also sang together on a song called "Just Friends" that appears on Bayer Sager's 1981 album Sometimes Late At Night.
• The second verse, with the story of an innocent victim killed in war, reflects the war in Iraq, which was raging at the time. The war hadn't started when the song was written, so it's likely this part was reworked from the original to insert some timely references.

Comments: 13

• Ann Darton from United StatesFirst time hearing this song and l love it . Another shooting in Wisconsin were a black man was shot in the back seven times by the police . Seven times. This song seaks to those who have had enough. What a song.
• Muse from Alkmaar, Netherlandsi can listen to this song over and over again, evey time hearing something new in it. it is so emotional, raw even. listening to the words, michael´s unique voice, watching the video, it all brings tears to my eyes. thank you, michael!
• Janice from Detroit, MiMichael makes you feel his lyrics and voice. He is a vocal and lyrical genius. His visions and dreams become yours on a spiritual level. Love you more,MJ
• Kevin from Mobile, AlMichael was a genius as far as vocals go: His real voice was a normal man's voice, but he is famous for his falsetto. Then he could flip that and channel James brown, among other things. He could do Jazz(Human Nature), Disco(Rock With You), Rock(Dirty Diana), R&B(Remember the Time), Gospel(Will You Be There?)and probably country if he wanted to. Yeah, Michael Jackson was a horrible singer.
• Ioana from Bucharest, RomaniaI absolutely love this song! Michael's songs touch my heart and not only mine... He is an example for many singers...
• Zoe from England, OtherMICHAEL JACKSON IS NOT A HORRABLE SINGER do you even know what music is?!?! michael is a to artist and is songs touch so many around the world i love all of his songs i could pick a fav of his. "Michael I think you're wonderful".
• Gyh from Yuykiyfk, United StatesMichael Jackson is a horrable singer
• Julius Von Brunk from Lancaster, PaI think it's funny that Michael Jackson (of all people) is on the side of the war protestors. That says a LOT about these crazy hippies...
• Aj from Washington, DcMichael wanted this song to be a duet with his sister Janet....a sort of follow-up to their Scream Duet. Not exactly sure why it never panned out.
• Petri from Bollnäs, SwedenWe've had enough, is it a brand new song? Or is it just un-released before?
• Chris from Edinburgh, ScotlandVery nice song. It's a very powerful song and he makes you really feel the message he is delivering. It's just a pity he never released it as a single. I suppose it wouldn't be fully appreciated for the great song it is.
• Jam Kemal from Lindua, South AfricaNice song, has a bit of "Earth Song" vibe to it from the 1995 HIStory album.
• Silouette from Lala Land, United StatesI love MJ's "new" song! It's so powerful and the way he delivers the song is just awesome! You can feel every feeling , sense every note and see every lyric. OMGosh! Love it!!

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