In the Closet explained

In the Closet
Cover:Michael Jackson - In the Closet.png
Caption:Original album artwork by Mark Ryden
Type:single
Artist:Michael Jackson
Album:Dangerous
Released:[1]
Recorded:March–May 1991[2]
Genre:New jack swing[3] [4]
Length:
  • 6:31 (album version)
  • 4:49 (single version)
Label:Epic
Producer:
  • Michael Jackson
  • Teddy Riley
Chronology:Michael Jackson
Prev Title:Remember the Time
Prev Year:1992
Next Title:Jam
Next Year:1992

"In the Closet" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released on April 9, 1992, as the third single from his eighth album, Dangerous (1991). The song was intended as a duet between Jackson and Madonna, and features female vocals by "Mystery Girl", who was later revealed to be Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. Written and produced by Jackson and Teddy Riley, it became the album's third consecutive top ten pop single, reaching number six on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also became its second number one R&B single. In Europe, the song peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number one in Greece and number two in both Italy and Spain. In 2006, the song re-entered the UK chart, peaking at number 20. Its accompanying music video was directed by Herb Ritts and features supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Background

The song, written and composed by Michael Jackson and Teddy Riley, is about keeping a relationship secret between lovers. "In the closet" is an English idiom used when one is not open about an aspect of one's life, particularly in regard to sexual orientation. Despite the song's suggestive name, its lyrics do not allude to hidden sexual orientation but rather a concealed relationship; "Don't hide our love / Woman to man." The New York Times stated, "Only Jackson would use that title for a heterosexual love song..."[5] The song's female vocal was credited to "Mystery Girl" who was later revealed to be Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.[6]

Collaboration with Madonna

"In the Closet" was conceived as a duet between Jackson and Madonna. According to a 1992 interview with British journalist Jonathan Ross, Madonna said she worked on some lyrical ideas for the song but when she presented them to Jackson, he decided they were too provocative and they decided not to continue with the project.[7]

Critical reception

In an retrospective review, Chris Lacy from Albumism described "In the Closet" as a "hormone-soaked dance track".[8] AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that this song is fine and there's a lot to be said for professional craftsmanship at its peak and he highlighted it.[9] Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard felt that the third single from Dangerous "proves to be his strongest single to date." He added, "Jackson's signature whoops and whispers are put at home within an intense and unusual jack-swing/funk arrangement. The track is brightened by an immediately memorable, sing-along chorus. Of course, much speculation surrounds the identity of the "mystery girl" who chats and groans in the background. Any ideas?"[10] Clark and DeVaney from Cash Box commented, "Okay, we heard this song when the album first came out, except it only was the one mix, this CD-single contains seven mixes of various lengths totaling almost 45 minutes of the same whispering, whining, heavy breathing and mouth noises that seem to make perfect sense when considering it's Michael Jackson doing a song called 'In the Closet'. To find out what the hell it's all about, we'll have to watch the video premiere on Fox after The Simpsons."[11]

American essayist and music journalist Robert Christgau observed of the parent album, "he's hawking the most credible sex-and-romance of his career. 'In the Closet' implores his mystery woman to keep their—get this—'lust' behind closed doors. Soon he's going wild, or fabricating desperate nostalgia for their used-to-be."[12] The Daily Vaults Michael R. Smith called it a "tongue-firmly-in-cheek hit".[13] Pan-European magazine Music & Media stated that the song "is aimed at fast footwork reminiscent of his sister Janet's style."[14] A reviewer from People Magazine complimented the "catchy chorus" as an "appealing element".[15] Alan Light of Rolling Stone said "we get repressed lust in the titillatingly titled (and determinedly heterosexual)" song. He added that it has a "snaky, unexpected bridge."[16]

Music video

The accompanying sepia colored music video for "In the Closet" was directed by Herb Ritts and features Jackson performing sensual dance routines with supermodel Naomi Campbell. The spoken vocals by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco were re-recorded by Campbell for the video. The short film was shot in late March 1992 in Salton Sea, California, and premiered on April 23, 1992.[17] [18] The video was later published by Vevo on YouTube in 2010, and had generated more than 85 million views as of May 2024.[19]

Formats and track listings

  1. "In the Closet" (7" Edit) – 4:49
  2. "In the Closet" (Club Mix) – 8:00
  3. "In the Closet" (The Underground Mix) – 5:32
  4. "In the Closet" (Touch Me Dub) – 7:53
  5. "In the Closet" (KI's 12") – 6:55
  6. "In the Closet" (The Promise) – 7:18
  1. "In the Closet" (Club Edit) – 4:07
  2. "In the Closet" (The Underground Mix) – 5:34
  3. "In the Closet" (The Promise) – 7:20
  4. "In the Closet" (The Vow) – 4:49
  5. "Remember The Time" (New Jack Jazz Mix) – 5:06
  1. "In the Closet" (Radio Edit) – 4:37 (trayliner lists a time of 4:16)
  2. "In the Closet" (7" Edit) – 4:49
  3. "In the Closet" (The Mission Radio Edit) – 4:28
  4. "In the Closet" (KI's 12") – 7:17 (trayliner lists a time of 6:57)
  5. "In the Closet" (The Newark Mix) – 7:08 (trayliner lists a time of 6:51)
  6. "In the Closet" (Freestyle Mix) – 6:34 (trayliner lists a time of 6:26)
  7. "In the Closet" (The Mission) – 9:26
  1. "In the Closet" (Club Mix) – 8:03
  2. "In the Closet" (The Underground Mix) – 5:40
  3. "In the Closet" (Touch Me Dub) – 6:42
  4. "In the Closet" (KI's 12") – 7:17
  1. "In the Closet" (The Mission) – 9:27
  2. "In the Closet" (Freestyle Mix) – 6:35
  3. "In the Closet" (The Mix of Life) – 7:41
  4. "In the Closet" (The Underground Dub) – 6:27
  1. "In the Closet" (Club Edit) – 4:11
  2. "In the Closet" (The Newark Mix) – 7:09
  3. "In the Closet" (The Promise) – 7:26
  4. "In the Closet" (The Vow) – 4:53
  5. "Remember The Time" (New Jack Jazz 21) – 5:06
CD side
  1. "In the Closet" (7" Edit) – 4:47
  2. "In the Closet" (Club Mix) – 8:02
DVD side
  1. "In the Closet" (Music video) – 6:02
CD side
  1. "In the Closet" (7" Edit) – 4:47
  2. "In the Closet" (Club Mix) – 8:02
DVD side
  1. "In the Closet" (Music video) – 6:02

(Note: In the US Visionary was only sold as the complete boxset. Individual DualDiscs were not able to be purchased)

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album Dangerous.[27]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1992)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[28] 13
Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)6
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[29] 11
Europe (European Dance Radio)[30] 3
Finland (Suomen virallinen singlelista)[31] 5
Greece (IFPI)[32] 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[33] 2
Spain (AFYVE)[34] 9
UK Dance (Music Week)[35] 22
US Billboard Hot 100[36] 6
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)[37] 1
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[38] 1
US Cash Box Top 100[39] 6

Year-end charts

Chart (1992)!scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 53
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[41] 99
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[42] 61
Germany (Official German Charts)[43] 66
US Billboard Hot 100[44] 66
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[45] 52

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: In the Closet – Single . . October 19, 2014 .
  2. News: Celebrity Buzz Fight against Trump condos . May 15, 1991 . . D/2 . June 14, 2014 .
  3. Web site: Tim . Byron . Music Dump: Rihanna's Pitbull Stopped Frank Ocean's New Jack Swing . The Vine . November 29, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141022180310/http://www.thevine.com.au/music/news/music-dump-rihannas-pitbull-stopped-frank-oceans-new-jack-swing-20121129-249082 . October 22, 2014.
  4. News: Ann . Powers . Ann Powers . 'American Idol' needs to open the closet door . . March 10, 2009 . A tight, New Jack Swing track co-produced by Teddy Riley, the song expresses bald lust in the face of a lover's wish to retreat. . June 14, 2014 .
  5. Web site: Jon . Pareles . Jon Pareles . RECORDINGS VIEW; Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness . . November 24, 1991 . June 14, 2014 .
  6. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn . 2000 . The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits . Billboard Books . 320 . 978-0-8230-7690-1.
  7. Web site: Madonna speak working with MJ . . July 7, 2008 . June 14, 2014 .
  8. Web site: Chris . Lacy . Tribute: Celebrating 25 Years of Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' . Albumism . November 21, 2016 . November 16, 2020 .
  9. Web site: Stephen Thomas . Erlewine . Stephen Thomas Erlewine . Michael Jackson – Dangerous . . June 14, 2014 .
  10. Larry . Flick . Larry Flick . Single Reviews . . 104 . 16 . 68 . April 18, 1992 . October 24, 2020 .
  11. Randy . Clark . Bryan . DeVaney . Music Reviews: Singles . . LV . 35 . 5 . April 25, 1992 . November 1, 2020 .
  12. Web site: Robert . Christgau . Michael Jackson: Dangerous . June 14, 2014 . Robert Christgau.
  13. Web site: Michael R. . Smith . Dangerous – Michael Jackson . The Daily Vault . July 21, 2009 . November 20, 2020 .
  14. New Releases: Singles . . 9 . 19 . 26 . May 9, 1992 . October 22, 2020 .
  15. Picks and Pans Review: Dangerous . . 36 . 24 . December 23, 1991 . November 13, 2020 .
  16. Alan . Light . Alan Light . Michael Jackson – Dangerous . . January 1, 1992 . June 14, 2014 . July 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150722074233/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/dangerous-19920101 . dead .
  17. News: David . Landis . Asthma Costs . . March 26, 1992 . May 21, 2010 . June 23, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160623171624/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/doc/306502069.html . live .
  18. News: Anthony . Scaduto . Doug . Vaughan . Linda . Stasi . Inside New York . . March 20, 1992 . May 21, 2010 . February 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000341/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/doc/278485206.html . live .
  19. Web site: Michael Jackson - In the Closet (Official Video) . . December 12, 2010 . May 27, 2024 .
  20. Web site: Michael Jackson In the Closet USA CD single (CD5 / 5") . Eil.com . June 14, 2014 .
  21. Web site: Michael Jackson In the Closet – Green USA Promo CD single (CD5 / 5") . Eil.com . June 14, 2014 .
  22. Web site: Michael Jackson In the Closet – Mixes Behind Door #1 Japan CD single (CD5 / 5") . Eil.com . June 14, 2014 .
  23. Web site: Michael Jackson In the Closet – Mixes Behind Door #2 Japan CD single (CD5 / 5") . Eil.com . June 14, 2014 .
  24. Web site: Michael Jackson In the Closet – Mixes Behind Door 3 Japan CD single (CD5 / 5") . Eil.com . June 14, 2014 .
  25. Web site: Michael Jackson In the Closet UK Dual Disc . Eil.com . June 14, 2014 .
  26. Web site: Visionary: The Video Singles [Box Set, Dual Disc] ]. . June 14, 2014 .
  27. Dangerous . Michael Jackson . 1991 . liner notes . . EK 45400 . April 27, 2021 .
  28. Book: Lwin, Nanda. Nanda Lwin. 2000. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. 142. 1-896594-13-1.
  29. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles . . 9 . 21 . 39 . May 23, 1992 . July 14, 2020 .
  30. European Dance Radio . . 9 . 21 . 40 . May 23, 1992 . October 31, 2021 .
  31. Book: Pennanen, Timo . Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 . 2021 . Michael Jackson. 113. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava . Helsinki. May 29, 2022.
  32. Top 10 Sales in Europe . . 9 . 25 . 16 . June 20, 1992 . March 20, 2018 .
  33. Hits of the World . . August 8, 1992 . 104 . 32 . 43 . 0006-2510 .
  34. Book: Salaverri, Fernando . Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 . 1st . September 2005 . Fundación Autor-SGAE . Spain . 84-8048-639-2.
  35. Top 60 Dance Singles . . 26 . May 2, 1992 . October 5, 2020 .
  36. Hot 100 Singles . . May 30, 1992 . 104 . 22 . 72 . 0006-2510 .
  37. Hot Dance Music . . June 13, 1992 . 104 . 24 . 24 . 0006-2510 .
  38. Hot R&B Singles . . June 27, 1992 . 104 . 26 . 24 . 0006-2510 .
  39. CASH BOX Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending JUNE 13, 1992 . . October 8, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121008000452/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/90s_files/19920613.html.
  40. Book: Ryan, Gavin . 2011 . Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 . Moonlight Publishing . Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia.
  41. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1992 . Ultratop. Hung Medien . June 1, 2014 . nl.
  42. 1992 Year-End Sales Charts > Eurochart Hot 100 Singles . . 9 . 51/52 . 17 . December 19, 1992 . July 14, 2020 .
  43. Web site: Jahrescharts – 1992 . Offiziellecharts.de . GfK Entertainment Charts . May 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150509002247/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1992 . de.
  44. Web site: Top 100 Hits for 1992 . The Longbored Surfer . June 14, 2014 .
  45. Year-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – 1992 . Billboard . January 2, 2013 . October 28, 2020 .

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