"Human Nature" | ||||||||
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Single by Michael Jackson | ||||||||
from the album Thriller | ||||||||
B-side | "Baby Be Mine" | |||||||
Released | July 3, 1983 | |||||||
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Recorded | April – November 1982 | |||||||
Genre | Soft rock | |||||||
Length |
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Label | Epic | |||||||
Writer(s) | Steve Porcaro, John Bettis | |||||||
Producer(s) | Quincy Jones | |||||||
Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Human Nature" is a song performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson released on his solo album, Thriller (1982). The lyrics describe a passer-by in New York City. It was written and composed by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the fifth single from Jackson's sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). Initially, Porcaro recorded a rough demo of the song on a cassette, which was then given to Jones, who brought in Bettis to finish the lyrics. The song was the last selected for the album, removing "Carousel" from the final track listing.
"Human Nature" was released on July 3, 1983, as the album's fifth single. Although not released in the UK, the song became Jackson's fifth top 10 hit from Thriller in the US, reaching number two on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary chart and number seven on the Hot 100. In Canada and the Netherlands the single reached number 11.
The song garnered positive reviews from music critics. "Human Nature" has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, including Stevie Wonder, Vijay Iyer, John Mayer, Miles Davis, SWV, ELEW, Nas, 2Cellos, Jason Nevins, Danny Chan, David Mead and Chris Brown.