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State of Shock (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'State of Shock'" is a 1984 single by the Jacksons featuring frontman Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger. It was written by Jackson and guitarist Randy Hansen. The track was originally sung with Freddie Mercury as a duet with Jackson, and was later slated for the 'Thriller' album; however, due to differing time schedules, Jackson ended up recording it with his brothers and Jagger. A clip of the song (an instrumental part) was used on the 'Immortal' album in 2011.
Song information
"State of Shock" was the biggest hit from the Jacksons' 'Victory' album, reaching number 3 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was originally recorded with Freddie Mercury, as Jackson and Mercury had been working on several tracks at that time (19811983), e.g. the unreleased title track "Victory" for the eponymous album and "There Must Be More to Life Than This" from 'Mr. Bad Guy'. The final version featured lead vocals by Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger. In 2002, a demo of Mercury and Jackson singing "State of Shock" was leaked online. In his book 'Michael Jackson: Unauthorized', author Christopher P. Andersen described "State of Shock" as a hard rock song and commented on Mick Jagger, saying, "The lead singer of the Rolling Stones eyed the phenomenal success of Thriller with envy. As an artist he respected Jackson's work, adding that Arthur Collins, then president of Rolling Stones Records said, "Mick became obsessed with Michael Jackson" and explained it saying, "He wanted to know every detail about Jackson's life, his contract with Columbia, how the Thriller singles were selling,...". "State of Shock" was the last top ten hit for the Jacksons, as well as their last single to be certified gold. The song was later revived by Jagger when he performed it with Tina Turner during their 1985 performance at Live Aid. In 2014, William Orbit remixed the Mercury/Jackson track. It was intended for 'Queen Forever', but was unreleased.
Although having been given a songwriting credit for the song, guitarist Randy Hansen claimed in a 2021 interview with Eddie Trunk that he did not recall having any participation at all in the song, and felt that deserved no credit.
Remix
An Extended Dance Mix (5:41) is available as a digitally remastered release.
Unreleased 2014 Remix)
A William Orbit Mix (TBA) failed to make the album, 'Queen Forever' .
Personnel
*Music written, composed, arranged, produced, linn drum machine programming and handclaps by Michael Jackson
*Lyrics by Michael Jackson and Randy Hansen
*Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger - lead vocals
*Jackie Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson and Johnny Ray Nelson - backing vocals
*David Williams - guitars, bass guitar
*Paulinho Da Costa - percussion
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Parodies
"Weird Al" Yankovic used the song multiple times. It was featured in "Hooked on Polkas" on his 'Dare to be Stupid' album. Also, "State of Shock"'s style was used for the song "UHF". The song is also performed, with comically cheap special effects, in the mockumentary 'The Compleat Al' by industry veteran Harvey Leeds.
Later Versions
Insane Clown Posse recorded the song as a tribute to Michael Jackson on their album 'Covered, Smothered, & Chunked', which is in the "Red Pop" version of 'The Mighty Death Pop!' In 2012, Kelly Clarkson and Robin Thicke performed the song on the show 'Duets'.
References
Category:1984 singles
Category:The Jackson 5 songs
Category:Mick Jagger songs
Category:Malemale vocal duets
Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson
Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson
Category:American hard rock songs
Category:1984 songs
Category:Epic Records singles
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