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Jam (Michael Jackson song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Jam
| cover = Michael Jackson Jam.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Michael Jackson
| album = Dangerous
| released =
| recorded = April 1991
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Epic
| writer =
| producer =
| chronology = Michael Jackson
| prev_title = In the Closet
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = Who Is It
| next_year = 1992
| misc =
}}
"'Jam'" is a single by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. The song is the fourth single from his 1991 album 'Dangerous', where it is the opening track. It also appears as the second track on his 2009 'This Is It' compilation album. The single was re-released in 2006 as part of Jackson's 'Visionary: The Video Singles' collection campaign, and it was remixed to the Cirque du Soleil's Immortal World Tour, releasing that remix on the soundtrack album. "Jam" is a new jack swing song whose bridge features a rap verse performed by Heavy D (of the group Heavy D & the Boyz), though no credit to him appears on the album. The music video of the song featured NBA basketball legend Michael Jordan. The song was also featured on the Chicago Bulls (Jordan's team at the time)'s 1992 NBA Championship video "Untouchabulls" and was also used in many promotional ads of the NBA in the said season. The single peaked at #26 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. The song re-entered the UK Singles Chart in 2006, reaching number 22.
Critical reception
"Jam" was generally well received by music critics. Chris Lacy from Albumism said that on the song, Jackson "explains that jamming (the joy of music and dance) is his preferred method of temporarily escaping worldly issues." AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that there's a lot to be said for professional craftsmanship at its peak and he called this song blistering plus highlight on album. Larry Flick from 'Billboard' stated that it "is fortified with brassy horns, a funky bass line, and a rap cameo by Heavy D. Jackson's signature squeals and whoops are at home within an urgent groove that seems to goad him to the point of catharsis." 'Music & Media' commented, "Get in the groove with the most funky track on the 'Dangerous' album." 'People Magazine' said that Jackson "captures the outer style but not the energizing spirit of hip-hop." Alan Light from 'Rolling Stone' praised the song, adding that it "addresses Jackson's uneasy relationship to the world and reveals a canny self-awareness that carries the strongest message on 'Dangerous'. "Jam" features a dense, swirling Riley track, propelled by horn samples and a subtle scratch effect, and includes a fleet rap by Riley favorite Heavy D. Though it initially sounds like a simple, funky dance vehicle, Jackson's voice bites into each phrase with a desperation that urges us to look deeper. He is singing as "false prophets cry of doom" and exhorts us to "live each day like it's the last." The chorus declares that the miseries of the world "ain't too much stuff" to stop us from jamming. To Jackson, who insists that he comes truly alive only onstage, the ability to "Jam" is the sole means to find "peace within myself," and this hope rings more sincere than the childlike wishes found in the ballads." Adam Gilham of Sputnikmusic described the song as a perfect album opener and rated it "5/5".[https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/6454/Michael-Jackson-Dangerous/ "Jam", Michael Jackson Dangerous]. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
Music video
The music video for "Jam" takes place within an abandoned indoor basketball court, where Michael Jackson teaches basketball legend Michael Jordan how to dance, and in return, Jordan teaches Jackson how to play basketball. Special effects have Jackson throwing a basketball through a window and scoring in the hoop in the opposite room, as well as Jackson scoring by tossing the ball behind him and kicking the ball into the hoop with his heel. The extended versions of the video include Jackson teaching Jordan how to do the physically complicated moonwalk dance technique (known as the slide step). The rap groups Kris Kross and Naughty by Nature made a cameo appearance, as does Heavy D (who performs a rap during the bridge).
The video was included on 'Dangerous The Short Films' and 'Michael Jackson's Vision'. The music video was directed by David Kellogg and was filmed on April 20, 1992 in Chicago, Illinois. The music video premiered on FOX on June 19, 1992 at 9:30 p.m. EST.http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-06-19/features/1992171254_1_dondre-whitfield-shari-headley-richard-lawson
Live performances
Jackson performed "Jam" as the opening number throughout his Dangerous World Tour. He also performed it at the Royal Brunei Concert in 1996, which turned out to be the last live performance of the song. A portion of the song was performed at the start of the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show. The song was prepared for the 'This Is It' concert series, with a snippet of "Another Part of Me", however the shows were cancelled due to Jackson's untimely death and it is not known if it were to have made the final setlist.
Track listings and formats
'Jam (UK CD single 6583602)'
# "Jam" (7" Edit) 4:10
# "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) 5:54
# "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Dub) 5:16 (Incorrectly listed on insert as "Atlantan Techno Mix")
# "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) 7:40
'Jam (US CD single 49K74334)'
# "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) 3:57
# "Jam" (Silky 7" Mix) 4:17
# "Jam" (Roger's Club Mix) 6:20
# "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Mix) 6:06
# "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) 5:29
'Jam (US promo CD single ESK6754)'
# "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) 3:57
# "Jam" (Teddy's Jam) 5:48
# "Jam" (7" Edit) 4:10
# "Jam" (MJ's Raw Mix) 4:24
# "Jam" (Teddy's 12" Mix) 5:42
# "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) 5:54
# "Jam" (Percapella) 5:29
# "Jam" (Radio Edit Without Rap) 4:44
'Jam (US VHS promo single ESK8880)'
# "Jam" (music video) 8:00
Running time: 9 minutes
'Jam (2006 DualDisc single ESK4583)'
'CD side'
# "Jam" (7" Edit) 4:10
# "Jam" (Silky 12" Mix) 6:28
'DVD side'
# "Jam" (music video) 8:00
Personnel
* Song and lyrics by Michael Jackson
* Music by Ren Moore, Bruce Swedien, Michael Jackson and Teddy Riley
* Produced by Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley and Bruce Swedien
* Solo and background vocals by Michael Jackson
* Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley and Dave Way
* Arrangement by Michael Jackson, Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley and Ren Moore
* Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
* Rap performed by Heavy D
* Rene Moore, Teddy Riley, Bruce Swedien and Brad Buxer: Keyboards
* Teddy Riley, Rhett Lawrence, Michael Boddicker and Brad Buxer: Synthesizers
* Teddy Riley and Bruce Swedien: Drums
* Teddy Riley: Guitar
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Release history
References
Category:1992 singles
Category:Michael Jackson songs
Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson
Category:Songs written by Ren Moore
Category:Song recordings produced by Teddy Riley
Category:Michael Jordan
Category:Basketball music
Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson
Category:Songs written by Teddy Riley
Category:Songs written by Bruce Swedien
Category:1991 songs
Category:Epic Records singles
Category:Number-one singles in Spain
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