In the Closet

"In the Closet" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on April 9, 1992 as the third single from his eighth album, Dangerous (1991). The song was 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. The song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 20 in 2006.[5]

For other uses, see In the closet.
"In the Closet"
Original album artwork by Mark Ryden
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Dangerous
ReleasedApril 9, 1992[1]
RecordedMarch–May 1991[2]
GenreNew jack swing[3][4]
Length
  • 6:31 (album version)
  • 4:49 (single version)
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Michael Jackson
  • Teddy Riley
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Remember the Time"
(1992)		 "In the Closet"
(1992)		 "Someone Put Your Hand Out"
(1992)
Music video
"In the Closet" on YouTube

Song information

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 their 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..."[6] The song's female vocal was originally labeled "Mystery Girl" but was later revealed to be Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.[7]

Critical reception

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] Larry Flick from Billboard stated 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] 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] Also American essayist and music journalist Robert Christgau praised the song, describing, "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 Vault's Michael R. Smith called it a "tongue-firmly-in-cheek hit".[13] Music & Media stated that the song "is aimed at fast footwork reminiscent of his sister Janet's style."[14] People 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]

Collaboration with Madonna

"In the Closet" was originally 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 Michael, he decided they were too provocative and they decided not to continue with the project.[17]

Music video

The sepia colored music video 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.[18][19]

Formats and track listings

Charts

See also

References
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  2. "Celebrity Buzz Fight against Trump condos". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. May 15, 1991. p. D/2. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  3. Byron, Tim (November 29, 2012). "Music Dump: Rihanna's Pitbull Stopped Frank Ocean's New Jack Swing". The Vine. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014.
  4. Powers, Ann (March 10, 2009). "'American Idol' needs to open the closet door". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 14, 2014. 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.
  5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  6. Pareles, Jon (November 24, 1991). "RECORDINGS VIEW; Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (2000). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. Billboard Books. p. 320. ISBN 978-0-8230-7690-1.
  8. Lacy, Chris (November 21, 2016). "Tribute: Celebrating 25 Years of Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous'". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  9. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". AllMusic. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
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  11. Clark, Randy; DeVaney, Bryan (April 25, 1992). "Music Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LV no. 35. p. 5. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
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  13. Smith, Michael R. (July 21, 2009). "Dangerous – Michael Jackson". The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  14. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 19. May 9, 1992. p. 26. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  15. "Picks and Pans Review: Dangerous". People. Vol. 36 no. 24. December 23, 1991. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
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  17. "Madonna speak working with MJ". YouTube. July 7, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
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