Jam (Michael Jackson song)

"Jam"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Dangerous
Released	July 13, 1992 (1992-07-13)[1]
Recorded	1990 – July 1991[2]
Genre	New jack swing[3] funk[4]
Length	5:40 (album version) 4:10 (7-inch edit)
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Michael Jackson René Moore Bruce Swedien Teddy Riley
Producer(s)	Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Bruce Swedien René Moore
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"In the Closet" (1992) "Jam" (1992) "Who Is It" (1992)
Music video
"Jam" on YouTube

"Jam" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, released in July 1992 by Epic as the fourth single from his eighth album, Dangerous (1991), where it is the opening track.

"Jam" is a new jack swing song whose bridge features a rap verse performed by Heavy D (of the group Heavy D & the Boyz). 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 number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song re-entered the UK Singles Chart in 2006, reaching number 22.^[5]

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.

Critical reception

"Jam" was generally well received by music critics. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that the song "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."^[6] Andrew Smith from Melody Maker described it as "lean" and "spikey".^[7] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Get in the groove with the most funky track on the Dangerous album."^[8] An editor from People Magazine felt that Jackson "captures the outer style but not the energizing spirit of hip-hop."^[9]

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." He wrote further, "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."^[10] Ted Shaw from The Windsor Star noted that Jackson's voice is treated electronically on the track, "which establishes the thematic thrust in lyrics that call for brotherly love."^[11]

Retrospective response

In a 2016 retrospective review, 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."^[12] 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.^[13] Adam Gilham of Sputnikmusic described the song as a perfect album opener and rated it "5/5".^[14]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Jam" takes place within an abandoned indoor basketball court, where 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).^[15] The rap groups Kris Kross and Naughty by Nature made a cameo appearance, as does Heavy D (who performs a rap during the bridge).^[2]

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.^[2] The music video premiered on Fox on June 19, 1992, at 9:30 p.m. EST.^[16]

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.

Track listings and formats

• Jam (UK CD single 6583602)^[17]

1. "Jam" (7" Edit) – 4:10
2. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) – 5:54
3. "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Dub) – 5:16 (incorrectly listed on insert as "Atlantan Techno Mix")
4. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:40

• Jam (US CD single 49K74334)^[18]

1. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) – 3:57
2. "Jam" (Silky 7" Mix) – 4:17
3. "Jam" (Roger's Club Mix) – 6:20
4. "Jam" (Atlanta Techno Mix) – 6:06
5. "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) – 5:29

• Jam (US promo CD single ESK6754)^[19]

1. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Radio Mix) – 3:57
2. "Jam" (Teddy's Jam) – 5:48
3. "Jam" (7" Edit) – 4:10
4. "Jam" (MJ's Raw Mix) – 4:24
5. "Jam" (Teddy's 12" Mix) – 5:42
6. "Jam" (Roger's Jeep Mix) – 5:54
7. "Jam" (Percapella) – 5:29
8. "Jam" (Radio Edit Without Rap) – 4:44

• Jam (US VHS promo single ESK8880)^[19]

1. "Jam" (music video) – 8:00

• Jam (2006 DualDisc single ESK4583)^[19]

CD side

1. "Jam" (7" Edit) – 4:10
2. "Jam" (Silky 12" Mix) – 6:28

DVD side

1. "Jam" (music video) – 8:00

Personnel

Song and lyrics by Michael Jackson Music by René Moore, Bruce Swedien, Michael Jackson and Teddy Riley Produced by Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley and Bruce Swedien Co/Producer Renee Moore 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 René 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 Weekly chart performance for "Jam" Chart (1992) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[20] 11 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21] 28 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 10 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[23] 29 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[24] 3 Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)[25] 8 Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[25] 21 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[26] 21 Europe (European Dance Radio)[27] 5 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 18 France (SNEP)[29] 8 Germany (GfK)[1] 18 Greece (Pop + Rock)[30] 8 Ireland (IRMA)[31] 5 Italy (Musica e dischi)[32] 3 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 12 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[35] 2 Portugal (AFP)[36] 6 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[37] 30 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] 22 UK Singles (OCC)[39] 13 UK Dance (Music Week)[40] 8 US Billboard Hot 100[41] 26 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[42] 4 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[43] 1 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[44] 3 US CHR/Pop Airplay Chart (Radio & Records)[45] 9 2006 weekly chart performance for "Jam" Chart (2006) Peak position France (SNEP)[29] 55 Ireland (IRMA)[46] 24 Italy (FIMI)[47] 11 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 42 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[48] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[39] 22

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Jam" Chart (1992) Position Australia (ARIA)[49] 77 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[50] 46 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[51] 85

References

1. "Michael Jackson – Jam" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
2. Lecocq, Richard; Allard, François (2018). Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. London, England: Cassell. ISBN 978-1-78840-057-2.
3. Adams, Gregory (January 29, 2016). "The Rumours Are Apparently True: Michael Jackson Secretly Wrote Music for 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3'". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
4. Vogel, Joseph (March 17, 2018). "Black and White: how Dangerous kicked off Michael Jackson's race paradox". the Guardian. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
5. "The official UK singles chart: Gnarls Barkley make it eight weeks at the top, while Christina Milian, Busta Rhymes and Sunblock see strong upsurges following the physical availability of their singles. (Top 75)". Music Week. May 27, 2006.
6. Flick, Larry (July 4, 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 68. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
7. Smith, Andrew (November 30, 1991). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 28. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
8. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. September 19, 1992. p. 14. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
9. "Picks and Pans Review: Dangerous". People. December 23, 1991. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
10. "Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous'". Rolling Stone. January 1992. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
11. Shaw, Ted (November 23, 1991). "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". The Windsor Star.
12. Lacy, Chris (November 21, 2016). "TRIBUTE: Celebrating 25 Years of Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous'". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
13. "Dangerous - Michael Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
14. "Jam", Michael Jackson Dangerous. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
15. How to Slide Step (Hip Hop Dance Moves Tutorial) | Mihran Kirakosian, retrieved August 3, 2022
16. "Jordan, Jackson 'Jam' on Fox tonight". Baltimore Sun. June 19, 1992. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
17. "Michael Jackson Jam UK CD single (CD5 / 5") (25278)". Eil.com. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
18. "Michael Jackson Jam US CD single (CD5 / 5") (8562)". Eil.com. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
19. "Michael Jackson Jam - Teddy Riley & Roger S Mixes US Promo CD single (CD5 / 5") (6837)". Eil.com. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
20. "Michael Jackson – Jam". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
21. "Michael Jackson – Jam" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
22. "Michael Jackson – Jam" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
23. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1980." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
24. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1956." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
25. Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 142. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
26. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 40. October 3, 1992. p. 27. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
27. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 41. October 10, 1992. p. 36. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
28. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
29. "Michael Jackson – Jam" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
30. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 40. October 3, 1992. p. 26. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
31. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Jam". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
32. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 29, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Michael Jackson".
33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 40, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
34. "Michael Jackson – Jam" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
35. "Michael Jackson – Jam". Top 40 Singles.
36. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 45. November 7, 1992. p. 46. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
37. "Michael Jackson – Jam". Singles Top 100.
38. "Michael Jackson – Jam". Swiss Singles Chart.
39. "Michael Jackson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
40. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 12, 1992. p. 20. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
41. "Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
42. "Michael Jackson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
43. "Michael Jackson Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
44. "Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
45. "Michael Jackson".
46. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Jam". Irish Singles Chart.
47. "Michael Jackson – Jam". Top Digital Download.
48. "Michael Jackson – Jam" Canciones Top 50.
49. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
50. "The RPM Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1992" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 56, no. 25. December 19, 1992. p. 25. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
51. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1992". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2020.