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]

"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

AllMusic wrote that this song is fine and there's a lot to be said for professional craftsmanship at its peak and he highlighted it.[8] Robert Christgau praised and described: "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."[9] Alan Light of Rolling Stone called this song: repressed lust in the titillatingly titled (and determinedly heterosexual)" and he wrote that this song has a "snaky, unexpected bridge."[10]

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.[11]

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.[12][13]

Formats and track listings

Charts
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See also

References
  1. "In the Closet – Single". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  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. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  9. Christgau, Robert. "Michael Jackson: Dangerous". Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  10. Light, Alan (January 1, 1992). "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  11. "Madonna speak working with MJ". YouTube. July 7, 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  12. Landis, David (March 26, 1992). "Asthma Costs". USA Today. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  13. Scaduto, Anthony; Vaughan, Doug; Stasi, Linda (March 20, 1992). "Inside New York". Newsday. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  14. "Michael Jackson In The Closet USA CD single (CD5 / 5")". Eil.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  15. "Michael Jackson In The Closet – Green USA Promo CD single (CD5 / 5")". Eil.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  16. "Michael Jackson In The Closet – Mixes Behind Door #1 Japan CD single (CD5 / 5")". Eil.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  17. "Michael Jackson In The Closet – Mixes Behind Door #2 Japan CD single (CD5 / 5")". Eil.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  18. "Michael Jackson In The Closet – Mixes Behind Door 3 Japan CD single (CD5 / 5")". Eil.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  19. "Michael Jackson In The Closet UK Dual Disc". Eil.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  20. "Visionary: The Video Singles [Box Set, Dual Disc]". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  21. "Australian-charts.com – Michael Jackson – In The Closet". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
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  25. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2153." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  26. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 21. May 23, 1992. p. 39. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  27. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  28. "Lescharts.com – Michael Jackson – In The Closet" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  29. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Jackson – In The Closet". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  30. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 25. June 20, 1992. p. 16. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  31. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – In the Closet". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  32. "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 104 no. 32. August 8, 1992. p. 43. ISSN 0006-2510.
  33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 21, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  34. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Jackson – In The Closet" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  35. "Charts.nz – Michael Jackson – In The Closet". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  36. "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – In The Closet". VG-lista. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  37. Halstead, Craig; Cadman, Chris (2003). Jacksons Number Ones. Authors On Line Ltd. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-7552-0098-6.
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  39. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – In The Closet". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  40. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  41. "Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 104 no. 22. May 30, 1992. p. 72. ISSN 0006-2510.
  42. "Hot Dance Music". Billboard. Vol. 104 no. 24. June 13, 1992. p. 24. ISSN 0006-2510.
  43. "Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 104 no. 26. June 27, 1992. p. 24. ISSN 0006-2510.
  44. "CASH BOX Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending JUNE 13, 1992". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012.
  45. "Italiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – In The Closet". Top Digital Download. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  46. "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – In The Closet" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  47. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  48. "Jaaroverzichten 1992" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  49. "1992 Year-End Sales Charts > Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 51/52. December 19, 1992. p. 17. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  50. "Jahrescharts – 1992". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015.
  51. "Top 100 Hits for 1992". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  52. "ARIA Top 50 – Week Ending 19th July, 1992". Australian Recording Industry Association. July 19, 1992. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  53. "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – In the Closet". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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