To prepare the audience for the special occasion of the televised premiere of the "Black or White" video, Epic records released the song (without the accompanying images) to radio stations just two days in advance. In a period of twenty-four hours, "Black or White", described by the record company as "a rock 'n' roll dance song about racial harmony", had been added to the playlists of 96 percent of 237 of the United States of America's top forty radio stations the first day of release.
"Black or White" was the first single off of Dangerous, produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell, it began to be promoted on radio stations the first week of November 1991 in New York and Los Angeles. "Black or White" was officially released one week later. It was written and composed by Jackson with rap lyrics by Bill Bottrell, the song's introduction and main riff were played by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and Bill Bottrell.
"Black or White" is also described as a mix of hard rock, dance and rap, but basically it is a hard rock song like "Beat It". These songs are also compared by Rolling Stone's Allan Light in his Dangerous review, he says, "Neither this slow-burn solo nor the Stones-derived riff on 'Black or White' offers the catharsis of Eddie Van Halen's blazing break on 'Beat It'".
"Black or White" stormed into Billboard's Hot 100 at number thirty five. A week later it shot up to number three and on its third week, December 7 1991, it ascended to number one, making it the fastest chart topper since the Beatles' "Get Back" also won the Hot 100 in just three weeks in 1969. It achieved the year at number one, and remained at the top of the singles chart into 1992, for a total of seven weeks, making Michael Jackson the first artist to get number one popular hits in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
The single also made an extraordinary and amazing debut in the UK, where it became the first single by an American to go into the singles chart at number one since 1960, when "It's Now Or Never" by Elvis Presley did in the same manner. Around the world, "Black or White" hit number one in the US, UK, Mexico, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweeden, Switzerland and the Euro Chart Hot 100, number two in Germany and number three in Holland. The single was certified platinum in the US, selling over one million copies.
12. Black Or White
Michael Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boy is that girl with you?
Yes we're one and the same
Now I believe in miracles
And a miracle has happened tonight
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
They print my message in the Saturday Sun
I had to tell them I ain't second to none
And I told about equality and it's true
Either you're wrong or you're right
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
I am tired of this devil
I am tired of this stuff
I am tired of this business
Sew when the going gets rough
I ain't scared of your brother
I ain't scared of no sheets
I ain't scared of nobody
Girl, when the going gets mean
Protection
For gangs, clubs, and nations
Causing grief in human relations
It's a turf war on a global scale
I'd rather hear both sides of the tale
See, it's not about races
Just places, faces
Where your blood comes from
Is were your space is
I've seen the bright get duller
I'm not going to spend my life being a color
Don't tell me you agree with me
When I saw you kicking dirt in my eye
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
I said if you're thinkin' of being my baby
It don't matter if you're black or white
I said if you're thinkin' of being my brother
It don't matter if you're black or white
Ooh, ooh
Yea, yea, yea now
Ooh, ooh
Yea, yea, yea now
It's black, it's white
It's tough for you to get by (yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's black, it's white
It's black, it's white
It's tough for you to get by (yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's black, it's white
The lyrics of Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney's song "Black or White" are a commentary on the issue of racism and inequality in society. The song tells the story of a couple who faces discrimination due to their different races. Despite the challenges they face, the couple is able to overcome it and find love. The lyrics reflect a belief in the power of love and the idea that people should be judged on their character rather than the color of their skin. The line "I believe in miracles, and a miracle has happened tonight" refers to the idea that the couple's love is something special and magical.
The song also touches on the issue of social injustice and the need for equality. The lines "I had to tell them I ain't second to none, and I told about equality and it's true, Either you're wrong or you're right" suggest that the singer is standing up for his rights and the rights of others who are facing discrimination. He also recognizes that the issue of inequality is not just about race but also about class and geography. He states that "it's not about races, just places, faces, where your blood comes from is where your space is." This shows that he recognizes the complexity of the issue and the need for all people to work together to create a more equal society.
Line by Line Meaning
I took my baby on a Saturday bang
I spent Saturday night with my significant other
Boy is that girl with you
Are you with that girl?
Yes we're one and the same
Yes, we are together
Now I believe in miracles
I believe extraordinary events can happen
And a miracle has happened tonight
And tonight, one did happen
But, if you're thinkin' about my baby
But if you're considering my beloved
It don't matter if you're black or white
Their race doesn't matter
They print my message in the Saturday Sun
A news outlet wrote about my viewpoint
I had to tell them I ain't second to none
I made it clear that I'm not inferior to anyone else
And I told about equality and it's true
And I spoke the truth about everyone being equal
Either you're wrong or you're right
One can only be right or wrong
I am tired of this devil
I am exhausted by evil actions
I am tired of this stuff
I am tired of these things
I am tired of this business
I am tired of these dealings
Sew when the going gets rough
So, when things get difficult
I ain't scared of your brother
I am not afraid of your sibling
I ain'ts scared of no sheets
I am not afraid of the Ku Klux Klan
I ain't scared of nobody
I am not afraid of anyone
Girl when the goin' gets mean
When things get tough, my significant other sticks with me
Protection
Safeguarding
For gangs, clubs, and nations
Protecting gangs, clubs, and nations
Causing grief in human relations
Causing sorrow in the interactions between people
It's a turf war on a global scale
It's a war for territory on a worldwide level
I'd rather hear both sides of the tale
I would rather listen to both sides of the story
See, it's not about races
Understanding that it's not about race
Just places
It's all about locations
Faces
People's faces
Where your blood comes from
Your ancestry
Is were your space is
Your identity is tied to your ancestry
I've seen the bright get duller
I've witnessed those who were once vibrant, lose their spark
I'm not going to spend my life being a color
I refuse to let my skin color define me
Don't tell me you agree with me
Don't say you concur with me
When I saw you kicking dirt in my eye
When I witnessed you disrespecting me
I said if you're thinkin' of being my baby
If you want to be my beloved
It don't matter if you're black or white
Your race is insignificant
I said if you're thinkin' of being my brother
If you want to be my friend
Ooh, ooh
Vocalizing sounds of excitement
Yea, yea, yea now
Expressing agreement and excitement
It's black, it's white
It could be either black or white
It's tough for them to get by
It's hard for them to make it
It's black, it's white, (x3) whoo
It could be either black or white, making a declaration with enthusiasm
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jozeepowl9828
Paris Jackson is a genius musician/artist class “Annie Lennox” in voice & independent style spiked with healthy salt of Country’s /RockHeavy .
I’m looking forward to see our kids / teens /young ones grow from ashes and mud music industry/media blowing artists way out of proportion to a concept - where there’s yet to be crystal clearance of who is who - in this way u.s ? Keep yearning for MJ’ star . Afterstudy never payed much off .
When will one realize one can’t punch & tear at butterfly much , before its gone .
Did you know new incredible angelic talent with young ones- keep VERY low profile all around the world, some literally hiding? Because they KNOW they may not last for long as soon as “FameFever” hits them . The attention I won’t even mention- making them preparing beautiful goodbyes & stuff just hoping to experience one more Sunny day to follow 202- spring?
Very modest in life time wish ... I pray that That .. thing ,
goes away and stops it’s getting real ugly or light-needy towards every single beautiful little thing they see. I wish people would look away
look at all our young ones trembling inside about how this life is ever going to be good with things in it beyond survival..
it’s been a day of two in a new January .
8000 + 8000 kids died Bc no food.
No progress since 1995 where it was 16,000 a day
This decade limbo with obsession & madness around a DAD . Must be polluted feeling like with engine on before carports opening- hoping it isn’t stuck- for his kids. Yet they’re all grounded and obviously healthy minded with genuine valuables at heart. So why can’t other people not chill out on their dad in love with a spring that came and went. I’m personally puzzled- as well as spooked by the never ending exploitation of a one man soul. By the mindsets earning or destroying. So I’ve actually experienced to look forward to my death day - booking that date or that date- what month with the Almighty.
Like birthday event . Not “having thoughts of making it happen. But know to be approaching?
.
May Michael Jackson Rest In Peace chasing clouds and butterflies. Back to his own waves on life. 💎🌟🐬 (.. edit later)
@DailyMemesO
Who else is randomly having an MJ marathon?
@earthquakejarvis5692
MY 2 YEAR OLD GRANDSON LOVE MICHEAL
@kate_numberz
All the time man I dont know how to stop!!! lol ❤
@DailyMemesO
@@kate_numberz nice
@locutusofnubz
Yeah. I started with a Superbowl Haftime top 10 list on WatchMojo and here I am.
@des_elise
@@locutusofnubz saaame that's scary 😳
@Cestariarts
It's unbelievable how the changing faces vfx still holds on to this date. It's perfect
@AngelHoll
Agreed
@Elvis-nd6sc
Can't stop listening to his music he will always be in my heart
@austin5019
Michael Jackson:
100% legendary
100% timeless
100% catchy
100% contagious
100% the King of Pop!!!