Heal the World

"Heal the World"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Dangerous
B-side	"She Drives Me Wild"
Released	November 23, 1992
Format	CD single, Cassette single, 7", 12", VHS single
Recorded	December 15, 1990 – October 29, 1991
Genre	Soft rock gospel
Length	6:25 (album version) 4:32 (7" edit) 4:55 (7" edit with intro) 7:31 (video version)
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	Michael Jackson
Producer(s)	Michael Jackson Bruce Swedien (co-producer)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Who Is It" (1992) "Heal the World" (1992) "Give In to Me" (1993)
Music video "Heal The World" on YouTube Audio sample file info · help

"Heal the World" is a song from Michael Jackson's hit album, Dangerous, released in 1991.

In a 2001 Internet chat with fans, Jackson said "Heal the World" is the song he was most proud to have created. He also created the Heal the World Foundation, a charitable organization which was designed to improve the lives of children. The organization was also meant to teach children how to help others. This concept of 'betterment for all' would become a centerpiece for the Dangerous World Tour. In the documentary Living with Michael Jackson, Jackson said he created the song in his "Giving Tree" at Neverland Ranch.

An ensemble performance of "We Are the World" and "Heal the World" closed Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. The song was performed as rehearsed by Jackson at the venue just weeks earlier, in preparation for his planned "This Is It" concerts in London along with "Dirty Diana". R&B singer Ciara sang the song as a tribute to Jackson at the 2009 BET Awards.

The song was played at the funeral of James Bulger,^[1] and Jackson also donated the song to be used as the anthem for the charity the James Bulger Red Balloon Center, a school for children to go to if they are being bullied or have learning difficulties.^[2]

Composition

This song is written in the key of A Major, and it spans from E4 to C#6. It has a tempo of 80 beats per minute.^[3]

Reception

The song reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in December 1992, kept off the number one position by Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". It peaked number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called this song "middle-class soft."^[4] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly praised the song: "And when his voice isn't competing with drum machines, it has rarely sounded stronger-achingly pure on Heal the World,"^[5] Rolling Stone's Alan Light was not satisfied, calling it "a Hallmark-card knockoff of "We Are the World."^[6]

Music video

The music video (directed by Joe Pytka) features children living in countries suffering from unrest, especially Burundi. It is also one of only a handful of Michael Jackson's videos not to feature Jackson himself, the others being "Cry", "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror". (The clips for "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror" only feature Michael Jackson in archival footage).^[7] The version of the video included on Dangerous: The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision contains an introductory video that features a speech from Jackson taken from the special "spoken word" version of the track. This version was not included on Video Greatest Hits – HIStory featuring the music video. Jackson performed the song in the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show with a 35,000 person flash card performance.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1992–93) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 20 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 3 Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[11] 3 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[12] 4 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[13] 21 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] 3 France (SNEP)[15] 2 Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 3 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 2 Italy (FIMI)[18] 14 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 6 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 4 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 3 Norway (VG-lista)[22] 6 Poland (LP3)[23] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 15 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 5 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[26] 2 US Billboard Adult Contemporary[27] 9 US Billboard Hot 100[27] 27 US Billboard Hot R&B Singles[27] 62 US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[27] 21 US Cash Box[28] 26 Zimbabwe[29] 2

Chart (2006) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[30] 63 France (SNEP)[15] 60 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 22 Italy (FIMI)[31] 13 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 40 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[32] 1 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[33] 27 Chart (2009) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 26 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 22 Belgium (Back Catalogue Singles Flanders)[34] 3 Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Singles)[27] 28 Denmark (Tracklisten)[35] 7 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[36] 24 France (SNEP) Download Chart[37] 6 Italy (FIMI)[31] 4 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 16 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 19 Norway (VG-lista)[22] 3 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[32] 44 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 18 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 9 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[38] 44 US Billboard Hot Digital Songs[27] 39

Year-end charts Chart (1992) Position Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[39] 88 Chart (1993) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[40] 18 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[41] 56 Canada (RPM Top 100 AC Tracks)[42] 43 Italy (FIMI)[18] 61 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[43] 50 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 15 Chart (2009) Position Italy (FIMI)[45] 92

Certifications and sales Region Certification Sales/shipments Australia (ARIA)[46] Gold 35,000 France (SNEP)[47] Silver 203,000[48] Germany (BVMI)[49] Gold 250,000 New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Gold 7,500 United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Gold 400,000 ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Track listing

7" single and cassette single:[10] "Heal the World" (7" edit) – 4:32 "She Drives Me Wild" – 3:41 12" single:[10] "Heal the World" (album version) – 6:25 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:40 "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (Rogers Underground Solution) – 6:18 "Rock with You" (Masters at Work Remix) – 5:29 CD maxi:[10] "Heal the World" (7" edit) – 4:32 "Heal the World" (7" edit with intro) – 4:55 "Heal the World" (LP version) – 6:25 "She Drives Me Wild" (album version) – 3:41

CD promo:[10] "Heal the World" (7" edit) – 4:32 "Heal the World" (7" edit with intro) – 4:55 Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour Live version DualDisc single:[10] CD side "Heal the World" (single version) – 4:32 "Will You Be There" – 7:39 DVD side "Heal the World" (music video) – 7:31

Personnel

Written and composed by Michael Jackson Produced by Michael Jackson Co-Produced by Bruce Swedien Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien and Matt Forger Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals Christa Collins: Ending solo vocal Ashley Farrell: Playground girl Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson

Orchestra arranged and conducted by Marty Paich Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Bahler Choir arrangement by John Bahler, featuring the John Bahler Singers David Paich and Brad Buxer: Keyboards Michael Boddicker, David Paich and Steve Porcaro: Synthesizers Jeff Porcaro: Drums Bryan Loren: Percussion Prelude composed, arranged and conducted by Marty Paich

Cover versions

• Brazilian singer Xuxa recorded a Spanish version of the song called "Curar el Mundo", in 1992.
• Leif Bloms recorded the song on 1993 album Dej ska jag älska all min tid.^[52]
• The song was covered as "Heal Massa God World" in a reggae style by Jamaican artist Wayne Wonder on his 2006 album Don't Have To.
• Japanese R&B singer Misia covered the song on her 2011 album Misia no Mori: Forest Covers.
• Filipino singers Lea Salonga and Charice Pempengco sang "Heal the World" as a tribute to Michael Jackson on the show A.S.A.P. on July 5, 2009.
• Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano, children's choir from Italy has it among its songs.
• Zain Bhikha, a South African singer-songwriter, covered the song on his 2011 album "Hope", adding an African twist.
• The students of City International School, Mumbai, India covered the song for the 2011-2012 ISA Project organised by The British Council. The award was later won by the same school.
• Connie Talbot, a finalist from Season 1 of Britain's Got Talent, released a variation of the song in November 2011 on her album, Beautiful World.^[53]

See also

• List of anti-war songs

References

1. Miles, Tina (October 8, 2009). Michael Jackson’s Heal The World released to support new Liverpool James Bulger centre for bullied children at the Wayback Machine (archived October 16, 2009). Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
2. Hamilton, Julian (June 6, 2009). "'Heal The World' song launched for Red Balloon Centre in Liverpool". Click Liverpool. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
3. "Heal the World By Michael Jackson – Digital Sheet Music". MusicNotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
5. Browne, David (November 29, 1991). "MUSIC REVIEW – Dangerous (1991) – Michael Jackson". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
6. Light, Alan (January 1, 1992). "Michael Jackson – Dangerous". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
7. Heal the World (Music Video). Epic Records. YouTube. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
8. "Australian-charts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
9. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
10. "Ultratop.be – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
11. "Radio 2 Top 30 : 23 januari 1993" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
12. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1841." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
13. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1825." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
14. "Hits of the World". Billboard 105 (6): 46. February 6, 1993. ISSN 0006-2510.
15. "Lescharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
16. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Heal the World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
18. "I singoli più venduti del 1993" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
19. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Michael Jackson - Heal The World search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
20. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
21. "Charts.org.nz – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
22. "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". VG-lista. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
23. "HEAL THE WORLD – Michael Jackson" (in Polish). LP3. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
24. "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
25. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
26. "Archive Chart: 1992-12-12" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
27. "Dangerous – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
28. CASH BOX Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending MARCH 20, 1993 at the Wayback Machine (archived October 10, 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
29. Halstead, Craig; Cadman, Chris (2003). Michael Jackson the Solo Years. Authors On Line Ltd. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7552-0091-7.
30. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989, part 2". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
31. "Italiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Top Digital Download. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
32. "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
33. "Archive Chart: 2006-06-03" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
34. "50 Back Catalogue Singles – 18/07/2009". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
35. "Danishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Heal The World". Tracklisten. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
36. "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
37. "lescharts.com – Les charts français" (in French). Les classement de telechargement single. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
38. "Michael Jackson: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
39. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
40. "Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
41. "Jaaroverzichten 1993" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
42. "Adult Contemporary – Volume 58, No. 23, December 18, 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
43. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
44. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
45. "I singoli più venduti del 2009" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
46. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
47. "French single certifications – Michael Jackson – Heal the World" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
48. "Les Singles en Argent" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
49. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Jackson; 'Heal the World')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
50. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 06 JULY 2009". NZ Top 40. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
51. "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Heal the World". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Heal the World in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
52. "Dej ska jag älska all min tid / Leif Bloms" (in Swedish). Svensk mediedatabas. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
53. "Beautiful World – Single". iTunes. Retrieved February 23, 2013.

External links

• Official music video (US)
• Heal The World Live at Super Bowl XXVII (US)
• Official website