Recording sessions : November 1983-May 1984
PRODUCED BY The Jacksons
ARRANGERS Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Marlon Jackson, David Paich
Studios : Hayvenhurst home studio, A&R Recording (New York City), Can-Am Recorders, Evergreen Studios, Hog Manor Studios, Image Recorders, The Ponderosa Studio, Record One Studio, Soundcastle Studios, Sunset Sound; The Villa, Westlake Audio, Bill Schnee Studio, Hollywood Sound, Ocean Way Studios, Sunset Sound Recorders, Village Recorders (Los Angeles)
Label : CBS Epic Records
Release date : July 2, 1984
Peak on Billboard 200 : 4
Original track listing
Torture
Wait
One More Chance
Be Not Always
State of Shock
We Can Change the World
The Hurt
Body
Demos/Outtakes/unreleased tracks from the album’ sessions
Liberian Girl (demo) : Recorded in 1983/1984 (MJ speaks about it in the “Hayvenhurst” home video in 1983). The song was re recorded during the “Bad” album sessions but original demo remains unreleased.
Buffalo Bill (demo) : Written by Michael Jackson. Recorded in 1983 as first studio collaboration with John Barnes. Inspired by poker player Wild Bill Hickok or bison hunter William Cody. MJ speaks about it in the “Hayvenhurst” home video in 1983). Remains unreleased.
Chicago 1945 : Recorded during the Victory sessions in 1984, based on one of the grooves Steve Porcaro submitted to Michael. Vocally complete song about three girls who went out and mysteriously disappeared throughout the night, with a hook of “never to be found again”
. Revisited during the HIStory and Invincible sessions, but was left off both albums
Porcaro was approached by the estate about using it on Xscape, but declined to give permission on the basis that the song didn’t need any “contemporizing”, and that he disapproves of the estate’s “straight to remix” approach to Michael’s unreleased material. Remains unreleased.
Scared Of The Moon (demo) : Recorded in 1984 & released in 2004 (The Ultimate Collection Box Set).
Others songs from this era
The Surprise Song : Song recorded with The Jacksons at their Hayvenhurst Home studio in May 1983 and included in an all original 7″ Fan Club Pack. Never released on CD.
Billie Jean (Pepsi version) : Recorded in 1983 with The Jacksons & used in Pepsi commercials in 1984. Released in a special limited 7″promo Pepsi Pepsi titled “The Choice Of A New Generation”. Never released on CD.
Centipede : The song was written and produced by MJ in spring 1984 . He and The Weather Girls also sang backing vocals on the song. The song was released as a single in September 1984.
Don’t Stand Another Chance : The song was written by Marlon Jackson and John Barnes. Marlon also produced it, and provided backing vocals along with his brothers Michael, Tito, and Jackie. The song was released as the lead single from Dream Street on August 13, 1984 by A&M Records.
Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True) : Duet between Jermaine & MJ recorded late 1983. The song was released in April 1984 on Jermaine’s Dynamite album.
Somebody’s Watching Me : The song was recorded late 1983 by American singer Rockwell, released by the Motown label in January 1984, as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name. The song features guest vocals by brothers Michael Jackson (in the chorus) and Jermaine Jackson (additional backing vocals).
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