Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.
ERA
RECORDING DATE
April 14 – November 8, 1982.
“Behind the Mask” is a 1979 song by the Japanese synth-pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra. The composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto, wrote the first version for a television commercial. This was expanded with the band and the British lyricist Chris Mosdell for inclusion on the 1979 Yellow Magic Orchestra album Solid State Survivor. In the US and the UK, “Behind the Mask” was released as a single from the album X∞Multiplies in 1980.
In 1982, Michael Jackson recorded a version with extra lyrics and melodies. It was omitted from his 1982 album Thriller as no royalty arrangement could be agreed. Jackson’s demo was released on the album Thriller 40 in 2022.
In the 1980s, artists including Greg Phillinganes, Eric Clapton and the Human League recorded versions based on Jackson’s demo. Clapton’s version, released in 1987, was a top-20 single in some markets. An updated remix of Jackson’s version was released on the 2010 album Michael.
STUDIO(S)
Westlake (Los Angeles, California)
SONGWRITER(S)
Michael Jackson, Ryuichi Sakamoto & Chris Mosdell
PRODUCER(S)
Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson
RELEASE DATE :
A remixed version was released posthumously on December 10, 2010 (Michael).
Original demo was released posthumously on November 18, 2022 (Thriller 40).
LABEL
Sony
LENGTH
5:01
ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)
No alternate version known to exist
MUSICIANS
???
PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :
Not released as a single
SHORT FILM (filmed by MJ during his lifetime)
No short film
LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS
Never performed on a TV show
LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS
Never performed in concerts
Jackson Dynasty 