For All Time

RECORDING DATE

“For All Time” was written by Steve Porcaro and Michael Sherwood and recorded in 1990 for the album Dangerous, although it didn’t make the cut.

“Michael had called and he wanted a follow-up, something that was in the vibe of Human Nature and obviously something from Steve. We wrote several songs and one of them was For All Time. He was going to put it on the Dangerous album indeed and it was supposed to be the ballad. Michael recorded it and it was coming out really well so we were really excited. But then there was this kid, Ryan White, who died of a blood transfusion contracting AIDS, and it was very sad. Michael had this beautiful song called Gone Too Soon and it had to go on the record. So it kind of knocked our song off the Dangerous record. We were hoping that maybe it would be on the next record, then we hoped it would be on the next record and then we finally just gave up on it and continued writing. At some point Lionel Richie was approached and he was interested to perform it. Steve told me that they did a track for him with Nathan East and some other people but I never heard it and it never surfaced.”
— Michael Sherwood revealed in an interview with Brice Najar

In the 2006, while working on Thriller 25, Jackson wanted to rework and include “For All Time” on the album, even though the song has nothing to do with Thriller album, era or sessions.

“Well, in 2005, maybe early 2006, we got a call from Michael saying that he was releasing the Thriller 25th anniversary record and that he would like to put For All Time on it. We were very surprised but we dusted it off and finished it up. It was 20 years later but you must never give up because you never know! It was a very pleasant surprise when Steve called me and said : « Are you sitting down? » I said : « No. » He said : « Sit down! » (laughs) Then I talked to Michael because I wanted to rewrite the verses. You know, 20 years later, I was a better writer so I said : « Can I please rewrite the verses? I love the chorus and the bridge, but I think the verses need a little more work. » But Michael said : « Oh, no, I want to keep it just like it is! » I said : « All right. » thinking to myself « You’re the King of Pop!… » (laughs)”
— Michael Sherwood revealed in an interview with Brice Najar

STUDIO(S)

?

SONGWRITER(S)

Steve Porcaro and Michael Sherwood

PRODUCER(S)

Steve Porcaro and Michael Sherwood

RELEASE DATE :

Released on February 8, 2008 (Thriller 25).

LABEL

Sony

LENGTH

4:03

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

On July 7, 2002, a demo of “For All Time” was leaked online. An even earlier take was leaked in 2022 in low quality. The same demo was leaked again in high quality on January 27, 2023 after Brad Sundberg’s laptop was stolen. In 2022, the original songwriters demo was leaked with Michael’s vocals in the background

MUSICIANS

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Never 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