Ghosts

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.

RECORDING DATE

“Ghosts” started as an instrumental track by Teddy Riley from the Dangerous era. The track was initially developed in June 1993 at Riley’s Future Records studio during work for the Addams Family Values soundtrack before the project was dropped.

“Ghosts” was updated in late 1994 during sessions for the HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I album at The Hit Factory, with more overdubs and an unused operatic intro performed by Luciano Pavarotti. However, it was ultimately left off the album.

After HIStory, “Ghosts” was revisited in August 1995 by Bruce Swedien and René Moore.

Next, the track was worked on from March–April 1996 at Record One, and later during the summer at Record Plant. The song was completed a few months later for inclusion in the Michael Jackson’s Ghosts short film.

The final mix was done in March 1997 for “Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix” in 1997.

STUDIO(S)

Los Angeles

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson & Teddy Riley

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson & Teddy Riley

RELEASE DATE :

Ghosts (1997 mix) : Released on May 20, 1997 (Blood On The Dance Floor).

It was released as a part of the “HIStory/Ghosts” double A-side single, on July 30, 1997, serving as the second single from the album.

LABEL

Sony Music

LENGTH

3:50 (radio edit)
5:13 (album version)

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

Ghosts (Demo Guide Vocal) : Recorded in 1994. Full demo leaked in 2017 but remains unreleased.

Ghosts (1996 mix) : First version of the song used in the closing credits of the “Ghosts” short film in 1996. Different bassline, different backing vocals and different sound effects from the 1997 version. Remains unreleased.

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released in the US

SHORT FILM

The clip is a montage of scenes from the Michael Jackson’s Ghosts short film.

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts