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
The track was first written and recorded in 1992 with Brad Buxer, under the title “Heal L.A.” He worked on the track during the HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I sessions.
During a meeting with Nelson Mandela, words “what more can i give?” came to Michael’s mind, and he began rewriting the song.
On December 31, 1997, Michael wrote a letter to Kim Dae-jung to congratulate him on his election. In the letter he writes : “”For my part, I plan to include a Korean singer in my new “What More Can I Give” recording which will be the theme song of my Benefit Concertto help the children of North Korea. I think such a participation of a Korean singer will help restore the pride of the people of Korea”.
MJ recorded a demo in 1998.
April 12, 1999 : In the office of Harrods in London, Michael gives an interview to Piers Morgan for UK tabloid Daily Mirror. The interview is published front page on April 13 + April 14. During the interview, MJ reveals that he is working on a new charity song to help the the crisis in Kosovo : “I wrote a song What More Can I Give that I want to put all the stars together and if I could do it here in Britain it would be great. Maybe I should do it in Britain. I wrote it and I want to give the proceeds to the families of Yugoslavia. Maybe I should do it here instead of America and get all your celebrities in England and if the Americans want to fly down too. One of the things I didn’t like about “We are the World” song that I wrote was I didn’t like the idea “USA for Africa” it was like it was discriminating the rest of the world. I asked for the Bee Gees and I asked for other groups and they said “they weren’t born here” I said “I don’t care! I just want the world to show that they care”. I mean I am not into politics and I don’t talk about religion and politics but I think it’s totally ignorant and it’s wrong to hurt people, to hurt innocent children over some political issue? I think its genocide; I think it’s wrong. Ethnic cleansing? It’s ignorant, it’s stupid.”
Michael’s plan was to premiere the during the MJ & Friends concerts in June 1999, however, for unknown reasons the song was not performed at the concerts.
Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, he rewrote the track again, however this time he brought multiple artists from around the world, similarly to a project from 2 decades earlier, “We Are the World”. The recording took place and finished in October 2001. In addition, a Spanish version called “Todo Para Ti” was recorded and featured both English and Latin artists.
December 14, 2001 : Michael gives an interview to USA Today. Asked about “What More Can I Give”, MJ answers : “It’s not finished. We’re adding artists, and I’m getting myself satisfied with the instrumentation.”
English version
3LW
Aaron Carter
Anastacia
Beyoncé
Billy Gilman
Brian McKnight
Bryton James
Carlos Santana
Celine Dion
Gloria Estefan
Hanson
Jon Secada
Justin Timberlake
Luther Vandross
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson
Michael McCary
Mýa
*NSYNC
Nick Carter
Reba McEntire
Ricky Martin
Shakira
Shawn Stockman
Thalia
Tom Petty
Usher
Ziggy Marley
Spanish version
Alejandro Sanz
Cristian Castro
Joy Enriquez
Juan Gabriel
Julio Iglesias
Laura Pausini
Luis Miguel
Olga Tañón
Rubén Blades
STUDIO(S)
???
SONGWRITER(S)
Michael Jackson
Rubén Blades (spanish version)
PRODUCER(S)
Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer
RELEASE DATE :
November 12, 2001 : Entertainment Tonight airs the first footage of the “What More Can I Give” video. The song is ready but Sony doesn’t want to release it…
The track debuted in 2002 on a New York radio, WKTU-FM, which repeatedly played the track, although without Jackson’s approval. It is unknown how the radio got access to the song.
November 21, 2002 : Michael attends the Bambi Awards with Wiesner & Bashir where Boris Becker presents him the Pop Artist Of The Millenium award. During the ceremony, the video for “What More Can I Give” is premiered.
On October 27, 2003, “What More Can I Give” was finally officially released, although only as a digital single. It cost $2 per download, the money was given to multiple charities. A physical release was planned, however it was cancelled. The reason for the cancellation is unknown, although likely because of the feud between Jackson and Sony at the time.
LABEL
Sony (but never released)
LENGTH
5.05
ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)
Solo demo from 1998 (leaked but unreleased)
MUSICIANS
???
PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :
Never unreleased as a single
SHORT FILM
October 27, 2003 : Michael attends the premiere of the song’s video at a Las Vegas casino. During the screening, Michael mingles with the small audience and watches the video while sitting on the floor. In the evening, Michael premieres the video of the song during the Radio Music Awards where Beyonce also presents him with the Humanitarian Award.
LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS
October 21, 2001 : Michael is in Washington DC where he participates at a TV concert for the victims of September 11. He performs “Man In The Mirror” and at the end, he sings “What More Can I Give” with all the artists of the night (including Usher & Mariah Carey) Prince, Paris, Macauley Culkin, the Cascios, Kenny Ortega & Marc Schaffel attend the concert backstage.
LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS
October 21, 2001 : Michael is in Washington DC where he participates at a TV concert for the victims of September 11. He performs “Man In The Mirror” and at the end, he sings “What More Can I Give” with all the artists of the night (including Usher & Mariah Carey) Prince, Paris, Macauley Culkin, the Cascios, Kenny Ortega & Marc Schaffel attend the concert backstage.
Jackson Dynasty 