Heal the World
| "Heal the World" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "She Drives Me Wild" |
"Heal the World" is a song from Michael Jackson's hit album, Dangerous, released in 1991. The music video (directed by Joe Pytka) features children living in countries suffering from unrest, especially Burundi. It is also one of only a handful of Michael Jackson's videos not to feature Jackson himself, the others being "Cry", "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror". (The clips for "HIStory" and "Man in the Mirror" only feature Michael Jackson in archival footage).[1] The version of the video included on Dangerous: The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision contains an introductory video that features a speech from Jackson taken from the special "spoken word" version of the track. This version was not included on Video Greatest Hits – HIStory featuring the music video. Jackson performed the song in the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show with a 35,000 person flash card performance.
In a 2001 Internet chat with fans, Jackson said "Heal the World" is the song he was most proud to have created. He also created the Heal the World Foundation, a charitable organization which was designed to improve the lives of children. The organization was also meant to teach children how to help others. This concept of 'betterment for all' would become a centerpiece for the Dangerous World Tour. In the documentary Living with Michael Jackson, Jackson said he created the song in his "Giving Tree" at Neverland Ranch.
An ensemble performance of "We Are the World" and "Heal the World" closed Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. The song was performed as rehearsed by Jackson at the venue just weeks earlier, in preparation for his planned "This Is It" tour in London along with "Dirty Diana". R&B singer Ciara sung the song as a tribute to Jackson at the 2009 BET Awards.
The song was played at the funeral of James Bulger,[2] and Jackson also donated the song to be used as the anthem for the charity the James Bulger Red Balloon Center, a school for children to go to if they are being bullied or have learning difficulties.[3]
Composition
This song is written in the key of A Major.[4] Jackson's vocal spans from E4 to C#6.[4] It has metronome of 81 beats per minute.[4]
Reception
The song reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1992, kept off the #1 position by Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". It peaked #27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Charts
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Gold[11] | 250,000 |
| New Zealand | Gold[12] | 7,500[13] |
Track listing
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Personnel
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Cover versions
- Brazilian singer Xuxa recorded a Spanish version of the song called "Curar el Mundo", in 1992.
- The song was covered as "Heal Massa God World" in a reggae style by Jamaican artist Wayne Wonder on his 2006 album Don't Have To.
- Japanese R&B singer Misia covered the song on her 2011 album Misia no Mori: Forest Covers.
- Filipino singers Lea Salonga & Charice Pempengco sang "Heal the World" as a tribute to Michael Jackson on the show A.S.A.P. on July 5, 2009.
- Zain Bhikha, a South African singer-song writer, covered the song on his 2011 album "Hope", adding an African twist.
- The students of City International School, Mumbai, India covered the song for the 2011-2012 ISA Project organised by The British Council. The award was later won by the same school.
- Connie Talbot, a finalist from Season 1 of Britain's Got Talent, released a variation of the song in November 2011 on her album, Beautiful World.[15]
References
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- ^ "Heal the World (Music Video)". Epic Records. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
- ^ Miles, Tina. "Michael Jackson's Heal The World released to support new Liverpool James Bulger centre for bullied children - Liverpool News - News". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "'Heal The World' song launched for Red Balloon Centre in Liverpool > Local News > News". Click Liverpool. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ a b c "Heal the World – Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download)". MusicNotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ^ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Download French Single Top 50". France. lescharts. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Michael Jackson - Heal The World". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Swiss Singles Chart Archives". hitparade.ch. Retrieved July 18, 2009.
- ^ "UK Singles Chart". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2009. [dead link]
- ^ Caufield, Keith (30 June 2009). "Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records". Billboard.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Heal+the+World')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Rianz.org.nz. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Rianz.org.nz. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ a b c d e "Michael jackson - Heal the World (Chanson)". LesCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
- ^ . Apple https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-world-single/id484117029. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
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