Earth Song

Jackson wrote "Earth Song" under the working title "What About Us" at the Vienna Marriott hotel during the Bad World Tour on June 1, 1988.{{Cite web |title=The Story of... 'Earth Song' by Michael Jackson |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/features/the-story-of/michael-jackson-earth-song-lyrics-meaning-video/ |website=Smooth Radio}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zOsMtAEACAAJ|isbn = 9781976106477|title = Earth Song: Michael Jackson and the Art of Compassion|date = 10 September 2017|publisher = CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform}} Jackson wanted to create a song that was lyrically deep with an emotional message, but was melodically simple, so the whole world, particularly non-English-speaking fans, could sing along.{{cite book|last=Grant|first=Adrian|title=Michael Jackson : Making History|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=1998|isbn=0-7119-6723-7}}

"Earth Song" was produced by Jackson, David Foster and Bill Bottrell.Jackson, Michael. HIStory booklet. Sony BMG. p 36 Andraé Crouch's Choir and Jackson engage in a call-and-response chant in the climax.

"Earth Song" is a ballad that incorporates elements of blues, gospel{{cite book|first=Steve|last=Knopper|title=MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=60p5DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA233|date=28 June 2016|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4767-3038-7|pages=233–}} and opera. Jackson describes the dire situation that mankind has caused, ranging from war to devastation to animals and Earth itself. Jackson calls on people to remember the Earth is their inheritance from God via their ancestor Abraham. "What about death again" reminds all to think about eternal death, asking people to check their heart for repentance, or to see if they really cared at all. Having disassociated himself from being one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Jackson simplified his faith to focus on the Biblical Jesus Christ until his death.{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Pareles |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE0DD123DF93BA25755C0A963958260&scp=4&sq=HIStory+album+michael+jackson+review&st=nyt

|title=Pop View; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand? |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 18, 1995 |access-date=December 5, 2008 }}

"Earth Song" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. A reviewer from Contra Costa Times called it "a bit sappy and overblown", but also acknowledged that it was "epic" and destined to be a "massive smash hit".{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CC&s_site=contracostatimes&p_multi=CC&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1063F909E5710288&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=HIStory's a Thriller |publisher=Contra Costa Times |date=June 18, 1995 |access-date=November 13, 2008 }} James Masterton for Dotmusic described it as a "towering gospel track".{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending December 9th 1995|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1995/week-ending-december-9th-1995|website=Chart Watch UK|date=December 3, 1995|access-date=October 4, 2021|author-link=James Masterton}} Ledger-Enquirer observed that it "enjoys the same kind of subtlety, building to a dramatic call-and-response finish with the Andraé Crouch Choir".{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CL&s_site=ledgerenquirer&p_multi=CL&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB5949FD7B32721&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Jackson disappoints with HIStory |publisher=Ledger Enquirer |date=June 23, 1995 |access-date=November 13, 2008 }} Pan-European magazine Music & Media named it Single of the Week and an "ecological anthem", stating that "even without the delightful arrangements (tentative piano, jazzy guitar licks, nature noises), the strong composition would have been a sure thing for the top of the EHR and ACE charts."{{cite magazine|title= New Releases: Singles - Single of the Week |magazine= Music & Media |date= November 25, 1995 |page= 13 |access-date= May 19, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-11-25.pdf}} Music Week rated it five out of five and named it Single of the Week, writing, "This will be huge. Already a favourite from HIStory, it builds from a tweeting birds/strummed harp intro into a no-excess-barred epic, but is beautiful all the same."{{cite magazine|title= Reviews: Singles - Single of the Week |magazine= Music Week |date= November 18, 1995 |page= 12 |access-date= May 15, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-11-18-I.pdf}} The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed it "a healing, rhythmic ballad that evokes religious imagery".{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB32BA81BF1BFE6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Jackson promises new CD in spring |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=February 25, 1995 |access-date=2008-08-18 }} Michael Mehle of Rocky Mountain News said the finale is "anthemic" and a "powerful gospel opus".{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Mehle |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RM&p_theme=rm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4E301A9DE74D4&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Can Michael Jackson make a comeback? |newspaper=Rocky Mountain News |date=June 20, 1995 |access-date=November 13, 2008 }} James Hunter of Rolling Stone stated, "The slow blues-operatic 'Earth Song' for all its noble sentiments, sounds primarily like a showpiece".{{cite magazine

|first=James

|last=Hunter

|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/312830/review/5943497/history_past_present_and_future_book_1

|title=Michael Jackson HIStory

|magazine=Rolling Stone

|date=August 10, 1995

|access-date=July 23, 2008

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622040842/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/312830/review/5943497/history_past_present_and_future_book_1

|archive-date=June 22, 2008

|url-status=dead

}} The Sacramento Bee described Jackson's vocal performance as "cool".{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0DB3A79B9F9CA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

|title=Michael Jackson back from Neverland... |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |date=June 20, 1995 |access-date=November 13, 2008}} A reviewer from San Jose Mercury News called it "flat" and "whiny", believing Jackson had already experimented with these concepts earlier in his career.{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB71E88D7E5A476&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

|title=Is Michael Jackson HIStory? |work=San Jose Mercury News |date=June 19, 1995 |access-date=December 5, 2008}} Gina Morris from Smash Hits gave it two out of five.{{cite magazine|first=Gina|last=Morris|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/34274374894/in/album-72157684604938996|title=Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|date=November 22, 1995|page=56|access-date=December 1, 2024}}

In 2017, ShortList's Dave Fawbert listed the song as containing "one of the greatest key changes in music history".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/music/the-best-key-changes-music/329120|title=The 19 greatest key changes in music history|magazine=ShortList|date=October 1, 2017|access-date=January 13, 2018}} Jackson received the Genesis Award: 1995 Doris Day Music Award, given each year for animal sensitivity.

This was among the songs that Clear Channel advised against playing, directly after the September 11 attacks in 2001.{{Cite book |last=Sullivan |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t9B2DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22what+a+wonderful+world%22+earth+anthem&pg=PA182 |title=Which Side are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs |date=2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-066030-7 |pages=182 |language=en}}

In the United Kingdom, "Earth Song" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for six weeks throughout December 1995 — beating the U2/Brian Eno project Passengers to win the Christmas number one spot — and into early 1996.{{cite web |url=http://www.mjvisionary.com/mjvisionary.html |title=MJ visionary |publisher=Sony BMG |access-date=November 5, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080408061311/http://www.mjvisionary.com/mjvisionary.html |archive-date = April 8, 2008|url-status=dead}} During its stay at number one, "Earth Song" kept the first single released by the Beatles in 25 years, "Free as a Bird", off the number one position as well as other bookmaker favourites "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "It's Oh So Quiet" by Björk. In early December, bookmakers correctly predicted that Jackson would keep the Beatles off the top position and go on to attain the Christmas number-one single.{{cite news |first=Davis |last=Hinckley |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1995/12/05/1995-12-05_extra__extra__late-breaking_.html |title=Extra! Extra! |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=December 5, 1995 |access-date=November 15, 2008 }} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite book|title=British Hit Singles and Albums|publisher=Guinness World Records|year=2006|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=49}} It went on to sell 1,270,000 copies in the nation as of August 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/michael-jacksons-top-60-songs-on-the-official-chart__23713/|title=Top 60 Michael Jackson songs on the Official Chart|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=August 27, 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=August 27, 2018|archive-date=August 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827210107/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/michael-jacksons-top-60-songs-on-the-official-chart__23713/|url-status=live}}

The song also took the number one position in Iceland, Lithuania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, peaking within the top five in almost every European state.{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/c2a/Michael-Jackson-Earth-Song |title=M. Jackson - Earth Song (nummer) |publisher=www.ultratop.be |access-date=November 9, 2008 }}

In Germany, it was Jackson's first single to reach No. 1 on the German Singles Chart and held the summit for 5 consecutive weeks.{{cite web |url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Jackson%2CMichael/single |title=Die ganze Musik im Internet |publisher=musicline.de |access-date=2014-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407051435/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Jackson%2CMichael/single |archive-date=2014-04-07 |url-status=dead }}

The song was only released to radio in the US, appearing on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (for the remix version of 1996).{{cite magazine |url=http://%7b%7bbillboardurlbyname/ |title=Artist Chart History - Michael Jackson |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |access-date=November 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506130502/http://%7b%7bbillboardurlbyname/ |archive-date=May 6, 2008 |url-status=dead }} In 2006, "Earth Song" reached number 55 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart, following the Visionary: The Video Singles campaign, whereby 20 of Jackson's hit singles from the 1980s to the 1990s were reissued in several European countries.{{cite magazine |url= http://www.billboard.com/artist/310778/michael+jackson/chart?f=349 |title=Michael Jackson - Chart history |magazine=Billboard |access-date= 2014-03-31}}

Earth Song was first performed on November 4, 1995, on the German TV program Wetten, dass..?, along with Dangerous. Jackson's performance attracted a audience of 25,000,000 viewers in Germany making it one of the most watched programs of all time.{{Cite book |last=Halstead |first=Craig |url=https://archive.org/details/michaeljacksonso0000hals/mode/2up?q=%22earth+song%22 |title=Michael Jackson ... the solo years |date=2003 |publisher=Hertford : Authors Online |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-7552-0091-7 |quote=The show attracted 18 million viewers, with 25 million tuning in to watch Michael’s performance (Guest spot) — far and away the highest German. TV audience of 1995.}} The next performance of the song was at Brit Awards 1996 on February 19, 1996. During the performance, singer Jarvis Cocker briefly ran onto the stage while Jackson was dangling off the edge of a crane. He lifted his shirt, pretended to break wind and gave Jackson the V sign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/watch-jarvis-cocker-discuss-his-michael-jackson-stage-invasion-in-february-1996-10982|title = Watch Jarvis Cocker Discuss His Michael Jackson Brit Awards Stage Invasion in February 1996|website = NME|date = 19 February 2016}} The 1996 World Music Awards was the next performance of the song on May 8, 1996.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4qJfDwAAQBAJ&dq=michael+jackson+performed+earth+song+1996+world+music+awards&pg=PT654|isbn = 9781788401234|title = Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track|date = 4 October 2018|publisher = Octopus}}

During the ending of the song, Jackson sang the line, "Tell me what about it", which was on the original record. On July 16, 1996, Jackson performed "Earth Song" at the Brunei Royal Concert at Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Bandar Seri Begawan.{{Cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-sg/entertainment/other/when-michael-jackson-was-paid-us-17-million-to-perform-at-the-sultan-of-brunei-s-50-birthday-party-and-prince-charles-was-even-there/ar-BB18NURU |title=When Michael Jackson was paid US$17 million to perform at the Sultan of Brunei's 50 birthday party – and Prince Charles was even there |website=MSN |access-date=2021-09-03 |archive-date=2021-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128190657/https://www.msn.com/en-sg/entertainment/other/when-michael-jackson-was-paid-us-17-million-to-perform-at-the-sultan-of-brunei-s-50-birthday-party-and-prince-charles-was-even-there/ar-BB18NURU |url-status=dead }} Similar to the World Music Awards performance, Jackson sang the line, "Tell me what about it". The song was also performed on Jackson's HIStory World Tour from September 1996 to October 1997.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yb_ghov9uEMC&dq=jackson+performed+earth+song+at+the+brunei+royal+concert+.&pg=PA153|isbn=9780755200917|title=Michael Jackson the Solo Years|year=2003|publisher=Authors On Line}}

It was later performed at the MJ & Friends concerts in June 1999. During the Munich performance on June 27, 1999, the middle section of the bridge collapsed into the air and came falling down instead of pausing in mid-air. The fall caused severe back pain to Jackson. After the concert, Jackson was rushed to a hospital.{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/09/showbiz/jackson-death-trial/index.html|title = Witness: Michael Jackson was paranoid, talking to himself in last days| date=10 May 2013 }}

The song was also planned for his This Is It comeback concerts in London at the O2 Arena, which were canceled due to Jackson's death on June 25, 2009. This was the last song Jackson ever performed, having rehearsed it at Staples Center on June 24, 2009, preparing for This Is It, hours before his death.

File:Michael Jackson Lausanne 20 juin 1997.jpg in 1997. He dangled from the edge of a crane in a similar manner at the Brit Awards.]]

On February 19, 1996, Jackson performed "Earth Song" at Brit Awards 1996 in the UK; he was there to collect a special "Artist of a Generation" award. Jackson sang while dangling off the edge of a high-rise crane elevator, which he had used the year before while performing "Earth Song" on the German TV show Wetten, dass..?. A chorus of backing performers began to embrace Jackson upon his descent.

During the performance, British singer Jarvis Cocker ran onstage without permission, lifted his shirt and pretended to break wind, before giving Jackson the V sign.{{cite book|last=Pinkerton|first=Lee|title= The Many Faces of Michael Jackson|publisher=Music Sales Distribution|year=1997|page=55|isbn=0-7119-6783-0}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/entertainment/2000/brit_awards/665776.stm |title=Brits behaving badly |publisher=BBC |date=March 4, 2000|access-date=December 5, 2008}} Cocker was there with his band Pulp, who had been nominated for three Brit awards. He was questioned by police over claims he had assaulted some of the child performers. A video provided by an unidentified source showed that it was one of Jackson's crew who had barged into the children, not Cocker, and the charges were dropped.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/19/bum-rush-the-show-jarvis-cockers-britpop-celebrity-moment|title=Bum rush the show!: Jarvis Cocker's Britpop celebrity moment|first=Niall|last=Doherty|date=19 February 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=25 April 2021}}

Cocker said he found the performance offensive, and that Jackson had portrayed himself as Christ-like and could do as he pleased because of his immense wealth and power. He said his actions were directed at Jackson's performance, not Jackson himself, and said that he admired Jackson as a performer: "He can dance, [...] anybody who invents the moonwalk is alright by me."{{Citation|title=Jarvis Cocker press conference on Brit Awards and Michael Jackson| date=November 25, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK0Ynq9Kl1k| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/eK0Ynq9Kl1k| archive-date=2021-11-16 | url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2019-11-29}}{{cbignore}} In a 2012 interview with The Observer, Cocker said "Earth Song" was "a right good song, obviously".{{Cite news |last=Siegle |first=Lucy |date=2012-06-02 |title=Jarvis Cocker: the iceman cometh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/02/jarvis-cocker-arctic-oil-environment |access-date=2024-03-07 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}} Jackson condemned Cocker's behavior as "disgusting and cowardly".{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/brits-brawl-as-cocker-pulps-jackson-chorus-1320077.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Brits brawl as Cocker 'pulps' Jackson chorus | first=John | last=McKie | date=February 21, 1996 | access-date=May 1, 2010}} The incident is referred to in the book Politics and Popular Culture by John Street, a professor of politics at the University of East Anglia:

{{blockquote|

But to read popular culture as a straight-forward – or at least typical – political text is to take a very narrow view of its meaning, and hence of its political message(s). As we have noted, the text's meaning will depend on how it is heard and read. Michael Jackson may have intended his "Earth Song" as an exercise in compassion; others – like Jarvis Cocker – saw it quite differently. One reason these alternative readings emerge is because of the way the performance of popular culture engages more than a literal text, it employs gestures and symbols, tones of voice, looks and glances, all of which might tell a different story.{{cite book|last=Street|first=John|title=Politics and Popular Culture|publisher=Temple University Press|year=1997|page=36|isbn=1-56639-603-4}}

}}

The song, along with a 3-D short film that was to be featured in Jackson's series of comeback concerts This Is It was performed as a tribute to Jackson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1630895/michael-jackson-earth-song-grammy-tribute-focuses-on-his-love-of-the-planet/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903174414/http://www.mtv.com/news/1630895/michael-jackson-earth-song-grammy-tribute-focuses-on-his-love-of-the-planet/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2014|title = Michael Jackson 'Earth Song' Grammy Tribute Focuses on His Love of the Planet|website = MTV}} Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson, Celine Dion and Usher all sang the song together, while the video played in the background. The film was shown in its original 3-D format during the broadcast.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/arts/music/01pareles.html|title=Arena-rock, Auto-Tune and a Michael Jackson Tribute at the Grammys|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 2010|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon}}

Target provided free 3-D glasses to customers a week before the Grammy Awards. Paris and Prince Jackson, Jackson's eldest children, appeared shortly after the performance to accept Jackson's Lifetime Achievement Award, where they both gave a short speech. This was the first time the children had spoken publicly since the memorial service that was held for Jackson on July 7, 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2010/01/now-grammys-turn-to-exploit-michael-jacksons-death-planned-tribute-with-this-is-it-3d-footage-22962/|title=Now Grammy's Turn to Exploit Michael Jackson's Death: Planned Tribute with 'This is It' 3D Footage and 3D Glasses|date=20 January 2010}}

File:Michael Jackson Earth Song screenshot.JPG

The music video for "Earth Song", directed by the British fine art photographer Nick Brandt, was expensive and well-received; it won the 1995 Doris Day Music Award at the Genesis Awards and a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video, Short Form in 1997. The production had an environmental theme, showing images of animal cruelty, deforestation, pollution, poaching, poverty and war. Jackson and the world's people unite in a spiritual chant—"Earth Song"—which summons a force that heals the world. Using special effects, time is reversed so that life returns, war ends and the forests regrow. The video closes with a request for donations to Jackson's Heal the World Foundation.George, p. 48–50Michael Jackson HIStory on Film volume II VHS/DVD The clip was shown infrequently in the United States.{{cite magazine |url=http://%7b%7bbillboardurlbyname/ |title=History on Film, Vol. 2 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |access-date=September 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506130502/http://%7b%7bbillboardurlbyname/ |archive-date=May 6, 2008 }}

The video was filmed in four geographic regions (Americas, Europe and Africa). The first location was the Amazon rainforest, where a large part was destroyed a week after the video's completion. Natives of the region appeared in the video and were not actors. The second scene was a war zone in Karlovac, Croatia, with famous Serbian actor Slobodan Dimitrijević and the residents of the area. The third location was Tanzania, which incorporated scenes of illegal poaching and hunting into the video. No animals were harmed in the making of "Earth Song", as the footage came from documentary archives. The final location was in Warwick, New York, where a safe forest fire was simulated in a corn field.{{cite AV media notes|title=HIStory on Film, Volume II|url=|author=Michael Jackson|others=|type=|publisher=Epic Music Video|location=New York City, New York|id=|year=1997|language =English}}

The video was also included on the video albums: HIStory on Film, Volume II, Number Ones and Michael Jackson's Vision.

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• UK CD1

1. "Earth Song" (Radio Edit) – 4:58
2. "Earth Song" (Hani's Club Experience) – 7:55
3. "Michael Jackson DMC Megamix" – 11:18

• UK CD2

1. "Earth Song" (Radio Edit) – 4:58
2. "Earth Song" (Hani's Radio Experience) – 3:33
3. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Brothers in Rhythm Mix) – 7:35
4. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (TommyD's Main Mix) – 7:40

{{col-2}}

• Earth Song (Hani Remixes)

1. "Earth Song" (Hani's Around the World Experience) – 14:47
2. "Earth Song" (Hani's Club Experience) – 7:55
3. "Earth Song" (Hani's Extended Radio Experience) – 4:32
4. "Earth Song" (Hani's Radio Experience) – 3:33

{{col-end}}

The DMC Megamix is a medley of "Bad", "Billie Jean", "Black or White", "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", "Remember the Time", "Rock with You", "Scream", "Thriller" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".

• Michael Jackson: lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, producer, vocal arrangements, rhythm arrangements
• Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch, and Andraé Crouch Choir: backing vocals
• David Foster: producer, keyboards, synthesizers, orchestral arrangements, vocal arrangements, rhythm arrangements
• David Paich: piano, keyboards, synthesizers
• Bill Bottrell: co-producer, guitar
• Michael Thompson: guitar
• Guy Pratt: bass guitar
• Steve Ferrone: drums
• Bruce Swedien: recording engineer, mixing
• Bill Ross: orchestration
• Steve Porcaro: synthesizer programming{{cite book |last1=Lecocq |first1=Richard |last2=Allard |first2=François |title=Michael Jackson All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Track |date=October 23, 2018 |publisher=Cassell |isbn=978-1788400572 |pages=467–468 |ref=All The Songs}}
• Co-performance by London Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestral mix only)
• Orchestral arrangement by Elmer Bernstein (orchestral mix only)

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Earth Song|award=Platinum|certyear=1996|access-date=July 1, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|title=|artist=|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|award=Gold|certyear=1996|access-date=September 4, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=Earth Song|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=|artist=|type=single|id=12541|award=Gold|certyear=2023|access-date=June 7, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Earth Song|award=Gold|certyear=1996|access-date=July 1, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Earth Song|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1996|salesamount=2,000,000|salesref={{cite book |first1= Craig |last1= Halstead |first2= Chris |last2= Cadman |title= Michael Jackson: The Solo Years |publisher= Authors On Line Ltd |date= 2003 |access-date= March 26, 2025 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yb_ghov9uEMC&dq=%22Earth+Song%22+million+copies&pg=PA137 |language= en |page= 137 |isbn= 978-0-7552-0091-7 }}|access-date=July 1, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Earth Song|award=Gold|relyear=1996|access-date=December 16, 2024|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|title=|artist=|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|award=Gold|certyear=1996|nosales=true|access-date=November 3, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Earth Song|award=Platinum|certyear=1996|access-date=July 1, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Earth Song|award=Platinum|certyear=1995|id=1990-2659-1|refname=uk1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|relyear=1995|relmonth=11|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Earth Song|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2021|id=1990-168-1|salesamount=1,270,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Earth Song|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=2018|access-date=April 23, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|title=Earth Song|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Million|format=Pure Sales by 2011|access-date=December 31, 2024|date=Jun 24, 2011|nocert=true|relyear=1995|salesamount=5,000,000|salesref={{Cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-jackson-earth-song_b_882740 |title=Remembering Michael Jackson: The Story Behind His Magnum Opus |last=Vogul |first=Joseph |date=June 24, 2011 |website=Huffington Post |access-date=December 31, 2024 |quote="Earth Song" would become the most successful environmental anthem ever recorded, topping the charts in over fifteen countries and selling over five million copies.}}|note=Pure Sales (as of 2011)}}{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

• Earth anthem
• List of best-selling singles in Germany
• List of million-selling singles in the United Kingdom

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

{{Refbegin}}

• George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
• {{cite book |title=The Magic and the Madness |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |publisher=Headline |year=2004 |isbn=0-330-42005-4 |location=Terra Alta, WV |author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli }}

{{Refend}}

{{HIStory (album)}}

{{Michael Jackson songs}}

{{UK Christmas No. 1s in the 1990s|song}}

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Category:1990s ballads

Category:1995 singles

Category:1995 songs

Category:Michael Jackson songs

Category:Anti-war songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Environmental songs

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in Germany

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in Iceland

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Bill Bottrell

Category:Song recordings produced by David Foster

Category:Gospel songs

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Christmas number-one singles in the United Kingdom

Category:Songs about climate change

Category:Music videos directed by Nick Brandt