Remember the Time

"Remember the Time" was written by Teddy Riley, Michael Jackson and Bernard Belle, and was produced by Riley and Jackson. It was recorded at Record One studios. It was released as the second single from Michael Jackson's eighth studio album, Dangerous, on January 14, 1992. The song's music was compared to Jackson's 1979 single, "Rock with You" from his Off the Wall album.

Co-writer Teddy Riley supposedly stated in a 1996 Los Angeles Times interview that he was inspired to write the song after hearing Jackson describe "falling in love with the woman he just married". The article assumes he is referring to Debbie Rowe but Riley himself makes no mention of her.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-24-ca-2259-story.html |title=Mr. New Jack Swings Back |author=Cheo Hodari Coker |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 24, 1996 |access-date=October 28, 2010 |archive-date=December 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225170725/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-11-24/entertainment/ca-2259_1_jack-swing |url-status=live }} In a 2011 reply to a fan on Twitter, Riley denied that the song was about Rowe.{{cite web|last=Riley|first=Teddy|url=https://twitter.com/TeddyRiley1/status/104037280985001984|title=Hell to da nooooooo...not Debbie.|work=Twitter|access-date=April 21, 2014|date=August 18, 2011|quote="Hell to da nooooooo...not Debbie."|archive-date=April 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423224708/https://twitter.com/TeddyRiley1/status/104037280985001984|url-status=live}} Others have noted that when the single was originally released in 1992, Jackson dedicated the song to Diana Ross.

"Remember the Time" is a R&B song fused with new jack swing.{{cite magazine |first= Brian |last= Josephs |title= The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs |date= July 20, 2012 |magazine= Complex |url= http://uk.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-25-best-new-jack-swing-songs/ |access-date= July 26, 2016 |archive-date= June 11, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160611100749/http://uk.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-25-best-new-jack-swing-songs/ |url-status= live }} The lyrics recall a youthful love affair: "Do you remember when we fell in love/We were young and innocent then".{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/01/14/sound-affects/ |title=Sound Effects |author=David Browne |magazine=EW.com |publisher=Time Warner Inc |date=January 14, 1994 |access-date=February 11, 2010 |archive-date=April 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421101807/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,300756,00.html |url-status=live }} The song is set in the key of F minor with Jackson's voice range from E{{flat}}₃ to B{{flat}}₅.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0041831 |title=Remember the Time - Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download) |work=MusicNotes.com |date=April 16, 2002 |publisher=Alfred Publishing Co. |access-date=February 11, 2010 |archive-date=January 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124023027/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0041831 |url-status=live }} The song's tempo is moderate at 108 beats per minute.

"Remember the Time" was rehearsed for the Dangerous World Tour but was ultimately cut due to wardrobe malfunctions.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} At the 1993 Soul Train Music Awards, the song won the award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Male. Jackson appeared with an injured foot and on crutches, but was able to perform the song seated on the throne, surrounded by dancers.{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/1993/music/news/boyz-ii-men-nab-3-awards-at-soul-train-104797/ |title=Boyz II Men nab 3 awards at Soul Train |author= |date=March 10, 1993 |magazine=Variety |access-date=August 26, 2019 |quote=Jackson, suffering an ankle injury that confined him to a wheelchair and crutches, collected two awards during Tuesday night's ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium. |archive-date=August 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826204328/https://variety.com/1993/music/news/boyz-ii-men-nab-3-awards-at-soul-train-104797/ |url-status=live }}

"Remember the Time" was generally well received by contemporary music critics. Chris Lacy from Albumism noted that "the warmth and nostalgia" of the song "harkens back to Jackson's Motown roots".{{cite web |first= Chris |last= Lacy |title= TRIBUTE: Celebrating 25 Years of Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' |publisher= Albumism |date= November 21, 2016 |access-date= November 16, 2020 |url= https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-25-years-of-michael-jackson-dangerous |archive-date= November 26, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201126150056/https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-25-years-of-michael-jackson-dangerous |url-status= live }} Stephen Thomas Erlewine, a writer for AllMusic, commented that Dangerous had "plenty" of "professional craftsmanship at its peak" because of "such fine singles" like "In the Closet" and "Remember the Time".{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10095|pure_url=yes}} |title=allmusic (( Dangerous > Overview )) |author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |work=AllMusic.com |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=February 10, 2010|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine }} Erlewine also listed it as being a highlight from the album. Larry Flick from Billboard said the song "shows the King of Pop downplaying his signature whoops and shrieks in favor a decidedly soulful and affecting vocal performance. Insinuating new-jack grooves work well, encasing an immediately memorable hook."{{cite magazine |first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Single Reviews |magazine= Billboard |date= January 25, 1992 |page= 79 |access-date= October 24, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-01-25.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick |archive-date= November 7, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211107225933/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-01-25.pdf |url-status= live }} A reviewer from Cashbox named it Pick of the Week, noting, "This smooth dance ballad sounds like it could have come from the Off the Wall album and has more of the mouth noise, whoops and hollers that we guess will take Mr. Jackson several more albums to out-grow."{{cite magazine |title= Music Reviews: Singles - Pick Of The Week |magazine= Cashbox |date= January 25, 1992 |page= 6 |access-date= November 1, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-01-25.pdf |archive-date= August 21, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200821024842/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-01-25.pdf |url-status= live }}

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that it is a "danceable multi-format smash, dedicated to his mentor Diana Ross."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-02-15.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=February 15, 1992|page=12|access-date=February 21, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107225933/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-02-15.pdf|url-status=live}} Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented that "titles like 'Remember the Time', 'She Drives Me Wild' and 'Give In to Me'" tell the lyrics' "whole story—though they don't suggest the wretched tone he has when he sings them."{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/24/arts/recordings-view-michael-jackson-in-the-electronic-wilderness.html?scp=12&sq=michael%20jackson%20dangerous&st=cse |title=Recordings View; Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness |first=Jon |last=Pareles |author-link=Jon Pareles |work=NYTimes.com |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=November 24, 1991 |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=July 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725015304/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/24/arts/recordings-view-michael-jackson-in-the-electronic-wilderness.html?scp=12&sq=michael%20jackson%20dangerous&st=cse |url-status=live }} A writer from People Magazine said that "the strength of this record stems from bouncy, up-tempo pop" like "Remember the Time".{{cite magazine |url= https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-dangerous-vol-36-no-24/ |title= Picks and Pans Review: Dangerous |magazine= People |date= December 23, 1991 |access-date= November 13, 2020 |archive-date= November 15, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201115050454/https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-dangerous-vol-36-no-24/ |url-status= live }} Alan Light, a writer for Rolling Stone, stated that he felt it was the "most lighthearted musical track on the album" and described the song's lyrics as telling of a "blissful romance only to ask, 'So why did it end?'"{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/158404/review/6068332/dangerous |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122163128/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/158404/review/6068332/dangerous |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 22, 2007 |title=Dangerous : Michael Jackson : Review |author=Alan Light |work=RollingStone.com |publisher=Wenner Media LLC |date=January 9, 1992 |access-date=February 10, 2010 |author-link=Alan Light}} Richard Harrington, a writer for The Washington Post, described "Remember the Time" as being "wistful", commenting that he felt that the song featured Jackson's "least affected vocal performance" but that it "builds an engaging, radio-friendly momentum".{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1096962.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103024117/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1096962.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |title=Article: Jackson's 'Dangerous' Departures; Stylistic Shifts Mar His First Album in 4 Years |author=Richard Harrington |work=HighBeam.com |publisher=The Gale Group, Inc |date=November 24, 1991 |access-date=February 11, 2010}}

"Remember the Time" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 on March 7, 1992, seven weeks after the single release.{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=michael jackson|chart=all}} |title=Click to PlayClick to Play VideoRemember the Time - Michael Jackson |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |access-date=February 10, 2010}} The song saw similar success on other Billboard charts; topping the Hot R&B Singles chart on March 7, and peaking at number two in Dance Club Play chart on April 4, 1992, and number 15 in Adult Contemporary chart on March 21 in the same year. The song peaked at number two on Billboards Hot Dance Music/Maxi Singles Sales.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4576|pure_url=yes}} |title=allmusic ((( Michael Jackson > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles ))) |work=Allmusic.com |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=February 10, 2010}} It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for the shipment of over 500,000 units in the United States in March 1992, and later Triple Platinum in 2022. The song saw similar commercial success internationally, charting in the top 20 in all major territories at the time of its release. In the United Kingdom, "Remember the Time" first entered the chart on February 15, 1992, placing at number six. The following week, on February 22, the song charted at number three, where it peaked; the song remained on the chart for a total of eight weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Remember+The+Time|title=The Official Charts Company - Remember The Time by Michael Jackson Search|date=July 11, 2013|publisher=The Official Charts Company|access-date=September 12, 2019|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030151237/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/remember%20the%20time/|url-status=live}}

"Remember the Time" topped the New Zealand chart for two consecutive weeks, having first entered the chart at number three on February 23.{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Remember+The+Time&cat=s |title=Michael Jackson - Remember the Time (song) |work=charts.nz |publisher=Hung medien |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=May 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507135135/http://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Remember+The+Time&cat=s |url-status=live }} It peaked at number four in the Netherlands and Switzerland. The song also charted within the top ten on the French, Australian, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian charts; peaking at number five, six, eight and ten. It charted in the top 20, peaking at number 16, in Austria. Having been re-issued for Jackson's Visionary campaign in 2006, "Remember the Time" peaked at number two in Spain on the issue dated May 14, 2006.{{cite web |url=http://spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Remember+The+Time&cat=s |title=Michael Jackson - Remember the Time (song) |work=SpanishCharts.com |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309015751/http://spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Remember+The+Time&cat=s |url-status=live }} After Jackson's death in June 2009, his music saw a surge in popularity.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268217/michael-jackson-music-sales-surge-could-last-for-months |title=Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months |author=Ed Christman, Antony Bruno |magazine=Billboard.com |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=July 2, 2009 |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=March 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318143709/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268217/michael-jackson-music-sales-surge-could-last-for-months |url-status=live }} In the United Kingdom, on the chart of July 11, the song re-entered at number 81.

The accompanying music video for "Remember the Time" was filmed in January 1992 at the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot.{{cite book|last1=Allard|first1=François|last2=Lecocq|first2=Richard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CbVgDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT563|title=Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track|publisher=Octopus Books|date=October 4, 2018|isbn=9781788401234|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=August 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813030611/https://books.google.com/books?id=CbVgDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT563|url-status=live}}{{cite web|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=0EB2A2DD2D131DFA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=NEW MICHAEL JACKSON VIDEO DUE FEB. 2|publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=January 21, 1992|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=June 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608185614/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=0EB2A2DD2D131DFA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}} Prior to the release of the video, Jackson's record label promoted it by releasing clips, as well as releasing behind the scenes clips of making the video. The nine-minute video was promoted as a "short film". It premiered on ABC, NBC, Fox, BET, and MTV on February 2, 1992, the Fox broadcast of Remember the Time recorded a Nielsen rating of 13.1.{{cite web|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=0EB2A2DD2D131DFA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=New Michael Jackson Video Dub Feb. 2|author=The Philadelphia Inquirer|work=Nl.Newsbank.com|publisher=News Library|date=January 21, 1992|access-date=February 11, 2010|author-link=The Philadelphia Inquirer|archive-date=June 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608185614/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=0EB2A2DD2D131DFA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}} After the video premiered on MTV, the channel aired a "rockumentary" called "More Dangerous Than Ever" which included glimpses of the making of the video.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/04/arts/review-video-michael-jackson-s-costly-new-promotional-clip.html?pagewanted=1|title=Review/Video; Michael Jackson's Costly New Promotional Clip|last=Parales|first=Jon|work=NYTimes.com|publisher=The New York Times Company|date=February 4, 1992|access-date=February 11, 2010|archive-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615104654/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/04/arts/review-video-michael-jackson-s-costly-new-promotional-clip.html?pagewanted=1|url-status=live}} Jackson's record label would not release the video's budget figures. Directed by John Singleton and choreographed by Fatima Robinson, the video was an elaborate production and became one of Jackson's longest videos at over nine minutes. It was set in ancient Egypt and featured groundbreaking visual effects and appearances by Eddie Murphy, Iman, Magic Johnson, Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr. and Wylie Draper, who portrayed Jackson as an older teenager and a young adult in the made-for-TV movie The Jacksons: An American Dream.

Jackson appears in the video as a hooded wizard who enters an Egyptian palace and attempts to entertain the pharaoh Ramses the Great's bored wife, Nefertari (Iman). Two other entertainers had previously failed, and she has sent them to be executed. The queen sees that this wizard is different: instead of juggling or eating fire, he walks up the steps to her throne and sings to her, asking her if she "remembers the time" they were together. The pharaoh (Murphy) hardly appreciates this move and summons his guards. The wizard hides from the searching guards, secretly meets Nefertari and they kiss passionately. Then Jackson begins an elaborate, Egyptian-style choreography with the pharaoh's servants. When the guards find him, Jackson turns into golden sand. In the video, Jackson was dressed in a costume made of gold satin. He wore golden chain mail, a white skirt with a phallic dangling sash, black pants and black boots. This video features a physically complicated dance routine that became the centerpiece of other videos from the Dangerous album.

The music video was generally well received by music critics. Ira Robbins of Entertainment Weekly described the "Remember the Time" video as being a "gorgeous ancient Egyptian extravaganza".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,298015,00.html |title=Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits -- HIStory |author=Ira Robbins |magazine=EW.com |publisher=Time Warner, Inc |date=December 17, 1993 |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606161603/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,298015,00.html |url-status=dead }} The music video appeared on the video albums: Dangerous: The Short Films, Video Greatest Hits – HIStory and Michael Jackson's Vision. The music video, along with other videos from Dangerous, was frequently shown on MTV.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,309027,00.html |title=Dangerous: The Short Films |author=Lisa Schwarzbaum |magazine=EW.com |publisher=Time Warner, Inc |date=December 17, 1993 |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=April 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425205816/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,309027,00.html |url-status=dead }}

• US maxi CD single{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Michael-Jackson-Remember-The-Time/release/184786|title=Michael Jackson – Remember the Time (1991, CD)|website=Discogs|access-date=May 10, 2019|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531125102/https://www.discogs.com/Michael-Jackson-Remember-The-Time/release/184786|url-status=live}}

1. "Remember the Time" (Silky Soul 7" Mix) – 4:21
2. "Remember the Time" (New Jack Radio Mix) – 4:00
3. "Remember the Time" (12" Main Mix) – 4:47
4. "Remember the Time" (E-Smoove's Late Nite Mix) – 7:20
5. "Remember the Time" (Maurice's Underground Mix) – 7:29
6. "Black or White" (Clivillés & Cole Radio Mix) – 3:33
7. "Black or White" (House With Guitar Radio Mix) – 3:53
8. "Black or White" (Clivillés & Cole House/Club Mix) – 7:33
9. "Black or White" (The Underground Club Mix) – 7:30

• European maxi CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Remember The Time|others=Michael Jackson|year=1992|type=European maxi CD single liner notes|publisher=Epic|id=657774 0}}

1. "Remember the Time" – 3:59
2. "Remember the Time" (Silky Soul 7" Mix) – 4:18
3. "Remember the Time" (New Jack Main Mix) – 6:50
4. "Remember the Time" (12" Main Mix) – 4:37
5. "Remember the Time" (New Jack Mix) – 6:40
6. "Remember the Time" (Silky Soul 12" Mix) – 7:03
7. "Remember the Time" (Silky Soul Dub) – 6:23
8. "Remember the Time" (E-Smoove's Late Nite Mix) – 7:14
9. "Come Together" – 5:27

• Written and composed by Teddy Riley, Michael Jackson and Bernard Belle
• Produced by Teddy Riley and Michael Jackson
• Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley and Dave Way
• Solo and background vocals, vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
• Keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming and synthesizer arrangements by Teddy Riley
• Sequencing and programming by Wayne Cobham

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Remember the Time"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1992|certyear=1992|certref={{cite Ryan|page=140}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Remember the Time|award=Platinum|relyear=1992|certyear=2024|access-date=July 1, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Remember the Time|award=Gold|id=13500|certyear=2024|access-date=February 7, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Remember the Time|award=Platinum|relyear=1992|access-date=December 16, 2024|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Remember the Time|award=Gold|relyear=1992|certyear=2025|id=16980-168-1|access-date=March 8, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Remember the Time|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1992|certyear=2022|access-date=May 19, 2022|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

• List of number-one R&B singles of 1992 (U.S.)

{{Reflist}}

{{Dangerous (album)}}

{{Michael Jackson songs}}

{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Song}}

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Category:1991 songs

Category:1992 singles

Category:Ancient Egypt in the American imagination

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Michael Jackson songs

Category:New jack swing songs

Category:Songs about nostalgia

Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Teddy Riley

Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson

Category:Songs written by Teddy Riley

Category:Songs written by Bernard Belle