Stranger in Moscow

"Stranger in Moscow", like several other HIStory tracks, was Jackson's response to recent events in his personal life.{{cite book|last=Pinkerton|first=Lee|title=The Many Faces of Michael Jackson |publisher=Music Sales Distribution |year=1998 |page=34 |isbn=0-7119-6783-0}} In 1993, the relationship between Jackson and the press soured entirely when he was accused of child sexual abuse. Though not charged with a crime, Jackson was intensely scrutinized by the media during the criminal investigation. Complaints about the coverage and media included using sensational headlinesCampbell (1995), p. 42–45 and headlines that implied guilt, accepting stories of Jackson's alleged criminal activity and leaked police material in exchange for money,Campbell (1995), p. 77–80Campbell (1995), p. 47–50 deliberately using unflattering pictures of Jackson,Taraborrelli, p. 500–507 and a lack of objectivity.

The coverage upset Jackson, and damaged his health; Jackson's health had deteriorated such that he canceled the remainder of his Dangerous World Tour and went into rehabilitation.Campbell (1995), p. 89–93Taraborrelli, p. 524–528 The media showed him little sympathy. The Daily Mirror held a "Spot the Jacko" contest, offering readers a trip to Walt Disney World if they could correctly predict where the entertainer's next appearance would be. A Daily Express headline read, "Drug Treatment Star Faces Life on the Run", while a News of the World headline accused Jackson of being a fugitive. These tabloids also falsely alleged that Jackson had traveled to Europe to have cosmetic surgery that would make him unrecognizable upon return. Geraldo Rivera set up a mock trial, with a jury made up of audience members, even though Jackson had not been charged with a crime.Campbell (1995), p. 104–106

"Stranger in Moscow" is an R&B ballad{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=17:1471108 |title=Stranger In Moscow |website=Allmusic |access-date=2008-11-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603090016/http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg |archive-date=June 3, 2009 }} with a tempo of 65 beats per minute, making it one of Jackson's slowest songs.The Complete Michael Jackson, International Music Publications Ltd, 1997, {{ISBN|1859094473}}, p81 Guitars were played by Steve Lukather while keyboards, synthesizers and bass are credited to David Paich and Steve Porcaro.George, p. 12

Jackson used Russian imagery and symbolism to underscore the track's sense of fear and alienation.{{cite web |last=Swygart |first=William |date=2008-04-08 |title=Top Ten Things About "Rasputin" By Boney M |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/staff_top_10/top-ten-things-about-rasputin-by-boney-m.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113113042/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/staff_top_10/top-ten-things-about-rasputin-by-boney-m.htm |archive-date=2018-11-13 |access-date=2008-11-05 |publisher=Stylus magazine}} It concludes with a narrative, spoken in Russian, by a KGB interrogator (Ed Wiesnieski).Jackson, Michael. HIStory booklet. Sony BMG. p 42 The narrative, translated into English is, "Why have you come from the west? Confess! To steal the great achievements of the people, the accomplishments of the workers..."Jackson, Michael. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix booklet. Sony BMG. p 9

The song was written in September 1993, while on the Dangerous World Tour stop in Moscow. It is based on the credits theme of the 1994 video game Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which Jackson and his tour keyboardist Brad Buxer were hired to compose for.{{cite magazine |date=December 2009|title= Brad Buxer: Musicien, Arrangeur|trans-title= Brad Buxer: Musician, Arranger|language=fr |magazine=Black & White |location=France |publisher=Captain EO Productions }}{{cite web |publisher=MTV.com |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627664/20091204/jackson_michael.jhtml |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091207090103/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627664/20091204/jackson_michael.jhtml |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 7, 2009 |title=Did Michael Jackson Compose 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Soundtrack? |date=2009-12-04 |author=Montgomery, James |access-date=2009-12-05}} According to Buxer, Jackson called him to his hotel room in Moscow during the Dangerous World Tour. Thinking he wanted to hear his new game cues, Buxer played several songs on the piano in the room, including the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 credits theme cue. Buxer and Jackson worked together on developing the chords and changes for the rest of the song over an hour and a half.{{cite web|url=https://www.makingmichael.co.uk/single-post/2016/05/17/EXTRACT-Making-HIStory|title=mikesmallcombe - Single Post|website=Michael Jackson Book - Making Michael by Mike Smallcombe}} Conflicting accounts state that Jackson either dropped out of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 project following the sexual abuse allegations around this time or, chose to be uncredited in-game because of his dissatisfaction with the limitations of the Sega Genesis sound chip.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFgnUa1v8uA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/EFgnUa1v8uA| archive-date=2021-11-16 | url-status=live|title=Pop Fiction: Season 4: Episode 39: Sonic 3: Michael Jackson|last=GameTrailers|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Originally, HIStory was planned as a greatest hits album, with a few new tracks. However, Jackson and his collaborators were so pleased with the result of "Stranger in Moscow" that they decided to give HIStory a full studio album as the second disc.{{cite web |title=MJ visionary |url=http://www.mjvisionary.com/mjvisionary.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408061311/http://www.mjvisionary.com/mjvisionary.html |archive-date=April 8, 2008 |access-date=2008-11-05 |publisher=Sony BMG}}

"Stranger in Moscow" received praise from music critics and producers. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic noted of HIStory, "Jackson produces some well-crafted pop that ranks with his best material... 'Stranger in Moscow' is one of his most haunting ballads".{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Erlewine |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r216079|pure_url=yes}} |title=Michael Jackson HIStory Overview |work=Allmusic.com |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=2010-01-27}} Tom Molley of the Associated Press described it as an "ethereal and stirring description of a man wounded by a 'swift and sudden fall from grace' walking in the shadow of the Kremlin".{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Molloy |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20050522-0913-ca-michaeljackson-history.html |title=Michael Jackson seemingly gives his side of story – on decade-old album |agency=Associated Press |date=2005-05-22 |access-date=2008-11-05 }} Longtime collaborator Bruce Swedien, has described "Stranger in Moscow" as one of the best songs Jackson had ever done. Fred Shuster of the Daily News of Los Angeles described it as, "a lush, pretty minor-key ballad with one of the album's catchiest choruses".Fred Shuster, Jackson attempts to rewrite 'history', Daily News of Los Angeles, 1995-06-18 Chris Willman of Los Angeles Times stated: {{blockquote|"Stranger in Moscow", is a step removed from the focused paranoia of much of the rest of the album, more akin to the deeper, fuzzier dread of a past perennial like "Billie Jean". Jackson imagines himself alone and adrift in a psychic Russia, pre-glasnost, hunted by an unseen KGB: "Here abandoned in my fame / Armageddon of the brain", he sings in the somber, constricted verses, before a sweeping coda kicks up four minutes in and the stalkee suddenly breaks his cool to wail about a desolate, inconsolable loneliness. Here, in this song, is the real genius—and probably real personhood—of Michael Jackson.{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-archive-history-review-story,0,2144828.story |title=Pop Music Review: Hits and Missives |author=Chris Williams |work=The Los Angeles Times |publisher=Tribune Company |date=1995-06-18 |access-date=2010-01-27}}}} A reviewer from Music Week rated it five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week. The reviewer added, "More melodic than most of HIStory{{'}}s new, uptempo tracks, this has a somewhat old-fashioned feel, being closer in spirit to 'Rock with You' than 'Scream'. It isn't quite vintage Jacko, but the song is irresistible."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-10-26.pdf|first=|last=|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=1996-10-26|page=8|access-date=2021-09-14}} The magazine's Alan Jones stated that the Todd Terry remix "works like a dream, and guarantees Jackson another substantial hit."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-09-28.pdf|first=Alan|last=Jones|title=Talking Music|magazine=Music Week|date=1996-09-28|page=24|access-date=2021-09-05}} Jon Pareles of The New York Times stated, "The ballads are lavishly melodic. 'Stranger in Moscow', with odd lyrics like 'Stalin's tomb won't let me be,' has a beautiful chorus for the repeated question 'How does it feel?{{'"}}.{{cite web |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? |work=The New York Times |date=1995-06-18 |access-date=2008-09-18 }} Further praise came in 2005 when it was felt that the song had successfully portrayed "eerie loneliness" and was characterized as beautiful by Josephine Zohny of PopMatters.{{cite magazine |first=Josephine |last=Zohny |url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/features/050209-michaeljackson.shtml |title=In Defense Of Michael |magazine=PopMatters |date=2005-02-09 |access-date=2008-11-05 }} Rod Temperton, one of Jackson's songwriters from earlier in his career, believes that "Stranger in Moscow" is Jackson's best song.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/michael-jackson-the-stories-behind-35-of-his-greatest-songs-1415193|title=Michael Jackson: The Stories Behind 35 Of His Greatest Songs|first=Emily|last=Barker|date=8 August 2014|website=NME}} James Hunter of Rolling Stone commented:{{blockquote|[Jackson is] angry, miserable, tortured, inflammatory, furious about what he calls, in "Stranger in Moscow", a "swift and sudden fall from grace"...HIStory feels like the work of someone with a bad case of Thriller nostalgia. Occasionally this backward focus works to Jackson's advantage: On "Stranger in Moscow" he remembers the synth-pop '80s while constructing wracked claims of danger and loneliness that rival any Seattle rocker's pain.{{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 |publisher=Wenner Media LLC |date=1995-08-10 |access-date=2008-07-23 |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=2008-06-22 |url-status=dead}}}} Patrick Macdonald of The Seattle Times described "Stranger in Moscow" as "a pretty ballad interspersed with sounds of rain."{{cite web |first=Patrick |last=Macdonald |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19950621/2127467/history-lesson-jacksons-living-on-past-glories |title='History' Lesson: Jackson's Living On Past Glories |work=The Seattle Times |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=1995-06-21 |access-date=2008-11-07 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195057/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950621&slug=2127467 |url-status=live }} David Sinclair from The Times viewed it as "a dolorous ballad".Sinclair, David (1996-11-09). "The week's top pop releases; Records". The Times''.

File:Michael Jackson Stranger in Moscow screenshot.JPG walking the streets of the city in the music video.]]

The song's accompanying music video was shot in July 1996. It was directed by photographer Nick Brandt, and filmed in Los Angeles, is focused around six unrelated people living in isolation in a cityscape on a dark, cloudy day while the rest of the world moves around them in slow motion (introducing the so-called 'bullet time' effect).{{Cite journal|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/03/13/tame_impala_covers_michael_jackson_s_stranger_in_moscow_and_it_s_terrific.html|title = An Underrated Michael Jackson Track Gets an Airy, Psychedelic Cover|journal = Slate|date = 13 March 2014|last1 = Harris|first1 = Aisha}} The first half of the video introduces these figures. Five of the figures are: a bald man looking down at the city from his apartment window, a woman sitting alone in a coffee shop, a homeless man lying on the damp street, a well-dressed man feeding pigeons, and a teenage boy watching a street game of baseball. The sixth figure is Jackson himself, seen walking the city streets while he sings. Special effects are used to show birds and wasps flying, glass breaking and coffee spilling, all in slow motion.{{Cite web|url=https://allnaijaentertainment.com/2018/11/music-michael-jackson-stranger-moscow/|title=[Music] Michael Jackson – Stranger In Moscow|first=The|last=Terrorist!|date=November 2, 2018|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423111459/https://allnaijaentertainment.com/2018/11/music-michael-jackson-stranger-moscow/|url-status=dead}}

In the second half of the scenario, heavy rain descends on the city and the citizens try to flee, all again seen in slow motion. From the safety of shelter, the six "strangers" watch everyone's futile attempts to avoid the sudden change in weather. Eventually, they decide to go outside, where they look up at the sky and allow the rain to soak them. The video ends with Michael whipping his hair. During this scene, a soft Russian voice is heard, a reference to Moscow.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n47VCQAAQBAJ&q=stranger+in+moscow+music+video+Michael+jackson&pg=PA223|title=Практична граматика англійської мови. Книга 1: Навчальний посібник|first=Сітко А.|last=В|publisher=Нова Книга|isbn=9789663824888|via=Google Books}}

The music video also appears on Jackson's video albums HIStory on Film, Volume II and Michael Jackson's Vision. It was published on YouTube in October 2009. The video has amassed more than 69 million views as of November 2022.{{cite web|title=Michael Jackson - Stranger In Moscow (Official Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEEMi2j6lYE|publisher=YouTube|date=2009-10-03|access-date=2022-11-21}}

Jackson's biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli has stated that the video is based on Jackson's real life. He used to walk alone at night looking for new friends, even at the peak of his musical popularity. The 1980s saw him become deeply unhappy; Jackson, as a teenager, explained in an interview, "Even at home, I'm lonely. I sit in my room sometimes and cry. It's so hard to make friends... I sometimes walk around the neighborhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home."Taraborrelli, p. 206

The song was performed during the HIStory World Tour (1996–1997).{{Cite web|url=https://www.philippineconcerts.com/concert-memories/michael-jackson-live-in-manila-1996/|title = Michael Jackson Live in Manila 1996|date = 25 June 2012}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/michael-jackson-serves-up-a-thriller-to-his-adoring-fans-at-the-rds-1.90443|title = Michael Jackson serves up a thriller to his adoring fans at the RDS| newspaper=The Irish Times }}

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• UK CD single (6633525)

1. "Stranger in Moscow" (Album Version) – 5.43
2. "Stranger in Moscow" (Tee's Radio Mix) – 4.21
3. "Stranger in Moscow" (Tee's In-House Club Mix) – 6.53
4. "Stranger in Moscow" (TNT Frozen Sun Mix—Club) – 6.49
5. "Stranger in Moscow" (Tee's Freeze Radio) – 3.45
6. "Stranger in Moscow" (TNT Danger Dub) – 7.21
7. "Stranger in Moscow" (Tee's Light AC Mix) – 4.24

• US 12-inch single

1. "Stranger in Moscow" (Hani's Num Club Mix) – 10:15
2. "Stranger in Moscow" (TNT Danger Dub) – 7:21
3. "Stranger in Moscow" (Basement Boys 12" Club Mix) – 8:18
4. "Blood on the Dancefloor" (T&G Pool of Blood Dub) – 7:34

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• US CD single

1. "Stranger in Moscow" (Tee's Radio Mix) – 4:21
2. "Stranger in Moscow" (Charles Roane's Full R&B Mix) – 4:40
3. "Stranger in Moscow" (Hani's Num Radio Mix) – 3:50
4. "Stranger in Moscow" (Tee's In-House Club Mix) – 6:54
5. "Stranger in Moscow" (Basement Boys 12" Club Mix) – 8:18
6. "Stranger in Moscow" (Hani's Extended Chill Hop Mix) – 6:01
7. "Off the Wall" (Junior Vasquez Remix) – 5:14

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As per the liner notes of The Ultimate Collection:{{cite AV media notes|title=The Ultimate Collection|title-link=The Ultimate Collection (Michael Jackson album)|date=2004}}

• Lead and background vocals by Michael Jackson
• Guitar: Steve Lukather
• Keyboards, synthesizers & [synth] bass: David Paich
• Keyboards & synthesizers: Steve Porcaro
• Keyboards & synthesizers, programming (uncredited): Brad Buxer
• Michael Jackson beatbox samples in intro spliced/edited by Andrew Scheps[https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.php?p=4340981&postcount=201&s=357ec10e3e7fc813a7c45a33812d33ad Gearspace post by engineer Rob Hoffman on Stranger In Moscow]

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Stranger in Moscow"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Stranger in Moscow|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2021|id=17464-168-1|access-date=August 27, 2021}}

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

• British singer Leona Lewis did a live rendition at the Michael Forever – The Tribute Concert.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/christina-aguilera-beyonce-ne-yo-defy-naysayers-at-michael-jackson-tribute-concert-233324/|title = Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé Defy Naysayers at Michael Jackson Tribute|magazine = Rolling Stone|date = 10 October 2011}}
• Kevin Parker released a cover by his Australian psychedelic rock music project Tame Impala on SoundCloud on March 12, 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mandatory.com/culture/660089-listen-tame-impala-cover-michael-jacksons-stranger-in-moscow|title = Tame Impala: Cover Michael Jackson's 'Stranger in Moscow'|date = 14 March 2014}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/mar/13/tame-impala-cover-michael-jacksons-stranger-in-moscow|title = Tame Impala cover Michael Jackson's Stranger in Moscow|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 13 March 2014}}
• The American rock band Santana have covered the song in their concerts and the cover was uploaded on YouTube on March 30, 2020.{{cite AV media |title=Stranger In Moscow|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPIpb5Fp9Ls| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/fPIpb5Fp9Ls| archive-date=2021-11-16 | url-status=live|via=Youtube|access-date=7 May 2020}}{{cbignore}}{{cite AV media |title=Santana-Stranger In Moscow|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il8Vg-q3r0Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/il8Vg-q3r0Y |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|via=Youtube|access-date=7 May 2020}}{{cbignore}}
• The Struts covered the song for their unplugged EP Unplugged at EastWest.

{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Lisa|title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pops Darkest Hour|publisher=Branden|year=1995|isbn=0-8283-2003-9}}
• George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection. Sony BMG.
• {{cite book|last=Pinkerton|first=Lee|title=The Many Faces of Michael Jackson |publisher=Music Sales Distribution |year=1998|isbn=0-7119-6783-0}}
• {{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli |title=The Magic and the Madness |year=2004 |publisher=Headline |location=Terra Alta, WV |isbn=0-330-42005-4 }}

{{refend}}

{{HIStory (album)}}

{{Michael Jackson songs}}

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Category:1990s ballads

Category:1995 songs

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Category:Michael Jackson songs

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Category:Songs about loneliness

Category:Songs about Moscow

Category:Black-and-white music videos

Category:Music videos directed by Nick Brandt