Heal the World

Composition

This song is written in the key of A major (but later transitions to B major as a choir starts singing, and last more chorus in D major from the end), and it spans from E3 to C5. It has a tempo of 80 beats per minute.

The lyrics includes a reference to Isaiah 2:4: "See the nations turn their swords into plowshares."

Reception

Critical reception

Chris Lacy from Albumism described the song as "a beautifully understated anthem whose lyrics call for universal improvement." AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "middle-class soft." Larry Flick from Billboard viewed "Heal the World" as a "oh-so-sweet call for peace and love". He added, "Although tune sounds a bit like 'We Are the World', the sincerity in his vocal cuts through a somewhat overblown arrangement and choir climax." Randy Clark from Cash Box said that it's "musically about as close a jab at his previous 'Cry', 'Man in the Mirror' and 'We Are the World' as he could pull off without Quincy Jones and the superstar backing." He added that "the sing-along ballad features mostly Michael's vocals, bringing in a choir at the end for the full effect. The universal message is also the theme of his current world tour."

After Jackson's death, the Daily Vault's Michael R. Smith wrote, "Certainly, message songs like 'Heal the World' and 'Gone Too Soon' have a striking and sad resonance now that Jackson is no longer with us, so in that way his legacy is preserved and his music does live on." David Browne of Entertainment Weekly praised the song, "And when his voice isn't competing with drum machines, it has rarely sounded stronger-achingly pure". Rolling Stones Alan Light was not satisfied, calling it "a Hallmark-card knockoff of 'We Are the World'." A more scathing criticism came from Bill Wyman of Vulture, who ranked the song the worst of Michael Jackson's entire output, criticising its "overweening vocalizings" and "unrelenting, almost sociopathic key changes".

Commercial reception

The song reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in December 1992, kept off the number one position by Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". It peaked number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Music video

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Joe Pytka and features children living in countries suffering from unrest, especially Burundi. It is also one of only a handful that does not feature Jackson. 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.

Track listing

• UK and European versions

1. "Prelude / Heal The World" (7-inch edit) – 4:32
2. "Prelude / Heal The World" (Album Version) - 5:25
3. "She Drives Me Wild" – 3:41
4. "Man in The Mirror" - 4:55

• 7-inch single and cassette single

1. "Heal the World" (7-inch edit) – 4:32
2. "She Drives Me Wild" – 3:41

• 12-inch single

1. "Heal the World" (album version) – 6:25
2. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" (Brothers in Rhythm house mix) – 7:40
3. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (Roger's Underground Solution) – 6:18
4. "Rock with You" (Masters at Work remix) – 5:29

• CD maxi single

1. "Heal the World" (7-inch edit) – 4:32
2. "Heal the World" (7-inch edit with intro) – 4:55
3. "Heal the World" (LP version) – 6:25
4. "She Drives Me Wild" (album version) – 3:41

• Visionary DualDisc single :DVD side

1. "Heal the World" (music video) – 7:31
2. "Heal the World" (single version) – 4:32
3. "Will You Be There" – 5:52

Personnel

• Written and composed by Michael Jackson
• Produced by Michael Jackson
• Co-produced by Bruce Swedien
• Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien and Matt Forger
• Lead and background vocals by Michael Jackson
• Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson
• Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Bahler
• Choir arrangement by John Bahler, featuring the John Bahler Singers
• Prelude composed, arranged and conducted by Marty Paich
• Keyboards: David Paich and Brad Buxer
• Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker, David Paich and Steve Porcaro
• Drums: Jeff Porcaro, John Robinson (tom overdubs)
• Percussion: Bryan Loren
• Orchestra arranged and conducted by Marty Paich
• Ending solo vocal: Christa Collins
• Playground girl: Ashley Farell

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

Cover versions

• The Brazilian singer Xuxa Meneghel made a Spanish version named Curar El Mundo in 1992.
• The Brazilian band Roupa Nova made a Portuguese version named A Paz in 2010.
• In 2016 Mumbai-based folk music duo Maati Baani (formed by Nirali Kartik and Kartik Shah) released a cover of the song featuring 45 child artists between the ages of 5 and 13 from India, South Africa, Russia, Canada, Japan and the United States, displaying an eclectic array of musical styles.
• Jillian Ward covered the song in 2021 for the Frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

References

References

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