Take Two
Where we take two different jazz interpretations of a song
Human Nature
Looking out
Across the nighttime
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs
I guess there might well be Michael Jackson fans who believe people shouldn't mess with his songs. After all, the 1982 album Thriller on which the track Human Nature appeared was produced by Quincy Jones and by 1984, Thriller had sold 32 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling album of all time. Seven singles from the album were released including Billie Jean, Beat It and Human Nature.
Get me out
Into the nighttime
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite
Written by John Bettis and Steven M. Porcaro it was added to the album tracks towards the end of the album being made as Michael and Quincy felt a mid-tempo ballad was needed. John Bettis tells the story of how the catchy repeat had been discovered by chance on the end of a pre-used tape by the band Toto and the song was developed from there.
If they say
Why (why?), why (why?)
Tell 'em that it's human nature
Why (why?), why (why?)
Does he do me that way?
You can watch Michael Jackson performing Human Nature it at Wembley in 1988 - when you think he has finished, he hasnt!
The first of our jazz interpretations of Human Nature comes from Dutch singer Trijntje Oosterhuis and guitarist Leo Amuedo at a North Sea Jazz Festival. There is a guitar solo at the beginning that sets up the song beautifully.
Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are everywhere
See that girl
She knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare
Our second take on Human Nature is one by Miles Davis. There are several videos of Miles at various venues but this one is from a concert in Paris in 1989 with Kenny Garrett on saxophone.
If they say
Why (why?), why (why?)
Tell 'em that it's human nature
Why (why?), why (why?)
Does he do me that way?
© Sandy Brown Jazz 2025.3