"In the Closet"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Dangerous
Released	May 1992
Format	CD single
Recorded	1991
Genre	New Jack Swing
Length	6:31
Label	Epic Records
Producer(s)	Michael Jackson and Teddy Riley
Chart positions
#1 (France) #2 (Italy) #5 (Australia) #6 (US) #8 (UK) #15 (Germany)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Remember the Time" (1992)	"In the Closet" (1992)	"Who Is It" (1992)
Michael Jackson's Visionary chronology
"Remember the Time" (2006)	"In the Closet" (2006)	"Jam" (2006)

"In the Closet" was a popular recording by American pop and R&B singer Michael Jackson in the summer of 1992. The third release off Jackson's Dangerous album, the song became that album's second number one R&B single and its third top ten pop single, hitting number six. Image File history File links In_The_Closet. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Dangerous was a hit album for singer/songwriter Michael Jackson released in 1991 and went on to become the second biggest selling album of 1992. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... New jack swing is a hybrid style of rhythm and blues (R&B) combined with hip hop, popular from the late 1980s to early/mid-1990s. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Epic Records is an American record label, and subsidiary of Sony BMG. // Epic was launched originally as a jazz and classical music label in 1953 by CBS. Its bright-yellow, black and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the performers, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes . ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... This article needs cleanup. ... A record chart, also known as a music chart, is a method of ranking music according to popularity during a given period of time. ... United States may refer to: Places: United States of America SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Remember the Time was a popular recording for American pop and R & B singer Michael Jackson in the winter of 1992. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Remember the Time was a popular recording for American pop and R & B singer Michael Jackson in the winter of 1992. ... Jam was a 1992 single by Michael Jackson from his album Dangerous. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Look up dangerous in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The RIAA Logo. ...

Song

The song, written by Jackson and Teddy Riley, talked about keeping a relationship between the author and a woman secret from anybody knowing (the phrase The closet describes this). It was also allegedly Jackson's attempt to silence critics who had began questioning Jackson's sexuality. To further squelch rumors, in the video, Jackson had Naomi Campbell seduce him throughout the video. The song's female vocal was originally labeled "Mystery Girl" but was later revealed to be Princess Stéphanie of Monaco (a vocal originally meant for Madonna). The expression being in the closet has been used to describe keeping secret ones sexual behavior or orientation, most commonly homosexuality or bisexuality, but also including transgender and transsexual people, paedophiles, and pederasts. ... Naomi Campbell (born May 22, 1970) is a British supermodel, actress, singer and author. ... Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. ... Madonna Louise Ciccone (born August 16, 1958), better known worldwide as simply Madonna, is an iconic American pop singer, songwriter, musician, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and a fashion icon whose level of fame and success has earned her superstar status for more than two decades. ...

The song, with its heavy electronic beats and uptempo arrangement, is very typical of producer Teddy Riley, but the odd, Eastern tinged backing vocal hook (constant throughout the six minute length), sexually charged lyrics and a snaking, crescendoing middle eight imbue the song with an erotic edge often missing from Jackson's music. His vocals are whispered and subdued for most of the song, embellished with gasps and shudders which enhance the sexuality simmering underneath the danceable beats. Only in the chorus is his typically soulful falsetto given free reign.

In keeping with the times, not to mention many of the other singles released from the album, several remixes were commissioned by Jackson and released on a maxi-CD. The most prolific of these remixes was "The Promise" remix by UK DJ Frankie Knuckles, which made its way into the club circuit. A remix is an alternate version of a song, different from the original version. ... Frankie Knuckles (born January 18, 1955, in New York City) is a DJ, producer and remix artist. ...

Mixes

1. Album Version 6:31
2. 7" Edit 4:47
3. Radio Edit 4:29
4. Video Mix 6:05
5. Club Mix 8:05
6. Club Edit
7. Touch Me Dub
8. The Underground Mix
9. The Underground Dub
10. The Mission
11. The Mission Radio Edit
12. The Mix Of Life
13. The Vow
14. The Promise
15. The Reprise
16. KI's 12"
17. Freestyle Mix
18. The Newark Mix

Visionary Single

CD Side

1. "In the Closet" (7" Edit)
2. "In the Closet" (Club Mix)

DVD Side

1. "In the Closet" (Music Video)

Credits

• Written and arranged by Teddy Riley and Michael Jackson
• Produced by Teddy Riley and Michael Jackson
• Lead and background vocals by Michael Jackson
• Female vocal by Princess Stephanie of Monaco
• Rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Teddy Riley
• Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
• Keyboards and synthesizers by Teddy Riley