"Black or White" | ||||
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Single by Michael Jackson | ||||
from the album Dangerous | ||||
Released | November 11, 1991 | |||
Recorded | 1989–1990[1] | |||
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Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length |
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Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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Music videos | ||||
"Black or White" (Short version) on YouTube | ||||
"Black or White" (Long version) on YouTube | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Black or White" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on November 11, 1991 as the first single from Jackson's eighth studio album, Dangerous (1991). Jackson wrote, composed, and produced the track with record producer Bill Bottrell, who provides an uncredited guest performance. Epic Records described it as "a rock 'n' roll dance song about racial harmony".
"Black or White" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on December 7, 1991, the fastest to reach the position since the Beatles' 1969 single "Get Back". It stayed at the position for seven weeks, making Jackson the first artist to have multiple number ones on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. In addition to having received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), "Black or White" reached number one in the charts of at least 20 countries and territories, including the UK, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Zimbabwe and the Eurochart Hot 100. It was the best-selling single worldwide of 1992.[2]
The music video was directed by John Landis, who had previously directed Jackson's 1983 music video for Thriller, and featured Macaulay Culkin, Tess Harper, and George Wendt. It was co-choreographed by Jackson and Vincent Paterson. It premiered simultaneously in 27 countries on November 14, 1991, with an audience of 500 million viewers, the most ever for a music video. It premiered on MTV, BET, VH1, and Fox, which gave them their highest Nielsen ratings ever at the time, as well as the BBC's Top of the Pops in the UK.
"Black or White" won the inaugural Billboard No. 1 World Single award.[2] In 2003, Q named "Black or White" the 84th best song of all time.[3]