"Who Is It" is a song by the American singer and songwriterMichael Jackson. It was released byEpic Records in the United Kingdom on July 13, 1992, as the fourth single from Jackson's eighth album,Dangerous (1991). In the United States, it was released as the album's sixth single on March 29, 1993. The song was written and composed by Jackson, and produced by Jackson andBill Bottrell. The song's lyrics pertain to despair over being left by someone you love; some critics noted a comparison to the lyrics of the song to Jackson's single "Billie Jean" from the albumThriller. As part of the promotion for the song, two music videos were released in 1992. The song was not performed by Jackson on any of his tours. He did, however, perform a small segment of the song in his interview withOprah Winfrey in early 1993.[2]
"Who Is It" was recorded byMichael Jackson for his eighth studio album,Dangerous. Jackson wrote and composed the track, in the key of D minor, and produced it withBill Bottrell.[3] It was released as the fifth single fromDangerous on July 13, 1992, in the UK by Jackson's record label,Epic Records.[4] The lyrics of the song tell of a man who is left in despair when his lover suddenly leaves him. He learns that she was unfaithful to him and wants to know with whom she cheated.
Several music critics compared "Who Is It" to Jackson's 1983 single "Billie Jean". Chris Lacy from Albumism described the song as a "haunting masterpiece" that "finds Jackson teeming with rage and regret when his lover leaves him unexpectedly."[6]Larry Flick fromBillboard magazine called it a "stellar jam", adding that "minor-key synths and rigid rhythms underscore a white-knuckled vocal and a hook reminiscent of 'Billie Jean'."[7] Chris Willman of theLos Angeles Times claimed that it "recaptures some of the slinky, insinuating feel of 'Billie Jean'."[8]Jon Pareles, a writer forThe New York Times, said the song is an "imitation" of "Billie Jean".[9] Alan Light ofRolling Stone noted that unlike his previous efforts, it is about betrayal.[10] Jonathan Bernstein, a writer forSpin, wrote that "Who Is It" was "close skin to 'Billie Jean'."[11]
"Who Is It" was commercially successful worldwide, generally peaking within the top 30 positions on national music charts. The song peaked at number 14 on the United States'Billboard Hot 100 chart, while peaking at number six onBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as well as topping theBillboardHot Dance Club Play.[12][13][14] Internationally, "Who Is It" reached the top 20 in several countries. The song debuted on the United Kingdom music chart at number 12 on July 25, 1992,[15] and the following week reached its peak position, number 10.[16] It remained within the top 100 positions for seven consecutive weeks from July to September 1992.[17] In France, the track peaked at number eight on August 29.[18] "Who Is It" reached its lowest peak position at number 34 in Australia.[19]
In Austria, the track debuted at its peak position, number five; the song remained within the top 30 chart positions from August to October.[20] "Who Is It" debuted in Switzerland on August 2, at number 40, and peaked at number 14 two weeks later.[21] The song debuted at number 94 in the Netherlands, and the following week moved up 60 positions, eventually peaking at number 13.[22] In Sweden, the track entered the country's music chart at its peak position, number 24 and, after four weeks, fell out of the top 50.[23] In Norway, the track debuted at its peak position, number 10 on the 30th week of 1992; the song charted at its peak position for two weeks before falling off the chart.[24] The song also peaked at number 16 in New Zealand.[25] AfterJackson's death in June 2009, his music experienced a surge in popularity.[26] "Who Is It" re-entered the Switzerland music charts for the first time in over 17 years, hitting number 49 on July 12, 2009.[21]
It begins with Jackson in what seems to be a hotel, singing about his girlfriend portrayed by English modelYasmin Le Bon. He is distressed because he found a silver card with the name "Alex" on it. It implies that his girlfriend is cheating on him with someone else. As the story in the video unfolds, the girl takes on different identities (i.e. Eve, Diana, etc.) for her job as a high class call girl. "Alex" (which is also a girl's name) just happens to be one of them. The video alternates scenes from where Jackson is singing about his pain, to where the girl is being changed into her different identities and taking care of her jobs (mostly meeting with other men and even some women, and sleeping with them). Towards the end of the video, Jackson has packed up his bags to leave town, because of his distress. A helicopter comes to pick him up from his house. The girl comes to Jackson's house and she asks his assistant (who knows the situation and aided Jackson in his departure) to let her in. It is likely she quit the job for him and wants to stay. The assistant shakes his head, implying that he left. When she asks why, he drops a flutter of silver nameplates (including the one that said "Alex") from a slot in the door. After that scene, Jackson is seen sleeping and smoke floats out the side of the screen. Having lost her love and without any alternative, the girl turns to her profession as a call girl again. Her employer (portrayed by actressLois Chiles) slaps her in the face and the video ends as the girl is seen being prepared for a new identity.
