Human Nature by Michael Jackson is a hybrid of soft rock and rnb. Soft rock because it was penned by two Toto members, namely Steve Porcaro and John Bettis, how else do you think Jackson got that smooth sound? Sure he was a musical wizard and had Quincy Jones on board, but you either born with the smoothness or you get two of Toto in to help you out. And that is how they came to work together. Shall we listen to it? Ok
This smoothness has been searched out by many a star and with no luck, they’ve just robbed it by sampling or covering said number.
The most well known of the sampled versions is SWV’s 1993 track Right Here which was a a smash hit. The video sees the Sisters With Voices wear the same clothes as each other enjoying outdoor pursuits such as horse riding, fishing, standing on a beach next to each other in the same cut off shorts etc. It also features a child halfway up a wall playing a drum. Not sure if there is a hidden meaning in that, but frankly it just looks a little cruel and dangerous.
Blackstreet sampled it on their track Why Why.
Why why indeed. It’s the usual “oh girl” type slow rnb wail that no one ever requested. It must be hard for Blackstreet as nothing they ever do will be as good No Diggity ever again. Soz Blackstreet, tough love and all that.
A rare cover next from saxophonist George Howard. Yes we’ve never heard of him either! But google provides you with facts which makes you appear quite knowledgeable and clever you know. Anyway, this is from his album Stepping Out which also contains a saxophone cover of Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics. This is the kind of thing that makes the world better. There’s not enough sensitive brass pop covers around.
The late Aaliyah sampled it on Journey to the Past a song we would elaborate on further were it not so insipid that it drains us of all energy to type further. It’s like eating a very dry cake – overbaked, mealy and devoid of any joy via the welcome clag of buttercream. Mmm tuck in!
Our final version is from Chris Brown the rnb current chart star who slapped Rhianna about a bit. He sampled the SWV track AND Jacko’s version, which is effectively just copying two people’s homework and passing it off as your own. Boo, gerroff Chris Brown. Get your own ideas! And don’t hit women!
So what have we learned from this exercise? Well, it has inspired a lot of rubbish songs, but on the plus side we have discovered the delights of George Howard who covers pop tracks on the sax. So not a waste of time! Oh that’s good.
Tags: Blackstreet, Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, SWV