Do you like this song? #794
Yes I like it, I already know it
Yes I like it, first time listening
No I don't like it, I already know it
No I don't like it, first time listening
Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson - Scream 1995
"Scream" is a song by American singers and siblings Michael and Janet Jackson. It was released as the lead single of Michael Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995) on May 29, 1995 as a double A-side with "Childhood", a solo song by Michael. "Scream" is an aggressive, retaliatory song directed at the tabloid media and their coverage of the child sexual abuse accusations made against Michael Jackson in 1993. It was written, composed and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson; Michael was credited for playing instruments such as keyboard, synthesizer, guitar, drums and percussion on the single and album. "Scream" was a worldwide hit. It reached number one in Italy, Spain, and New Zealand, number two in Australia and Norway and number three in the UK. It became a top five hit in every major music market.
The corresponding music video remains one of his most critically acclaimed; it won three MTV Video Music Awards out of 11 nominations (more than any other music video) and the Grammy Award for Best Music Video. At a cost of $7 million, it was listed in the Guinness World Records as the most expensive music video ever made. The video has influences of Japanese sci-fi anime; in the background screens, several clips can be seen of the television series Zillion (1987) and Babel II (OVA, 1992), and the films Vampire Hunter D (1985) and Akira (1988).
"Scream" is a song primarily directed at the tabloid press. As far back as the late 1980s, Jackson and the press had a difficult relationship and the tabloid stories inspired the pejorative nickname "Wacko Jacko". In 1993, the relationship between Jackson and the press came to a head when he was accused of child sexual abuse. At the time, Jackson said of the media reaction, "I will say I am particularly upset by the handling of the matter by the incredible, terrible mass media. At every opportunity, the media has dissected and manipulated these allegations to reach their own conclusions." Jackson began taking Valium, Xanax, and Ativan to deal with the stress of the allegations made against him. Jackson's health had deteriorated to the extent that he canceled the remainder of his tour and went into rehabilitation, to which the media showed him little sympathy. The Daily Mirror held a "Spot the Jacko" contest, offering readers a trip to Disney World if they could correctly predict where the entertainer would appear next. "Scream" / "Childhood" and HIStory were Jackson's first releases since the allegations. Janet Jackson wanted to be involved with the project as a show of sibling support. It was the first time they had worked together since 1984, when Michael provided backing vocals on "Don't Stand Another Chance".
"Scream" received a total of 55,2% yes votes. Previous Michael Jackson polls: #45 "Will You Be There", #114 "Why", #220 "Blame It on the Boogie", #341 "Give In to Me", #410 "Is It Scary", #714 "Say Say Say". Previous Janet Jackson polls: #146 "Got 'til It's Gone", #364 "If", #528 "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)".
