"Who Is It" is a song by the American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson. It was released by Epic 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 and Bill 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 album Thriller. 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 with Oprah Winfrey in early 1993.
Background and composition
"Who Is It" was recorded by Michael Jackson for his eighth studio album, Dangerous. Jackson wrote and composed the track, in the key of D minor, and produced it with Bill Bottrell. It was released as the fifth single from Dangerous on July 13, 1992, in the UK by Jackson's record label, Epic Records. 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.
Reception
Critical reception
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." Larry Flick from Billboard 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'." Chris Willman of the Los Angeles Times claimed that it "recaptures some of the slinky, insinuating feel of 'Billie Jean'." Jon Pareles, a writer for The New York Times, said the song is an "imitation" of "Billie Jean". Alan Light of Rolling Stone noted that unlike his previous efforts, it is about betrayal. Jonathan Bernstein, a writer for Spin, wrote that "Who Is It" was "close skin to 'Billie Jean'."
Commercial reception
"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 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as well as topping the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play. and the following week reached its peak position, number 10. In France, the track peaked at number eight on August 29. "Who Is It" re-entered the Switzerland music charts for the first time in over 17 years, hitting number 49 on July 12, 2009.
Track listings
- CD-maxi (658179 2)
| 20
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)
| 8
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (European Dance Radio)
| 5
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (European Hit Radio)
| 3
|-
!scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
| 11
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Greece (Pop + Rock)
| 7
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Italy (Musica e dischi)
| 17
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Spain (AFYVE)
| 19
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|UK Airplay (Music Week)
| 3
|-
!scope="row"|UK Dance (Music Week)
| 16
|-
!scope="row"|UK Club Chart (Music Week)
| 55
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US Cash Box Top 100
| 5
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+
!scope="col"|Chart (2009)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
|}
Year-end charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+
!scope="col"|Chart (1992)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
| 95
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
| 48
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (European Hit Radio)
| 13
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Media Control)
| 49
|-
!scope="row"|UK Airplay (Music Week)
| 63
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+
!scope="col"|Chart (1993)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM)
| 64
|-
!scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (Billboard)
| 50
|-
!scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)
| 88
|-
!scope="row"|US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)
| 40
|}
Release history
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|July 13, 1992
|
|rowspan="5"|Epic
|
|-
!scope="row"|Japan
|August 22, 1992
|Mini-CD
|
|-
!scope="row"|Australia
|September 7, 1992
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|Japan
|October 1, 1992
|CD (remixes)
|
|-
!scope="row"|United States
|March 29, 1993
|
|