Who Is It

Track 39 on The Indispensable Collection

Producers

“Who Is It” was released on August 31, 1992, as the fifth single from Michael Jackson’s eighth studio album, Dangerous. MJ wrote and composed the song himself. The lyrics… Read More

Aug. 31, 19921 viewer141.3K views

Who Is It Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I gave her money, I gave her time
I gave her everything inside one heart could find
I gave her passion, my very soul
I gave her promises and secrets so untold

[Pre-Chorus]
And she promised me forever and a day we'd live as one
We made our vows we'd live a life anew
And she promised me in secret that she'd love me for all time
It's a promise so untrue
Tell me what will I do?

[Chorus]
And it doesn't seem to matter and it doesn't seem right
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure 'cause I'm lying to myself
And the reason why she left me, did she find in someone else?

[Post-Chorus]
Who is it?
Is it a friend of mine?
Who is it?
Is it my brother?
Who is it?
Somebody hurt my soul now
Who is it?
I can't take this stuff no more

[Verse 2]
I am the damned, I am the dead
I am the agony inside dying head
This is injustice, woe unto thee
I pray this punishment would have mercy on me

[Pre-Chorus]
And she promised me forever that we'd live our life as one
We made our vows we'd live a love so true
It seems that she has left me for such reasons unexplained
I need to find the truth
But see, what will I do?

[Chorus]
And it doesn't seem to matter and it doesn't seem right
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure 'cause I'm bothered everyday
And she didn't leave a letter, she just up and ran away

[Post-Chorus]
Who is it?
It is a friend of mine?
Who is it?
Is it my brother?
Who is it?
Somebody hurt my soul now
Who is it?
I can't take it 'cause I'm lonely

[Bridge]
(Hee-hee, hee-hee)
Don't try to pick me
Don't try, quit it
I never was, we never were
Just won't stop
Don't bother me, don't bother me

[Pre-Chorus]
Who is it?
It is a friend of mine?
Who is it?
To me, I'm bothered
Who is it?
Somebody hurt my soul now
Who is it?
I can't take it 'cause I'm lonely

[Chorus]
And it doesn't seem to matter (Hee-hee)
And it doesn't seem right (Hee-hee)
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure (Body)
'Cause I'm lying to myself
And the reason why she left me
Did she find in someone else?
And it doesn't seem to matter (Don't bother me)
And it doesn't seem right (Da da da da)
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night (Think of another brother)
Don't you judge of my composure
'Cause I'm bothered every day
And she didn't leave a letter
She just upped and ran away (You can really say I'm lonely)
And it doesn't seem to matter
And it doesn't seem right (Hee-hee!)
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure (Don't be, don't be, don't be judging)
'Cause I'm lying to myself
And the reason why she left me (Don't be, don't do)
Did she find in someone else? (Can't take it 'cause I'm lonely)
And it doesn't seem to matter (Don't bother me)
And it doesn't seem right (This won't cut it)
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night (Think of another brother)
Don't you judge of my composure (Don't be judging)
'Cause I'm bothered every day (Don't be, don't be)
And she didn't leave a letter
She just upped and ran away (Can't you really feel I'm lonely?)
And it doesn't seem to matter (Hee-hee!)
And it doesn't seem right (Hee-hee!)
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune
Still, I cry alone at night (She don't, she don't want me)
Don't you judge of my composure
'Cause I'm bothered every day (She don't, she don't, she don't need it)
And she didn't leave a letter (She don't, she don't want it)
She just upped and ran away (Is it my brother?)
And it doesn't seem to matter (Don't bother me, you just couldn't)
And it doesn't seem right
'Cause the wheel has brought no fortune (Da da, da da, da da, da)
Still, I cry alone at night
Don't you judge of my composure (Hee!)
'Cause I'm lying to myself (Hee!)
And the reason why she left me
Did she find in someone else? (I can't take it 'cause I'm lonely)

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About

Genius Annotation

“Who Is It” was released on August 31, 1992, as the fifth single from Michael Jackson’s eighth studio album, Dangerous.

MJ wrote and composed the song himself.

The 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.

The music video for the song was directed by a young David Fincher, who would go on to direct films such as Fight Club, Zodiac and The Social Network.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Michael Jackson say about "Who Is It"?

Genius Answer

This reminds me so much of Dirty Diana. I think he recaptured that sound on this song. You know, I think he went back to his roots of recording with this song to record an incredible track. I thought it would take someone like Quincy Jones [who produced Dirty Diana] to really put an incredible track like that together. I thought it would take someone like Quincy to get that sound, but Michael came up with it.

It was really difficult for me having to follow in Quincy Jones' footsteps. He left big footsteps! He did hear this album and he really gave me a great compliment on my production. He heard it before it was released and he said this was a masterpiece, and that it’s ready to come out.

Michael was taking so long and he brought Quincy in to hear it – he was like a quality controller for Michael. If Michael had the chance he’d keep working on songs forever.

Producer Teddy Riley in an interview with MusicRadar.

Who produced “Who Is It” by Michael Jackson?

When did Michael Jackson release “Who Is It”?

Who wrote “Who Is It” by Michael Jackson?