Tracklist front / back album covers
Disc 1: HIStory Begins/Greatest Hits: HIStory, Volume I
1. "Billie Jean" (from Thriller, 1982) 4:54
2. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (from Bad, 1987) 4:58
3. "Black or White" (from Dangerous, 1991) 4:16
4. "Rock with You" (from Off the Wall, 1979) 3:40
5. "She's Out of My Life" (from Off the Wall) 3:38
6. "Bad" (from Bad) 4:07
7. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" 4:13
8. "Man in the Mirror" (from Bad) 5:19
9. "Thriller" (from Thriller) 5:58
10. "Beat It" (from Thriller) 4:18
11. "The Girl Is Mine" (duet with Paul McCartney) (from Thriller) 3:42
12. "Remember the Time" (from Dangerous) 4:00
13. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (from Off the Wall) 6:06
14. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (from Thriller) 6:03
15. "Heal the World" (from Dangerous) 6:25
Total length: 71:37
Disc 2: HIStory Continues
1. "Scream" (duet with Janet Jackson) 4:38
2. "They Don't Care About Us" 4:44
3. "Stranger in Moscow" 5:44
4. "This Time Around" 4:21
5. "Earth Song" 6:48
6. "D.S." 4:49
7. "Money" 4:42
8. "Come Together" 4:03
9. "You Are Not Alone" 5:45
10. "Childhood" M. Jackson 4:28
11. "Tabloid Junkie" 4:33
12. "2 Bad" 4:50
13. "HIStory" 6:38
14. "Little Susie" 6:15
15. "Smile" 4:56
Total length: 77:14
Notes
^[a] signifies a co-producer
Michael Jackson Band Members / Musicians
Gary Adante – keyboards, synthesizer
Yannick Allain – staff
Trini Alvarez Jr. – assistant engineer
Maxi Anderson – choir conductor
Rob Arbitter – keyboards, synthesizer
Ryan Arnold – assistant engineer
Gloria Augustus – background vocals
Dallas Austin – arranger, keyboards, producer, synthesizer
John Bahler – vocal arrangement, background vocals
John Bahler Singers – background vocals
Tom Bahler – synclavier
Bettye Bailey – staff
Glen Ballard – keyboards, rhythm arrangements, synthesizer, synthesizer arrangements
Brian Banks – keyboards, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
John Barnes – keyboards, piano, synthesizer, vocal arrangement
Elmer Bernstein – conductor, orchestral arrangements
Emily Bernstein – orchestration
Tony Duino Black – assistant engineer
Michael Boddicker – choir conductor, keyboards, programming, sound design, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
Bill Bottrell – drums, engineer, guitar, keyboards, mixing, percussion, producer, synthesizer
Jeff Bova – programming, synthesizer programming
Crystal Bowers – executive assistant
Boyz II Men – guest artist, background vocals
Miko Brando – staff
Bobby Brooks – drums, engineer, percussion, programming, sound design, synthesizer programming
Ollie E. Brown – percussion
Chauna Bryant – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Rodger Bumpass – background vocals, voiceover
Brad Buxer – arranger, keyboards, orchestration, percussion, piano, programming, sequencing arranger, sound effects, soundscape, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
Caleena Campbell – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Bruce Cannon – effects, special effects
Larry Carlton – guitar
Reeve Carney – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Reagans Carter – artwork, photography
Lafayette Carthon – keyboards, synthesizer
Jim Champagne – assistant engineer
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums
Charlie Chaplin – tributee
Rosemary Chavira – staff
Wayne Cobham – synthesizer programming
Lester Cohen – artwork, photography
David Coleman – art direction
Jesse Corti – background vocals, voiceover
Richard Cottrell – engineer
AndraĆ© Crouch – vocal arrangement, background vocals
The AndraĆ© Crouch Singers – background vocals
Sandra Crouch – background vocals
Christopher Currell – guitar, percussion, rhythm arrangements, synclavier
Paulinho Da Costa – percussion
Rick Dasher – assistant engineer
Eddie DeLena – engineer, mixing
Jeff DeMorris – assistant engineer
Carol Dennis – background vocals
Carolyn Dennis – background vocals
Nancy Donald – art direction
Nathan East – bass
Bill Easystone – assistant engineer
Felipe Elgueta – engineer
Sam Emerson – artwork, photography
Jonathan Exley – artwork, photography
Ashley Farrell – voiceover
Steve Ferrone – drums, percussion
Angela Fisher – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Matt Forger – engineer, sound effects, soundscape, technical director
David Foster – keyboards, orchestral arrangements, piano, producer, synthesizer, synthesizer arrangements
Jania Foxworth – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Simon Franglen – drums, keyboards, percussion, programming, synclavier programming, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
Leah Frazier – soloist
Harrison Funk – artwork, photography
Eric Gale – guitar
Gus Garces – assistant engineer
Siedah Garrett – duet, guest artist, performer, primary artist, vocal harmony
Humberto Gatica – engineer
Peter Germansen – assistant engineer
Douglas Getschall – drum programming, programming
Kevin Gilbert – engineer, synthesizer programming
Jim Gilstrap – background vocals
Nate Giorgio – artwork, photography
Carl Glanville – assistant engineer
Greg Gorman – artwork, photography
Jackie GouchĆ© – background vocals
Geoff Grace – orchestration
Crystal Grant – children's chorus
Gary Grant – flugelhorn, horn, trumpet
Nikisha Grier – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Doug Grigsby – bass
Bernie Grundman – mastering
Stephanie Gylden – assistant engineer
Omar Hakim – drums, percussion
Natalia Harris – children's chorus
Amy Hartman – staff
Gary Hearne – staff
Richard Heath – percussion
Gorrfried Helnwein – artwork, photography
Marlo Henderson – guitar
Jerry Hey – conductor, flugelhorn, horn, horn arrangements, string arrangements, synthesizer arrangements, trumpet
Steve Hodge – engineer, mixing
Rob Hoffman – assistant engineer, engineer, guitar, programming, synthesizer programming
Jean-marie horvat – Engineer
Rhonda Hoskins – children's chorus
How Now Brown Cow – percussion
Dann Huff – guitar
Bunny Hull – background vocals
Kim Hutchcroft – flute, horn, saxophone
James Ingram – background vocals
Crystal Jackson – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Janet Jackson – duet vocals, producer, vocal arrangement, background vocals
Michael Jackson – arranger, director, drums, executive producer, guitar, horn arrangements, keyboard arrangements, keyboards, liner notes, percussion, primary artist, producer, rhythm arrangements, sequencing arranger, string arrangements, synthesizer, synthesizer arrangements, vocal arrangement, vocals, background vocals
Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar
Randy Jackson – percussion
Terry Jackson – bass
Jimmy Jam – arranger, drum programming, drums, keyboards, percussion, producer, programming, synthesizer, synthesizer bass, synthesizer programming, vocal arrangement
Mortonette Jenkins – background vocals
Augie Johnson – background vocals
Craig Johnson – assistant technical director, engineer, technical director
Kandy Johnson – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Kimberly Johnson – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Louis Johnson – bass
Marcus Johnson – staff
Brian Jones – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Caryn Jones – children's chorus
Quincy Jones – producer, rhythm arrangements, synthesizer arrangements, vocal arrangement
Nathan Kaproff – orchestral coordinator
Suzie Katayama – conductor
R. Kelly – arranger, keyboards, producer, synthesizer, background vocals
Jacqueline Kennedy – liner notes
Randy Kerber – keyboards, synthesizer
Donn Landee – engineer
Christa Larson – background vocals
Julie Last – assistant engineer
Annie Leibovitz – artwork, photography
Jen Leigh – guitar
Jesse Levy – orchestral coordinator
Terry Lewis – arranger, drum programming, drums, keyboards, percussion, producer, programming, synthesizer, synthesizer bass, synthesizer programming, vocal arrangement
Becky Lopez – background vocals
Bryan Loren – drums, percussion, synthesizer bass, background vocals
Ron Lowe – assistant engineer
L.T.B. – rap, voiceover
Jeremy Lubbock – arranger, conductor
Steve Lukather – bass, guitar
Jonathan Mackey – piano
Brian Malouf – engineer
Johnny Mandel – arranger, string arrangements
Gregg Mangiafico – programming, synthesizer programming
Maurice La Marche – voiceover
Glen Marchese – assistant engineer
Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming
Gregory Martin – background vocals, voiceover
Jasun Martz – keyboards, synthesizer
Harry Maslin – engineer
Anna Mathias – background vocals, voiceover
Coi Mattison – children's chorus
Paul McCartney – duet vocals, vocal harmony
Michael McCary – background vocals
Linda McCrary – background vocals
Andres McKenzie – voiceover
Dawn McMillan – voiceover
Paulette McWilliams – background vocals
Daniel Medvedev – narrator
Jason Miles – programming, synthesizer programming
Jeff Mirinov – guitar
Peter Mokran – drum programming, engineer, programming, synthesizer programming
Nathan Morris – background vocals
Wanya Morris – background vocals
Wayne Nagin – staff
Carl Nappa – assistant engineer
David Nordahl – artwork, photography
The Notorious B.I.G. – guest artist, rap
David Nottingham – assistant engineer
Shaquille O'Neal – guest artist, rap
Gary Olazabal – engineer
Claudio Ordenes – engineer
David Paich – bass, keyboards, piano, rhythm arrangements, synthesizer, synthesizer arrangements
Marty Paich – conductor, orchestral arrangements
Chris Palmaro – synthesizer programming
Dean Parks – guitar
Paul Peabody – soloist, violin
Wayne Pedzwater – bass
Greg Phillinganes – fender rhodes, keyboards, rhythm arrangements, synthesizer, synthesizer bass
Tim Pierce – guitar
Scott Pittinsky – sound design, synthesizer programming
Jeff Porcaro – drums
Steve Porcaro – keyboards, orchestral realizations, programming, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
Crystal Pounds – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Guy Pratt – bass
Markita Prescott – soloist
Vincent Price – rap
Phil Proctor – background vocals
Phillip G. Proctor – voiceover
Trevor Rabin – guitar
Ronald Reagan – quotation author
William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. – horn, trombone
Rene – drums, keyboards, percussion, producer, synthesizer
Seth Riggs – vocal consultant
Teddy Riley – engineer, keyboards, mixing, producer, rhythm arrangements, synthesizer, synthesizer arrangements
Chris Roberts – assistant engineer
John Robinson – drums
Nile Rodgers – guitar
Matthew Rolston – artwork, photography
Bill Ross – conductor, orchestral arrangements
Darryl Ross – sound design, synthesizer programming
William Ross – conductor
Keith Rouster – bass
Thom Russo – technical director
Grace Rwaramba – staff
Annette Sanders – choir conductor
Andrew Scheps – drum programming, engineer, programming, sound effects, soundscape, synclavier programming, synthesizer programming
Arnie Schulze – programming, synthesizer programming
Seawind Horns – horn
Jamie Seyberth – assistant engineer
Scott "House" Shaffer – staff
Joshua Shapera – assistant engineer
Alan Shearman – background vocals, voiceover
Rick Sheppard – programming, synthesizer programming
Susan Silo – voiceover
Slash – guest artist, guitar
Greg Smith – keyboards, synthesizer
Jimmy Smith – hammond b3, organ (hammond), soloist
Rachel Smith – production coordination
Steven Spielberg – liner notes
Tracy Spindler – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Brandi Stewart – children's chorus, choir/chorus
Shawn Stockman – background vocals
Brad Sundberg – engineer, mixing, technical director
Gabriel Sutter – assistant engineer
Bruce Swedien – arranger, drums, effects, engineer, liner notes, mixing, percussion, producer, sound effects, soundscape, special effects
Roberta Swedien – sound design, synthesizer programming
Evvy Tavasci – assistant, executive administrator
Elizabeth Taylor – liner notes, quotation author
Jeff Taylor – assistant engineer
Rod Temperton – keyboards, rhythm arrangements, synthesizer, synthesizer arrangements, vocal arrangement
Chris Theis – assistant engineer
Michael Thompson – guitar
Jonathon Ungar – children's chorus
Eddie Van Halen – guest artist, guitar
John VanNest – engineer
Llyswen Vaughan – sample clearance
Suzy Vaughan – sample clearance
Stephan Vaughn – artwork, photography
Tata Vega – background vocals
Brian Vibberts – assistant engineer
Gerald Vinci – concert master
Diana Walczak – sculpture
Randy Waldman – keyboards, synthesizer
Stephen Walker – art direction
Ben Wallach – assistant engineer
Dan Wallin – engineer
Julia Waters – background vocals
Maxine Waters – background vocals
Oren Waters – background vocals
Bobby Watson – bass
Dave Way – engineer, mixing
Steven Paul Whitsitt – artwork, photography
Ed Wiesnieski – narrator
Chuck Wild – drums, keyboards, percussion, programming, sound design, sound effects, soundscape, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
Maxine Willard Waters – background vocals
Buddy Williams – drums, percussion
David Williams – guitar
Larry Williams – flute, horn, saxophone, synthesizer programming
Zedric Williams – background vocals
The Winans – background vocals
Hattie Winston – background vocals, voiceover
Colin Wolfe – bass
Bill Wolfer – keyboards, synthesizer, synthesizer programming
David "Hawk" Wolinski – fender rhodes
Ben Wright – string arrangements
James "Big Jim" Wright – organ, piano
Jimmy Wright – organ, piano
Charity Young – children's chorus, choir/chorus
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I is the ninth studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released on June 20, 1995. It was the 5th Jackson album released through Epic Records, and the first on his label MJJ Productions. It comprises two discs: HIStory Begins, a greatest hits compilation, and HIStory Continues, comprising new material written and produced by Jackson and collaborators. The album includes appearances by Janet Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal, Slash, and the Notorious B.I.G. The genres span R&B, pop, hip hop, elements of hard rock and funk rock. The themes include environmental awareness, isolation, greed, suicide, injustice, and Jackson's conflicts and common-ground with the media.
Starting in the late 1980s, Jackson and the tabloid press had a difficult relationship. In 1993, the relationship between Jackson and the press collapsed when he was accused of child sexual abuse. Although he was not charged, Jackson was subject to intense media scrutiny while the criminal investigation took place. Several of the album's 15 new songs pertain to the child sexual abuse allegations made against him in 1993 and Jackson's perceived mistreatment by the media, mainly the tabloids. Because of this, HIStory has been described as Jackson's most "personal" album.
HIStory debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, among nineteen other countries. Six singles were released, including the protest songs "Earth Song" and "They Don't Care About Us". "Scream", a duet between Jackson and his sister Janet, became the first song to debut in the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number five. "You Are Not Alone" was the first song in history to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100; it was Jackson's final number-one single on that chart. Though the album received generally positive reviews, the lyrics of "They Don't Care About Us" drew accusations of antisemitism, to which Jackson responded that the lines had been misinterpreted and replaced them on later pressings.
Jackson embarked on the HIStory World Tour, which grossed $165 million (equivalent to $268 million in 2019), making it the highest-grossing solo concert tour of the 1990s. It was Jackson's third and final concert tour as a solo artist. The album has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time, and one of the best-selling multi-disc albums of all time. In August 2018, it was certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was nominated for five Grammy Awards at the 1996 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, winning Best Music Video – Short Form for "Scream". Jackson won an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist at the 1996 American Music Awards.