"Give In to Me" is the tenth track on Michael Jackson's 1991 studio album Dangerous. The single peaked at number one in Ireland and in New Zealand for four consecutive weeks, and at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Stylistically, "Give In to Me" is a hard rockballad that featured Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who also had solos on "D.S.", "Morphine" and "Privacy".[1][2] Some suggest that the song, also considered a heavy metal ballad, has an aggressive sexual flavor.[3][4] The single was released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand only. The single release's B-sides include the album versions of "Dirty Diana" and "Beat It".
This song is written in the key of E minor.[5] Jackson's vocal spans from G3 to B4.[5] It has a moderately slow tempo of 87 beats per minute.[5]
Critical response[]
"Give In to Me" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Entertainment Weekly editor David Browne praised Jackson's delivery, writing, "when his voice isn't competing with drum machines, it's menacing on the creepy Give In to Me (his best-ever shot at hard rock)."[6] Alan Jones from Music Week described it as "a moody ballad which unfurls slowly before reaching a fine climax, neatly juxtaposed by guitarist Slash's wailing guitar solo." He added that it "will be a substantial and deserved hit."[7] Alan Light of Rolling Stone commented, ""Give In to Me" flirts with something more disturbing as Jackson sings, "Don't try to understand me/Just simply do the things I say" in a grittier, throaty voice while Slash's guitar whips and soars behind him."[8]
Music video[]
The music video is a performance-style live-action concert.
The music video for "Give In to Me"[9] features Jackson performing the song on stage at an indoor rock concert with ex Living Colour bassist Muzz Skillings, Guns N' Roses guitarists Slash and Gilby Clarke, as well as the band's touring keyboardist Teddy Andreadis. Loud explosions are later heard with visuals of stylized electrical arcs and Jackson dancing as they run down his body. Slash's Les Paul is hit in the frets which increases the speed of the riffs. The last scene shows one electrical arc running down Jackson's body, an unintentional effect that was left in. The video is featured on the video albums: Dangerous - The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision.[10]
It was shot on June 25, 1992, in Munich, Germany, just two days before the opening concert of the Dangerous World Tour on June 27, 1992. The pyrotechnics appearing on the video are computer-generated and were added later on.
Track listings[]
Austria CD single
"Give In to Me" – 5:28
"Dirty Diana" – 4:52
"Beat It" – 4:17
UK CD single
"Give In to Me" (Vocal Version) – 4:42
"Dirty Diana" – 4:52
"Beat It" – 4:17
UK promo CD
"Give In to Me" (Vocal Version) – 4:42
"Give In to Me" (Instrumental) – 5:28
45 RPM and 7-inch
"Give In to Me" – 5:28
"Dirty Diana" – 4:52
Personnel[]
Written, composed, and produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell
Recorded, mixed, bass, drums, mellotron, and guitar by Bill Bottrell
Guitars recorded by Jim Mitchell; assisted by Craig Brock
^Krewen, Nick (November 22, 1991). "Shrewd and Dangerous". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved October 16, 2010. Jackson also wants to reach a rock audience, so Guns 'N' Roses guitarist Slash contributes his two cents in Black Or White and Give In to Me, while Heavy D. splices in some rap at appropriate moments