1992 single by Michael Jackson
"Jam" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released in July 1992 by Epic as the fourth single from his eighth album, Dangerous (1991), where it is the opening track. It also appears as the second track on his 2009 This Is It compilation album. The single was re-released in 2006 as part of Jackson's Visionary: The Video Singles collection campaign, and it was remixed to the Cirque du Soleil's Immortal World Tour, releasing that remix on the soundtrack album. "Jam" is a new jack swing song whose bridge features a rap verse performed by Heavy D (of the group Heavy D & the Boyz). The music video of the song featured NBA basketball legend Michael Jordan. The song was also featured on the Chicago Bulls (Jordan's team at the time)'s 1992 NBA Championship video "Untouchabulls" and was also used in many promotional ads of the NBA in the said season. The single peaked at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song re-entered the UK Singles Chart in 2006, reaching number 22.[5]
Critical reception
"Jam" was generally well received by music critics. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that the song "is fortified with brassy horns, a funky bass line, and a rap cameo by Heavy D. Jackson's signature squeals and whoops are at home within an urgent groove that seems to goad him to the point of catharsis."[6] Andrew Smith from Melody Maker described it as "lean" and "spikey".[7] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Get in the groove with the most funky track on the Dangerous album."[8] An editor from People Magazine felt that Jackson "captures the outer style but not the energizing spirit of hip-hop."[9]
Alan Light from Rolling Stone praised the song, adding that it "addresses Jackson's uneasy relationship to the world and reveals a canny self-awareness that carries the strongest message on Dangerous." He wrote further, "Though it initially sounds like a simple, funky dance vehicle, Jackson's voice bites into each phrase with a desperation that urges us to look deeper. He is singing as 'false prophets cry of doom' and exhorts us to 'live each day like it's the last'. The chorus declares that the miseries of the world 'ain't too much stuff' to stop us from jamming. To Jackson, who insists that he comes truly alive only onstage, the ability to 'Jam' is the sole means to find 'peace within myself', and this hope rings more sincere than the childlike wishes found in the ballads."[10] Ted Shaw from The Windsor Star noted that Jackson's voice is treated electronically on the track, "which establishes the thematic thrust in lyrics that call for brotherly love."[11]
Retrospective response
In an 2016 retrospective review, Chris Lacy from Albumism said that on the song, Jackson "explains that jamming (the joy of music and dance) is his preferred method of temporarily escaping worldly issues."[12] AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that there's a lot to be said for professional craftsmanship at its peak and he called this song blistering plus highlight on album.[13] Adam Gilham of Sputnikmusic described the song as a perfect album opener and rated it "5/5".[14]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Jam" takes place within an abandoned indoor basketball court, where Michael Jackson teaches basketball legend Michael Jordan how to dance, and in return, Jordan teaches Jackson how to play basketball. Special effects have Jackson throwing a basketball through a window and scoring in the hoop in the opposite room, as well as Jackson scoring by tossing the ball behind him and kicking the ball into the hoop with his heel. The extended versions of the video include Jackson teaching Jordan how to do the physically complicated moonwalk dance technique (known as the slide step).[15] The rap groups Kris Kross and Naughty by Nature made a cameo appearance, as does Heavy D (who performs a rap during the bridge).[2]
The video was included on Dangerous: The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision. The music video was directed by David Kellogg and was filmed on April 20, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois.[2] The music video premiered on FOX on June 19, 1992, at 9:30 p.m. EST.[16]
