"Earth Song" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Michael Jackson | ||||
from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I | ||||
Released | November 7, 1995 | |||
Recorded |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Michael Jackson | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Earth Song" on YouTube | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Earth Song" |
"Earth Song" is a song by the American singer Michael Jackson. It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson, David Foster and Bill Bottrell. It was released by Epic Records on November 7, 1995, as the third single from Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995).
"Earth Song" is a ballad that incorporates elements of blues, gospel and opera. Though Jackson had previously released socially conscious songs such as "We Are the World", "Man in the Mirror" and "Heal the World", "Earth Song" was his first to overtly discuss the environment and animal welfare. It was accompanied by a lavish music video which was shot in four geographical regions, centered on the destruction and rebirth of Earth.
"Earth Song" reached number one in the UK, where it was the 1995 Christmas number one. It also topped the charts in Germany, Iceland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland while peaking at number two in France, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Jackson received recognition from various animal and environmental organizations. It was nominated for a Grammy in 1997.[2] In 2011, the song was paired with the poem "Planet Earth" (previously released on Michael Jackson's This Is It, in 2009) and released as a song on the remix album Immortal.
Production
Jackson wrote "Earth Song" under the working title "What About Us" at the Vienna Marriott hotel during the Bad World Tour on June 1, 1988.[3][4] Jackson wanted to create a song that was lyrically deep with an emotional message, but was melodically simple, so the whole world, particularly non-English-speaking fans, could sing along.[5]
"Earth Song" was produced by Jackson, David Foster and Bill Bottrell.[6] Andraé Crouch's Choir and Jackson engage in a call-and-response chant in the climax.[7]
According to the bassist, Guy Pratt, Jackson was recovering from plastic surgery at the time of Pratt's recording and hid under a mixing desk in the studio. Jackson passed instructions for Pratt to an assistant, who pretended that Jackson was not in the room.[8]
Composition
"Earth Song" is a ballad that incorporates elements of blues, gospel[9] and opera. Jackson describes the dire situation that mankind has caused, ranging from war to devastation to animals and Earth itself. Jackson calls on people to remember the Earth is their inheritance from God via their ancestor Abraham. "What about death again" reminds all to think about eternal death, asking people to check their heart for repentance, or to see if they really cared at all. Having disassociated himself from being one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Jackson simplified his faith to focus on the Biblical Jesus Christ until his death.[10][11][12][13]
Reception
"Earth Song" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. A reviewer from Contra Costa Times called it "a bit sappy and overblown", but also acknowledged that it was "epic" and destined to be a "massive smash hit".[14] James Masterton for Dotmusic described it as a "towering gospel track".[15] Ledger-Enquirer observed that it "enjoys the same kind of subtlety, building to a dramatic call-and-response finish with the Andraé Crouch Choir".[7] Pan-European magazine Music & Media declared it as an "ecological anthem", stating that "even without the delightful arrangements (tentative piano, jazzy guitar licks, nature noises), the strong composition would have been a sure thing for the top of the EHR and ACE charts."[16] Music Week rated it five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week. They added, "This will be huge. Already a favourite from HIStory, it builds from a tweeting birds/strummed harp intro into a no-excess-barred epic, but is beautiful all the same."[17] The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed it "a healing, rhythmic ballad that evokes religious imagery".[13] Michael Mehle of Rocky Mountain News said the finale is "anthemic" and a "powerful gospel opus".[12] James Hunter of Rolling Stone stated, "The slow blues-operatic 'Earth Song' for all its noble sentiments, sounds primarily like a showpiece".[11] The Sacramento Bee described Jackson's vocal performance as "cool".[18] A reviewer from San Jose Mercury News called it "flat" and "whiny", believing Jackson had already experimented with these concepts earlier in his career.[19]
In 2017, ShortList's Dave Fawbert listed the song as containing "one of the greatest key changes in music history".[20] Jackson received the Genesis Award: 1995 Doris Day Music Award, given each year for animal sensitivity.[21]
This was among the songs that Clear Channel advised against playing, directly after the September 11 attacks in 2001.[22]
Commercial performance
In the United Kingdom, "Earth Song" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for six weeks throughout December 1995 — beating the U2/Brian Eno project Passengers to win the Christmas number one spot — and into early 1996.[21][23] During its stay at number one, "Earth Song" kept the first single released by the Beatles in 25 years, "Free as a Bird", off the number one position as well as other bookmaker favourites "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "It's Oh So Quiet" by Björk. In early December, bookmakers correctly predicted that Jackson would keep the Beatles off the top position and go on to attain the Christmas number-one single.[24][25] It went on to sell 1,270,000 copies in the nation as of August 2018.[26] The song also took the number one position in Iceland, Lithuania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, peaking within the top five in almost every European state.[27] In Germany, it was Jackson's first single to reach No. 1 on the German Singles Chart and held the summit for 5 consecutive weeks.[28]
The song was only released to radio in the US, appearing on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (for the remix version of 1996).[29] In 2006, "Earth Song" reached number 55 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart, following the Visionary: The Video Singles campaign, whereby 20 of Jackson's hit singles from the 1980s to the 1990s were reissued in several European countries.[30]
Live performances
Earth Song was first performed on November 4, 1995, on the German TV program Wetten, dass..?, along with Dangerous. The next performance of the song was at Brit Awards 1996 on February 19, 1996. During the performance, singer Jarvis Cocker ran onto the stage while Jackson was dangling off the edge of a crane. He lifted his shirt, pretended to break wind and gave Jackson the V sign.[31] The 1996 World Music Awards was the next performance of the song on May 8, 1996.[32]
During the ending of the song, Jackson sang the line, "Tell me what about it", which was not heard in the song. On July 16, 1996, Jackson performed "Earth Song" at the Brunei Royal Concert at Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Bandar Seri Begawan.[33] Similar to the World Music Awards performance, Jackson sang the line, "Tell me what about it". The song was also performed on Jackson's HIStory World Tour from September 1996 to October 1997.[34]
It was later performed at the MJ & Friends concerts in June 1999. During the Munich performance on June 27, 1999, the middle section of the bridge collapsed into the air and came falling down instead of pausing in mid-air. The fall caused severe back pain to Jackson. After the concert, Jackson was rushed to a hospital.[35]
The song was also planned for his This Is It comeback concerts in London at the O2 Arena, which were canceled due to Jackson's death on June 25, 2009. This was the last song Jackson ever performed, having rehearsed it at Staples Center on June 24, 2009, preparing for This Is It, hours before his death.[3]
Brit Awards incident
![](Https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Michael_Jackson_Lausanne_20_juin_1997.jpg/220px-Michael_Jackson_Lausanne_20_juin_1997.jpg)
On February 19, 1996, Jackson performed "Earth Song" at Brit Awards 1996 in the UK; he was there to collect a special "Artist of a Generation" award. Jackson sang while dangling off the edge of a high-rise crane elevator, which he had used the year before while performing "Earth Song" on the German TV show Wetten, dass..?. A chorus of backing performers began to embrace Jackson upon his descent.[3]
During the performance, the singer Jarvis Cocker ran onstage without permission, lifted his shirt and pretended to break wind, before giving Jackson the V sign.[21][36][37] Cocker was there with his band Pulp, who had been nominated for three Brit awards.[38] He was questioned by police over claims he had assaulted some of the child performers. A video provided by an unidentified source showed that it was one of Jackson's crew who had barged into the children, not Cocker, and the charges were dropped.[39]
Cocker said he found the performance offensive, and that Jackson had portrayed himself as Christ-like and could do as he pleased because of his immense wealth and power.[21][36][37] He said his actions were directed at Jackson's performance, not Jackson himself, and said that that he admired Jackson as a performer: "He can dance, [...] anybody who invents the moonwalk is alright by me."[40] In a 2012 interview with The Observer, Cocker said Earth Song was "a right good song, obviously".[41] Jackson condemned Cocker's behavior as "disgusting and cowardly".[38] The incident is referred to in the book Politics and Popular Culture by John Street, a professor of politics at the University of East Anglia:
But to read popular culture as a straight-forward – or at least typical – political text is to take a very narrow view of its meaning, and hence of its political message(s). As we have noted, the text's meaning will depend on how it is heard and read. Michael Jackson may have intended his "Earth Song" as an exercise in compassion; others – like Jarvis Cocker – saw it quite differently. One reason these alternative readings emerge is because of the way the performance of popular culture engages more than a literal text, it employs gestures and symbols, tones of voice, looks and glances, all of which might tell a different story.[42]
2010 Grammy Awards performance
The song, along with a 3-D short film that was to be featured in Jackson's series of comeback concerts This Is It was performed as a tribute to Jackson.[43] Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson, Celine Dion and Usher all sang the song together, while the video played in the background. The film was shown in its original 3-D format during the broadcast.[44]
Target provided free 3-D glasses to customers a week before the Grammy Awards. Paris and Prince Jackson, Jackson's oldest children, appeared shortly after the performance to accept Jackson's Lifetime Achievement Award, where they both gave a short speech. This was the first time the children had spoken publicly since the memorial service that was held for Jackson on July 7, 2009.[45]
Music video
The music video for "Earth Song", directed by fine art photographer Nick Brandt, was expensive and well-received; it gained the 1995 Doris Day Music Award at the Genesis Awards and a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video, Short Form in 1997. The production had an environmental theme, showing images of animal cruelty, deforestation, pollution, poaching, poverty and war. Jackson and the world's people unite in a spiritual chant—"Earth Song"—which summons a force that heals the world. Using special effects, time is reversed so that life returns, war ends and the forests regrow. The video closes with a request for donations to Jackson's Heal the World Foundation.[21][46] The clip was shown infrequently in the United States.[47]
The video was filmed in four geographic regions (Americas, Europe and Africa). The first location was the Amazon rainforest, where a large part was destroyed a week after the video's completion. Natives of the region appeared in the video and were not actors. The second scene was a war zone in Karlovac, Croatia, with famous Serbian actor Slobodan Dimitrijević and the residents of the area. The third location was Tanzania, which incorporated scenes of illegal poaching and hunting into the video. No animals were harmed in the making of "Earth Song", as the footage came from documentary archives. The final location was in Warwick, New York, where a safe forest fire was simulated in a corn field.[48]
The video was also included on the video albums: HIStory on Film, Volume II, Number Ones and Michael Jackson's Vision.
Track listing
|
|
The DMC Megamix is a medley of "Bad", "Billie Jean", "Black or White", "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", "Remember the Time", "Rock with You", "Scream", "Thriller" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".
Personnel
- Michael Jackson: lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, producer, vocal arrangements, rhythm arrangements
- Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch, and Andraé Crouch Choir: backing vocals
- David Foster: producer, keyboards, synthesizers, orchestral arrangements, vocal arrangements, rhythm arrangements
- David Paich: piano, keyboards, synthesizers
- Bill Bottrell: co-producer, guitar
- Michael Thompson: guitar
- Guy Pratt: bass guitar
- Steve Ferrone: drums
- Bruce Swedien: recording engineer, mixing
- Bill Ross: orchestration
- Steve Porcaro: synthesizer programming[49]
- Co-performance by London Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestral mix only)
- Orchestral arrangement by Elmer Bernstein (orchestral mix only)
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Austria (IFPI Austria)[106] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[107] | Gold | 25,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[108] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[109] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[110] | Gold | 250,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[111] | 2× Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[112] | Gold | |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[113] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[114] | Platinum | 600,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[115] | 2× Platinum | 1,270,000[26] |
United States (RIAA)[116] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
See also
- Earth anthem
- List of best-selling singles in Germany
- List of million-selling singles in the United Kingdom
References
- ^ Smallcombe, Mike (April 5, 2016). Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson. Clink Street Publishing. ISBN 9781910782514. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Kot, Greg (January 8, 1997). "Pumpkins A Smash With 7 Grammy Nominations". Chicago Tribune. p. 12. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ a b c "The Story of... 'Earth Song' by Michael Jackson". Smooth Radio.
- ^ Earth Song: Michael Jackson and the Art of Compassion. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. September 10, 2017. ISBN 9781976106477.
- ^ Grant, Adrian (1998). Michael Jackson : Making History. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-6723-7.
- ^ Jackson, Michael. HIStory booklet. Sony BMG. p 36
- ^ a b "Jackson disappoints with HIStory". Ledger Enquirer. June 23, 1995. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- ^ Pratt, Guy (2008). My Bass and Other Animals. Orion. ISBN 978-0752893358.
- ^ Knopper, Steve (June 28, 2016). MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson. Simon and Schuster. pp. 233–. ISBN 978-1-4767-3038-7.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (June 18, 1995). "Pop View; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ a b Hunter, James (August 10, 1995). "Michael Jackson HIStory". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
- ^ a b Mehle, Michael (June 20, 1995). "Can Michael Jackson make a comeback?". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- ^ a b "Jackson promises new CD in spring". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 25, 1995. Retrieved August 18, 2008.
- ^ "HIStory's a Thriller". Contra Costa Times. June 18, 1995. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- ^ Masterton, James (December 3, 1995). "Week Ending December 9th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles - Single of the Week" (PDF). Music & Media. November 25, 1995. p. 13. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ "Reviews: Singles - Single of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. November 18, 1995. p. 12. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "Michael Jackson back from Neverland..." The Sacramento Bee. June 20, 1995. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- ^ "Is Michael Jackson HIStory?". San Jose Mercury News. June 19, 1995. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ "The 19 greatest key changes in music history". ShortList. October 1, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e George, p. 48–50
- ^ Sullivan, James (2019). Which Side are You On?: 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs. Oxford University Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-19-066030-7.
- ^ "MJ visionary". Sony BMG. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
- ^ Hinckley, Davis (December 5, 1995). "Extra! Extra!". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 15, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ British Hit Singles and Albums. Guinness World Records. 2006. p. 49. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b Copsey, Rob (August 27, 2018). "Top 60 Michael Jackson songs on the Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
- ^ a b "M. Jackson - Earth Song (nummer)". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
- ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet". musicline.de. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "Artist Chart History - Michael Jackson". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on May 6, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
{{cite magazine}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ "Michael Jackson - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "Watch Jarvis Cocker Discuss His Michael Jackson Brit Awards Stage Invasion in February 1996". NME. February 19, 2016.
- ^ Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Octopus. October 4, 2018. ISBN 9781788401234.
- ^ "When Michael Jackson was paid US$17 million to perform at the Sultan of Brunei's 50 birthday party – and Prince Charles was even there". MSN. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ Michael Jackson the Solo Years. Authors On Line. 2003. ISBN 9780755200917.
- ^ "Witness: Michael Jackson was paranoid, talking to himself in last days". May 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Pinkerton, Lee (1997). The Many Faces of Michael Jackson. Music Sales Distribution. p. 55. ISBN 0-7119-6783-0.
- ^ a b "Brits behaving badly". BBC. March 4, 2000. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ a b McKie, John (February 21, 1996). "Brits brawl as Cocker 'pulps' Jackson chorus". The Independent. London. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ Doherty, Niall (February 19, 2021). "Bum rush the show!: Jarvis Cocker's Britpop celebrity moment". The Guardian. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Jarvis Cocker press conference on Brit Awards and Michael Jackson, archived from the original on November 16, 2021, retrieved November 29, 2019
- ^ Siegle, Lucy (June 2, 2012). "Jarvis Cocker: the iceman cometh". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Street, John (1997). Politics and Popular Culture. Temple University Press. p. 36. ISBN 1-56639-603-4.
- ^ "Michael Jackson 'Earth Song' Grammy Tribute Focuses on His Love of the Planet". MTV. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (February 2010). "Arena-rock, Auto-Tune and a Michael Jackson Tribute at the Grammys". The New York Times.
- ^ "Now Grammy's Turn to Exploit Michael Jackson's Death: Planned Tribute with 'This is It' 3D Footage and 3D Glasses". January 20, 2010.
- ^ Michael Jackson HIStory on Film volume II VHS/DVD
- ^ "History on Film, Vol. 2". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on May 6, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
{{cite magazine}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ Michael Jackson (1997). HIStory on Film, Volume II (Media notes). New York City, New York: Epic Music Video.
- ^ Lecocq, Richard; Allard, François (October 23, 2018). Michael Jackson All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Cassell. pp. 467–468. ISBN 978-1788400572.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2878." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2879." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 16. April 20, 1996. p. 20. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 50. December 16, 1995. p. 17. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles Week 3/96" (PDF). Music & Media. January 20, 1996. p. 13. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Michael Jackson: Earth Song" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
- ^ a b c "Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 8. February 24, 1996. p. 18. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 154 Vikan 27.1. – 2.2. '96". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 27, 1996. p. 38. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Earth Song". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 5. February 3, 1996. p. 13. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ "M-1 TOP 40". M-1.fm. January 14, 1996. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2022. See LW column.
- ^ a b c "Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". VG-lista.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Singles Top 100.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Earth Song". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Top Digital Download.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song" Canciones Top 50.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Michael Jackson". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Tracklisten.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "Download French Single Top 50". LesCharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - Earth Song (song)". SwedishCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "UK Singles Chart". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on July 30, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
- ^ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1995" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. January 13, 1996. p. 9.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1996" (in German). Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Rapports annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Music & Media 1996 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. December 21, 1996. p. 12. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1996" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1996". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996" (in German). Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. January 18, 1997. p. 25.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Music Canada.
- ^ "Danish single certifications". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "French single certifications – Michael Jackson – Earth Song" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Jackson; 'Earth Song')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Earth Song')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
- ^ "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Earth Song". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Earth Song". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – Earth Song". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
Bibliography
- George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
- Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.