HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I

Michael Jackson

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 1995)
• Original Release Date: June 20, 1995
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029LG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (248 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #359 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

HIStory's 2 CDs (one hits, the other new) were Jackson's attempt to connect his glorious past to a dodgy present and--given it's commercial and artistic performance--cast a shadow on his future. Conceived as his formal coronation as the "King of Pop," HIStory's second disc instead presents Jackson as an epauletted, single-gloved Richard III. By turns paranoid, angry, bitter, sentimental, and, in one instance, possibly anti-Semitic, HIStory was less a collection of songs than a case history. A few tracks--mostly those produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis--are sleek, modern pop/soul, but too much of HIStory has the overblown vacuousness of a musician who knows his time is past, but is unsure as to how to react to the situation. --Steven Mirkin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And this is just Book 1!!!, October 13, 2002

By	Anthony Wynn (Mesquite, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

Okay, I'm not gonna waste time on Disc 1 because it's a collection of hits and favorites that any Michael Fan is well enough familiar with. So let's just skip right to Disc Two.

Scream-Truly the most Dance Oriented song on the album, but a rare occasion in which we get Brother to Sister love, and anger, both shouting about injustice. A Great song, a great video. And great beginning.

They Don't Care About Us-A powerful song really. Great beat, Some later versions are censored because of some alleged "anti-semetic" lyrics. Put it doesn't hurt the song. Michael's anger somewhat begins here. Another great video.

Stranger in Moscow-A beautiful ballad. By far one of Michael's best. Haunting to the Extreme with a chorus that could bring a tear to your eye. "How does it feel when you're alone and it's cold inside?" A beautiful music video.

This Time Around-I like this song. Has a good beat to it. A tad self-indulgent, but I'd say he's earned it. Great Rap bridge by the Notorius B.I.G.

Earth Song-One of his most powerful ballads to date. Most of us have seen the video, so we know Michael is true to his subject matter. Michael hits it hard on this song, worthy of buying the album just for this one.

D.S.-Who is Dom Sheldom? And why is Michael so angry at him? This isn't a bad song, but it's the one I listen to the least.

Money-Powerful lyrics. Although Michael doesn't sing a whole lot. More of a spoken word, but good none the less. Still Michael a bit angry in this one.

Come Together-This one is alot of fun really. Shows his funk-rock side with this cover of the old Beatles song. Truly verges on remaking it better than the original.

You Are Not Alone-How many awards did this one win? Too many to count. This song, written by R. Kelly, shows off the passion he still has for a love ballad. Very artistic video with his ex-wife Lisa Marie-Presley.

Childhood-Some may call this song sappy, not me, it's beautiful. In our own ways I think most all of us could relate to this song. Poetic lyrics, well orchestrated instrumentals, and the video has a quite an interesting original concept to it.

Tabloid Junkie-A song with a strong message more people need to pay attention to. Not to mention having to do with Michael's more recent past at that time being a victim of the Tabloid Junkies.

2 Bad-This song has a cool beat, and it's a good dance song. The only part I don't really enjoy is Shaq rapping in the middle. Who the hell ever said that Shaq could rap? He couldn't wrap cheese in a taco!! At least the parts with Michael are cool.

HIStory-More of an anthem than a song. But amazing none the less. Using quotes and recorded speeches from pinical moments in History. Proving Michael respects many people, and is inspired by greatness, causing him greatness as well.

Little Susie-If he ever decides to stop being a pop singer, this song shows proof he could compose music for movies and seriously win OSCARS for it. It's sad, haunting, beautiful. A great direction for Michael.

Smile-I can't think of a better way to end this record. This track, which is a tribute and dedication to one of Michael's heroes, Charlie Chaplin. You can't help but smile I think when you listen to this track, because it's so beautiful, and Michael whistling at the end gives off the most lovely example of Michael's playful side.

A wonderful CD, truly worthy of all good credit. His most mature and artistic album to date. Get one for yourself, you won't regret it.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Album Divided, March 31, 2006

By	C.T. Chase "cchase8860" (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Just like the man himself, HIStory is an album divided, presenting an overview of the work of arguably one of the most brilliant entertainers and songwriters in music history, while also presenting a sobering and at times alarming picture of a tortured man on a downward spiral of bitterness and anger.

As described previously, Disc 1 is a damn-near perfect chronicle of everything that has made both casual listeners and die-hard fans helpless to resist the magnetic pull of his chart-busting, hook-laden hits. More of a 'moonwalk' down Memory Lane, everything is here: from the explosive beginnings of his solo career with mentor Quincy Jones producing OFF THE WALL, to the "Citizen Kane" of his career, THRILLER, which changed not only his life in the white-hot spotlight, but music in general.

But for those who would rather remember the "good old days" when no dancefloor and no DJ would dare leave Michael's latest and greatest songs off their playlists, a caveat--stop at Disc 1.

It isn't hard to determine where Michael was in his life when these songs were written and recorded--he literally cuts his skin and bleeds into the CD grooves, so vividly distraught and angry is the bulk of the material.

Though it was more than likely the record company's attempt to cash in on a solid-gold opportunity, baby sis Janet joins him on "Scream", a propulsive and caustic dressing-down of the external forces that have plagued the family for years, (mainly the media), but especially the gadflies who have nipped at the heels of both siblings since the very beginnings of their meteoric careers. It literally vibrates with rage, but it's also a well-produced dancefloor track (by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis), that, not surprisingly, spent weeks in the Top Ten upon its release.

And many of the songs continue in this vein: "D.S.", "This Time Around", "Tabloid Junkie", "Money" are at once painfully personal and therapeutic, aiding Michael in channeling his frustration, rage and disillusionment at the allegations of child molestation and other eccentricities that all but trashed a once seemingly unstoppable career. The infectious beats, snarky samples and songcraft are still here, but don't expect anything as light or as enjoyable as "Rock With You" or "Don't Stop Until You Get Enough."

Thank goodness there is a break or two, including one of the better covers of The Beatles' staple "Come Together", (sadly ironic since it's something that Michael and ex-best bud Paul McCartney may never do since the Beatles song catalog flap.) "They Don't Care About Us" and "Earth Song" are message songs that revisit the ethos of "Man In The Mirror." "You Are Not Alone" is as much a song of self-affirmation as it is a love song, (written during his brief coupling with Lisa Marie Presley.)

The most heartfelt and tear-jerking numbers he has ever done would be "Childhood (Theme From Free Willy 2)" which all but bares his soul to the world about his deepest feelings of loss and regret, and "Stranger In Moscow", which captures the isolation and abandonment he was feeling at the time he put pen to paper.

Disk 2 closes with a rendition of Chaplin's classic "Smile," which underscores why Michael has always been hailed as "The King of Pop" worldwide, self-appointed or not, and why the world of music will be a much emptier place without the anticipation of his unparalelled talents.

Michael Light and Michael Dark. It doesn't matter which side you listen to or even prefer; as a fan I just feel fortunate that HIStory is here for us to review at all. Personally, Disc 1 needs to have ten stars, not five. Disc 2 gets four for the more listenable tracks.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIStory - a simple review of CD 2...., November 6, 2002

By A Customer

We all know the fantastic geninus of MJ on CD 1 so let's move on to CD 2.

CD 2 is where the new meat of the set is. Although this is not MJ's best, it is interesting nevertheless due to the personal commentary in many of the CD's 15 songs.

Everything from politics (Scream) to racism (They Don't Care About Us), to the ecology (Earth Song), to his personal struggles with the press (Tabaloid Junkie), to abuse (Little Suzie), the album ends with his personal statement about his whole experince in a cover of Smile.

Personal highlights for me include some of the above tracks mentioned: Scream, They Don't Really Care About Us, and Earth Song -- as well as the smooth Stranger In Moscow, a cover of The Beatles' Come Together, the ballad hit You Are Not Alone, and the somewhat epic soundscape title track.

Bottom Line: Although it may not be Jackson's best, it is his most personal, aggressive, and intellectual album -- you get a peak into the thoughts of the one and only Michael Jackson through song.