Here's some information on a few songs coming from the book Man In The Music:
Turning Me Off:
Jackson wrote and recorded “Turning Me Off” during the Hayvenhurst sessions in early 1986. He worked on it primarily with John Barnes and Bill Bottrell. “It had some crazy sound combinations,” said Barnes. “It was kind of an Electronica sound—we had three different synthesizers we were using. The synths had enough punch that we left the bass out.” According to Matt Forger, it was “one of Michael’s edgier experiments. Very groove-oriented. It was quite an interesting track.” The song remains unreleased.
Buffalo Bill:
Buffalo Bill” is the earliest Bad-era demo. In fact, its origins can be traced back to 1983, just after Thriller. Jackson worked on it initially with John Barnes. “ ‘Buffalo Bill’ could’ve been spectacular,” Barnes said. Jackson agreed. In a 1983 home video at Hayvenhurst the artist said of the song, “I hate to say, but I know it’s going to be a hit.” Indeed, Jackson was so taken by it, he held it back from the Jacksons’ Victory album in 1984. According to Bruce Swedien, it had “a big symphonic opening and a charming melody.” Matt Forger describes it as “an amazing song” that never quite came together. “It went through such contortions and changes and green writes and variations.” The track was inspired by Wild Bill Hickok, a poker player who was shot in the back and became a dime-novel hero. “Buffalo Bill” remains unreleased.
Make or Break:
Jackson worked on this dance track with John Barnes and Matt Forger. According to Forger, it had a “very driving, terrific hook, but never got finished.” “He did a reference vocal, a background vocal, and a reference bridge,” said John Barnes. “It had an opportunity to be innovative, but we didn’t really push it because other tracks took priority.
Get Your Weight Off of Me:
One of a handful of unreleased Jackson-Jerkins tracks, “Get Your Weight Off of Me” sounds as if it were made of the same cloth as album cuts like “Privacy” and “Invincible.” Its techno-beat grinds with an assembly line–like repetition, as Jackson sings about accumulating pressures and haters. It’s not a standout outtake, but a further demonstration of the sound Jackson and Jerkins were exploring. It remains officially unreleased.
I Have This Dream:
Jackson described “I Have This Dream” as a song to bring the world into the new millennium. It was composed together with Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster. The song, however, ultimately was not finished in time and did not make it onto Invincible. In 2002, AOL Music sponsored a songwriting contest around the track, which reportedly had a chorus but no verses. The contest was won by Nashville songwriter Ric Kipp. That version, however, never saw the light of day. Jackson resurrected the track again in 2005, updating it and giving it a new title, “From the Bottom of My Heart.” It was intended as a charity single to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. “It pains me to watch the human suffering taking place in the Gulf Region of my country,” said Jackson in a statement. “My heart and prayers go out to every individual who has had to endure the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy. I will be reaching out to others within the music industry to join me in helping to bring relief and hope to these resilient people who have lost everything.” Jackson assembled a number of fellow artists to participate on the track. That version, however, also failed to come to fruition and remains officially unreleased.