“Heaven Can Wait” – Teron Beal remembers working with Michael Jackson
When songwriter Teron Beal speaks about his collaboration with Michael Jackson, he becomes deeply moved. He recalls how Michael completely took ownership of the song “Heaven Can Wait”, transforming it in a way Beal had never imagined.
Beal originally envisioned the track as soulful and laid-back, but says "Michael made it more energetic, dramatic, powerful, and yet vulnerable". Teron describes Michael’s voice in the studio as “hallucinogenic” – a voice that shook him to his core. In that moment, he realized Michael had the gift to take any composition and elevate it beyond its limits.
"I always believed there was something special about the song, but watching an artist of Michael's magnitude take such an interest in it was a truly great feeling. He spent about three days getting his vocal parts down. He must've recorded upwards of fifty different vocal takes to get it the way he wanted it. To me, every take was perfect, but Michael was his own harshest critic in the studio."
"We would listen back" recalls Beal "And he would say 'no, it's not quite there yet' and I'd be sat there thinking 'it's incredible, what's he talking about?'"
"He pushed himself harder than anyone I've ever met."
"After we did the main bulk of the song, I thought we were finished but Michael said 'no, there's something missing'". He continued "that's when he came up with that outro part, right there on the spot. The 'leave us alone' parts. It was just beautiful and completely off-the-cuff. I loved how he just sounded like a wounded animal. Nobody emotes like him."
With tears in his eyes, Teron admits: “It’s not easy for me to talk about the past, because the images are still there – and Michael is gone.”
He also shares a lighthearted memory: as a child, he once dreamed of eating a hamburger and fries with Michael. Years later, that dream came true in the studio – only this time Michael ordered chicken with fries … and, laughing, Teron recalls: “Michael stole my fries!”
Beal describes Michael with great affection:
“Michael was truly one of the most polite people – and he was so funny! He was kind and respectful to everyone, no matter who they were. Those of us who met him in person know how much laughter he brought. In the end, he was completely natural."
When songwriter Teron Beal speaks about his collaboration with Michael Jackson, he becomes deeply moved. He recalls how Michael completely took ownership of the song “Heaven Can Wait”, transforming it in a way Beal had never imagined.
Beal originally envisioned the track as soulful and laid-back, but says "Michael made it more energetic, dramatic, powerful, and yet vulnerable". Teron describes Michael’s voice in the studio as “hallucinogenic” – a voice that shook him to his core. In that moment, he realized Michael had the gift to take any composition and elevate it beyond its limits.
"I always believed there was something special about the song, but watching an artist of Michael's magnitude take such an interest in it was a truly great feeling. He spent about three days getting his vocal parts down. He must've recorded upwards of fifty different vocal takes to get it the way he wanted it. To me, every take was perfect, but Michael was his own harshest critic in the studio."
"We would listen back" recalls Beal "And he would say 'no, it's not quite there yet' and I'd be sat there thinking 'it's incredible, what's he talking about?'"
"He pushed himself harder than anyone I've ever met."
"After we did the main bulk of the song, I thought we were finished but Michael said 'no, there's something missing'". He continued "that's when he came up with that outro part, right there on the spot. The 'leave us alone' parts. It was just beautiful and completely off-the-cuff. I loved how he just sounded like a wounded animal. Nobody emotes like him."
With tears in his eyes, Teron admits: “It’s not easy for me to talk about the past, because the images are still there – and Michael is gone.”
He also shares a lighthearted memory: as a child, he once dreamed of eating a hamburger and fries with Michael. Years later, that dream came true in the studio – only this time Michael ordered chicken with fries … and, laughing, Teron recalls: “Michael stole my fries!”
Beal describes Michael with great affection:
“Michael was truly one of the most polite people – and he was so funny! He was kind and respectful to everyone, no matter who they were. Those of us who met him in person know how much laughter he brought. In the end, he was completely natural."