D.S. (song)
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"D.S." |
"D.S." is a song by Michael Jackson, released on his 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It is a rock song that conveys themes such as bitterness, mistrust and corruption within law enforcement. It was written, composed and produced by Jackson and includes an instrumental accompaniment and guitar solo by Slash.
The lyrics are interpreted as an attack on
Background
In 1993, the relationship between Jackson and the press worsened when he was accused of
Jackson was not charged and the police closed their investigation citing lack of evidence.[3][4][5] With his health improving, Jackson began work on his ninth album, HIStory, in 1994.[6][7][8] "D.S.", like several other HIStory tracks, was Jackson's response to recent events in his personal life.[9]
Composition
The song has a rock feel, with a guitar solo performed by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who had previously worked with Jackson on his Dangerous album.[10] In his HIStory album review, Entertainment Weekly's David Browne defines "D.S." as a hard rock song.[11] "D.S." contains an excerpt from the Yes single "Owner of a Lonely Heart".[10]
"D.S." has similar themes to the rest of HIStory.[12] The album's content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing/funk rock efforts "Scream" and "Tabloid Junkie", along with the R&B ballad "You Are Not Alone", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs much of his anger at the media.[13] The lyrics describe the subject of the song as a man who wants him "dead or alive" and "really tried to take me down/By surprise".[8] The track ends with the sound of a gunshot.[14]
The song is interpreted as a veiled attack on Sneddon.
Critical reception
Although the album HIStory was nominated for the
Ghosts
Although there was no music video made for "D.S.", the song's subject was referenced in the short film Ghosts. Released in 1996 and premiering at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival,[19] it was written by Jackson and Stephen King and directed by Stan Winston. The story was loosely based on the events and isolation Jackson felt after he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993.
In the plot, the Maestro (played by Jackson) is nearly chased out of his town by the mayor (who deliberately looks very similar to Sneddon) and the residents because they believe him to be a "freak". It features many special effects and dance moves to original music, composed and choreographed by Jackson. The film includes several songs and music videos from the albums HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix. The video for Ghosts is over thirty-eight minutes long and previously held the Guinness World Record for the world's longest music video.[20][21][22][23]
Aftermath
The child sexual abuse allegations of 2003
In January 2019, as a response to the controversial Leaving Neverland documentary, Jackson's fans created an unofficial, fan-made version titled "Wade Robson Is a Cold Man" (alternatively titled "W.R."); the lyrics are identical with the exception of "Dom Sheldon" being replaced by "Wade Robson".[27]
Personnel
- Produced and arranged by Michael Jackson
- Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
- Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals
- Brad Buxer – keyboards and synthesizers
- Chuck Wild – synthesizers
- Slash – guitar[28]
- Trevor Rabin – guitar
References
- ^ Campbell (1995), p. 16
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 534–540
- ^ "1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse". BBC. February 8, 2003. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 540–545
- ^ "Jackson's 'past' allowed in court". BBC. March 25, 2005. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Michael Jackson sings of D.A. on previous album". CNN. November 20, 2003. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c Jacko Song About D.A. May Haunt Him Archived 2009-09-07 at the Wayback Machine, FOXNews.com, 19 November 2003. accessed November 5, 2006.
- ^ a b c "Tom Sneddon: Dogged prosecutor". BBC News. January 31, 2005. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ISBN 0-7119-6783-0.
- ^ a b Jackson, Michael. HIStory booklet. Sony BMG. p 50
- ^ Browne, David (June 23, 1995). "Michael Jackson HIStory Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen. "Michael Jackson HIStory Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved June 15, 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 "In Profile:Thomas W. (Tom) Sneddon, Jr". National District Attorneys Association. February 2003. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ^ a b Pareles, Jon (June 25, 1995). "POP VIEW; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ Campbell, Duncan (November 22, 2003). "'Mad Dog' believes he finally has his quarry on the run". The Guardian. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ^ Farley, Christopher (June 19, 1995). "History and Hubris". Time. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
- ^ Shuster, Fred (June 18, 1995). "Jackson attempts to rewrite 'history'". Daily News of Los Angeles. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
- ^ "Reuters Archive Licensing". Reuters Archive Licensing. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 610–611
- ^ Lewis, p. 125–126
- ^ Guinness World Records 2004
- ^ George, p. 48–50
- ^ a b "Who Is Tom Sneddon?". CBS. December 18, 2003. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
- ^ Moss, Corey (November 20, 2003). "Why Is The DA In The Michael Jackson Case Smiling?". MTV. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
- ^ Glasister, Dan (June 13, 2005). "Driving force who was 'motivated by grudge'". The Guardian. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
- ^ "Michael Jackson - Wade Robson Is A Cold Man (Audio HQ)". YouTube. March 8, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1788400572.
- Bibliography
- Campbell, Lisa (1995). Michael Jackson: The King of Pops Darkest Hour. Branden. ISBN 0-8283-2003-9.
- Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
- Jones, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!. Amber Books Publishing. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
- ISBN 0-330-42005-4.