Originally co-written with Paul Anka in 1983, this track is a euphoric slice of disco-pop reminiscent of the Off the Wall era. The contemporized solo and duet versions layered lush strings and a driving bassline over the original piano chords, creating an instant summer anthem. 2. "Chicago" (originally titled "She Was Loving Me")
The producers were tasked with scratching the original backing tracks entirely and building brand-new, modern sonic landscapes underneath Jackson’s original vocals. The directive was clear: make these songs sound like they were recorded by Michael Jackson in 2014, without losing the signature essence—the hiccups, the beatboxing, the emotional urgency—that defined his artistry.
A powerful dance track recorded in 1991 with L.A. Reid and Babyface. The contemporized version features a thunderous, electronic dance music (EDM) infused beat that matches the intense, frantic nature of Jackson's vocal delivery about a woman trapped in domestic and societal cycles. 6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"
: A message-driven track first recorded for Bad and later revisited for Dangerous . Michael Jackson Xscape -Deluxe Edition- 2014
Written during the Bad and Dangerous eras, tackling the heavy, socially conscious themes Jackson frequently explored.
: The title track, recorded in 1999 with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who returned to produce the 2014 version. The Deluxe Edition Difference
What elevates the Deluxe Edition far above the standard release is its structural transparency. The album features eight modernized tracks, followed immediately by the eight original demos recorded by Jackson between 1983 and 1999. This layout allows listeners to act as musical archeologists, peeling back layers of 21st-century paint to discover the foundational architecture underneath. 1. "Love Never Felt So Good" Originally co-written with Paul Anka in 1983, this
The Deluxe Edition exclusive is an alternative, orchestral version of "Chicago" that strips away much of Timbaland’s beat, leaving a breathtaking string arrangement behind. It serves as a bridge between the raw demos and the polished final cuts.
Originally titled "She Was Lovin’ Me" and written with Cory Rooney in 1999, this song tells a dark narrative of infidelity. The 2014 version, produced by Timbaland, adds a haunting, synthetic trap beat and eerie strings. Listening to the original demo on Disc 2, you realize how much darker and more frantic Jackson’s raw vocal performance was. The contrast is striking: the demo feels like a private confession; the final version is a cinematic thriller.
A distinctively New Jack Swing track, boasting the signature industrial, metallic drum programming of the early '90s. 6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" "Chicago" (originally titled "She Was Loving Me") The
Driven by 1980s 8-bit-style synthesizer loops, addressing a heavy social narrative about runaway youth.
At the heart of the Deluxe Edition is a compelling debate that has divided fans and critics alike: which versions are superior? The "contemporized" tracks are undeniably more radio-friendly, with booming 808s, polished synth work, and modern vocal arrangements. However, the original recordings included in the deluxe edition offer a raw, unfiltered look at Jackson's creative process.
Recorded in 1999 during the Invincible sessions.
A hard-hitting, industrial funk track that highlights Jackson's perfectionism regarding rhythm and timing. 6. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are"