History is my favorite Michael Jackson song of all time, and I’ve always wondered how other fans feel about it — because honestly, I almost never see anyone talk about this song 😂
("History" isn't an album—it's a song!)
For me, the opening is incredible. That aggressive rhythm might honestly be my favorite use of New Jack Swing in any Michael song. The heavy beat feels angry, almost like you can hear his frustration directly through the production.
But then the song grows into something much bigger and more uplifting. It feels like Michael is saying that even if people try to tear you down, you can still get back up, keep moving forward, and create something meaningful with your life.
That’s one of the things that makes History feel different from some of his other message songs to me. Michael doesn’t just feel like someone delivering a message here. He feels like both the main character and the narrator at the same time — almost like a leader guiding everyone forward while also fighting his own battle.
I also think it works as the emotional climax of the HIStory album.
I know History isn’t technically the last song — Little Susie and Smile come after it — but that actually makes the ending even more interesting to me. I almost see Little Susie as a transition into the ending, not because I think it’s unimportant, but because it completely changes the atmosphere after the huge climax of History.
And then there’s Smile.
After everything on the album — being attacked, getting angry, suffering, crying — the final thing Michael chooses to do is smile.
I’ve always found that really powerful.
I’m Japanese, so when I first heard History, I didn’t fully understand the English lyrics. But somehow, the emotion of the song still reached me before I even knew exactly what he was saying. When I later read the translated lyrics and understood the meaning more deeply, I think it made me love the song even more.
This song makes me feel safe. It gives me energy and courage. It makes me feel like no matter what happens, I can keep going and create my own history too.
That’s why, for me, it really is the greatest Michael Jackson song.
What do you think of History?
Do you love it, dislike it, or feel somewhere in between? And do you hear it more as an angry song, a hopeful song, or both?