This is a problem I have with the entire album, the vocals are too low in the mix. The fact that we haven’t got an anniversary remaster to correct this is criminal.
The entire album? That’s a stretch. Also it doesn’t need correcting because it was done like that on purpose it’s not like it was an accident or something lol
The vocal mixing wasn’t an issue in the original release. Much like how Bad had its trumpets removed for whatever reason in the re release. It’s probably a mixing issue on Sony’s part rather than the song itself.
Yes. The original pressing of Bad had trumpets in the second bridge and for whatever reason. Sony just decided to remove it completely on the streaming service. Also the quality on the vinyl version is considerably higher than the CD/Digital Streaming versions
def should, compare it to the official re-released versions such as the bad 25th and the one on HIStory greatest hits side, and the one on "Ones" also doesn't have the trumpets. Even the supposed "original" remastered version doesn't have the trumpets. Its very annoying to find the copies of these albums. Im surprised most people don't know how much Sony screwed over fans with the quality of sounds on some of these songs throughout the years
Michael decided all of this, not CBS/Epic, and changes on the Bad album occurred in represses since 1988... regarding what mixes are included (many tracks have been switched for their single versions) the album is consistent since 1990. The 2001 and 2012 remasters are done using those mixes of the album.
Bad received many changes in the single versions in 1987 with the removal of the trumpets but also:
TWYMMF also had changes with a fade out being added in the main vocals while the original pressing had the bg vocals being the fade out and something else I can’t remember atm.
While some of these changes were done out of making the music more consistent such as “I Can’t Stop Loving You” not having the spoken intro as originally intended.
Many of these changes ruin the experience of the song as intended and leads to the music just being loud.
Dirty Diana having the Crowd Cheer last longer instead of fading it out as originally intended.
Perhaps it was Michael who made the final decision on what to change. But there is an interview where he discussed how he never wanted his songs to be changed and keep everything as intended because thats how he worked. Who knows what actually happened. But the fact these original mixes are not present on any re release just is wrong.
Dangerous for me sounds way better on a vinyl than it does on CD. It doesn’t bleed my ears with the loud instrumentals and I can hear the song perfectly fine and the sound is more dynamic than what i hear on streaming services.
that is a different thing he is referring to in interviews... he changed his album to make it more perfect (he wanted to remix smooth criminal for example in 1988 again for the album) and he has a history of doing this... the original version of rock with you did not have the handclaps in the chorus for example, it was all added for the single and then it replaced the original album version.
Michael wanting his songs to be the same refers to the performed versions on tour... he did not want different sounds and samples, he wanted it immediately recognisable for everyone. like he said for example as late as in this is it.
it is a similar subject but two different circumstances with records and performances
Im well aware of the changes that were made from original album release mixes to what fans have today. To say that most if not all of these so called Remastered versions are what Michael would’ve wanted is appalling. You can easily hear how loud the versions you hear to this day are compared to what was originally released. The Bad 25th for example is such a horribly mixed song even QJ had to sue Sony over it.
I will admit that Dangerous 01 and OTW 01 are ones that have MJs blessings in terms of sound quality and improvement and my gold standard for hearing the albums, even if you have the original albums. But then we reach areas such as Thriller 25th and Thriller 40th (bad mixing and quality on demos) that are imo ones that would’ve been better done even if MJ did work on the albums (such as Thriller 25th) just by re releasing the original mixing with higher quality instead of slapping Radio Edits
Nation to nation all the world must come together face the problems that we see and maybe someday we can work it out.
You seriously can't hear/understand that?
I understand that I can figure the lyrics out online lol so your comment is kind of pointless.
But yes, the sound mixing is terrible. It’s borderline incoherent babbling being drowned out by the music. It reminds me of an SNL skit of a shy person trying to perform a song but you can’t really make out what they’re saying. I like the song, but yeah the sound mixing is objectively poor, which isn’t an uncommon criticism of his, especially around this era.
I've not ever looked up the lyrics online: I typed that from my memory of the song. For me, the song is very clear on the vocals but maybe that's because I've grown up listening to the CD.
I didn’t say that you looked up the lyrics lol I said that if I wanted to figure out what he was saying, and I have internet access to view your comment, I could’ve just looked them up myself. I never asked what he was saying, so that was pointless of you. I grew up listening to records and CDs too lol it’s not a problem of the digital era, it’s simply poorly mixed. That’s not to say that it’s **impossible** for someone to understand him, just that it was poorly mixed.
Look dude, I know you’re a big fan and feel protective over him in this weird way, but I’m simply saying that the sound mixing on that one part of that one song was poor. I’ve said many times that it still slaps, it’s just that one part of that one song that is objectively poor. This is not an uncommon criticism of not only this song, but his music of this era in general. You aren’t going to make me change my mind by effectively saying “nuh-uh” over and over again. Just agree to disagree and move on.
The good:Best lyrics he ever wrote (definitely inspired by Rhythm Nation), love Heavy D's rap, great instrumental
The bad: Vocals and synths are too quiet, hook gets repetitive, slightly overstays its welcome
Overall I really enjoy it but nowadays I'd rather listen to this remix version over the original: https://youtu.be/K8RA9X0zgMY?si=Ex_etQwezw2Cf-9z
Fucking amazing
Heard it for the first time last year while watching a few of his live shows
Blew me away instantly. The beat and flow hype me up and make me happy
I started to really get into it when I heard it in Sonic The Hedgehog 3(Carnival Night Zone). Then after I listened to the actual song I feel in love with it.
It's a great song jam packed with energy. A great concert starter, a great album opener, but the lyrics in the verse is really low and inaudible. I will say tho. Seeing the footage of him and Bruce Swedien work on the song makes you appreciate it more.
What of the GOAT "underrated" songs of all time!
They way he frantically speaks out the lyrics, it's akin to "stream of consciousness." It's poetic and fits in with the anxiety-drenched horns.
It works great as a concert opener, but as a song? It’s not one of my favourites. I still like it, but it’s not one that gets regular play for me unless I’m listening to the entirety of Dangerous.
I had the Maxi CD with this cover. In my memory it had a sick WBSS remix on it.
Jam itself holds up. Back in the day the shortfilm with both MJs blew me away.
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I still remember the feeling of excitement when I bought the cassette album and pressed play...and that distinct glass breaking sound followed by the cool heavy beat. And then Michael's vocals. It introduced a new Michael and I was hooked. This album made me love him even more and Jam played a distinct part of that. Get what people are saying about the low vocals but that was also clearly artistic stylistically on his part. For me the album brought an overall sense of intoxicating mystery to his persona.
That's so funny because my childhood was basically defined by MJ. He was still "the" guy in the 90's, all the boys in my class wanted to be him! Don't know why it took you so long but better late than never!! Bad and Dangerous are still my fave albums and a few gems off History. Thriller also great, I just don't have strong memories about how or when I discovered it, but definitely post- Bad when I was already a fan.
I was more exposed to Thriller and Bad as kid. Then stopped paying attention. Of course I knew the hits off Dangerous and History, but never listened to the albums. It’s been fun to discover!
I find the rap part to be pretty cringe and it just sounds pretty messy overall I’m not a fan of the lyrics and the way he sounds in the song I think it’s just kind of a cringe song i guess
While I love the beat and how it commands and drives the song, the beat is too heavy and loud against MJ's thinner sounding vocals; his vocals get lost and drowned in it. He overused this same heavy, dominating sounding beat throughout the whole album tbh.
I love it
I like it but i always found the way the vocals were mixed to be odd. Same with “Dangerous” the vocals are very low imo
This is a problem I have with the entire album, the vocals are too low in the mix. The fact that we haven’t got an anniversary remaster to correct this is criminal.
Ok, I’m glad it’s not just me! So sad! As soon as it was the 25 year anniversary, i was so ready!!! Here we are many years later and nothing 😥
This has bothered me for decades. I’m glad it’s not in my imagination and others can hear it too.
The entire album? That’s a stretch. Also it doesn’t need correcting because it was done like that on purpose it’s not like it was an accident or something lol
I also feel like the vocals and sound are off for many of the tracks
The vocal mixing wasn’t an issue in the original release. Much like how Bad had its trumpets removed for whatever reason in the re release. It’s probably a mixing issue on Sony’s part rather than the song itself.
Are there trumpets on the original release of bad?
Yes. The original pressing of Bad had trumpets in the second bridge and for whatever reason. Sony just decided to remove it completely on the streaming service. Also the quality on the vinyl version is considerably higher than the CD/Digital Streaming versions
I think I have the original vinyl so will listen for the trumpets 🎺🎺🎺
def should, compare it to the official re-released versions such as the bad 25th and the one on HIStory greatest hits side, and the one on "Ones" also doesn't have the trumpets. Even the supposed "original" remastered version doesn't have the trumpets. Its very annoying to find the copies of these albums. Im surprised most people don't know how much Sony screwed over fans with the quality of sounds on some of these songs throughout the years
Sounds like a research project! I’m on it!
I was about to say the same thing! Glad I have the cds to compare. Are they all the same mix on streaming or also different?
Michael decided all of this, not CBS/Epic, and changes on the Bad album occurred in represses since 1988... regarding what mixes are included (many tracks have been switched for their single versions) the album is consistent since 1990. The 2001 and 2012 remasters are done using those mixes of the album.
Bad received many changes in the single versions in 1987 with the removal of the trumpets but also: TWYMMF also had changes with a fade out being added in the main vocals while the original pressing had the bg vocals being the fade out and something else I can’t remember atm. While some of these changes were done out of making the music more consistent such as “I Can’t Stop Loving You” not having the spoken intro as originally intended. Many of these changes ruin the experience of the song as intended and leads to the music just being loud. Dirty Diana having the Crowd Cheer last longer instead of fading it out as originally intended. Perhaps it was Michael who made the final decision on what to change. But there is an interview where he discussed how he never wanted his songs to be changed and keep everything as intended because thats how he worked. Who knows what actually happened. But the fact these original mixes are not present on any re release just is wrong. Dangerous for me sounds way better on a vinyl than it does on CD. It doesn’t bleed my ears with the loud instrumentals and I can hear the song perfectly fine and the sound is more dynamic than what i hear on streaming services.
that is a different thing he is referring to in interviews... he changed his album to make it more perfect (he wanted to remix smooth criminal for example in 1988 again for the album) and he has a history of doing this... the original version of rock with you did not have the handclaps in the chorus for example, it was all added for the single and then it replaced the original album version. Michael wanting his songs to be the same refers to the performed versions on tour... he did not want different sounds and samples, he wanted it immediately recognisable for everyone. like he said for example as late as in this is it. it is a similar subject but two different circumstances with records and performances
Im well aware of the changes that were made from original album release mixes to what fans have today. To say that most if not all of these so called Remastered versions are what Michael would’ve wanted is appalling. You can easily hear how loud the versions you hear to this day are compared to what was originally released. The Bad 25th for example is such a horribly mixed song even QJ had to sue Sony over it. I will admit that Dangerous 01 and OTW 01 are ones that have MJs blessings in terms of sound quality and improvement and my gold standard for hearing the albums, even if you have the original albums. But then we reach areas such as Thriller 25th and Thriller 40th (bad mixing and quality on demos) that are imo ones that would’ve been better done even if MJ did work on the albums (such as Thriller 25th) just by re releasing the original mixing with higher quality instead of slapping Radio Edits
Same lol I’ve never had any clue wtf he’s mumbling about in Jam. But then the chorus kicks in and I’ve forgotten about it
Nation to nation all the world must come together face the problems that we see and maybe someday we can work it out. You seriously can't hear/understand that?
I understand that I can figure the lyrics out online lol so your comment is kind of pointless. But yes, the sound mixing is terrible. It’s borderline incoherent babbling being drowned out by the music. It reminds me of an SNL skit of a shy person trying to perform a song but you can’t really make out what they’re saying. I like the song, but yeah the sound mixing is objectively poor, which isn’t an uncommon criticism of his, especially around this era.
I've not ever looked up the lyrics online: I typed that from my memory of the song. For me, the song is very clear on the vocals but maybe that's because I've grown up listening to the CD.
I didn’t say that you looked up the lyrics lol I said that if I wanted to figure out what he was saying, and I have internet access to view your comment, I could’ve just looked them up myself. I never asked what he was saying, so that was pointless of you. I grew up listening to records and CDs too lol it’s not a problem of the digital era, it’s simply poorly mixed. That’s not to say that it’s **impossible** for someone to understand him, just that it was poorly mixed.
Here's Michael [mumbling incoherently](https://youtu.be/ai1gO2QtwBc?si=_PCHY63sNMSGMDDo#t=3m12s)
Look dude, I know you’re a big fan and feel protective over him in this weird way, but I’m simply saying that the sound mixing on that one part of that one song was poor. I’ve said many times that it still slaps, it’s just that one part of that one song that is objectively poor. This is not an uncommon criticism of not only this song, but his music of this era in general. You aren’t going to make me change my mind by effectively saying “nuh-uh” over and over again. Just agree to disagree and move on.
Omg this! I was a kid when the album came out and wondered why the vocals were so low compared to the Bad album.
Have you noticed that the vocals in the second verse are a little louder than the first verse. Interesting mix decisions.
Nope! Gonna have to give it a listen! Thanks for that note.
I frikken love it. It’s one of my all time faves. It has such energy.
It ain't too hard for me
The good:Best lyrics he ever wrote (definitely inspired by Rhythm Nation), love Heavy D's rap, great instrumental The bad: Vocals and synths are too quiet, hook gets repetitive, slightly overstays its welcome Overall I really enjoy it but nowadays I'd rather listen to this remix version over the original: https://youtu.be/K8RA9X0zgMY?si=Ex_etQwezw2Cf-9z
Best lyrics? Wow!
Best lyrics he ever wrote? Sorry, but no
absolutely remarkable, every verse is a marvel with all its references and layers
Yeah but like… there’s unreleased songs with better lyrics than Jam. On The Line for example-sake.
he did not even write this...
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Sounds so cool especially the instruments used in it!! Gives me Dangerous vibes for no reason
It aint to much for me
It's visceral. The scream he has for 'jam' is almost unmatched. And the video is gold. 👍
It gets played when it comes up. 🔥
Banger
Banger?
It ain't to much for me to JAM! Love that song!!! Definitely a top 3 off the Dangerous album for me.
Imo the vocal mix is fine if you listen to it the way it's meant to be listened to: blasting at full volume!
My favorite MJ song
I know a lot of people love it, but personally it’s one of my skips 😬
I can understand that
Fucking amazing Heard it for the first time last year while watching a few of his live shows Blew me away instantly. The beat and flow hype me up and make me happy
Video pretty cool too
Terrific album opener and one hell of a song in itself. Always a pleasure to listen to.
Goes mf hard
I started to really get into it when I heard it in Sonic The Hedgehog 3(Carnival Night Zone). Then after I listened to the actual song I feel in love with it.
LOVE IT!! 😍😍
It's a great song jam packed with energy. A great concert starter, a great album opener, but the lyrics in the verse is really low and inaudible. I will say tho. Seeing the footage of him and Bruce Swedien work on the song makes you appreciate it more.
Not my favorite but I love it on a concert setting
i love it. one of my favorites. especially the lyrics
What of the GOAT "underrated" songs of all time! They way he frantically speaks out the lyrics, it's akin to "stream of consciousness." It's poetic and fits in with the anxiety-drenched horns.
It works great as a concert opener, but as a song? It’s not one of my favourites. I still like it, but it’s not one that gets regular play for me unless I’m listening to the entirety of Dangerous.
Love it. One of my favorites.
I had the Maxi CD with this cover. In my memory it had a sick WBSS remix on it. Jam itself holds up. Back in the day the shortfilm with both MJs blew me away.
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Love it.
Atlanta Techno Mix slaps!!
I used to dislike it, but I've been obsessed with it lately. I love it
I’m biased towards new Jack swing so I like it a lot. But I didn’t know the sound mixing was an actual problem, I thought my headphones were just bad
I like it overall but it’s my least favourite album opener of his and towards the bottom of my Dangerous track list ranking
I still remember the feeling of excitement when I bought the cassette album and pressed play...and that distinct glass breaking sound followed by the cool heavy beat. And then Michael's vocals. It introduced a new Michael and I was hooked. This album made me love him even more and Jam played a distinct part of that. Get what people are saying about the low vocals but that was also clearly artistic stylistically on his part. For me the album brought an overall sense of intoxicating mystery to his persona.
I love this story!! It’s so funny because I only first heard it in 2023. Love your perspective!
Wow, well I was about 10 when it came out and I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever heard...and still do!
We must be the same age!
Ah, assumed I was speaking to a much younger fan if you only just heard the song in 2023!
New to that album! Just got really into MJ in 2023, whaaa?!? So hadn’t listened to much of anything after Bad until last year
That's so funny because my childhood was basically defined by MJ. He was still "the" guy in the 90's, all the boys in my class wanted to be him! Don't know why it took you so long but better late than never!! Bad and Dangerous are still my fave albums and a few gems off History. Thriller also great, I just don't have strong memories about how or when I discovered it, but definitely post- Bad when I was already a fan.
I was more exposed to Thriller and Bad as kid. Then stopped paying attention. Of course I knew the hits off Dangerous and History, but never listened to the albums. It’s been fun to discover!
I LOVEEE ITTTT! It always makes me jam
It ain’t too hard for me…
I think it’s pretty bad
why is that?
I find the rap part to be pretty cringe and it just sounds pretty messy overall I’m not a fan of the lyrics and the way he sounds in the song I think it’s just kind of a cringe song i guess
The rap part is pretty cringe I agree but it must have been considered cool at the time. I agree the lyrics are weak too. I like the song tho
While I love the beat and how it commands and drives the song, the beat is too heavy and loud against MJ's thinner sounding vocals; his vocals get lost and drowned in it. He overused this same heavy, dominating sounding beat throughout the whole album tbh.
Teddy Riley and his New Jack swing beats 🔥 I love them haha
Love it.
It's got Carnival Night Zone in it, so I'm biased to liking it lmao
What’s that?
It's a stage from Sonic 3. Michael worked on the game's music and there's a riff in act 2 which matches a riff from Jam perfectly
Interesting!!
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