"In the Closet" by from the album ReleasedMay 8, 1992Format, 7", 12"Recorded March–May 1991 , Length6:34 (Album Version) 4:49 (Single Version)Michael Jackson Teddy Riley Michael Jackson chronology"" (1992)"In the Closet" (1992)"" (1992) track listing"Why You Wanna Trip on Me" (2)"In the Closet" (3)"She Drives Me Wild" (4) "In the Closet" is a song by American recording artist . It is the third single from his eighth album, . The song became that album's second number one R&B single and its third pop single, hitting number six on the . [] Song information The song, written and composed by Michael Jackson and , is about keeping a relationship secret between lovers. "" is an idiom used when one is not open about an aspect of their life, particularly in regard to . Despite the song's suggestive name its lyrics do not allude to hidden sexual orientation but rather a concealed relationship; "Don't hide our love/ Woman to man." stated, "Only Jackson would use that title for a heterosexual love song..." described the number as "titillatingly titled" but "determinedly heterosexual." The single's music video, directed by , features Jackson performing sensual and physically complicated dance techniques with supermodel . The song's female vocal was originally labeled "Mystery Girl" but was later revealed to be . Campbell mimed the lyrics for the music video. The song, with its heavy industrial-sounding percussion and uptempo arrangement, is typical of producer Teddy Riley's style. The unique, Eastern-influenced backing vocals, reaching crescendo at middle eight imbue the song with an erotic edge usually missing from Jackson's music. His vocals are whispered and subdued for most of the song, embellished with gasps, moans, and shudders. It is generally considered one of his most provocative singles with lyrics that include "...And if it's aching, you have to rub it." The song was not performed during Jackson's (however, during his concert in Toulouse, the band played a short instrumental before ), but a short version, with the intro of "She Drives Me Wild," was the third song of a including "" and "" during the . 's spoken lines were replaced with Jackson's live speech for the sequence. [] Collaboration with Madonna "In the Closet" was originally conceived as a duet between Jackson and . According to a 1992 interview with British journalist ,MFC bedroom cabinets set, said she worked on some lyrical ideas for the song but when she presented them to Michael, he decided they were too provocative and they decided not to continue with the project. [] Music video In the colored music video, directed by , Jackson is seen dancing with model . The video was filmed in late March 1992 in , and premiered on April 23, 1992. This video was Jackson's most sexually provocative piece ever. This video was banned in South Africa due to its imagery. The video is featured on and . [] Remixes In keeping with the trend in the early 1990s, several were commissioned by Jackson and released on a by DJ/ Producers and Tommy Musto, two prolific remixers of the time that transformed the single version into versions that made their way into the clubs and on dance radio. Two versions were included on the remix album , called 'The Reprise' and 'The Underground Mix'. [] Michael Jackson The Experience This song is featured on the video game . [] Track listings[] Original release[] UK single[] U.S. single[] Visionary singleCD sideDVD sideVHS Single Promo[] Charts Chart listings for the single are as follows: [] Peak positionsChart (1992)Peak position523149915910229258US 6US Billboard 1US Billboard 1[] End of year chartsEnd of year chart (1992)PositionU.S. Billboard Hot 10066[] Personnel[] References[] See alsoOther songs