“Torture” was the second single from the Jacksons “Victory” album. The song is perhaps infamously known mostly for its music video, where Michael has been replaced by a wax figure after deciding not to participate in it. The video was also very expensive and ultimately bankrupted the production company working on it. The song ended up being the Jacksons final single to date to reach the Billboard top 40.
It is ironic that this song is essentially a duet between Michael and his brother Jermaine, however neither lead singer appeared in the promotional music video for it. Michael was too busy for the shoot, while Jermaine just flat out refused to participate. For whatever reason though, the remaining four Jacksons decided to continue with the video without them. Director John Stein said that the video shoot was “an experience that lived up to the song title.” Michael’s very obvious wax figure was borrowed from Nashville’s Madame Tussaud’s.
It was on a street so evil
So bad that even hell disowned it
Every single step was trouble
For the fool who stumbled on it
Eyes within the dark were watchin’
I felt the sudden chill of danger
Something told me keep on walkin’
Told me I should not have gone there
Baby, ’cause you cut me like a knife
Without your love in my life
Alone I walk in the night
‘Cause I just can’t stop this feeling
It’s torture
It’s torture
It’s torture
She was up a stair to nowhere
A room forever I’ll remember
She stared as though I should have known her
Tell me what’s your pain or pleasure
Every little thing you find here
Is simply for the thrill you’re after
Loneliness or hearts on fire
I am here to serve all masters
She said, ‘Reality is a knife
When there’s no love in your life
Unmerciful is the night
When you just can’t stop this feeling’
It’s torture
It’s torture
It’s torture
And I still can’t find the meaning, no
No, no, of the face I keep on seeing
Was she real or am I dreaming
Did the sound of your name
Turn a wheel
Start a flame in me
Baby, ’cause you cut me like a knife
Without your love in my life
Alone I walk in the night
And I just can’t stop this feeling
It’s torture
It’s torture
It’s torture
It was on a street so evil
So bad that even hell disowned it
Every single step was trouble
For the fool who stumbled on it
Eyes within the dark were watchin’
I felt the sudden chill of danger
Something told me keep on walkin’
Told me I should not have gone there
Baby, ’cause you cut me like a knife
Without your love in my life
Alone I walk in the night
‘Cause I just can’t stop this feeling
It’s torture
It’s torture
It’s torture
She was up a stair to nowhere
A room forever I’ll remember
She stared as though I should have known her
Tell me what’s your pain or pleasure
Every little thing you find here
Is simply for the thrill you’re after
Loneliness or hearts on fire
I am here to serve all masters
She said, ‘Reality is a knife
When there’s no love in your life
Unmerciful is the night
When you just can’t stop this feeling’
It’s torture
It’s torture
It’s torture
And I still can’t find the meaning, no
No, no, of the face I keep on seeing
Was she real or am I dreaming
Did the sound of your name
Turn a wheel
Start a flame in me
Baby, ’cause you cut me like a knife
Without your love in my life
Alone I walk in the night
And I just can’t stop this feeling
It’s torture
It’s torture
It’s torture
