“Behind the Mask” was a song originally released by the Yellow Magic Orchestra. In the early 1980s Quincy Jones introduced the song to Michael. The singer then contributed more lyrics and added an accompanying melody. “Behind the Mask” was planned to be on “Thriller” but it was dropped due to a royalties dispute with Yellow Magic Orchestra’s management. The public first heard Michael singing when a remix of his version was released on the 2010 posthumous album “Michael.” Several artists recorded Michael’s version and released it before his was made public. The most famous rendition came from British rock star Eric Clapton. His single hit number 15 on the UK charts in 1987.
Michael’s 2010 version included a new saxophone solo and crowd noise (taken from the 1992 Dangerous Tour). The single was released for radio only and as a limited 7″ vinyl for Record Store Day. In 2022 the original unaltered demo with the suffix “Mike’s Mix” was made available on the “Thriller 40” album.
A music video was put together from fan contributions called “Behind the Mask Project.” Thousands of fans submitted footage. An alternate video was also shot and completed but the “Behind the Mask Project” was released instead. The alternative video was eventually released seven years later and become the dominant video associated with the song.
Below is Michael’s original demo, as featured on “Thriller 40” as well as the remix that was released first on the “Michael” album.
All along I had to talk about it
But like a two-edged sword
it cuts you and it stabs me
All along I knew you were a phony girl
You sit behind the mask
and you control your world
You sit around and I watch your face
I try to find the truth
But that’s your hiding place
You say you love me but it’s hard to see
Cos when he’s in your arms
You’re throwing rocks at me
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
You know me
(There is nothing in your eyes)
There is nothing in your eyes
(But that’s the way you cry)
But that’s the way you cry girl (Cry girl)
(All is grand, all is bright)
All is grand, all is bright
(You’re just studying my mind)
I Walk around i’m suffering in my doom
When I come to you
Your sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask, so I can see your face
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With You?
I don’t know
Who do you love, babe?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I know you
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You got me scared, girl
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every Year, yours are good
(Where’s your soul? Where’d it go?)
You got me scared, girl
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You know where you’ve been
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every year, na na na
(Where’s your soul? Where did it go?)
I Walk around i’m suffering in my doom
And when I come to you
Your sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask
So I can see your face
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I dont know
Who do you love, babe?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I know you
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I don’t know
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
All along I had to talk about it
But like a two-edged sword
it cuts you and it stabs me
All along I knew you were a phony girl
You sit behind the mask
and you control your world
You sit around and I watch your face
I try to find the truth
But that’s your hiding place
You say you love me but it’s hard to see
Cos when he’s in your arms
You’re throwing rocks at me
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
You know me
(There is nothing in your eyes)
There is nothing in your eyes
(But that’s the way you cry)
But that’s the way you cry girl (Cry girl)
(All is grand, all is bright)
All is grand, all is bright
(You’re just studying my mind)
I Walk around i’m suffering in my doom
When I come to you
Your sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask, so I can see your face
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With You?
I don’t know
Who do you love, babe?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I know you
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You got me scared, girl
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every Year, yours are good
(Where’s your soul? Where’d it go?)
You got me scared, girl
(Heaven must be wary)
Heaven must be wary
(Your smile is scary)
You know where you’ve been
(Insincere, empty tears)
Every year, na na na
(Where’s your soul? Where did it go?)
I Walk around i’m suffering in my doom
And when I come to you
Your sitting in your room
You sit around in the strangest place
So take off the mask
So I can see your face
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I dont know
Who do you love, babe?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I know you
Who do you love?
Is it me?
With you?
I don’t know
Who do you love?
I don’t want ya
If you can’t answer
I don’t know
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
I don’t wanna talk about it (let’s talk about it)
