Michael Jackson would have celebrated his 60th birthday, and in remembrance, we delve into the impactful “Earth Song” music video. Released as the third single from his 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, “Earth Song” might be considered one of Jackson’s lesser-known visual works, especially in comparison to his more iconic videos. For some, like myself upon initial release, HIStory as a whole might not have resonated as deeply as earlier albums, perhaps due to life’s circumstances or its partial greatest hits compilation nature. However, the promotional visuals, featuring Jackson leading a formidable army and unveiling a colossal statue, were undeniably captivating and audacious, even if their message remained somewhat enigmatic.
Years later, revisiting Michael Jackson HIStory On Film Volume II revealed the powerful “Earth Song” video. While familiar with other HIStory videos like “Scream” and Spike Lee’s “They Don’t Care About Us,” “Earth Song” was a revelation, leaving a lasting impression.
Earth Song Single Cover
Directed by Nick Brandt, known for other Jackson videos such as “Childhood,” “Stranger in Moscow,” and “Cry,” as well as collaborations with Moby and XTC. Brandt’s portfolio also includes Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” video (though credited as Alan Smithee post re-edit) and early work on Playboy’s INSIDE OUT II, his primary focus shifted towards fine art photography.
The profound simplicity of “Earth Song” amplifies its message. Echoing Fred Rogers’ belief in the power of “deep and simple” over “shallow and complex,” the song’s strength lies in its uncomplicated structure: a sorrowful plea followed by righteous anger.
A Paradise Lost: Visualizing Earth’s Lament
The video opens with breathtaking scenes reminiscent of an Amazonian paradise. Panoramic shots reveal toucans, monkeys, and lush rainforest vegetation, underscored by a harp melody and sunbeams. This idyllic setting is quickly disrupted by the intrusive sound of smoke and the jarring image of a bulldozer tearing through the trees. This abrupt shift marks the commencement of the song’s opening piano riff, transitioning into a desolate landscape of tree stumps, flames, and a fiery orange sky – a stark depiction of environmental devastation filmed on a Warwick, New York cornfield set. Michael Jackson appears amidst this destruction, clad in torn black and red, head bowed, embodying sorrow as he sings, “What about sunrise? What about rain? What about all the things that you said we were to gain?”
Michael Jackson amidst environmental destruction in Earth Song
Michael Jackson walking through a ravaged landscape in Earth Song video
Jackson’s emotional delivery is palpable, echoing the raw emotion in “She’s Out of My Life.” His voice cracks with heartbreak as he questions, “What about sunrise, what about rain?” and “Did you ever stop to notice this crying earth, these weeping shores?”
The visual narrative expands to encompass global tragedies:
A poignant scene reveals the body of an elephant, symbolizing the devastating impact of poaching and wildlife exploitation. Nearby, a Masai family mourns, representing communities directly affected by environmental loss.
A Masai family mourning in Earth Song music video
Mourning family near a felled tree in Earth Song
Another heartbreaking scene depicts a family witnessing the felling of a tree in the Amazon, highlighting deforestation’s immediate impact on lives and livelihoods.
Deforestation scene in Michael Jackson's Earth Song
Family in war-torn village in Earth Song video
A family walks through a war-ravaged village in Croatia, illustrating the widespread devastation caused by human conflict.
War-torn village scene from Earth Song
The video’s end text clarifies its scope: filmed across four continents, each location depicting human-induced distress. Notably, the people featured are not actors but residents of these affected regions, lending authenticity and weight to the visual storytelling.
“Earth Song” confronts issues like pollution, war, deforestation, and poaching, exposing the consequences of corporate greed and conflict. Jackson poignantly asks, “What about all the things that you said were yours and mine?” questioning the broken promises of stewardship. For those who profess faith yet engage in violence, he directly challenges, “What about all the peace that you pledge your only son?”
Remembrance and Reversal: A Call for Change
As families survey their ravaged environments, memories of healthier times surface: abundant wildlife, untouched forests, and peaceful landscapes – stark contrasts to their current realities.
The song intensifies as Jackson and the families symbolically collapse in despair, mirroring a collective grief. They interact with the earth, hands in the soil, a gesture of connection and desperation.
Documentary footage interjects, showcasing further atrocities: a trapped dolphin, a starving child, a clubbed seal – a montage of global suffering. But amidst despair, a glimmer of hope emerges. The spilled earth reverses, rising back into their hands, accompanied by a powerful, transformative wind. This wind, though initially forceful, is met with smiles of understanding and acceptance.
This visual magic is not typical Michael Jackson spectacle; it’s not about transforming into a panther or robot. Instead, it represents a collective awakening, a global realization that “enough is enough,” and change is imperative. It’s the magic of unity and shared intent, amplified by a symbolic interaction with the earth. This reversal acts as a metaphor for collective action, echoing Superman’s earth-spinning feat, suggesting that change, though monumental, is possible.
Wind of change in Earth Song music video
The music swells, leading into an epic call-and-response with The Andraé Crouch Choir, reminiscent of their collaborations on “Man in the Mirror,” “Speechless,” and Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” Jackson, with visible anguish, leads the choir in drawn-out vocalizations, before erupting into an impassioned, blues-infused wail. The tone shifts from lament to accusatory, as he questions, “Hey, what about yesterday? / What about the seas? The heavens are falling down / I can’t even breathe.” The choir responds with a poignant “What about us?” or “What about it?”
This choral “us” can be interpreted in multiple ways. Initially, it might seem to represent solidarity – the victims of environmental disaster and war echoing Jackson’s concerns. However, another interpretation surfaces: could the choir represent a dissenting voice, arguing back with a selfish “us,” prioritizing economic concerns over environmental responsibility? This interpretation reflects the real-world arguments against environmental regulations, the denial of climate change, and the prioritization of profit over planetary health – a starkly relevant perspective in today’s world, marked by extreme weather and environmental degradation.
The video culminates in a powerful sequence where the wind intensifies, forcing everyone to hold on for stability. Jackson, gripping two trees, embodies resilience amidst chaos. This visually striking scene evokes imagery reminiscent of Aeon Flux, showcasing Jackson’s raw energy and commitment. The elaborate choreography typical of his videos is absent, replaced by raw emotion and physical engagement.
Michael Jackson holding onto trees in Earth Song video
The combined force of wind, collective will, and music reverses destruction: tanks retreat, wounds heal, pollution recedes, trees regrow, and even the elephant is restored. Jackson’s poignant line, “What about elephants? Have we lost their trust?” boldly addresses the ethical dimension of environmental destruction, going beyond mere concern for animal welfare to question the fundamental human-animal relationship.
Jackson’s signature vocalizations, like the “woo,” become a powerful element in “Earth Song.” These non-lexical sounds, a hallmark of his musicality, function as percussion, battle cries, and emotional releases. In the song’s finale, twelve consecutive “woos” underscore the urgency and emotional weight of his message.
Nick Brandt’s commitment to “Earth Song’s” themes extended beyond the video. Filming in Tanzania ignited a passion for East African wildlife, leading to his photography trilogy On This Earth / A Shadow Falls / Across the Ravaged Land and Inherit the Dust, visually echoing “Earth Song’s” themes of animal nobility and human impact on the environment. His photography, available at nickbrandt.com, offers a powerful continuation of the video’s message.
“Earth Song” holds a poignant place in Jackson’s history as the last song he ever rehearsed, just hours before his passing, for the This Is It concerts. The THIS IS IT movie may or may not feature this final rehearsal, but it showcases new footage of a girl dancing with butterflies alongside re-imagined scenes from the “Earth Song” video, planned for stage integration.
“Earth Song” remains a powerful song and video, profoundly relevant today. The urgency in Jackson’s “woos” and the video’s message of reversal are needed now more than ever. We face environmental challenges that demand immediate action, and “Earth Song” serves as a timeless call to protect our planet.
Other Michael Jackson video analyses:
Bad
Black or White
Remember the Time
Related:
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour (Cirque du Soleil show)
Captain EO (Disneyland attraction)
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