Give In to Me

"Give In to Me"
Single by Michael Jackson featuring Slash
from the album Dangerous
B-side
ReleasedFebruary 15, 1993 (1993-02-15)
Recorded1990–1991[1]
Genre
Length
  • 5:29 (album version)
  • 4:42 (vocal version)
LabelEpic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Michael Jackson
  • Bill Bottrell
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Heal the World"
(1992)		 "Give In to Me"
(1993)		 "Whatzupwitu"
(1993)
Slash singles chronology
"Give In to Me"
(1993)		 "Fix"
(1997)
Music video
"Give In to Me" on YouTube

"Give In to Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the seventh single from his eighth studio album, Dangerous (1991). Released in February 1993 by Epic Records, the song peaked at number one in New Zealand for four consecutive weeks and at number two on the UK Singles Chart. The track was written and produced by Jackson and Bill Bottrell, and features Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. A hard rock and heavy metal song, several critics wrote that the song has an aggressive sexual flavor.[2][3] It was also released in various European countries, Australia and Japan. The single release's B-sides include the album versions of "Dirty Diana" and "Beat It".

Composition

This song is written in the key of E minor.[4] Jackson's vocals spans from G3 to B4.[4] It has a moderately slow tempo of 87 beats per minute.[4] Stylistically, "Give In to Me" is a hard rock[5][6][7] and heavy metal[2][3][8] ballad.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStar[9]

"Give In to Me" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Entertainment Weekly editor David Browne praised Jackson's delivery, writing, "when his voice isn't competing with drum machines, it's menacing on the creepy 'Give In to Me' (his best-ever shot at hard rock)."[10] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, that with "Who Is It" and "Black or White", the single "is one of the few tracks on the album that represent Jackson at his very best and not stifled by machines."[11]

Alan Jones from Music Week described it as "a moody ballad which unfurls slowly before reaching a fine climax, neatly juxtaposed by Slash's wailing guitar solo." He added that it "will be a substantial and deserved hit."[12] Alan Light of Rolling Stone felt that "Give In to Me" "flirts with something more disturbing as Jackson sings, 'Don't try to understand me/Just simply do the things I say' in a grittier, throaty voice while Slash's guitar whips and soars behind him."[13]

Music video

The music video is a performance-style live-action concert.

The music video for "Give In to Me"[14] features Jackson performing the song on stage at an indoor rock concert with ex Living Colour bassist Muzz Skillings, Guns N' Roses guitarists Slash and Gilby Clarke, as well as the band's touring keyboardist Teddy Andreadis and legendary session drummer Tony Thompson. Loud explosions are later heard with visuals of stylized electrical arcs and Jackson dancing as they run down his body. The last scene shows one electrical arc running down Jackson's body, an unintentional effect that was left in. The video is featured on the video albums: Dangerous: The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision.[15]

It was shot on June 25, 1992, in Munich, Germany, just two days before the opening concert of the Dangerous World Tour on June 27. The pyrotechnics appearing on the video are computer-generated and were added later on. It was later made available on YouTube in 2009.[16]

Track listing

  • 7-inch single
  1. "Give In to Me" – 5:28
  2. "Dirty Diana" – 4:52
  • Cassette Single K7 Audio Tape
  1. "Give In to Me" (vocal version) – 4:42
  2. "Dirty Diana" (edit version) – 4:40
  • Spain Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM
  1. "Give In to Me" (album version) – 5:28
  2. "Dirty Diana" (album version) – 4:52
  3. "Give In to Me" (vocal version) – 4:42
  4. "Beat It" (album version) – 4:17
  • Thailand Cassette, single
  1. "Give In to Me" (album version) – 5:28
  2. "Beat It" (album version) – 4:17
  3. "Dirty Diana" (album version) – 4:52
  4. "Beat It" (album version) – 4:17
  • Austria CD single
  1. "Give In to Me" – 5:28
  2. "Dirty Diana" – 4:52
  3. "Beat It" – 4:17
  • UK CD single
  1. "Give In to Me" (vocal version) – 4:42
  2. "Dirty Diana" – 4:52
  3. "Beat It" – 4:17

Personnel

  • All vocals by Michael Jackson
  • Mellotron, keyboards, guitars, bass and drums by Bill Bottrell
  • Additional guitar by Tim Pierce
  • Special guitar performance by Slash

Production

  • Arranged and produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell
  • Recorded by Bill Bottrell; guitar recorded by Jim Mitchell, with assistance by Craig Brock
  • Mixed by Bill Bottrell

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Give In to Me"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[40] Gold 35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Gold 5,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Give In to Me"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom February 15, 1993
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Epic [51]
Australia March 14, 1993
  • CD
  • cassette
 [52]
Japan April 1, 1993 Mini-CD [53]

Cover versions

References

  1. ↑ Lecocq, Richard; Allard, François (2018). Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. London, England: Cassell. ISBN 978-1-78840-057-2.
  2. 1 2 The Atlantic, Volume 269. Atlantic Monthly Co. 1992. p. 101. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  3. 1 2 Campbell, Lisa (1993). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop. Branden Books. pp. 325–326. ISBN 978-0-8283-1957-7. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 "Give In to Me– Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download)". MusicNotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. July 20, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  5. ↑ Campbell, Lisa (1993). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop. Branden Books. p. 309. ISBN 978-0-8283-1957-7. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  6. ↑ Krewen, Nick (November 22, 1991). "Shrewd and Dangerous". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2010. Jackson also wants to reach a rock audience, so Guns 'N' Roses guitarist Slash contributes his two cents in 'Black or White' and 'Give In to Me', while Heavy D. splices in some rap at appropriate moments.
  7. ↑ Rolli, Bryan (November 26, 2021). "When Slash and Michael Jackson Staged a 'Dangerous' Team-Up". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ Donovan, Thom (May 17, 2026). "The King of Pop Also Rocked! 3 of Michael Jackson's Most Rockin' Tunes". American Songwriter. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  9. ↑ Give In to Me at AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Music Review: Dangerous, by Michael Jackson". Entertainment Weekly. November 29, 1991. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  11. ↑ Masterton, James (February 21, 1993). "Week Ending February 27th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  12. ↑ Jones, Alan (February 6, 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  13. ↑ Light, Alan. "Michael Jackson Dangerous Album Review | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  14. ↑ Michael Jackson – Give In to Me – YouTube
  15. ↑ iTunes – Music Videos – Give In to Me (Michael Jackson's Vision) by Michael Jackson
  16. ↑ "Michael Jackson - Give In To Me (Official Video)". YouTube. October 3, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 15. April 10, 1993. p. 24. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 13. March 27, 1993. p. 27. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  22. ↑ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 20. May 15, 1993. p. 21. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  23. ↑ "EHR Top 40". Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 17. April 24, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (26. mars–1. apríl)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 25, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Give In to Me | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me". VG-lista. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  32. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  33. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 6/3/1993 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Top 50 Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. March 20, 1993. p. 14. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Michael Jackson – Give In to Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 11/7/2009 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  40. 1 2 "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1993". ARIA. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1993" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  42. ↑ "1993 Year-End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 51/52. December 18, 1993. p. 15. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  43. ↑ "1993 Year-End Airplay Charts: European Hit Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 51/52. December 18, 1993. p. 17. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1993" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1993". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  47. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  48. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 24.
  49. ↑ "Airplay Top 50 1993" (PDF). Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 41. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  50. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Michael Jackson – Give In to Me". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  51. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. February 13, 1993. p. 17.
  52. ↑ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 14/03/93: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 162. March 14, 1993. p. 21.
  53. ↑ "マイケル・ジャクソン | ギブ・イン・トゥ・ミー" [Michael Jackson | Give In to Me] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
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