"Jam" is a song by American singer-songwriter
Michael Jackson, released in July 1992 by
Epic as the fourth single from his eighth album, Dangerous (1991), where it is the opening track. It also appears as the second track on his 2009 This Is It compilation album. The single was re-released in 2006 as part of Jackson's Visionary: The Video Singles collection campaign, and it was remixed to the
Cirque du Soleil's Immortal World Tour, releasing that remix on the
soundtrack album. "Jam" is a
new jack swing song whose
bridge features a
rap verse performed by
Heavy D (of the group
Heavy D & the Boyz). The music video of the song featured
NBA basketball legend
Michael Jordan. The song was also featured on the
Chicago Bulls (Jordan's team at the time)'s 1992 NBA Championship video "Untouchabulls" and was also used in many promotional ads of the NBA in the said season. The single peaked at number 26 on the US
Billboard Hot 100. The song re-entered the
UK Singles Chart in 2006, reaching number 22.[5]
Critical reception
"Jam" was generally well received by music critics.
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that the song "is fortified with brassy horns, a funky bass line, and a rap cameo by
Heavy D. Jackson's signature squeals and whoops are at home within an urgent groove that seems to goad him to the point of catharsis."[6] Andrew Smith from Melody Maker described it as "lean" and "spikey".[7] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Get in the groove with the most funky track on the Dangerous album."[8] An editor from People Magazine felt that Jackson "captures the outer style but not the energizing spirit of
hip-hop."[9]
Alan Light from Rolling Stone praised the song, adding that it "addresses Jackson's uneasy relationship to the world and reveals a canny self-awareness that carries the strongest message on Dangerous." He wrote further, "Though it initially sounds like a simple, funky dance vehicle, Jackson's voice bites into each phrase with a desperation that urges us to look deeper. He is singing as 'false prophets cry of doom' and exhorts us to 'live each day like it's the last'. The chorus declares that the miseries of the world 'ain't too much stuff' to stop us from jamming. To Jackson, who insists that he comes truly alive only onstage, the ability to 'Jam' is the sole means to find 'peace within myself', and this hope rings more sincere than the childlike wishes found in the ballads."[10] Ted Shaw from The Windsor Star noted that Jackson's voice is treated electronically on the track, "which establishes the thematic thrust in lyrics that call for brotherly love."[11]
Retrospective response
In an 2016 retrospective review, Chris Lacy from Albumism said that on the song, Jackson "explains that jamming (the joy of music and dance) is his preferred method of temporarily escaping worldly issues."[12]AllMusic editor
Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that there's a lot to be said for professional craftsmanship at its peak and he called this song blistering plus highlight on album.[13] Adam Gilham of Sputnikmusic described the song as a perfect album opener and rated it "5/5".[14]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Jam" takes place within an abandoned indoor
basketball court, where Michael Jackson teaches basketball legend
Michael Jordan how to dance, and in return, Jordan teaches Jackson how to play basketball. Special effects have Jackson throwing a basketball through a window and scoring in the hoop in the opposite room, as well as Jackson scoring by tossing the ball behind him and kicking the ball into the hoop with his heel. The extended versions of the video include Jackson teaching Jordan how to do the physically complicated
moonwalk dance technique (known as the slide step).[15] The rap groups
Kris Kross and
Naughty by Nature made a cameo appearance, as does
Heavy D (who performs a rap during the
bridge).[2]