43 Years Later: Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” Finally Receives an Official Video

Michael Jackson’s timeless classic Human Nature is getting a new moment in the spotlight. More than four decades after the song first touched listeners around the world, the Estate of Michael Jackson has officially released a brand-new visual for the beloved record alongside the rollout of the 2026 biopic Michael.

Originally released in 1983 as the fifth single from the legendary Thriller album, “Human Nature” became one of Michael Jackson’s most emotional and atmospheric records. The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped further cement Thriller as one of the most influential albums in music history.

What makes “Human Nature” even more interesting is that Michael Jackson did not actually write the song himself. The track was originally created by Steve Porcaro of the band Toto after a conversation with his young daughter about a difficult day at school. Producer Quincy Jones heard the demo and immediately knew the song belonged on Thriller. Songwriter John Bettis later helped reshape the lyrics into the dreamy, reflective version fans know today.

Ironically, “Human Nature” almost never made the album at all. The song replaced another track called “Carousel” during the final stages of Thriller’s production. That last-minute decision turned into music history.

Over the years, the song has quietly become one of Michael Jackson’s most culturally influential records. Hip-hop and R&B artists have sampled and reimagined it for decades. Nas famously sampled the song on “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” while SWV scored a massive hit with “Right Here (Human Nature Remix).” Even jazz legend Miles Davis recorded his own interpretation of the song in the 1980s.

The newly released official video arrives at a perfect time as renewed interest surrounding Michael Jackson continues through the release of the biopic soundtrack and theatrical film. The visual blends nostalgic performance clips with scenes of people dancing and connecting to the music across different settings, reminding audiences why the song continues to resonate generations later.