Come Together
THE STORY BEHIND ' Come Together '
This track is an outlier on the HIStory album. It wasn't recorded in 1995 like the rest of the new material; it was actually recorded in 1988 during the Bad era. It serves as a powerful flex—a cover of a Beatles song performed by the man who owned the Beatles' songs.
Although "Come Together" appears on HIStory (released in 1995), fans had known about it for years. The song was originally recorded for Michael’s 1988 anthology film, "Moonwalker."
It appears at the very end of the movie. After Michael defeats the drug dealer "Mr. Big" (played by Joe Pesci) and transforms into a spaceship to fly away, the film cuts to a "live" concert performance. Michael, wearing a sparkly silver shirt and tight leather pants, bursts onto the stage and tears into a cover of The Beatles' classic. For seven years, this video version was the only way fans could hear the song. It became a cult favorite, with fans trading bootleg audio recordings of the movie scene. Its inclusion on HIStory was Michael finally giving the fans the high-quality studio version they had been demanding.
The context of this cover is essential. In 1985, Michael Jackson famously purchased ATV Music Publishing for $47.5 million. This purchase gave him ownership of the publishing rights to nearly every song The Beatles ever wrote (over 250 tracks).
This move destroyed his friendship with Paul McCartney, who had advised Michael to get into music publishing but felt betrayed that Michael bought his songs out from under him. By covering "Come Together", the opening track of the Beatles' masterpiece Abbey Road, Michael was making a statement. He wasn't just paying tribute to his idols; he was asserting his dominance. He was singing a song that he legally owned. It was a demonstration of power, proving that he could take a Lennon/McCartney classic and make it sound like a Michael Jackson song.
The "Bad" Era Sound Because it was recorded in 1988, "Come Together" sounds different from the rest of the HIStory album.
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The Vocals: Michael’s voice is grittier and more aggressive, typical of the Bad era (similar to "Dirty Diana"). He uses his signature "hiccups" and growls extensively.
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The Production: Produced by Bill Bottrell, the track is heavier and funkier than the original. It replaces the swampy, bluesy feel of the Beatles' version with crisp 80s synthesizers and a sharp, gated snare drum.
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The Edit: The version on HIStory is actually an edited version. The original full-length version (from the "Moonwalker" film and the "Remember the Time" single B-side) is about 5:40 long and includes an extended breakdown and a long guitar outro. The HIStory album version fades out early at 4:02.
"Come Together" was originally written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon-McCartney). Michael was a huge admirer of Lennon. Sean Lennon (John’s son) starred in Michael’s "Moonwalker" film, and Michael remained close with Yoko Ono. Michael’s interpretation of the song is faithful to the lyrics but radically changes the energy. Lennon’s version is a stoned, groovy shuffle; Michael’s version is a high-energy stadium rock anthem. He attacks the lyrics "He got monkey finger! He shoot Coca-Cola!" with a rhythmic precision that emphasizes the nonsensical, percussive nature of Lennon’s writing.
The "Leather" Look The music video (taken from the Moonwalker film) is iconic for its fashion. Michael’s look, the oversized silver belt buckle, the black leather strap across the chest, and the untucked sparkly shirt, became one of his defining images of the late 80s. The performance is electric. At one point, Michael throws his hat into the crowd, kicks the microphone stand, and spins effortlessly. It captures him at the absolute peak of his physical dancing ability.
Critics have been divided on the cover. Some purists argue that you shouldn't touch a Beatles classic. Others argue that Michael is one of the few artists with the charisma to pull it off. Regardless of opinion, it remains the most famous cover song in Michael’s adult discography. It stands as a bridge between the two biggest forces in pop music history: The Beatles and Michael Jackson.
LYRICS of COME TOGETHER
Here come ol' flat top
He come groovin' up slowly
He's got Joo Joo eyeball
He one holy roller
He got hair down to his knees
Got to be a joker he just do what he please, check
He wear no shoeshine
He's got toe jam football
He's got monkey finger
He shoot Coca-Cola
He say, "I know you, you know me"
"One thing I can tell you is you got to be free"
Come together right now
Over me
He bag production
He's got walrus gum-boot
He's got Ono sideboard
He one spinal cracker
He got feet down through his knees
Hold you in his armchair
You can feel his disease
Come together right now
Over me
Ow, come together, baby, hoo
Ow (ow)
Come together, baby, ow (Haha)
Come together
Come together, oh (ow, ooh)
He roller coaster
He's got early warning
He's got muddy water
He one Mojo filter
He say, "One and one and one is three"
Got to be good looking 'cause he's so hard to see"
Come together, right now
Over me
Yeah
Check
Come together, baby, yeah baby, hoo
The filter, hee, you're a Mojo
So come together, yeah, hee
Just come together, yeah
Just come together, yeah
Muddy water, spinal clacker, baby
You're a filter, early warning, who the sideboard, a walrus clacker
A walrus clacker
Hoo, come together, yeah
Come together, yeah
Come together, a Mojo mo
Come together, you're a Mojo filter
You're a Mojo, buddy