Michael Jackson's song 'Chicago,' originally a deep cut from his 2014 posthumous album 'Xscape,' has defied expectations by transforming into a major viral success. Despite never being officially released as a single, this R&B track has accumulated over 655 million streams on Spotify, driven by renewed interest following the release of Jackson's biopic and its widespread adoption on social media platforms like TikTok.
The journey of 'Chicago' to global recognition is a compelling narrative of musical endurance. Conceived during the tumultuous recording sessions for Jackson's 2001 album 'Invincible' under the working title 'She Was Loving Me,' the song faced an uncertain future, ultimately being excluded from the final album. It remained unreleased for years, tucked away in the archives, only to see the light of day on 'Xscape.' However, even then, its potential was largely untapped until a new digital era breathed life into it.
A significant catalyst for its recent explosion in popularity was TikTok. In 2023, an accelerated version of 'Chicago' captivated users on the platform. A specific lyric, 'She smiled and looked at me / I was surprised to see that a woman like that was really into me,' resonated deeply, becoming a popular audio snippet for lip-sync videos, nostalgic montages, and trending dance challenges. This organic phenomenon transformed a once-overlooked track into a cultural touchstone for a younger audience.
According to Cory Rooney, the song's producer, the dramatic storytelling inherent in 'Chicago' was central to its creation. The track's narrative, which describes the object of affection leading a secretive double life, likely contributed to its unexpected resonance with listeners. Rooney recounted that during the early stages of the 'Invincible' sessions in 1999, Jackson sought out new material, and after being encouraged by then-Sony executive Tommy Mottola, Rooney composed 'She Was Loving Me.' He emphasized how impressed Jackson was with the track, showing a keen interest in its narrative depth and unique melodic structure.
Rooney vividly recalls Jackson's meticulous approach in the studio. Rather than altering the original demo significantly, Jackson focused on replicating its precise phrasing and emotional nuance. Over two days, he dedicated himself to recording the vocals, meticulously separating the lower and upper ranges. Rooney described Jackson's enthusiasm, remembering him dancing joyfully in the vocal booth between takes, underscoring Jackson's profound respect for the creative process and those involved in it.
The collaboration fostered a deep bond between Jackson and Rooney, extending beyond their professional work. Rooney shared that Jackson would frequently call him to discuss various concepts, including an elaborate vision for a music video for 'She Was Loving Me.' One memorable idea involved a climactic scene where two limousines pull up side-by-side, revealing Jackson and Prince as the occupants, a testament to the King of Pop's boundless artistic imagination.
Despite its initial exclusion from 'Invincible' due to complex production dynamics and conflicting creative directions, Jackson remained steadfast in his belief in the song's future. He reportedly instructed Rooney to preserve the track, stating, 'Don't do anything with that record because I am going to use it.' While that moment didn't materialize during his lifetime, the song eventually found its way onto 'Xscape,' featuring updated production by Timbaland while retaining Jackson's original vocal essence. This posthumous release, along with the subsequent viral success, solidified 'Chicago's' place in Michael Jackson's enduring legacy, proving that some artistic works are simply destined for greatness, regardless of their initial reception or release strategy.
