Human Nature
Michael Jackson
1983
Annual listening-list association retained: 1983. The source-checked recording release year is 1982; these are separate date fields. No new regional or single-release date is inferred from this list year.
Release: 1982
Release: 1982Source checked | Recent carryover
The original Thriller album catalog documents this recording in 1982. Only the year is established here; any later single, video, regional issue or compilation is a separate event.
The large badge identifies this listening list, not a newly issued recording. Later reissues and renewed chart popularity do not replace an original release date. How years are assigned.
Michael Jackson: Thriller (official album catalog)
Original album year and matching track, not a later compilation or re-recording. Year precision only; this source does not by itself establish a day-specific first single date.
Inspiration and background
Researched recording background
Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro's official biography identifies him as the songwriter behind Human Nature and explains that he had not intended to submit it to Michael Jackson. Producer Quincy Jones heard the song inadvertently, leading to its inclusion on Thriller.
Evidence scope: Recording-origin account from songwriter Steve Porcaro's official biography.
Sources for this information
Steve Porcaro: official biography
Porcaro's authorship and unintended submission of Human Nature to Quincy Jones; no unverified family anecdote added. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Earlier note and its recorded status
Earlier status: Basic catalog context. This earlier wording is retained as historical context; the reviewed account above is the current summary.
Human Nature by Michael Jackson appears at number 89 in the reviewed U.S. year-end table for 1983. No reliable song-specific account of its inspiration was established in this review.
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual identity reconciliation, not audio-fingerprint or exact-pressing verification. Version labels are catalog safeguards.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-backed annual association (secondary source; not a complete discographic review)
Editorial artist-repertoire classification
Billboard year-end 1983 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
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