How a blockbuster film soundtrack turned a Michael Jackson ballad into a global hit
In short: Released in 1993, Will You Be There became a defining anthem for the film Free Willy. While Michael Jackson originally intended to write a new track for the movie, this gospel-infused ballad from his Dangerous album ultimately captured the public imagination, earning platinum status and sparking complex legal battles.
The song's journey to the screen was serendipitous. After the film Free Willy received positive feedback at an advance screening, director Simon Wincer and the production team sought a new song from Michael Jackson. When Jackson could not complete a new composition in time for the release, Jerry L. Greenberg, president of MJJ Music, suggested using Will You Be There instead. The track, which Jackson wrote at his Neverland Ranch property, had already been released as the eighth single from his 1991 album, Dangerous.
Musically, the song is a complex arrangement featuring a prelude from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, performed by the Cleveland Orchestra, followed by a chorale interlude from the Andrae Crouch Singers. This inclusion of Beethoven led to a $7 million copyright infringement lawsuit from the Cleveland Orchestra, which was eventually settled out of court. The song also faced a plagiarism claim from Italian songwriter Albano Carrisi, who alleged it was copied from his work. An Italian court initially ruled in Carrisi's favor after Jackson failed to appear, but a subsequent case overturned this, noting that both songs might have been inspired by the 1939 Ink Spots hit, Bless You for Being an Angel.
Beyond its studio success, the song became a staple of Jackson's live performances, debuting at MTV's 10th anniversary special in 1991 and appearing on the Dangerous World Tour. It remained a significant part of his legacy, performed by Jennifer Hudson at his 2009 memorial service and covered by Boyce Avenue to raise funds for the 2010 Haiti earthquake relief. Despite its grandiose ambition and the critical debate over its gospel fervor, the song remains a testament to Jackson's unique ability to blend classical, pop, and spiritual influences into a singular, enduring sound.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Will You Be There
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