They Don't Care About Us

In 1996, Michael Jackson released one of his most confrontational singles, a percussive protest anthem built around a marching beat and a chant-like vocal delivery. The song's raw anger at systemic injustice, racism, and media persecution marked a sharp turn from his earlier, more metaphorical protest tracks. Jackson wrote and produced the track himself, recording it between 1990 and 1995 for his ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.

The single ignited immediate controversy. Lyrics including the phrases "Jew me" and "kike me" drew accusations of antisemitism. Jackson issued a public apology, explaining his intent was to condemn bigotry, not to endorse it. He altered future pressings, replacing the offensive terms with modified lyrics. Despite the backlash, the song became a major international hit, reaching number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 1 in Germany, Italy, and Hungary. In the United States, it peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, its impact muted by the controversy.

Two music videos, both directed by Spike Lee, amplified the song's message. The first was shot in the favelas of Salvador, Brazil, featuring the Olodum percussion group and vibrant street scenes that highlighted the lives of marginalized communities. The second, set in a prison, interwove documentary footage of human rights abuses worldwide. The premiere of the videos drew over 200 million viewers globally. The song remains a powerful statement in Jackson's catalog, a rare moment when he abandoned coded language for direct, searing protest. [edit]