Will You Be There

Recorded during the 1990-1991 sessions for Michael Jackson's eighth studio album Dangerous, "Will You Be There" stands as one of his most emotionally raw and spiritually charged singles. The song opens with a spoken-word passage from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, a touch Jackson added to underscore its themes of faith and human connection. He co-produced the track with longtime engineer Bruce Swedien, layering a gospel choir, sweeping strings, and a piano-driven melody that builds to a cathartic climax.

Released on June 28, 1993, as the album's eighth single, the song found a second life when it became the centerpiece of the 1993 family film Free Willy. The music video, directed by Vince Patterson, intercuts Jackson's performance with scenes from the movie, amplifying the song's message of loyalty and rescue. Jackson debuted the song live during MTV's 10th anniversary special in 1991, a performance that helped build anticipation before its official single release.

Commercially, "Will You Be There" peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on Cash Box Top 100. It earned a platinum certification from the RIAA for selling over one million copies in the United States alone. Internationally, it reached the top ten in Belgium, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The single's B-side featured "Man in the Mirror" and the Michael Jackson version of "Girlfriend." [edit]