You Rock My World

Michael Jackson returned to the spotlight in late 2001 with "You Rock My World," the lead single from his tenth and final studio album, Invincible. Released on August 22 by Epic Records, the track marked a return to the post-disco and contemporary R&B sounds that defined much of his career. The song became a global hit, reaching number one in France, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, and Spain while peaking at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100. That chart position came entirely through radio airplay since no commercial single was initially issued in America, yet it secured Jackson's last top-ten entry during his lifetime. The record earned a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 44th awards ceremony.

Promoting the single required more than just radio play; Jackson launched an ambitious promotional campaign centered around a thirteen-and-a-half-minute music video directed by Paul Hunter. This short film featured a star-studded cast including Chris Tucker, Marlon Brando, and Michael Madsen. The narrative follows two men vying for the affection of a woman, echoing the romantic themes found in Jackson's earlier videos like Smooth Criminal and The Way You Make Me Feel. Jackson performed the song only twice live, appearing at Madison Square Garden on September 7 and 10, 2001, to celebrate his solo career. Footage from those New York concerts later aired on CBS as part of the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration special. [edit]