Michael Jackson - Stranger in Moscow [HQ]

"Stranger in Moscow" is the fifth and final single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory. The song was released worldwide in November 1996 but was not released in the US until August 1997. The track was written by Jackson in 1993, at the height of the highly publicized child abuse accusations made against him, while on tour in Moscow. In the ballad, Jackson sings of a fall from grace that has left him lonely, isolated, paranoid and on the verge of insanity.
When the song was complete, and happy with the result, Jackson therefore decided to make the second disc of HIStory a full studio album, rather than a greatest hits compilation with several new tracks. Upon release "Stranger in Moscow" was praised by critics, today it remains one of his most critically acclaimed pieces. Commercially the single saw mixed results by Jackson's standards, but the highly successful album had already been on the market nearly 18 months and numerous A-side, B-side and radio only singles had already been released to a positive commercial reception.
The song's music video depicts the lives of six individuals, including Jackson, who are left isolated and disconnected from the world around them. The imagery in the video has been replicated in television adverts.
The song's music video feeding pigeons, a boy ostracized from a game of baseball and Jackson himself is the sixth figure, seen walking the city streets. Special effects are used to show birds and wasps flying, glass breaking and coffee spilling, all in slow motion.

Music Video
In the second half of the scenario, heavy rain descends on the city and the citizens try to flee, all again seen in slow motion. From the safety of shelter, the six "strangers" watch everyone's futile attempts to avoid the sudden change in weather. Eventually they decide to go outside, where they look up at the sky and allow the rain to soak them. The video concludes with a man speaking in Russian.
Jackson's biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, has stated that the video is based on Jackson's real life. The singer used to walk alone at night looking for new friends, even at the peak of his musical popularity. The 1980s saw the singer become deeply unhappy; Jackson explained, "Even at home, I'm lonely. I sit in my room sometimes and cry. It's so hard to make friends ...I sometimes walk around the neighborhood at night, just hoping to find someone to talk to. But I just end up coming home".
The advertising campaign for ICC Champions Trophy 2004 featured a "new-look (leaner and sexier) Mandira in a series of smart outdoor ads and a classy TV spot". The television commercial was inspired by "Stranger In Moscow" where "the maiden in black splash about in the rain, with kids playing cricket for company".

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