"Will You Be There" is a song by American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson which was released on June 28, 1993 by Epic Records as the eighth single from his eighth studio album, Dangerous (1991). Jackson wrote and produced the song with additional production from Bruce Swedien. Originally debuted at MTV's 10th anniversary special, the song gained recognition over a year and a half later due to its appearance on the soundtrack to the 1993 film Free Willy of which it is the main theme. With the album version clocking in at seven minutes and 41 seconds, it is the longest song in Michael Jackson's solo discography.
Will You Be There
Jackson performing "Will You Be There" during the Monza, Italy stop of the Dangerous World Tour in July 1992
Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)
Dangerous is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was released by Epic Records on November 26, 1991, more than four years after Jackson's previous album, Bad (1987). Co-produced by Jackson, Bill Bottrell, Teddy Riley, and Bruce Swedien, the album was Jackson's first since Forever, Michael (1975) without longtime collaborator Quincy Jones. Guest appearances include Heavy D, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Slash and Wreckx-n-Effect. The album incorporates R&B, pop and new jack swing, a growing genre at the time. Elements of industrial, funk, hip hop, electronic, gospel, classical and rock are also present. Twelve of the album's fourteen songs were written or co-written by Jackson, discussing topics like racism, poverty, romance, self-improvement, multiculturalism and the welfare of children and the world.
Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)
Jackson enlisted Teddy Riley (pictured 2014), pioneer of the new jack swing genre, as one of his co-producers
Jackson during a performance of "Will You Be There" at the Dangerous World Tour in 1992