Cheater (song)

"Cheater"
"Cheater" cover
Promotional single by Michael Jackson from the album The Ultimate Collection
Released	September 14, 2004
Format	12" vinyl, CD single, digital download
Genre	Funk, soul,[1] rhythm and blues, hip-hop[2]
Length	5:09
Label	Epic
Writer	Michael Jackson, Greg Phillinganes
Producer	Michael Jackson

"Cheater" is a song written by Michael Jackson and Greg Phillinganes. It was recorded in 1987 at Hayvenhurst (Encino) Studios,^[3] and was originally slated to appear on Jackson's seventh studio album, Bad (1987), but it was removed from the track listing for unknown reasons. The demo version of the song was later released on September 14, 2004 as a single from Jackson's The Ultimate Collection box set compilation. After being sent to US and UK radio stations, the full commercial release of "Cheater" was cancelled for unspecified reasons, turning the song into a promotional release.

Background

"Cheater" was written and produced by Michael Jackson, and co-written by Greg Phillinganes.^[3] The song was originally intended for Jackson's seventh studio album, Bad (1987). However, it failed to make into the final track listing.^[4] It was described by Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic.com as "funky, loose, and alive," saying "that it's hard not to wish that Jackson didn't fuss over his albums and just record like this all the time".^[5] "Cheater" was originally released as a single on September 14, 2004.^[6] As a b-side, was released the R. Kelly remix for "One More Chance". However, the full commercial release was cancelled for unspecified reasons, turning the song into a promotional release.^[4]

As promotion of the limited edition box set from The Ultimate Collection, Epic Records distributed a sampler of the compilation featuring twelve tracks. Eight songs were previously released, while four – "Beautiful Girl", "Scared of the Moon", "We've Had Enough", and "Cheater" – remained unreleased until the compilation's release.^[7] The sampler was titled Highlights From The Ultimate Collection in the United States,^[8] and The Ultimate Collection Sampler in Europe.^[9]

A music video was also shown on some channels; it features clips from the Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour DVD, which was included in the same album the song appears in.

Track listing

• Digital download^[6]

1. "Cheater" (Demo) – 5:08

• Europe Promo^[10]

1. "Cheater" (Radio Edit) – 3:58

• UK 12" Vinyl^[11]

1. "Cheater" (Demo) – 5:09
2. "One More Chance" (R. Kelly Remix) – 3:50

Credits and personnel

• Michael Jackson - songwriting, production, lead and background vocals
• Greg Phillinganes - songwriting, piano, synthesizers
• Bill Bottrell and Matt Forger - audio engineering
• David Williams - guitar

Credits adapted from The Ultimate Collection liner notes.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Cheater by Michael Jackson (12" Vinyl)". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Michael-Jackson-Cheater/release/1219432. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
2. ^ "Cheater by Michael Jackson (Europe Promo)". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Michael-Jackson-Cheater/release/1942025. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} (2004) Album notes for The Ultimate Collection by Michael Jackson [Liner notes]. Epic Records.
4. ^ ^{a b} Cadman, Chriss; Craig Halstead (February 27, 2007). Michael Jackson: For the Record. Authors OnLine Ltd. pp. 412. ISBN 9780755202676. http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-Record-Chris-Cadman/dp/0755202678. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
5. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (November 16, 2004). "Allmusic: The Ultimate Collection - Michael Jackson - Review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-ultimate-collection-sonyepic-r718448/review. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Amazon.com: Cheater: Michael Jackson: MP3 Downloads". Epic/Legacy. September 14, 2004. http://www.amazon.com/Cheater-Demo/dp/B001TVQW60. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
7. ^ "Amazon.com: Ultimate Sampler (12 Tracks): Michael Jackson: Musicr". Sony Music. 2004. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015Q7WV8. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
8. ^ "Michael Jackson - Highlights From The Ultimate Collection". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Michael-Jackson-Highlights-From-The-Ultimate-Collection/release/1942848. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
9. ^ "Michael Jackson - The Ultimate Collection - Sampler". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Michael-Jackson-The-Ultimate-Collection-Sampler/release/2226738. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
10. ^ (2004) Release notes for Cheater by Michael Jackson (Europe CD Single liner notes). Epic Records (XPCD2989).
11. ^ (2004) Release notes for Cheater by Michael Jackson (12" Vinyl liner notes). Epic Records (XPR 3829).