“Morphine” is the second track on the 1997 remix album “Blood On The Dance Floor: History In The Mix”.

The album was intended to put a new twist on some of the old HIStory songs and also to include some of the more personal, darker tracks that would have been out of place on a studio album. Morphine was not released as a single.

The track was recorded in 1996-7 at Los Angeles locations The Record Plant, Larrabee Studios and Ocean Way Recordings.

“Morphine” conceptually deals with Michael’s painkiller addiction and episodic depression following the 1993 paedophilia scandal, and also subtextually makes references to his troubled marriage to Lisa Marie Presley and Michael’s traumatic childhood, both of which fuelled his addiction further.

The track incorporates a lot of new instrumental and production techniques. It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by the MJJ company. The vocal, classical and rhythm arrangements were also made by Jackson, and Jorge Del Barrio arranged and conducted the orchestra, which is a main feature of this track. This consisted of Bass, Cello, Violins and Violas, Flute and Harp. There is also a large backing chorus which adds a haunted tone to the track.

There are electronic elements as well: Keyboards, Synthesisers and, it is interesting to note, an electric guitar accompaniment played by Slash.