“In The Closet” is a love song from Michael’s 8th solo album, Dangerous. It’s about a woman who Michael loves, but, due to the problems in his life, can’t exactly publicly exhibit his feelings. He’s therefore keeping their relationship “in the closet.”

Rolling Stone Magazine called the track “ the steamiest, most unambiguously sexual song [Jackson had] ever sung.”

Jackson originally intended to have Madonna feature on the track, and took her out for dinner three times in early 1991. On the failed collaboration, Madonna commented:

“I think all he wanted was a provocative title, and ultimately he didn’t want the content of the song to live up to the title.”

Engineer Rob Disner recalls approaching Michael after the meetings:

“When I asked Michael later about her visit he said that she ‘scared’ him,”

Journalist Jeff Weiss argues that “the creative union most likely fizzled due to major stylistic divergences.”

She was replaced by Princess Stephanie of Monaco, who used her seductive speaking voice in lieu of Madonna-esque vocals.