Best of Joy - Original Version

[mjfan_93]

Hey there,
I am so deeply in love with this song. It means so so much to me. I remember reading somewhere a while ago that they changed the song a lot for the „Michael“ Album. I think it was told that they changed the structure of it and even cut certain lyrics out.

So what else do we know? Is anybody able to post the full original lyrics in the original order?

Thanks a lot

 

[michael555]

I don't know if I'm correct but I think the lyrics cut was due to a copyright battle with Rod Temperton that had apparently wrote the 3rd verse (?), I'm not sure though.

 

[SmoothGangsta]

The song was apparently restructured and some lyrics were indeed cut. The Rod Temperton thing has been disputed and it's unknown why the vocals were cut. The lyrics have been posted before but I cannot recall them atm, and I don't think the original structure of the song has been definitively shown. Although there were some lyric sheets shown that had the song in different orders. I assume MJ was trying out different stuff with the song, different lyric orders etc. It could easily be the case that MJ didn't intend to use those extra vocals and that's why they were cut when the song was finished, although I guess we will never know.

 

[AlwaysThere]

Rod Temperton never wrote a third verse. He was experimenting with an alternate chorus and repurposed MJ’s chorus (“I am forever/We are forever”) as a pre-chorus, but nothing was recorded. I’m very interested to hear/see what he wrote though.

The third verse, if I recall correctly, goes:

“I am your joy, your best of joy
I am the moonlight, you are the spring
Our life’s a sacred thing
You know I always will love you, I am forever
Remember the times you said your life was through?
That’s when I held and carried you
These arms that took hold of you, I am forever
I am the rock that stands on solid ground
I am that friend always around
Nothing can hurt you”

 

[Themidwestcowboy]

Rod Temperton never wrote a third verse. He was experimenting with an alternate chorus and repurposed MJ’s chorus (“I am forever/We are forever&#8221 as a pre-chorus, but nothing was recorded. I’m very interested to hear/see what he wrote though.

The third verse, if I recall correctly, goes:

“I am your joy, your best of joy
I am the moonlight, you are the spring
Our life’s a sacred thing
You know I always will love you, I am forever
Remember the times you said your life was through?
That’s when I held and carried you
These arms that took hold of you, I am forever
I am the rock that stands on solid ground
I am that friend always around
Nothing can hurt you”

Beautiful lyrics. I wish we get to hear this version. Best Of Joy is my favorite posthumous song released.

 

[AlwaysThere]

Beautiful lyrics. I wish we get to hear this version. Best Of Joy is my favorite posthumous song released.

It’s absolutely phenomenal. His vocals are absolutely stunning — partial strength at age 50, and he could still out-sing artists half his age.

I’m hoping another 2006-09 era song leaks soon. I’m dying to hear more late-in-life vocals and songwriting.

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I honestly doubt anything from that period will leak online. Don't see anyone who would leak something like that getting a hold of it.

 

[Derek1984]

I want to hear The Toy from 1981/82.

 

[mj_frenzy]

The song was apparently restructured and some lyrics were indeed cut. The Rod Temperton thing has been disputed and it's unknown why the vocals were cut.

Rod Temperton never wrote a third verse.

The ‘Best Of Joy’ song (on the ‘Michael’ album) is incomplete because it lacks Rod Temperton’s third verse.

Rod Temperton did write the third verse of the song, but he asked a lot of money for that (around 2-3 million dollars).

The Estate and Sony refused to give him all that money, so they decided to simply cut his third verse from the song.

This was not the only time (after Michael Jackson’s death) that Rod Temperton exhibited such a greedy behaviour, because he asked a lot of money also for the ‘Thriller’ song that is included and is played on the ‘This Is It’ film.

The cut of Rod Temperton’s third verse from the ‘Best Of Joy’ song has been confirmed also by Neff-U who co-produced the song.

 

[mjfan_93]

The ‘Best Of Joy’ song (on the ‘Michael’ album) is incomplete because it lacks Rod Temperton’s third verse.

Rod Temperton did write the third verse of the song, but he asked a lot of money for that (around 2-3 million dollars).

The Estate and Sony refused to give him all that money, so they decided to simply cut his third verse from the song.

This was not the only time (after Michael Jackson’s death) that Rod Temperton exhibited such a greedy behaviour, because he asked a lot of money also for the ‘Thriller’ song that is included and is played on the ‘This Is It’ film.

The cut of Rod Temperton’s third verse from the ‘Best Of Joy’ song has been confirmed also by Neff-U who co-produced the song.

Oh wow. Thats very sad. How do you know about these things? Did neff-u told that in an interview? Can you post the link?

 

[AlwaysThere]

None of that is true.

Rod Temperton didn’t write the third verse for “Best of Joy.” As I stated, he was experimenting with an alternate chorus. This was confirmed by Michael Prince to author Chris Cadman. No official source has ever confirmed why the third verse was cut.

I’d be interested in seeing the source of your Neff-U quote though.

 

[Nite Line]

Rod Temperton never wrote a third verse. He was experimenting with an alternate chorus and repurposed MJ’s chorus (“I am forever/We are forever&#8221 as a pre-chorus, but nothing was recorded. I’m very interested to hear/see what he wrote though.

The third verse, if I recall correctly, goes:

“I am your joy, your best of joy
I am the moonlight, you are the spring
Our life’s a sacred thing
You know I always will love you, I am forever
Remember the times you said your life was through?
That’s when I held and carried you
These arms that took hold of you, I am forever
I am the rock that stands on solid ground
I am that friend always around
Nothing can hurt you”

These lyrics are beautiful. I would love to hear the full version of Best of Joy.

I absolutely adore Best of Joy. It is my all time favourite Michael Jackson posthumous song. Michael's vocals are out of this world. When I first heard the song, I was blown away. Michael in 2008 could still sing out of this world.

 

[SmoothCriminal1995]

Rod Temperton never wrote a third verse. He was experimenting with an alternate chorus and repurposed MJ’s chorus (“I am forever/We are forever&#8221 as a pre-chorus, but nothing was recorded. I’m very interested to hear/see what he wrote though.

The third verse, if I recall correctly, goes:

“I am your joy, your best of joy
I am the moonlight, you are the spring
Our life’s a sacred thing
You know I always will love you, I am forever
Remember the times you said your life was through?
That’s when I held and carried you
These arms that took hold of you, I am forever
I am the rock that stands on solid ground
I am that friend always around
Nothing can hurt you”

Thanks AlwaysThere, they are great lyrics I hope we get to hear them one day. Best Of Joy is such a special song, it's one of my favourite posthumous releases. I'm still surprised the Estate didn't make more of a deal out of it being one of the last songs he ever recorded, maybe release it as a single in 2010

 

[SmoothGangsta]

Has anyone said that they've heard a 2008 demo of the song with those lyrics in it? Could it be the case that it wasn't a third verse but just a discarded/changed one? I'm struggling to think of why it would be left out otherwise.

 

[mjfan_93]

So what was the original first verse?

 

[Stefano MJS]

I only take some parts of the 3rd verse just for asking you guys something:

“Remember the times you said your life was through?
That’s when I held and carried you
These arms that took hold of you”

So this part it's still unreleased and not in the other verses?

 

[AdeZ]

⠀

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I only take some parts of the 3rd verse just for asking you guys something:



So this part it's still unreleased and not in the other verses?

That part is unreleased yes.

 

[AlwaysThere]

Has anyone said that they've heard a 2008 demo of the song with those lyrics in it? Could it be the case that it wasn't a third verse but just a discarded/changed one? I'm struggling to think of why it would be left out otherwise.

I spoke to three people who heard it at some sort of fan event/seminar a few years back (not a Sundberg one). Evidently the 2008 demo is pretty different from the version we have: a slightly different count-in intro, the third verse, a differently structured chorus, etc. But the general consensus is that Neff-U blew MJ’s version out of the water, and he did justice to the track.

Just speculating here: it’s to my understanding that BoJ was recorded over a two-day period, and on the second day (when the third verse was recorded), Michael’s vocals were a bit more energized and dynamic. Since the whole song is very laid back and sensual, maybe it was removed for consistency’s sake? It would be pretty odd if suddenly MJ went from basically a whisper for the whole song to an impassioned wail in the third verse. (Though, like I said, that’s just speculation.)

 

[Ekans]

Since we're talking mostly about the lyrics, I'm wondering if were there any major changes in the instrumentation of the song.

 

[MJJ Leaks]

Since we're talking mostly about the lyrics, I'm wondering if were there any major changes in the instrumentation of the song.

It was just a Drum machine loop and a Fender Rose guitar, according to Michael Prince on The MJ Cast.

 

[AlwaysThere]

It was just a Drum machine loop and a Fender Rose guitar, according to Michael Prince on The MJ Cast.

Small correction: a Fender Rhodes keyboard, played by Brad Buxer

 

[SmoothGangsta]

Ngl I will probably prefer MJ's version unless it's actually utterly awful, which is doubtful.

 

[SmoothGangsta]

I spoke to three people who heard it at some sort of fan event/seminar a few years back (not a Sundberg one). Evidently the 2008 demo is pretty different from the version we have: a slightly different count-in intro, the third verse, a differently structured chorus, etc. But the general consensus is that Neff-U blew MJ’s version out of the water, and he did justice to the track.

Just speculating here: it’s to my understanding that BoJ was recorded over a two-day period, and on the second day (when the third verse was recorded), Michael’s vocals were a bit more energized and dynamic. Since the whole song is very laid back and sensual, maybe it was removed for consistency’s sake? It would be pretty odd if suddenly MJ went from basically a whisper for the whole song to an impassioned wail in the third verse. (Though, like I said, that’s just speculation.)

That would make sense. I hope we get to hear it at some point. I wish they would have been able incorporate all his vocals. Also, I'm guessing that means that someone within the fanbase has it, if it's being brought to a fan event.

 

[AlwaysThere]

That would make sense. I hope we get to hear it at some point. I wish they would have been able incorporate all his vocals. Also, I'm guessing that means that someone within the fanbase has it, if it's being brought to a fan event.

One of the MJ Cast hosts has a version of it. I’m not sure which one, but he said something along the lines of, “There are certain parts where I had to rewind because of how beautiful his vocals were. It’s the one I listen to most often.” Maybe it came from him?

 

[summer]

I’m with you guys...I absolutely ADORE Best of Joy!!! It’s definitely one of my absolute FAVORITE MJ songs! ❤️ And it was so comforting after he died. 😢 I wasn’t aware that there were different versions of it? From my understanding that was the only song Michael had actually finished before he died? 🤔 Does anyone know when it was written? I sooo wish we could’ve gotten to hear the songs he had written 2006-2009. 😩 I bet they were all amazing!! I bet the ones he did with Will I Am were awesome too! I’m still so gutted that we lost him! 😢 But luckily TJ (Tito’s son) is making music and he’s awesome! 👍🏻❤️ He definitely has the songwriting gene in him. Taryll too! 👍🏻 Wish they could complete the songs if there are some without vocals! 🙏🏻 ❤️

 

[AlwaysThere]

Does anyone know when it was written?

It was originally written and recorded in 1982 as "The Toy" for the Richard Pryor film of the same name, but wasn't included because the Thriller sessions took priority. Michael turned it into "Best of Joy" between 1990-91; the only substantial change was the opening lyric (changed from "I am your toy, I am your boy" to "I am your joy, your best of joy"). The version we have was recorded in late October 2008, and is one of the last songs that Michael ever recorded a full, top-to-bottom vocal for.

 

[GGVVGGCC22331122]

It was originally written and recorded in 1982 as “The Toy” (for the Richard Pryor film of the same name), but it wasn’t included because the “Thriller” sessions took priority. Michael turned it into “Best of Joy ” between 1990-91; The only substantial change was the opening lyric (changed from “I am your toy, I am your boy” to “I am your joy, your best of joy”). The version we have was recorded in Late October of 2008, and is one of the last songs that Michael ever recorded a full, top-to-bottom vocal for.

Hmm. . . .I didn’t know about any of this, @AlwaysThere. But, the lyrics to “Best of Joy” were already written down by Michael, not long before he passed, were they not? They were photographed, and the pictures of them were posted online, too. I didn’t know that the song was originally written for some other project besides one of his albums, and then, eventually re-written and recorded years later. That’s interesting.

And, I thought he was the only writer/composer of this song. Were there other people involved in its writing/composition, who should have gotten credit for their work, as I’m reading other posters’ comments about this “third verse” by another songwriter, that was removed before “Best of Joy” was released on the “MICHAEL” posthumous album? I’d like to know.

Great, absolutely BEAUTIFUL vocals on “Best of Joy” as well. For them to have been recorded only months before his rehearsals for “This Is It” —— in spite of his having just turned 50 years of age, at the time he recorded them —— was just simply A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. . . .PERIOD. He NEVER really “lost” any of his vocal abilities, which stayed with him throughout his life.

 

[mj_frenzy]

It was originally written and recorded in 1982 as "The Toy" for the Richard Pryor film of the same name, but wasn't included because the Thriller sessions took priority. Michael turned it into "Best of Joy" between 1990-91; the only substantial change was the opening lyric (changed from "I am your toy, I am your boy" to "I am your joy, your best of joy"). The version we have was recorded in late October 2008, and is one of the last songs that Michael ever recorded a full, top-to-bottom vocal for.

There is conflicting information about these things.

According to some sources, ‘The Toy’ was originally written and recorded in 1981, not in 1982.

Also, some sources state that ‘Best Of Joy’ was recorded in 2009 (during the ‘This Is It’ sessions), not in late October 2008.

Michael turned it into "Best of Joy" between 1990-91; the only substantial change was the opening lyric (changed from "I am your toy, I am your boy" to "I am your joy, your best of joy").

You refuted that in the past when you stated the following (not in MJJCommunity):

“I still don't find that "Dangerous" paper scan legitimate. the words Best of Joy look photoshopped”

So, although ‘The Toy’ is certainly an early version of ‘Best Of Joy’, it is unknown when Michael Jackson made that song’s title change and that substantial opening lyrical change.

 

[AlwaysThere]

Hmm....I didn’t know about any of this, AlwaysThere. But, the lyrics to “Best of Joy” were already written down by Michael, not long before he passed, were they not? They were photographed, and the pictures of them were posted online, too. I didn’t know that the song was originally written for some other project besides one of his albums, and then, eventually re-written and recorded years later. That’s interesting.

And, I thought he was the only writer/composer of this song. Were there other people involved in its writing/composition, who should have gotten credit for their work, as I’m reading other posters’ comments about this “third verse” by another songwriter, that was removed before “Best of Joy” was released on the “MICHAEL” posthumous album? I’d like to know.

Great, absolutely BEAUTIFUL vocals on “Best of Joy” as well. For them to have been recorded only months before his rehearsals for “This Is It” —— in spite of his having just turned 50 years of age, at the time he recorded them —— was just simply A-M-A-Z-I-N-G....PERIOD. He NEVER really “lost” any of his vocal abilities, which stayed with him throughout his life.

There were! The lyric sheets were written later in his life, but he did that commonly. There are notes for "Hollywood Tonight," including the bridge lyrics, spanning nine years.

Michael is the sole composer. There are persistent rumors that Rod Temperton wrote the unreleased third verse, but they're fictitious. Rod Temperton was working on an alternate chorus that never made it past the consideration phase.

There is conflicting information about these things.

According to some sources, ‘The Toy’ was originally written and recorded in 1981, not in 1982.

Also, some sources state that ‘Best Of Joy’ was recorded in 2009 (during the ‘This Is It’ sessions), not in late October 2008.

There were no This Is It sessions. Those sources were reliant on the Estate-provided fact that "Best of Joy" was among the final tracks Michael provided full vocals for, leaving them with the assumption that it was recorded in 2009. Michael Prince relayed to both Joseph Vogel and Mike Smallcombe that the released version was recorded in October 2008.

You refuted that in the past when you stated the following (not in MJJCommunity):

“I still don't find that "Dangerous" paper scan legitimate. the words Best of Joy look photoshopped”

So, although ‘The Toy’ is certainly an early version of ‘Best Of Joy’, it is unknown when Michael Jackson made that song’s title change and that substantial opening lyrical change.

That was my opinion based on the low-quality image scan. As it turns out, it is legit.