Chicago (Michael Jackson song)
2014 promotional single by Michael Jackson
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"Chicago" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson. The song was originally written by Cory Rooney under the title "She Was Lovin' Me". Jackson recorded the track at the Hit Factory recording studio in New York City during the Invincible album sessions between late March and mid-April 1999.[2]
- Rhythm and blues
- quiet storm (original)
- funk
- electro-pop
- trap[1] (reworked)
| "Chicago" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
![](#/media/File:"Chicago"_promotional_cover.jpg) | ||||
| Promotional single by Michael Jackson | ||||
| from the album Xscape | ||||
| Released | May 5, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 1999 | |||
| Studio | The Hit Factory (New York City) | |||
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| Songwriter | Cory Rooney | |||
| Producers |
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| Michael Jackson promotional singles chronology | ||||
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| Licensed audio | ||||
| "Chicago" on YouTube | ||||
The track was ultimately not selected for Invincible and remained unreleased and unheard by the public for 15 years. Following Jackson's death, Rooney collaborated with his nephew, Taryll Jackson, on a new production in 2010.[3]
In 2014, the track was reworked yet again, this time by producer Timbaland. The Timbaland version of the track was ultimately included on Jackson's second posthumous album, Xscape, under the title "Chicago". Nine months before Xscape was officially released, Timbaland sparked rumors that "Chicago" was going to be the project's lead single.[4] However, that did not end up being the case, with "Love Never Felt So Good" going on to be the lead single instead.
In June 2026, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time at number 26 after the release of the biopic Michael renewed interest in Jackson's catalogue, and after the song was featured in the viral video "Birds for Some Reason". Jackson became the first artist to have a new Hot 100 entry in each decade since the 1970s.[5][6][7]
Release
The song was released on May 5, 2014, on Sony Entertainment Network as a promotional single for promoting Xscape.[8]
The song's "Papercha$er" remix was made available for select Sony customers through Xperia Lounge and Music Unlimited as a bonus track on the standard edition of the Xscape album.[9]
Composition
The track was produced by Timbaland and features a deep-bass groove and elements of contemporary funk. Jackson narrates a story about meeting a woman in Chicago. It features a mix of smooth and anguished vocals, highlighting the woman's conflicting statement of being without a man yet having a family, with the urgent refrain of a lyric "lie to you, lie to me".[10]
Charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] | 75 |
| Brazil Hot 100 (Billboard)[17] | 73 |
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[18] | 38 |
| France (SNEP)[19] | 200 |
| Germany (GfK)[20] | 66 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[21] | 18 |
| Greece International (IFPI)[22] | 41 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[23] | 54 |
| Norway (IFPI Norge)[24] | 52 |
| Portugal (AFP)[25] | 119 |
| Romania (Billboard)[26] | 18 |
| Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[27] | 89 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] | 68 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] | 41 |
| United Arab Emirates (IFPI)[30] | 15 |
| UK Audio Streaming (OCC)[31] | 40 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[32] | 26 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[33] | 9 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[34] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[36] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Greece (IFPI Greece)[37] | Gold | 1,000,000† |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
