They Do n't Care About Us - wikipedia They Do n't Care About Us `` They Do n't Care About Us '' Single by Michael Jackson from the album HIStory : Past, Present and Future, Book I Released March 31, 1996 ( 1996 - 03 - 31 ) Format CD single 12 '' 7 '' cassette single Recorded June 1989, 1994 -- 1995 Genre Pop rock R&B rap rock Length 4 : 44 ( album version ) 4 : 11 ( LP edit ) Label Epic Songwriter ( s ) Michael Jackson Producer ( s ) Michael Jackson Michael Jackson singles chronology `` I Need You '' ( 1996 ) `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( 1996 ) `` On the Line '' ( 1997 ) Music video `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Brazil version ) on YouTube Music video `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( prison version ) on YouTube Audio sample file help `` They Do n't Care About Us '' is the fifth single from Michael Jackson 's album HIStory : Past, Present and Future, Book I, released on March 31, 1996. The song remains one of the most controversial pieces Jackson ever composed. In the US, media scrutiny surrounding allegations of antisemitic lyrics were the catalyst for Jackson issuing multiple apologies and re-recording the song with altered lyrics. The singer countered allegations of antisemitism, arguing that reviews had misinterpreted the context of the song, either unintentionally or deliberately. The song was accompanied by two music videos directed by Spike Lee. The first was shot in two locations in Brazil, in Pelourinho, the historic city center of Salvador, and in a favela of Rio de Janeiro called Dona Marta, where the state authorities had tried to ban all production over fears the video would damage their image, the area and prospects of Rio de Janeiro staging the 2004 Olympics. Still, the residents of the area were happy to see the singer, hoping their problems would be made visible to a wider audience. The second video was shot in a prison and contained video footage of multiple references to human rights abuses. Commercially, the song became a top ten hit in all European countries and number one in Germany for three weeks. In the US, radio stations were reluctant to play the controversial composition ; it, however, managed to peak at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was remixed with parts of songs such as `` Privacy '' ( from the album Invincible ) and `` Tabloid Junkie '', and released on the Immortal album, in November, 2011. The song was performed during Jackson 's third and final concert series, the HIStory World Tour which ran from 1996 to 1997 as part of a medley with `` Scream '' and `` In the Closet ''. The song was set to be performed on Jackson 's This Is It comeback concert series at The O2 Arena in London from July 2009 to March 2010 but the shows were cancelled due to his sudden death on June 25, 2009. Contents 1 Music and other commentary 2 Chart performance 3 Music videos 4 Live performances 5 Lyric dispute and context 6 Track listing 6.1 US and Japan maxi single 6.2 US CD single 6.3 UK single 6.4 Visionary single 6.5 US 7 '' single : Epic -- 34 78264 7 Personnel 8 Chart positions 8.1 Year - end charts 9 Certifications 10 References Music and other commentary The song begins with a group of children singing the chorus, `` All I wan na say is that they do n't really care about us ''. In between the chorus lines, one child chants, `` Do n't worry what people say, we know the truth. '' after which another child says, `` Enough is enough of this garbage ! '' According to the sheet music published on Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing `` They Do n't Care About Us '' is played in the key of D minor and the track 's time signature is common time. The song, which is cited as being a pop song, has a moderately slow tempo of 90 beats per minute. Instruments used include a piano and guitar. Jon Pareles stated that Jackson was calling himself `` a victim of police brutality '' and a `` victim of hate ''. He continued, `` A listener might wonder just who ' Us ' is supposed to be... To make the songs lodge in the ear, Jackson uses elementary singsong melodies -- a ' nyah, nyah ' two - note motif in ' They Do n't Care About Us '... and he comes up with all kinds of surprises in the arrangements ''. James Hunter of Rolling Stone magazine noted that musically, Jackson was no longer trying to hide any eccentricities he had, he expressed the opinion that in `` They Do n't Care About Us '', the pop musician sounded more embattled than ever. Jim Farber of New York Daily News said that Jackson `` snarled '' while singing, that the song `` clicked '' and has an `` original clattering rhythm ''. The review of HIStory in The Washington Times noted of `` They Do n't Care About Us '' : `` ( it ) follows fast, inviting more pathos -- and more controversy. With haunting clapping and a police scanner in the background ''. The Sacramento Bee described it as a `` looped reggae - lite dance beat ''. The song gained renewed attention and relevance due to its use during Black Lives Matter protests in 2014 and 2015. Chart performance In the UK, it peaked at number four and stayed on the chart for three months. The song found particular success in Europe, peaking within the top ten in all countries, except in Spain, where peaked at number 11, and remained in the chart for just one week. European highlights came in Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Sweden, in these countries the song became a top five hit and stayed in their respective charts for a minimum of 21 weeks. The song reached the top of the charts for three weeks in Germany and stayed a full 30 weeks in the survey. It is the longest consecutive chart run of a Michael Jackson song in the German charts. The lyrical controversy surrounding `` They Do n't Care About Us '' brought partial commercial disappointment in the US ; radio stations were reluctant to play the song. It peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, falling short of the record breaking success of the two previous singles `` Scream / Childhood '' and `` You Are Not Alone '', yet the song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. Music videos The cultural music group Olodum from the city of Salvador, with whom Jackson collaborated. Producing the first video proved to be a difficult task for Jackson. State authorities unsuccessfully tried to ban the singer filming in Salvador ( Pelourinho ) and in Rio de Janeiro. Officials in the state of Rio feared images of poverty might affect tourism and accused Jackson of exploiting the poor. Ronaldo Cezar Coelho, the state secretary for Industry, Commerce and Tourism demanded editing rights over the finished product, stating, `` I do n't see why we should have to facilitate films that will contribute nothing to all our efforts to rehabilitate Rio 's image ''. Some were concerned that scenes of poverty and human rights abuses would affect their chances of hosting the Olympics in 2004. Others supported Jackson 's wish to highlight the problems of the region, arguing that the government were embarrassed by their own failings. A judge banned all filming but this ruling was overturned by an injunction. Although officials were angry, the residents were not and Jackson was surrounded by crowds of enthusiastic onlookers during filming. One woman managed to push through security to hug Jackson who continued dancing while hugging her. Another woman appeared and hugged him from behind. He then fell to the ground as police pulled the two women off him and escorted them away. After the director helped Jackson get up off the street, he continued to sing and dance. This incident made it into the music video. 1,500 policemen and 50 residents acting as security guards effectively sealed off the Dona Marta favela. Some residents and officials found it offensive that Jackson 's production team had negotiated with drug dealers in order to gain permission to film in one of the city 's shantytowns. The music video was directed by Spike Lee. Asked why he chose Lee to direct the video, Jackson responded, `` ' They Do n't Care About Us ' has an edge, and Spike Lee had approached me. It 's a public awareness song and that 's what he is all about. It 's a protest kind of song... and I think he was perfect for it ''. Jackson also collaborated with 200 members of the cultural group Olodum, who `` swayed to the heavy beat of Salvador 's ' samba - reggae ' music ''. The media interest surrounding the music video exposed Olodum to 140 countries around the world. It brought them worldwide fame and increased their credibility in Brazil. At the beginning of the video, a Brazilian woman says `` Michael, eles não ligam pra gente '' which means `` Michael, they do n't care about us ''. Precarious houses in the favela of Complexo do Alemão in Rio de Janeiro. Identical scenes are viewable in the first music video. Speaking of the music video, in The New Brazilian Cinema, Lúcia Nagib observed : When Michael Jackson decided to shoot his new music video in a favela of Rio de Janeiro... he used the favela people as extras in a visual super-spectacle... All the while there is a vaguely political appeal in there... The interesting aspect of Michael Jackson 's strategy is the efficiency with which it gives visibility to poverty and social problems in countries like Brazil without resorting to traditional political discourse. The problematic aspect is that it does not entail a real intervention in that poverty. In 2009, Billboard described the area as `` now a model for social development '' and claimed that Jackson 's influence was partially responsible for this improvement. For the first time in his career, Jackson made a second music video for a single. This second version was filmed in a prison with cell mates ; in the video Jackson is seen handcuffed. It also contains real footage of police attacking African Americans, the military crackdown of the protest in the Tiananmen Square, the Ku Klux Klan, war crimes, genocide, execution, martial law, and other human rights abuses. The first music video of the song appears on the box set Visionary : The Video Singles, and the video albums HIStory on Film, Volume II and Vision ; the latter additionally includes the prison version. The voice intro, `` Michael, Michael, eles não ligam pra gente '' ( Portuguese for `` they do n't care about us '' ), was recorded by Angélica Vieira, producer of Manhattan Connection. Live performances `` They Do n't Care About Us '' was only performed as part of the opening medley for the HIStory World Tour, along with `` Scream '' and `` In the Closet ''. The segment for `` They Do n't Care About Us '' began with a short, military - style dance sequence and contained an excerpt of `` HIStory ''. A short unedited video clip released after Jackson 's death of the June 23, 2009 rehearsal for the This Is It concert series shows Jackson performing the song as the main song in a medley with parts of `` HIStory '' song as well as `` Why You Wanna Trip On Me '' and `` She Drives Me Wild '' from Dangerous. The song was later remixed and featured as part of Cirque du Soleil 's Michael Jackson : The Immortal World Tour. Lyric dispute and context The New York Times reported the song contained racist and anti-Semitic content on June 15, 1995, just a day before the album 's release. The publication highlighted the lyrics, `` Jew me, sue me, everybody do me / Kick me, kike me, do n't you black or white me. '' Jackson responded directly to the publication, stating : The idea that these lyrics could be deemed objectionable is extremely hurtful to me, and misleading. The song in fact is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted. -- Michael Jackson, When questioned further about the lyrics on the ABC News program Prime Time Live, Jackson stated, `` It 's not anti-Semitic because I 'm not a racist person... I could never be a racist. I love all races. '' The singer also said that some of his closest employees and friends were Jewish. That same day, Jackson received support from his manager and record label, who described the lyrics as `` brilliant '', that they were about opposition to prejudice and taken out of context. The following day, two leading members of the Jewish community stated that Jackson 's attempt to make a song critical of discrimination had backfired. They expressed the opinion that the lyrics used were unsuitable for a teenage audience that might not understand the song 's context, adding that the song was too ambiguous for some listeners to understand. They accepted that Jackson meant well and suggested that the entertainer write an explanation in the album booklet. On June 17, Jackson issued another public apology for his choice of words. He promised that future copies of the album would include an apology. By this point, however, two million copies of the record had already been shipped. The singer concluded, `` I just want you all to know how strongly I am committed to tolerance, peace and love, and I apologize to anyone who might have been hurt. '' The next day, in his review of HIStory, Jon Pareles of The New York Times alleged, `` In... ' They Do n't Care About Us ', he gives the lie to his entire catalogue of brotherhood anthems with a burst of anti-Semitism. '' On June 21, Patrick Macdonald of The Seattle Times criticized Jackson, stating, `` He may have lived a sheltered life, but there really is no excuse for using terms like ' Jew me ' and ' kike ' in a pop song, unless you make it clear you are denouncing such terms, and do so in an artful way. '' Two days later, Jackson decided, despite the cost incurred, he would return to the studio and alter the offending wording on future copies of the album ; `` Jew me '' and `` Kike me '' would be substituted with `` do me '' and `` strike me ''. The music video and some copies of the album still carry the original words, but with loud, abstract noises partially drowning them out. He reiterated his acceptance that the song was offensive to some. Spike Lee noted some kind of double standard in the music industry, stating `` While the New York Times asserted the use of racial slurs in `` They Do n't Care About Us '', they were silent on other racial slurs in the album. The Notorious B.I.G. says `` nigga '' on `` This Time Around, '' another song on the HIStory album, but it did not attract media attention, as well as, many years before, use in lyrics of word `` nigger '' by John Lennon. '' Track listing US and Japan maxi single Track # Song Duration `` They Do n't Care About Us '' 4 : 44 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Charles Full Joint Mix ) 4 : 56 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Dallas Austin Main Mix ) 5 : 15 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Walk in the Park Radio Mix ) 4 : 46 5 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Classic Paradise Radio Mix ) 4 : 14 6 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Track Master 's Radio Edit ) 3 : 41 7 `` Rock with You '' ( Frankie 's Favorite Club Mix ) 7 : 39 8 `` Earth Song '' ( Hani 's Club Experience ) 7 : 55 US CD single Track # Song Duration `` They Do n't Care About Us '' 4 : 44 `` Rock with You '' ( Frankie 's Favorite Radio Mix ) 3 : 47 `` Earth Song '' ( Hani 's Radio Experience ) 3 : 33 `` Wanna Be Startin ' Somethin ' '' ( Brothers In Rhythm House Mix ) 7 : 35 UK single Track # Song Duration `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( LP edit ) 4 : 11 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Walk in the Park Mix ) 7 : 18 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Classic Paradise Mix ) 7 : 55 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Anthem of Love Mix ) 7 : 46 5 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Hacienda Mix ) 7 : 10 6 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Dallas Austin Main Mix ) 5 : 15 Visionary single CD side `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( LP edit ) -- 4 : 10 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Walk in the Park Mix ) -- 7 : 19 DVD side `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( LP edit ) -- 4 : 10 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Love to Infinity 's Walk in the Park Mix ) -- 7 : 19 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' ( Music Video # 1 -- in Brazil with Olodum music group ) ( Video ) -- 7 : 09 US 7 '' single : Epic -- 34 78264 `` They Do n't Care About Us '' -- 4 : 43 `` Rock with You '' ( Frankie Knuckles Radio Mix ) -- 3 : 47 Personnel Michael Jackson -- songwriting, composition, solo vocals, percussion Trevor Rabin -- guitar Chart positions Chart ( 1996 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 16 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 9 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Wallonia ) Czech Republic ( Rádio Top 100 Oficiální ) Denmark ( Tracklisten ) Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 6 France ( SNEP ) Germany ( Official German Charts ) Hungary ( MAHASZ ) Iceland ( Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 ) 20 Ireland ( IRMA ) 7 Italy ( FIMI ) Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 9 Norway ( VG - lista ) 6 Poland ( LP3 ) Spain ( AFYVE ) 11 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) UK R&B ( Official Charts Company ) US Billboard Hot 100 30 US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) 27 US Hot Dance Music / Maxi - Singles Sales ( Billboard ) US Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ( Billboard ) 10 US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) 27 Chart ( 2006 ) Peak position France ( SNEP ) 66 Ireland ( IRMA ) 21 Italy ( FIMI ) 9 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 38 Spain ( PROMUSICAE ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 26 Chart ( 2009 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 18 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 12 Denmark ( Tracklisten ) 9 European Hot 100 Singles 19 Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 19 Germany ( Media Control Charts ) 12 Hot Canadian Digital Singles 49 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 24 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 15 Norway ( VG - lista ) 10 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 7 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 28 US Billboard Hot Digital Songs 64 Chart ( 2012 ) Peak position France ( SNEP ) 149 Chart ( 2017 ) Peak position Poland ( Polish Airplay Top 100 ) 82 Year - end charts Chart ( 1996 ) Position Germany ( Official German Charts ) 7 Certifications Country Certification Sales Australia Gold 35,000 Austria Gold 5,000 Denmark Gold 45,000 France Gold 250,000 Germany 3x Gold 750,000 Norway Gold 5,000 United Kingdom Silver 200,000 United States Gold 500,000 References Jump up ^ Smallcombe, Mike ( 2016 ). Making Michael. Clink Street Publishing. p. 332. ISBN 978 - 1910782514. ^ Jump up to : `` Michael Jackson Remains A Global Phenomenon ''. Billboard. July 2, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Schemo, Diana Jean ( February 11, 1996 ). `` Rio Frets as Michael Jackson Plans to Film Slum ''. The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Jewish Response to Jackson ''. The New York Times. June 16, 1995. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Jackson explains remarks denounced as antisemitism ''. ( June 16, 1995 ). The Boston Globe. Jump up ^ Catlin, Roger ( June 18, 1995 ). `` Once the indisputable King of Pop, Jackson badly needs a hit to revive his career, is Michael HIStory ? ''. The Hartford Courant. Retrieved December 13, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` They Do n't Care About Us ''. Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Retrieved April 28, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Pareles, Jon ( June 18, 1995 ). `` Pop View ; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand ? ''. The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2008. Jump up ^ Hunter, James ( August 10, 1995 ). `` Michael Jackson HIStory ''. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008. Jump up ^ Farber, Jim ( June 19, 1995 ). `` Michael 's ' HIS ' - sy fit ''. New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 10, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ A ' HIStory ' of self - pity and hype. ( June 21, 1995 ). The Washington Times. Jump up ^ `` Jackson 's old hits are still the best ''. ( June 20, 1995 ). The Sacramento Bee. Jump up ^ Caulderwood, Kathleen. `` Eric Garner Protesters Shut Down West Side Highway In New York City ''. International Business Times. Jump up ^ Sony Hack Re-ignites Questions about Michael Jackson 's Banned Song Jump up ^ `` MJ visionary ''. Sony BMG. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Ultratop.be -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. ^ Jump up to : `` Musicline.de -- Michael Jackson Single - Chartverfolgung '' ( in German ). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. ^ Jump up to : `` HIStory : Past, Present and Future, Book I awards on Allmusic ''. Allmusic. Retrieved 21 June 2013. Jump up ^ `` Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us HD with subtitle + lyrics Official Music Video '' ( Youtube video ). Incident of the two women grabbing Michael Jackson starts at 3 : 16 in the video, which includes a dance sequence with drumming at the end. Total length : 7 : 17. Retrieved November 17, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Brazil : Michael Jackson films video for ' They Do n't Care About Us ' ''. ITN. February 9, 1995. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ Grant, Adrian ( 1998 ). Michael Jackson : Making History. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0 - 7119 - 6723 - 7. Jump up ^ Dunn, Christoper ( 2001 ). Brutality Garden. UNC Press. p. 207. ISBN 0 - 8078 - 4976 - 6. Jump up ^ Crock, Larry ( 2005 ). Brazilian Music. ABC - CLIO. p. 296. ISBN 1 - 57607 - 287 - 8. Jump up ^ Nagib, Lúcia ( 2003 ). The New Brazilian Cinema. I.B. Tauris. p. 123. ISBN 1 - 86064 - 928 - 9. Jump up ^ `` First look at Michael Jackson 's new music video on Entertainment Tonight ''. ( March 29, 1996 ). PR Newswire. Jump up ^ TRÊS DÉCADAS DE MÚSICA - CLIPES EM TERRAS ESTRANGEIRAS http://www.popnotas.com.br/2010/09/tres-decadas-de-musica-clipes-em-terras.html?showComment=1284404620775#c4391095132603322904 Jump up ^ `` Jackson rehearses with dancers ''. CNN. July 2, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2009. ^ Jump up to : Weinraub, Bernard ( June 15, 1995 ). `` In New Lyrics, Jackson Uses Slurs ''. The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ `` They Do n't Care About Us original lyrics ''. Jump up ^ Smith, Dinitia ( June 17, 1995 ). `` Michael Jackson Apologizes For Hurt Caused by Lyrics ''. The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ Macdonald, Patrick ( June 21, 1995 ). `` ' History ' Lesson : Jackson 's Living On Past Glories ''. The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ Riemenschneider, Chris ( June 23, 1995 ). `` Jackson Will Re-Record ` Care ' Lyrics Pop music : Michael Jackson apologizes and says he plans to change the words in ` They Do n't Care About Us ' that some considered to be racial slurs ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ Smith, Dinitia ( June 23, 1995 ). `` Jackson Plans New Lyrics For Album ''. The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2008. Jump up ^ Lee, Spike ( 2002 ). Spike Lee : Interviews. Univ. Press of Mississippi. pp. 151 -- 152. ISBN 1 - 57806 - 470 - 8. Jump up ^ Michael Jackson - They Do n't Care About Us ( Vinyl ) at Discogs ^ Jump up to : `` Australian-charts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. ^ Jump up to : `` Austriancharts.at -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us '' ( in French ). Ultratop 50. ^ Jump up to : Craig Halstead, Chris Cadman ( 2003 ). Authors On Line Ltd, ed. Michael Jackson : The Solo Years. p. 138. ISBN 978 - 0755200917. ^ Jump up to : `` Michael Jackson : They Do n't Care About Us '' ( in Finnish ). Musiikkituottajat -- IFPI Finland. ^ Jump up to : `` Lescharts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Íslenski Listinn NR. 176 Vikuna 29.6. - 5.7. ' 96 '' ( PDF ). Dagblaðið Vísir. 29 June 1996. p. 50. Retrieved 7 April 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` They do n't care about us in Irish Chart ''. IRMA. Retrieved 21 June 2013. Only results when searching `` They do n't care about us '' Jump up ^ `` The best - selling singles of 1996 in Italy ''. HitParadeItalia ( it ). Retrieved 21 June 2013. 22. They do n't care about us - Michael Jackson ( # 1 ) Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Michael Jackson '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40. ^ Jump up to : `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. ^ Jump up to : `` Charts.nz -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us ''. Top 40 Singles. ^ Jump up to : `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us ''. VG - lista. Jump up ^ work = Nowe Media, Polskie Radio S.A. url = http://lp3.polskieradio.pl/notowania/?numer=749 publisher = LP3.polskieradio.pl accessdate = July 18, 2018 ) ) Jump up ^ Salaverri, Fernando ( September 2005 ). Sólo éxitos : año a año, 1959 - 2002 ( 1st ed. ). Spain : Fundación Autor - SGAE. ISBN 84 - 8048 - 639 - 2. ^ Jump up to : `` Swedishcharts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us ''. Singles Top 100. ^ Jump up to : `` Swisscharts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us ''. Swiss Singles Chart. ^ Jump up to : `` Michael Jackson : Artist Chart History ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 ''. officialcharts.com. Jump up ^ `` Michael Jackson Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Michael Jackson Chart History ( Dance Club Songs ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Michael Jackson Chart History ( Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Michael Jackson Chart History ( Rhythmic ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Italiancharts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us ''. Top Digital Download. Jump up ^ `` Spanishcharts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us '' Canciones Top 50. Jump up ^ `` Danishcharts.com -- Michael Jackson -- They Do n't Care About Us ''. Tracklisten. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100 ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011 - 02 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia : : Związek Producentów Audio - Video ''. Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved October 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Single - Jahrescharts '' ( in German ). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 17, 2018. Jump up ^ Ryan, Gavin ( 2011 ). Australia 's Music Charts 1988 - 2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia : Moonlight Publishing. Jump up ^ `` Gold - / Platin - Datenbank ( ' They + Do n't + Care + About + Us ' ) '' ( in German ). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Jump up ^ `` American certifications -- They + Do n't + Care + About + Us ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Michael Jackson songs Discography 1970s `` Got to Be There '' `` Ai n't No Sunshine '' `` I Wanna Be Where You Are '' `` Rockin ' Robin '' `` Love Is Here and Now You 're Gone '' `` You 've Got a Friend '' `` Ben '' `` Everybody 's Somebody 's Fool '' `` My Girl '' `` Shoo - Be-Doo - Be-Doo - Da - Day '' `` We 've Got a Good Thing Going '' `` With a Child 's Heart '' `` Morning Glow '' `` All the Things You Are '' `` Happy '' `` Too Young '' `` Doggin ' Around '' `` Music and Me '' `` We 're Almost There '' `` One Day in Your Life '' `` Just a Little Bit of You '' `` You Ca n't Win '' `` Ease on Down the Road '' `` A Brand New Day '' `` Do n't Stop ' Til You Get Enough '' `` Rock with You '' `` Working Day and Night '' `` Off the Wall '' `` Girlfriend '' `` She 's Out of My Life '' `` It 's the Falling in Love '' 1980s `` The Girl Is Mine '' `` Wanna Be Startin ' Somethin ' '' `` Thriller '' `` Beat It '' `` Billie Jean '' `` Human Nature '' `` P.Y.T. ( Pretty Young Thing ) '' `` You 've Really Got a Hold on Me '' `` Here I Am ( Come and Take Me ) '' `` I Hear a Symphony '' `` Lonely Teardrops '' `` That 's What Love Is Made Of '' `` I Was Made to Love Her '' `` I Just Ca n't Stop Loving You '' `` Bad '' `` The Way You Make Me Feel '' `` Speed Demon '' `` Liberian Girl '' `` Just Good Friends '' `` Another Part of Me '' `` Man in the Mirror '' `` Dirty Diana '' `` Smooth Criminal '' `` Leave Me Alone '' `` Twenty - Five Miles '' 1990s `` Black or White '' `` Jam '' `` In the Closet '' `` Remember the Time '' `` Ca n't Let Her Get Away '' `` Heal the World '' `` Who Is It '' `` Give In to Me '' `` Will You Be There '' `` Gone Too Soon '' `` Dangerous '' `` Come Together '' `` Someone Put Your Hand Out '' `` Scream '' `` Childhood '' `` They Do n't Care About Us '' `` Stranger in Moscow '' `` This Time Around '' `` Earth Song '' `` D.S. '' `` You Are Not Alone '' `` Tabloid Junkie '' `` HIStory '' `` Smile '' `` Mind Is the Magic '' `` Blood on the Dance Floor '' `` Ghosts '' `` Is It Scary '' `` On the Line '' 2000s `` Speechless '' `` You Rock My World '' `` Heaven Can Wait '' `` Butterflies '' `` Cry '' `` One More Chance '' `` Cheater '' `` The Way You Love Me '' `` Fall Again '' `` This Is It '' 2010s `` Hold My Hand '' `` Hollywood Tonight '' `` ( I Ca n't Make It ) Another Day '' `` Behind the Mask '' `` Do n't Be Messin ' ' Round '' `` Price of Fame '' `` Love Never Felt So Good '' `` Chicago '' `` Loving You '' `` A Place with No Name '' `` Slave to the Rhythm '' `` Blue Gangsta '' `` Diamonds Are Invincible '' Other `` We Are the World '' `` What More Can I Give / Todo Para Ti '' `` We Are the World 25 for Haiti '' Featured `` Night Time Lover '' `` Papa Was a Rollin ' Stone '' `` State of Independence '' `` Muscles '' `` Say Say Say '' `` Somebody 's Watching Me '' `` Do n't Stand Another Chance '' `` Centipede '' `` Tell Me I 'm Not Dreamin ' ( Too Good to Be True ) '' `` Eaten Alive '' `` Get It '' `` 2300 Jackson Street '' `` Do the Bartman '' `` Whatzupwitu '' `` Why '' `` I Need You '' `` Girls, Girls, Girls ( Part 2 ) '' `` All Eyez on Me '' `` All in Your Name '' `` There Must Be More To Life Than This '' `` Low '' `` Do n't Matter to Me '' Book Portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=They_Don%27t_Care_About_Us&oldid=866374798 '' Categories : 1995 songs 1996 singles Michael Jackson songs Music videos directed by Spike Lee Number - one singles in the Czech Republic Number - one singles in Germany Obscenity controversies in music Protest songs Hip hop songs Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson Songs written by Michael Jackson Songs against racism and xenophobia Hidden categories : CS1 German - language sources ( de ) Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart making named ref Singlechart usages for Wallonia Singlechart usages for Finland Singlechart usages for France Singlechart used with missing parameters Singlechart usages for Germany Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Swiss Singlechart usages for UKsinglesbyname Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Billboarddanceclubplay Singlechart usages for Billboardrandbhiphop Singlechart usages for Billboardrhythmic Singlechart usages for Italy Singlechart usages for Spain Singlechart usages for Denmark Singlechart usages for Poland Singlechart called without artist Good articles Talk Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca Čeština Dansk Deutsch Ελληνικά Español فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Հայերեն Italiano ქართული Kiswahili Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Simple English Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska ไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 中文 21 more Edit links This page was last edited on 29 October 2018, at 23 : 36 ( UTC ). 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Question: when did they don't really care about us come out
Answer: March 31, 1996