Claim: Michael Jackson wrote Scream.

`` Scream '' / `` Childhood '' is the lead single from Michael Jackson 's ninth studio album , HIStory : Past , Present and Future , Book I . The A-side of the single , `` Scream '' , is a duet with his younger sister Janet Jackson , while the corresponding B-side , `` Childhood '' , is a solo piece . The single was released on May 31 , 1995 .   `` Scream '' is cited primarily as an aggressive , retaliatory song directed at the tabloid media and their coverage of the child sexual abuse accusations made against Michael Jackson in 1993 . `` Scream '' was written , composed and produced by Jimmy Jam , Terry Lewis , Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson ; Michael played many of the instruments . It incorporates elements of pop , R&B , electrorock , new jack swing , dance-pop , and funk . Recording for Scream took place at the Hit Factory in New York City in October 1994 and at Flyte Tyme Studios in Edina , Minnesota in December 1994 . The song was leaked to radio stations early , despite Epic Records ' attempt to keep it off air until the official release date .   Generally well received amongst critics , it has been compared favorably to other accomplished pieces by Michael Jackson . It went on to be nominated for a Grammy Award and an American Music Award . The corresponding music video remains one of his most critically acclaimed pieces ; it won numerous MTV Video Music Awards and a Grammy . At a cost of $ 7 million , it was listed in the Guinness World Records as the most expensive music video ever made ; however , director Mark Romanek has refuted the claim , saying that there were two other music videos from the same era which cost `` millions more '' than the video for `` Scream '' . The imagery in `` Scream '' has been replicated in several contemporary pieces , including `` No Scrubs '' -LRB- 1999 -RRB- by TLC , `` Shawty Get Loose '' -LRB- 2008 -RRB- by Lil Mama , `` Stay the Night '' -LRB- 1999 -RRB- by IMx , `` Walkin ' on the Moon '' -LRB- 2009 -RRB- by The-Dream , and `` I 'm Out '' by Ciara featuring Nicki Minaj -LRB- 2013 -RRB- .   `` Childhood '' is an auto-biographical song written and composed by Michael Jackson . The theme of the track centers around his difficult childhood experiences . It would become the main theme song for Free Willy 2 : The Adventure Home , continuing his association with the Free Willy series . The track appeared on several compilation albums , but was met with a mixed reception amongst critics . The song 's music video , which had little in common with the supporting film , has been critically praised . `` Scream '' / `` Childhood '' would become the first single in the 37-year history of Billboard to debut at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 , where it peaked . It was a worldwide hit , reaching the top five in the vast majority of major music markets . Michael performed `` Scream '' on his 1996 -- 97 HIStory World Tour . Following his death in 2009 , Janet performed the song on her 2011 Number Ones , Up Close and Personal as a tribute to him as well as on her 2015-2016 Unbreakable World Tour .