Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix is a remix album by the American singer Michael Jackson. It was released on May 20, 1997, by Epic Records, and is the second album also released by MJJ Productions, Jackson's record label. The album comprises eight remixes of songs from Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995), and five new songs that failed to make previous albums. Jackson was involved primarily with the production of the new material; the remixes were produced by other artists. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix incorporates R&B, pop, industrial, hip hop, house, funk and new jack swing. It concerns themes such as drug addiction, sex, relationships, and paranoia.

Though Blood on the Dance Floor received minimal promotion by Jackson's standards, particularly in the United States, the short film Michael Jackson's Ghosts, two singles ("Blood on the Dance Floor" and "Ghosts"), a promotional single ("Is It Scary"), and a music video were issued as promotion. Although initial sales in the United States were seen as disappointing for Jackson, it reached number one throughout Europe, including in France, Belgium, Spain, the UK, and New Zealand. Michael Jackson's Ghosts premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, as part of the Blood on the Dance Floor promotion. The short film, also considered the official music video for "Ghosts", won the Bob Fosse Award for Best Choreography in a Music Video.

Reviews for Blood on the Dance Floor were mixed, with some critics feeling that Jackson had already explored these musical themes and others criticizing what they perceived as weak vocals. Other critics were more favorable, noting the album for its incorporation of genres Jackson previously had not explored, justifying the use of previous themes but with "brutal honesty". Blood on the Dance Floor: has sold over six million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling remix album in history. On October 20, 2000, it was certified platinum in the US.

Production and music

The album was produced while Jackson was preoccupied with the HIStory World Tour. He reportedly was impressed by Euro-dance remixes in Munich, some of which he personally financed to be extended in order to be included in the album, and Trinidadian beat-music. Thus, the songs were produced in a variety of countries that included Sweden, Switzerland and Germany.Lewis, p. 58 The album comprises eight remixes of songs from HIStory—"Scream", "Money", "2 Bad", "Stranger in Moscow", "This Time Around", "Earth Song", "You Are Not Alone", and "HIStory"—and five new songs—"Blood on the Dance Floor", "Morphine", "Superfly Sister", "Ghosts", and "Is It Scary".

Jackson was heavily involved in the writing, composition, and production of the five new songs, and sang all of the lead vocals.Jackson, Michael. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix booklet. Sony BMG. p 2–7. Todd Terry remixed "Stranger in Moscow", Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis remixed "Scream", and The Fugees worked on the new track "Blood on the Dance Floor" and the remix of "2 Bad". Wyclef Jean, a member of The Fugees, told MTV of his involvement in the production, "We did a first remix for Michael, and he wanted us to do another one". The group spoke of their excitement at receiving a phone call from Jackson.

"Morphine" was a particularly dark track which contains an audio clip from The Elephant Man, courtesy of Paramount Pictures. Robert Chausow was a studio violinist working in New York, when he was called on a Sunday morning to travel to the Hit Factory to lay down tracks for an upcoming project. Security at the studio was high. Chausow did not know which artist for whom he was playing. He arrived at the studio which was dimly lit, sitting with Juliet Hafner, a fellow musician, who happened to know Brad Buxer, longtime producer of Jackson's work. They could both hear Jackson lay down his vocal tracks through the monitor speakers with Buxer. After Jackson finished, the musicians were asked to listen to the track several times and thereafter "Play this. In this part, play eight measures of.....". The two musicians had no clue as to the title of the new track and the experience of playing music in a dark studio was described as surreal. After around an hour to an hour and a half, the musicians were no longer needed. Chausow was asked not to talk about the experience until after the project was complete, which was a common request in the studio circuit.Najar, Brice. Book on the Dance Floor - Let's Make HIStory in the Mix. Independent publishing. p 55. On this song, Jackson was the sole arranger, doing such to the classical, vocal and orchestral aspects. Jackson also played solo percussion and drums and received joint guitar credit alongside longtime collaborator Slash. Andrae Crouch's choir is also featured on the piece.Jackson, Michael. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix booklet. Sony BMG. p 4. "Morphines central theme is the drug usage of Demerol. In the track, he sings, "Trust in me/Just in me/Put all your trust in me/You're doin' morphine...Go on babe/Relax/This won't hurt you/Before I put it in/Close your eyes and count to ten/Don't cry/I won't convert you/There's no need to dismay/Close your eyes and drift away".

"Scream Louder" contains elements from "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)", performed by Sly and the Family Stone. "2 Bad" contains a recreation of a melody line of Jackson's 1983 hit "Beat It" as well as a rap by John Forté and guitar solo by Wyclef Jean.Jackson, Michael. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix booklet. Sony BMG. p 8.

Packaging, release and promotion The 23-page album booklet contains the lyrics to "Blood on the Dance Floor", "Stranger in Moscow" and "HIStory". The eight remixes from HIStory are given additional titles such as "Flyte Tyme Remix" and "Tee's In-House Club Mix". The booklet contains many images from the HIStory World Tour and Ghosts film. Towards the end of the booklet, Jackson pays respect to friends such as Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John, his family, employees and fans.Jackson, Michael. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix booklet. Sony BMG. p 18–21.

The album was released by Epic Records on May 20, 1997. HIStory on Film, Volume II was released on the same day—a video collection of Jackson's music videos and television performances from the HIStory era of 1995–1997. Compared to other Jackson albums, it was not widely promoted. The New York Times described the US promotional effort as "subdued", creating "hardly a sound" and "perplexing to many people in the industry". Jackson's label, Epic Records, refuted allegations they were not promoting the album sufficiently in the United States, saying, "We are completely behind the album ... Michael is certainly one of our superstars and is treated as such ... We just went into this one with our global hats on." The New York Times acknowledged that promotion was stronger internationally, where Jackson had more commercial force and popularity. Jackson effectively no longer needed the US market to have a hit record. By June 1997, only ten percent of sales from Jackson's prior studio album came from within the United States.

At the Cannes Film Festival, Jackson premiered the film Ghosts as part of the album promotion. It was released theatrically in the United States in October 1996 and, in the UK, debuted at the Odeon Leicester Square in May 1997. The UK event attracted fans, media and business organizations. It was released on cassette in most parts of the world. The film was written by Jackson and Stephen King and directed by Stan Winston. The story was based loosely on the events and isolation Jackson felt after he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993. In the plot, the Maestro—played by Jackson—is nearly chased out of his town by the residents and the mayor—who deliberately looks very similar to Tom Sneddon—because they believe him to be a "freak". The film had similar imagery and themes to that of Thriller. It features many special effects and dance moves choreographed to original music, which Jackson himself authored. The film includes several songs and music videos from the albums HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix. Ghosts is over thirty-eight minutes long and previously held the Guinness World Record for the world's longest music video. It won the Bob Fosse Award for Best Choreography in a Music Video.George, p. 48–50Taraborrelli 610–611Lewis, p. 125–126Guinness World Records 2004

Blood on the Dance Floor was also promoted with the singles "Blood on the Dance Floor" and "HIStory" / "Ghosts" and music videos. The video for "Blood on the Dance Floor" premiered on Top of the Pops. It centered on Susie seducing Jackson in a courtship dance, before opening a switchblade. The lead single peaked at number one in several countries, including the United Kingdom. The double A-side "HIStory" / "Ghosts" was promoted with a video for each song. "HIStory" was set in a nightclub, in a futuristic era, and recalled Jackson's filmography. "Ghosts" was a five-minute clip taken from the much longer film Ghosts. The double A-side would become a top-five hit in the United Kingdom, but did not chart as highly elsewhere.

Commercial performance Initial sales in the United States were seen as disappointing for Jackson. Blood on the Dance Floor peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard 200 chart and after four weeks the record had sold 92,000 copies. Despite this, long term sales were stronger. It was certified platinum in May 2000, for shipments of at least a million units.George, p. 51 It was certified Gold in Canada for a minimum of 50,000 shipments.

In Europe the record has been certified for shipments of at least two million copies. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix debuted atop the UK album chart, by July 1997 it had sold 250,000 units in the United Kingdom and 445,000 units in Germany. In Australia, debuted at number 2 with 60,000 advance copies. The album also peaked at number one in France, Belgium, Spain and New Zealand. Since its debut, the album has sold an estimated six million copies worldwide, making it the best selling remix album ever released.

Critical reception

Jim Farber of New York Daily News labeled the album's theme, "Predatory women, jealous underlings and the evil media continue to obsess him. He's once again playing the victim—the world's most powerless billionaire, it seems—mewling about forces conspiring against his heavenly self." He said of the lead single, "[Jackson] coughs up a series of strangulated mutters and munchkin hiccups in lieu of a vocal, while its chilly, faux-industrial music proves as appealing as a migraine. ... 'Ghosts' and 'Is It Scary' boast a few innovative sounds but no real melodies." Thor Christensen of The Dallas Morning News noted the album focused on "angry tales about a coldhearted 'Superfly Sister' or the back-stabbing women in 'Ghosts' and 'Blood on the Dance Floor'. Three of the five new songs on this remix album...involve mean, psychotic ex-lovers". He observed, "The dark, cryptic 'Morphine' is easily one of the most ambitious songs he's ever recorded. He fuels the song with narcotic industrial funk—lookout Trent Reznor—but then dilutes it by sticking [in] 90 seconds of goopy, string-laden balladry."Thor Christensen (May 20, 1997). "Jackson's new 'Blood' generally thin Singer's work best when fresh on remix release". The Dallas Morning News.