Introduction
“Will You Be There” is a powerful gospel‑tinged ballad written and produced by Michael Jackson, co‑produced by Bruce Swedien, and featured on his 1991 album Dangerous . Though originally released with the album on November 26, 1991, it was later issued as the eighth single on June 28, 1993 .
Composed during Jackson’s time at Neverland Ranch—alongside “Heal the World”—the song evolved between early 1990 and October 1991. With a runtime of nearly eight minutes in its album version, it stands as Jackson’s longest solo studio recording . Musically, the track blends pop, R&B, and gospel, featuring a dramatic introduction from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony performed by the Cleveland Orchestra—a move that sparked a $7 million copyright lawsuit settled in December 1992, resulting in explicit credits.
Originally performed live during MTV’s 10th Anniversary special in July 1991, Jackson included it in his Dangerous World Tour setlist . In 1993, it reached a broader audience as the theme song for the movie Free Willy, earning Jackson the MTV Movie Award for Best Song from a Movie .
Commercially, “Will You Be There” was a success: it reached #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, sold over a million copies worldwide—including Gold certification in the US—and landed in the top 10 in countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland . The song also sparked controversy in Italy, where composer Al Bano sued Jackson for alleged melodic similarities; the Italian court noted connections to a traditional Indian melody and eventually resolved the dispute .
This introduction weaves together the song’s creation, musical style, legal complexities, and cultural impact, all rooted in reliable sources. Let me know if you’d like to add analyses, cover versions, or more detail!