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			{{Use mdy dates\|date=March 2024}}
	{{short description\|1995 song by Michael Jackson from HIStory}}
		⚫	{{Good article}}
	{{Infobox song		{{Infobox song
	\| name = D.S.		\| name = D.S.
	\| cover =		\| cover =
	\| alt =		\| alt =
	\| type = song		\| type = song
	\| artist = ]		\| artist = ] featuring ]
		⚫	\| album = ]
	featuring ]
			\| released = {{Start date\|1995\|06\|20}}
⚫	\| album = ]
	\| ~~released~~ = ~~1995~~		\| recorded = 1994
	\| ~~recorded~~ = ~~1994~~		\| studio =
	\| ~~studio~~ =		\| venue =
	\| ~~venue~~ =		\| genre = ]
	\| ~~genre~~ = ]		\| length = 4:49
			\| label = ]
	\| length = 4:49
	\| ~~label~~ = ]		\| writer = Michael Jackson
	\| ~~writer~~ = Michael Jackson		\| producer = Michael Jackson
		⚫	\| misc = {{External music video\|header=Licensed audio\|type=song\|{{YouTube\|SHWpLfZzGU0\|"D.S."}}}}
	\| producer = Michael Jackson
⚫	\| misc = {{External music video\|type=song\|{{YouTube\|SHWpLfZzGU0\|"D.S. ~~(Audio)~~"}}}}
	{{Audio sample		{{Audio sample
	\| type = song		\| type = song
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	}}		}}

	"'''D.S.'''" is a song by ], released on his 1995 album '']''. It is a rock song that conveys themes such as bitterness, mistrust and corruption within law enforcement. It was written, composed and produced by Jackson and includes an instrumental accompaniment & guitar solo by ].		"'''D.S.'''" is a song by ], released on his 1995 album '']''. It is a ] song that conveys themes such as bitterness, mistrust and corruption within law enforcement. It was written, composed and produced by Jackson and includes an instrumental accompaniment and ] by ].

	The lyrics are interpreted as an attack on ] ] ], whose name is similar to the subject of the song, Dom Sheldon. Sneddon controlled the investigation into Jackson following the ] against him. Jackson was angered by the allegations, his perception of ~~people~~ of ~~color~~ ~~constantly~~ ~~being~~ ~~mistreated~~ by the police and media, and the negative effect on his health.		The song is a ]; the lyrics are interpreted as an attack on ] ] ], whose name is similar to the subject of the song, Dom Sheldon. Sneddon controlled the investigation into Jackson following the ] against him. Jackson was angered by the allegations, his perception of the frequent mistreatment of people of color by the police and media, and the negative effect on his health.

	==Background==		==Background==
	In 1993, the relationship between Jackson and the press worsened when he was accused of ]. Jackson was subject to intense media scrutiny while the criminal investigation took place. As part of the investigation, Jackson agreed to a strip search of his body at ]; the strip search was ordered by ], the district attorney of ], who led the investigation.<ref name="campbell 16">Campbell (1995), p. 16</ref><ref name="tara 534-540">Taraborrelli, p. 534–540</ref>		In 1993, the relationship between Jackson and the press worsened when he was accused of ]. Jackson was subject to intense media scrutiny while the criminal investigation took place. As part of the investigation, Jackson agreed to a strip search of his body at ]; the strip search was ordered by ], the district attorney of ], who led the investigation.<ref name="campbell 16">Campbell (1995), p. 16</ref><ref name="tara 534-540">Taraborrelli, p. 534–540</ref>

	Jackson was not charged and the police closed their investigation citing lack of evidence.<ref name="1993 allegations">{{cite ~~web~~ \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/24/newsid_2512000/2512077.stm \|title=1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse \|date=February 8, 2003\|publisher=BBC \|access-date=November 11, 2006}}</ref><ref name="tara 540-545">Taraborrelli, p. 540–545</ref><ref name="BBC past catches up with MJ">{{cite ~~web~~ \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4387247.stm \|title=Jackson's 'past' allowed in court \|publisher=BBC \|date=March 25, 2005 \|access-date=July 12, 2008}}</ref> With his health improving, Jackson began work on his ninth album, '']'', in 1994.<ref name="CNN D.S.">{{cite web\|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/19/jackson.prosecutor.reut/index.html\|title=Michael Jackson sings of D.A. on previous album\|date=20 November 2003\|publisher=CNN\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref><ref name="lyrics"> {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907133802/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,103485,00.html \|date=2009-09-07 }}, FOXNews.com, 19 November 2003. accessed November 5, 2006.</ref><ref name="BBC on D.S." /> "D.S.", like several other ''HIStory'' tracks, was Jackson's response to recent events in his personal life.<ref>{{cite book\|last=Pinkerton\|first=Lee\|title=The Many Faces of Michael Jackson\|publisher=Music Sales Distribution\|year=1998\|isbn=0-7119-6783-0\|page=34}}</ref>		Jackson was not charged and the police closed their investigation citing lack of evidence.<ref name="1993 allegations">{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/24/newsid_2512000/2512077.stm \|title=1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse \|date=February 8, 2003\|publisher=BBC \|access-date=November 11, 2006}}</ref><ref name="tara 540-545">Taraborrelli, p. 540–545</ref><ref name="BBC past catches up with MJ">{{cite news \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4387247.stm \|title=Jackson's 'past' allowed in court \|publisher=BBC \|date=March 25, 2005 \|access-date=July 12, 2008}}</ref> With his health improving, Jackson began work on his ninth album, '']'', in 1994.<ref name="CNN D.S.">{{cite web\|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/19/jackson.prosecutor.reut/index.html\|title=Michael Jackson sings of D.A. on previous album\|date=20 November 2003\|publisher=CNN\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref><ref name="lyrics"> {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907133802/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,103485,00.html \|date=2009-09-07 }}, FOXNews.com, 19 November 2003. accessed November 5, 2006.</ref><ref name="BBC on D.S." /> "D.S.", like several other ''HIStory'' tracks, was Jackson's response to recent events in his personal life.<ref>{{cite book\|last=Pinkerton\|first=Lee\|title=The Many Faces of Michael Jackson\|publisher=Music Sales Distribution\|year=1998\|isbn=0-7119-6783-0\|page=34}}</ref>

	==Composition==		==Composition==
	The song has a rock feel, with a guitar solo performed by ] guitarist ], who had previously worked with Jackson on his '']'' album.<ref name="HIStory Booklet p50">Jackson, Michael. ''HIStory'' booklet. Sony BMG. p 50</ref> In his ''HIStory'' album review, '']'''s ] defines "D.S." as a ] song.<ref name="JB HIStory">{{cite magazine\|url=~~http~~://~~www.~~ew.com~~/ew~~/article/~~0,,297730,00.html~~\|title=Michael Jackson HIStory Review\|last=Browne\|first=David\|date=June 23, 1995\|magazine=Entertainment Weekly\|access-date=April 16, 2009}}</ref> "D.S." contains an excerpt from the ] single "]".<ref name="HIStory Booklet p50" />		The song has a rock feel, with a guitar solo performed by ] guitarist ], who had previously worked with Jackson on his '']'' album.<ref name="HIStory Booklet p50">Jackson, Michael. ''HIStory'' booklet. Sony BMG. p 50</ref> In his ''HIStory'' album review, '']''{{'s}} ] defines "D.S." as a ] song.<ref name="JB HIStory">{{cite magazine\|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/06/23/history-past-present-and-future-book-i/\|title=Michael Jackson HIStory Review\|last=Browne\|first=David\|date=June 23, 1995\|magazine=Entertainment Weekly\|access-date=April 16, 2009\|archive-date=July 17, 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717113000/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,297730,00.html\|url-status=live}}</ref> "D.S." contains an excerpt from the ] single "]".<ref name="HIStory Booklet p50" />

	"D.S." has similar themes to the rest of ''HIStory.''<ref name="ALG HIStory">{{cite web \|first=Stephen \|last=Erlewine \|url={{Allmusic\|class=album\|id=r216079\|pure_url=yes}} \|title=Michael Jackson HIStory Overview \|website=Allmusic \|access-date=June 15, 2008}}</ref> The album's content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing/funk rock efforts "]" and "]", along with the R&B ballad "]", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs much of his anger at the media.<ref name="RS HIStory">{{cite news		"D.S." has similar themes to the rest of ''HIStory.''<ref name="ALG HIStory">{{cite web \|first=Stephen \|last=Erlewine \|url={{Allmusic\|class=album\|id=r216079\|pure_url=yes}} \|title=Michael Jackson HIStory Overview \|website=Allmusic \|access-date=June 15, 2008}}</ref> The album's content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing/funk rock efforts "]" and "]", along with the R&B ballad "]", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs much of his anger at the media.<ref name="RS HIStory">{{cite news
Line 50:		Line 50:
	}}</ref> The lyrics describe the subject of the song as a man who wants him "dead or alive" and "really tried to take me down/By surprise".<ref name="BBC on D.S.">{{cite news\|title=Tom Sneddon: Dogged prosecutor \|work=]\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4216779.stm\|date=January 31, 2005\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref> The track ends with the sound of a gunshot.<ref name="Sneddon work profile">{{cite web\|url=http://www.ndaa.org/ndaa/profile/tom_sneddon_jan_feb_2003.html\|title=In Profile:Thomas W. (Tom) Sneddon, Jr.\|date=February 2003\|publisher=National District Attorneys Association\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102103101/http://www.ndaa.org/ndaa/profile/tom_sneddon_jan_feb_2003.html\|archive-date=January 2, 2008\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref>		}}</ref> The lyrics describe the subject of the song as a man who wants him "dead or alive" and "really tried to take me down/By surprise".<ref name="BBC on D.S.">{{cite news\|title=Tom Sneddon: Dogged prosecutor \|work=]\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4216779.stm\|date=January 31, 2005\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref> The track ends with the sound of a gunshot.<ref name="Sneddon work profile">{{cite web\|url=http://www.ndaa.org/ndaa/profile/tom_sneddon_jan_feb_2003.html\|title=In Profile:Thomas W. (Tom) Sneddon, Jr.\|date=February 2003\|publisher=National District Attorneys Association\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080102103101/http://www.ndaa.org/ndaa/profile/tom_sneddon_jan_feb_2003.html\|archive-date=January 2, 2008\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref>

	~~The~~ song is interpreted as a veiled attack on Sneddon.<ref name="CNN D.S." /><ref name="lyrics" /><ref name="BBC on D.S." /> ] and ] observed that, when sung, "Dom S. Sheldon" sounds close to "Thomas Sneddon".<ref name="CNN D.S." /><ref name="lyrics" /> The BBC suggested that the lyric's reference to a "B.S.T.A." sounds similar to "S.B.D.A.", meaning "Santa Barbara District Attorney". '']'' and '']'' expressed the view that Jackson suggests "Sheldon" has links to the ] and the ] and he just "wants your vote".<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite ~~web~~\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/arts/pop-view-michael-jackson-is-angry-understand.html?sq=HIStory+album+michael+jackson+review&scp=4&st=nyt\|title=POP VIEW; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?\|last=Pareles\|first=Jon\|date=June 25, 1995\|work=]\|access-date=March 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/nov/22/usa.michaeljacksontrial\|title='Mad Dog' believes he finally has his quarry on the run\|last=Campbell\|first=Duncan\|date=November 22, 2003\|work=]\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref> Sneddon's website states that Sneddon is "the only DA in the nation to have an angry song written about him by pop megastar Michael Jackson". Of the song, Sneddon said, "I have not—shall we say—done him the honor of listening to it, but I’ve been told that it ends with the sound of a gunshot".<ref name="Sneddon work profile" />		Originally titled "T.S.",<ref>{{cite web \|title=Michael Jackson handwritten lyrics to "T.S." \|url=https://bid.juliensauctions.com/lot-details/index/catalog/8/lot/1895/MICHAEL-JACKSON-HANDWRITTEN-LYRICS-TO-T-S \|website=juliensauctions.com \|publisher=] \|access-date=August 30, 2024}}</ref> the song is interpreted as a veiled attack on Sneddon.<ref name="CNN D.S." /><ref name="lyrics" /><ref name="BBC on D.S." /> ] and ] observed that, when sung, "Dom S. Sheldon" sounds close to "Thomas Sneddon".<ref name="CNN D.S." /><ref name="lyrics" /> The BBC suggested that the lyric's reference to a "B.S.T.A." sounds similar to "S.B.D.A.", meaning "Santa Barbara District Attorney". '']'' and '']'' expressed the view that Jackson suggests "Sheldon" has links to the ] and the ] and he just "wants your vote".<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/arts/pop-view-michael-jackson-is-angry-understand.html?sq=HIStory+album+michael+jackson+review&scp=4&st=nyt\|title=POP VIEW; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?\|last=Pareles\|first=Jon\|date=June 25, 1995\|work=]\|access-date=March 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/nov/22/usa.michaeljacksontrial\|title='Mad Dog' believes he finally has his quarry on the run\|last=Campbell\|first=Duncan\|date=November 22, 2003\|work=]\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref> Sneddon's website states that Sneddon is "the only DA in the nation to have an angry song written about him by pop megastar Michael Jackson". Of the song, Sneddon said, "I have not—shall we say—done him the honor of listening to it, but I’ve been told that it ends with the sound of a gunshot".<ref name="Sneddon work profile" />

	==Critical ~~reaction~~==		==Critical reception==
	Although the album ''HIStory'' was nominated for the ] and had additional related ] nominations, hardly any mainstream music reviewers provided a critical analysis of "D.S." in their reviews of the album. Analysis of the song usually only covered the connection to Tom Sneddon and the song's genre.<ref name="NYTimes"/><ref name="ALG HIStory"/><ref name="RS HIStory"/><ref>{{cite ~~web~~ \|first=Christopher \|last=Farley \|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983063,00.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307224915/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983063,00.html \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=March 7, 2009 \|title=History and Hubris \|work=Time \|date=June 19, 1995 \|access-date=September 14, 2008 }}</ref> However, Fred Shuster of the '']'' described "D.S." as a "superb of organic funk that will fuel many of the summer's busiest dance floors".<ref name="''Daily News of Los Angeles on HIStory">{{cite web \|first=Fred \|last=Shuster \|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0F51AE3C3455B8D7&p_docnum=1 \|title=Jackson attempts to rewrite 'history' \| work=Daily News of Los Angeles \|date=June 18, 1995 \|access-date=November 7, 2008 }}</ref>		Although the album ''HIStory'' was nominated for the ] and had additional related ] nominations, hardly any mainstream music reviewers provided a critical analysis of "D.S." in their reviews of the album. Analysis of the song usually only covered the connection to Tom Sneddon and the song's genre.<ref name="NYTimes"/><ref name="ALG HIStory"/><ref name="RS HIStory"/><ref>{{cite news \|first=Christopher \|last=Farley \|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983063,00.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307224915/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983063,00.html \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=March 7, 2009 \|title=History and Hubris \|work=Time \|date=June 19, 1995 \|access-date=September 14, 2008 }}</ref> However, Fred Shuster of the '']'' described "D.S." as a "superb of organic funk that will fuel many of the summer's busiest dance floors".<ref name="''Daily News of Los Angeles on HIStory">{{cite web \|first=Fred \|last=Shuster \|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0F51AE3C3455B8D7&p_docnum=1 \|title=Jackson attempts to rewrite 'history' \| work=Daily News of Los Angeles \|date=June 18, 1995 \|access-date=November 7, 2008 }}</ref>

	==''Ghosts''==		==''Ghosts''==
	Although there was no ] made for "D.S.", the song's subject was referenced in the short film '']''. Released in 1996 and premiering at the ],<ref>{{~~Cite~~ web \|title=Reuters Archive Licensing \|url=https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/995039 \|access-date=2022-04-05 \|website=Reuters Archive Licensing \|language=en}}</ref> it was written by Jackson and ] and directed by ]. The story was loosely based on the events and isolation Jackson felt after he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993.		Although there was no ] made for "D.S.", the song's subject was referenced in the short film '']''. Released in 1996 and premiering at the ],<ref>{{cite web \|title=Reuters Archive Licensing \|url=https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/995039 \|access-date=2022-04-05 \|website=Reuters Archive Licensing \|language=en}}</ref> it was written by Jackson and ] and directed by ]. The story was loosely based on the events and isolation Jackson felt after he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993.

	In the plot, the ] (played by Jackson) is nearly chased out of his town by the mayor (~~who~~ deliberately ~~looks~~ very similar to Sneddon) and the residents because they believe him to be a "freak". It features many special effects and dance moves to original music, composed and choreographed by Jackson. The film includes several songs and music videos from the albums ''HIStory'' and '']''. The video for ''Ghosts'' is over thirty-eight minutes long and ~~holds~~ the ''Guinness World Record'' as the world's longest music video.<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 610–611</ref><ref>Lewis, p. 125–126</ref><ref>''Guinness World Records 2004''</ref><ref>George, p. 48–50</ref>		In the plot, the ] (played by Jackson) is nearly chased out of his town by the mayor (also played by Jackson wearing heavy prosthetic makeup to deliberately look very similar to Sneddon) and the residents because they believe him to be a "freak". It features many special effects and dance moves to original music, composed and choreographed by Jackson. The film includes several songs and music videos from the albums ''HIStory'' and '']''. The video for ''Ghosts'' is over thirty-eight minutes long and previously held the ''Guinness World Record'' for the world's longest music video.<ref>Taraborrelli, p. 610–611</ref><ref>Lewis, p. 125–126</ref><ref>''Guinness World Records 2004''</ref><ref>George, p. 48–50</ref>

	== Aftermath ==		==Aftermath==
	The child sexual abuse allegations of 2003 ]. Sneddon was the lead investigator again, as well as the trial prosecutor. The trial ended with Jackson being acquitted on all counts.<ref name="CBSNews1" /> The two investigations controlled by Sneddon drew complaints that he was motivated by a "vendetta" against Jackson; evidence to support these claims include Sneddon joking about Jackson's ] being released on the same day as his arrest and sarcastically saying, "Like the sheriff and I really are into that kind of music", calling Jackson "Wacko Jacko" and shouting "we got him, we finally got him" to the media when he had only just begun an investigation and had gathered limited evidence.<ref name="CBSNews1">{{cite web \|url=~~http~~://www.cbsnews.com/~~stories~~/~~2003~~/~~12/17/earlyshow/leisure/main589094.shtml~~\|title=Who Is Tom Sneddon? \|publisher=CBS \|date=December 18, 2003 \|access-date=May 29, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|first=Corey \|last=Moss \|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480542/20031120/jackson_michael.jhtml \|title=Why Is The DA In The Michael Jackson Case Smiling? \|publisher=MTV \|date=November 20, 2003 \|access-date=November 7, 2007}}</ref> "D.S." was sung outside the courtroom by a group of Jackson's fans every day the trial took place.<ref>{{cite news\|author=Glasister, Dan\|title=Driving force who was 'motivated by grudge'\|newspaper=]\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/13/michaeljackson.michaeljacksontrial5\|date=June 13, 2005\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref>		The child sexual abuse allegations of 2003 ]. Sneddon was the lead investigator again, as well as the trial prosecutor. The trial ended with Jackson being acquitted on all counts.<ref name="CBSNews1" /> The two investigations controlled by Sneddon drew complaints that he was motivated by a "vendetta" against Jackson; evidence to support these claims include Sneddon joking about Jackson's ] being released on the same day as his arrest and sarcastically saying, "Like the sheriff and I really are into that kind of music", calling Jackson "Wacko Jacko" and shouting "we got him, we finally got him" to the media when he had only just begun an investigation and had gathered limited evidence.<ref name="CBSNews1">{{cite web \|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-is-tom-sneddon/\|title=Who Is Tom Sneddon? \|publisher=CBS \|date=December 18, 2003 \|access-date=May 29, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|first=Corey \|last=Moss \|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480542/20031120/jackson_michael.jhtml \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031122113133/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480542/20031120/jackson_michael.jhtml \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=November 22, 2003 \|title=Why Is The DA In The Michael Jackson Case Smiling? \|publisher=MTV \|date=November 20, 2003 \|access-date=November 7, 2007}}</ref> "D.S." was sung outside the courtroom by a group of Jackson's fans every day the trial took place.<ref>{{cite news\|author=Glasister, Dan\|title=Driving force who was 'motivated by grudge'\|newspaper=]\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/13/michaeljackson.michaeljacksontrial5\|date=June 13, 2005\|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref>

	In ~~Janurary~~ 2019, as a response to the controversial '']'' documentary, Jackson's fans created an unofficial, fan-made version titled "] Is A Cold Man" (alternatively titled as W.R)~~, basically~~ the lyrics are ~~nearly~~ identical, with "~~Tom~~ ~~Sneddon~~" being replaced by "Wade Robson".<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=TKOHyjg4_N0</ref>		In January 2019, as a response to the controversial '']'' documentary, Jackson's fans created an unofficial, fan-made version titled "] Is a Cold Man" (alternatively titled "W.R."); the lyrics are identical with the exception of "Dom Sheldon" being replaced by "Wade Robson".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=TKOHyjg4_N0 \|title=Michael Jackson - Wade Robson Is A Cold Man (Audio HQ) \|publisher=YouTube \|date=2019-03-08 \|accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref>

	==Personnel==		==Personnel==
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	* ] – keyboards and synthesizers		* ] – keyboards and synthesizers
	* ] – synthesizers		* ] – synthesizers
	* ] – guitar<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Lecocq \|first1=Richard \|last2=Allard \|first2=François \|title=Michael Jackson All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Track \|date=October 23, 2018 \|publisher=Cassell \|isbn=978-1788400572 \|~~pages~~=471 \|ref=All The Songs}}</ref>		* ] – guitar<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Lecocq \|first1=Richard \|last2=Allard \|first2=François \|title=Michael Jackson All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Track \|date=October 23, 2018 \|publisher=Cassell \|isbn=978-1788400572 \|page=471 \|ref=All The Songs}}</ref>
	* ] - guitar		* ] – guitar

	==~~Notes~~==		==References==
	{{~~reflist\|2~~}}		{{Reflist}}

			;Bibliography
	==References==
			{{refbegin}}
	*{{cite book\|last=Campbell\|first=Lisa\|title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pops Darkest Hour\|publisher=Branden\|year=1995\|isbn=0-8283-2003-9}}		*{{cite book\|last=Campbell\|first=Lisa\|title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pops Darkest Hour\|publisher=Branden\|year=1995\|isbn=0-8283-2003-9}}
	*] (2004). '']'' booklet. ].		*] (2004). '']'' booklet. ].
	*{{cite book\|last=Jones\|first=Jel\|title=Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!\|year=2005\|publisher=Amber Books Publishing\|isbn=0-9749779-0-X}}		*{{cite book\|last=Jones\|first=Jel\|title=Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!\|year=2005\|publisher=Amber Books Publishing\|isbn=0-9749779-0-X}}
	*{{cite book\|last=Taraborrelli\|first=J. Randy\|author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli\|title=The Magic and the Madness\|year=2004\|publisher=Headline\|location=Terra Alta, West Virginia\|isbn=0-330-42005-4}}		*{{cite book\|last=Taraborrelli\|first=J. Randy\|author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli\|title=The Magic and the Madness\|year=2004\|publisher=Headline\|location=Terra Alta, West Virginia\|isbn=0-330-42005-4}}
			{{refend}}

			{{HIStory (album)}}
	{{Michael Jackson songs}}		{{Michael Jackson songs}}
	{{Slash (musician)}}		{{Slash (musician)}}
⚫	{{~~good~~ article}}

	{{authority control}}		{{authority control}}

	{{DEFAULTSORT:D.S. (Song)}}
	]		]
	]		]

Latest revision as of 04:57, 25 December 2024

1995 song by Michael Jackson featuring Slash

"D.S."
Song by Michael Jackson featuring Slash
from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
Released	June 20, 1995 (1995-06-20)
Recorded	1994
Genre	Hard rock
Length	4:49
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Michael Jackson
Producer(s)	Michael Jackson

Licensed audio
"D.S." on YouTube
Audio sample
"D.S." file help

"D.S." is a song by Michael Jackson, released on his 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It is a rock song that conveys themes such as bitterness, mistrust and corruption within law enforcement. It was written, composed and produced by Jackson and includes an instrumental accompaniment and guitar solo by Slash.

The song is a diss track; the lyrics are interpreted as an attack on Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon, whose name is similar to the subject of the song, Dom Sheldon. Sneddon controlled the investigation into Jackson following the 1993 accusations of child sexual abuse against him. Jackson was angered by the allegations, his perception of the frequent mistreatment of people of color by the police and media, and the negative effect on his health.

Background

In 1993, the relationship between Jackson and the press worsened when he was accused of child sexual abuse. Jackson was subject to intense media scrutiny while the criminal investigation took place. As part of the investigation, Jackson agreed to a strip search of his body at Neverland Ranch; the strip search was ordered by Thomas W. Sneddon Jr., the district attorney of Santa Barbara County, California, who led the investigation.

Jackson was not charged and the police closed their investigation citing lack of evidence. With his health improving, Jackson began work on his ninth album, HIStory, in 1994. "D.S.", like several other HIStory tracks, was Jackson's response to recent events in his personal life.

Composition

The song has a rock feel, with a guitar solo performed by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who had previously worked with Jackson on his Dangerous album. In his HIStory album review, Entertainment Weekly's David Browne defines "D.S." as a hard rock song. "D.S." contains an excerpt from the Yes single "Owner of a Lonely Heart".

"D.S." has similar themes to the rest of HIStory. The album's content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing/funk rock efforts "Scream" and "Tabloid Junkie", along with the R&B ballad "You Are Not Alone", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs much of his anger at the media. The lyrics describe the subject of the song as a man who wants him "dead or alive" and "really tried to take me down/By surprise". The track ends with the sound of a gunshot.

Originally titled "T.S.", the song is interpreted as a veiled attack on Sneddon. Fox News and CNN observed that, when sung, "Dom S. Sheldon" sounds close to "Thomas Sneddon". The BBC suggested that the lyric's reference to a "B.S.T.A." sounds similar to "S.B.D.A.", meaning "Santa Barbara District Attorney". The Guardian and The New York Times expressed the view that Jackson suggests "Sheldon" has links to the CIA and the Ku Klux Klan and he just "wants your vote". Sneddon's website states that Sneddon is "the only DA in the nation to have an angry song written about him by pop megastar Michael Jackson". Of the song, Sneddon said, "I have not—shall we say—done him the honor of listening to it, but I’ve been told that it ends with the sound of a gunshot".

Critical reception

Although the album HIStory was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and had additional related Grammy nominations, hardly any mainstream music reviewers provided a critical analysis of "D.S." in their reviews of the album. Analysis of the song usually only covered the connection to Tom Sneddon and the song's genre. However, Fred Shuster of the Daily News of Los Angeles described "D.S." as a "superb of organic funk that will fuel many of the summer's busiest dance floors".

Ghosts

Although there was no music video made for "D.S.", the song's subject was referenced in the short film Ghosts. Released in 1996 and premiering at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, it was written by Jackson and Stephen King and directed by Stan Winston. The story was loosely based 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 mayor (also played by Jackson wearing heavy prosthetic makeup to deliberately look very similar to Sneddon) and the residents because they believe him to be a "freak". It features many special effects and dance moves to original music, composed and choreographed by Jackson. The film includes several songs and music videos from the albums HIStory and Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix. The video for Ghosts is over thirty-eight minutes long and previously held the Guinness World Record for the world's longest music video.

Aftermath

The child sexual abuse allegations of 2003 resulted in a long trial two years later. Sneddon was the lead investigator again, as well as the trial prosecutor. The trial ended with Jackson being acquitted on all counts. The two investigations controlled by Sneddon drew complaints that he was motivated by a "vendetta" against Jackson; evidence to support these claims include Sneddon joking about Jackson's greatest hits album being released on the same day as his arrest and sarcastically saying, "Like the sheriff and I really are into that kind of music", calling Jackson "Wacko Jacko" and shouting "we got him, we finally got him" to the media when he had only just begun an investigation and had gathered limited evidence. "D.S." was sung outside the courtroom by a group of Jackson's fans every day the trial took place.

In January 2019, as a response to the controversial Leaving Neverland documentary, Jackson's fans created an unofficial, fan-made version titled "Wade Robson Is a Cold Man" (alternatively titled "W.R."); the lyrics are identical with the exception of "Dom Sheldon" being replaced by "Wade Robson".

Personnel

Produced and arranged by Michael Jackson
Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals
Brad Buxer – keyboards and synthesizers
Chuck Wild – synthesizers
Slash – guitar
Trevor Rabin – guitar

References

Campbell (1995), p. 16
Taraborrelli, p. 534–540
"1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse". BBC. February 8, 2003. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
Taraborrelli, p. 540–545
"Jackson's 'past' allowed in court". BBC. March 25, 2005. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
^ "Michael Jackson sings of D.A. on previous album". CNN. November 20, 2003. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
^ Jacko Song About D.A. May Haunt Him Archived 2009-09-07 at the Wayback Machine, FOXNews.com, 19 November 2003. accessed November 5, 2006.
^ "Tom Sneddon: Dogged prosecutor". BBC News. January 31, 2005. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
Pinkerton, Lee (1998). The Many Faces of Michael Jackson. Music Sales Distribution. p. 34. ISBN 0-7119-6783-0.
^ Jackson, Michael. HIStory booklet. Sony BMG. p 50
Browne, David (June 23, 1995). "Michael Jackson HIStory Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
^ Erlewine, Stephen. "Michael Jackson HIStory Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
^ Hunter, James (August 10, 1995). "Michael Jackson HIStory". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
^ "In Profile:Thomas W. (Tom) Sneddon, Jr". National District Attorneys Association. February 2003. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
"Michael Jackson handwritten lyrics to "T.S."". juliensauctions.com. Julien's Auctions. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
^ Pareles, Jon (June 25, 1995). "POP VIEW; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
Campbell, Duncan (November 22, 2003). "'Mad Dog' believes he finally has his quarry on the run". The Guardian. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
Farley, Christopher (June 19, 1995). "History and Hubris". Time. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
Shuster, Fred (June 18, 1995). "Jackson attempts to rewrite 'history'". Daily News of Los Angeles. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
"Reuters Archive Licensing". Reuters Archive Licensing. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
Taraborrelli, p. 610–611
Lewis, p. 125–126
Guinness World Records 2004
George, p. 48–50
^ "Who Is Tom Sneddon?". CBS. December 18, 2003. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
Moss, Corey (November 20, 2003). "Why Is The DA In The Michael Jackson Case Smiling?". MTV. Archived from the original on November 22, 2003. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
Glasister, Dan (June 13, 2005). "Driving force who was 'motivated by grudge'". The Guardian. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
"Michael Jackson - Wade Robson Is A Cold Man (Audio HQ)". YouTube. March 8, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
Lecocq, Richard; Allard, François (October 23, 2018). Michael Jackson All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Cassell. p. 471. ISBN 978-1788400572.

Bibliography

Campbell, Lisa (1995). Michael Jackson: The King of Pops Darkest Hour. Branden. ISBN 0-8283-2003-9.
George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
Jones, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!. Amber Books Publishing. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, West Virginia: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.

v t e Michael Jackson: HIStory
Side one	"Scream" "They Don't Care About Us" "Stranger in Moscow" "This Time Around"
Side two	"Earth Song" "D.S." "Money" "Come Together"
Side three	"You Are Not Alone" "Childhood" "Tabloid Junkie" "2 Bad"
Side four	"HIStory" "Little Susie" "Smile"
Related songs	"Blood on the Dance Floor" "Morphine" "Superfly Sister" "Ghosts" "Is It Scary"
Related articles	HIStory World Tour Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix Michael Jackson's Ghosts Video Greatest Hits – HIStory HIStory on Film, Volume II MJ & Friends Michael Jackson albums discography

v t e Michael Jackson songs
Singles Songs Unreleased songs
1970s	"Got to Be There" "Ain'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" "Music and Me" "We're Almost There" "Just a Little Bit of You" "You Can't Win" "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" "Rock with You" "Working Day and Night" "It's the Falling in Love"
1980s	"Off the Wall" "Girlfriend" "She's Out of My Life" "One Day in Your Life" "The Girl Is Mine" "Billie Jean" "Beat It" "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" "Human Nature" "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" "Thriller" "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" "Lonely Teardrops" "That's What Love Is Made Of" "Farewell My Summer Love" "Girl You're So Together" "I Just Can'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" "Heal the World" "Who Is It" "Give In to Me" "Will You Be There" "Gone Too Soon" "Dangerous" "Come Together" "Scream" "Childhood" "They Don'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" "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" "Fall Again" "This Is It"
2010s	"Hold My Hand" "Hollywood Tonight" "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" "Behind the Mask" "Don't Be Messin' 'Round" "I'm So Blue" "Price of Fame" "Love Never Felt So Good" "Chicago" "Loving You" "A Place with No Name" "Slave to the Rhythm" "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" "Blue Gangsta"
2020s	"She's Trouble"
Other	"We Are the World" "What More Can I Give" "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" "Blood on the Dance Floor x Dangerous" "Diamonds Are Invincible"
Featured	"A Brand New Day" "Ease on Down the Road" "Who's Right, Who's Wrong" "Night Time Lover" "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" "State of Independence" "Muscles" "Say Say Say" "Somebody's Watching Me" "Don'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" "We Be Ballin'" "Girls, Girls, Girls" "All in Your Name" "There Must Be More to Life Than This" "Low" "Don't Matter to Me"
Category

v t e Slash
Myles Kennedy Todd Kerns Brent Fitz Frank Sidoris Chris Chaney Josh Freese
Studio albums	Slash Apocalyptic Love World on Fire Living the Dream 4 Orgy of the Damned
Live albums	Live in Manchester Made in Stoke 24/7/11 Live at the Roxy 9.25.14
Singles	"Sahara" "By the Sword" "Back from Cali" "Beautiful Dangerous" "You're a Lie" "World on Fire" "Bent to Fly"
Featured singles	"Always on the Run" "Give In to Me" "Fix" "Nada Puede Cambiarme" "What I Want" "Rockstar 101"
Tours	World on Fire World Tour
Bands	Guns N' Roses Slash's Snakepit Slash's Blues Ball Velvet Revolver Kings of Chaos
Related articles	Members Discography Slash (autobiography) Super Bowl XLV halftime show

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