I have heard a dramatically different story about the origin of this song by Steve Porcaro. I think someone is lying or embellishing this story. This really the genius of Steve Porcaro. Yes you may have contributed a few words but you can't claim to have written this song. You my be a co-writer at best. This really isn't about you, so stop telling this incorrect version of how things went down. Try watching Steve Porcaro's version of how the song materialised and then try again...
You can find Steve’s version of how the song was created multiple times on RU-vid but this is the only one I can find with John‘s version and I tend to believe Steve’s version of how things happened and he does say in his version that John was brought in to redo the verse lyrics which is what he did so yes they are listed as co-writers on the song but when he said I wrote human nature when asked instead of saying I was the co-writer -I didn’t think that was appropriate. Plus his version of the story makes it sound like Toto was away or on tour but Steve says they were working on the Toto IV album in the studio when the song was created
It’s pretty disingenuous to say you wrote a song that was already written but needed verses. I recommend watching the Steve Porcaro interview on writing this song which is generous to John Bettis’ contribution unlike this ego trio that refers to Human Nature as if it is primarily a Bettis composition, music and lyrics. This level of ego without accuracy is just embarrassing.
Bettis has some of this wrong (it's been decades; he's forgiven). Steve Porcaro wrote the music and the melody. The demo is on RU-vid and you can hear that's the case. There are words to the song (not just "why, why" as Bettis says). The original words were written for Porcaro's daughter who was being bullied at the time and this was his way of offering encouragement. The original lyric is: Looking out, across the blacktop She hopes to be the first in line Teacher shouts "hey, boys, you stop that" I hope he knows she's mine If they say why, why Tell her that it's Human Nature Why, why Do they do it that way...etc. Bettis completely re-wrote the lyric to be more commercial and that's what we have now.
Is it me or he took almost all the credits for the song. Steve had written the lyrics for the song that they later got changed in the one sang by Michael. But in all the Toto interviews the version about the song's story is quite different
He changed the original verses but Steve Porcaro wrote the music and the chorus and the old verses. Steve and John are credited as songwriters…not sure why he just doesn’t say he co wrote it
Sorry but this Bart is absolutely irritating… Let the creator tell it from his perspective and experience on what happened - why need to mention Wiki when you have the person who wrote the lyrics right there… The song needed the lyrics to be able to be in the album and Quincy gave the job to John and obviously they were all satisfied with the output… A song is music and lyrics… And Steve himself admitted he’s not much of a lyrics writer in one of his interviews… Let’s give credit to John for writing beautiful lyrics…
I believe Mr Bettis is taking a little to much credit on the writing of Human Nature He should be eternally grateful to Steve Porcaro who wrote all the music the bridge and most of the lyrics he got rich off this recording.
Richard Rogers was a composer, Oscar Hammerstein was a lyricist. Elton John and Bernie Taupin....need I go on? Steve P’s inspiration was his little girl. But he’ll be the first to say Bettis nailed it.
The main structure of the song (the melody, chorus, and music) was indeed written by Steve Porcaro. Here are some interviews of Steve talking about the experience. And, Steve mentions that John Bettis wrote the main verses for the song. It was a great collaboration. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O8DBBEol9JU.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QsbkeFMN2M8.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ITQPxZKm9dY.html
To be fair it was a masterstroke that Q brought in John Bettis to finish it up, and that brings the full polish to the song and all credit to John Bettis for that. The song was otherwise fully formed by Toto's Steve Porcaro as its original creator save for the verse lyrics, and maybe this balance doesn't come through in this particular video. Songwriting is such a collaborative process and it's hard for fans to appreciate the level of contribution when there are multiple people involved and credited. Others have linked to a multitude of videos of how Human Nature came into being, but this is probably one of the very few great moments to hear from a legend like John Bettis himself on his involvement in this particular and unforgettable tune.
Thank you John, for helping to write this with Steve Porcaro for my childhood crush, Michael Jackson! It is my favorite song of his from "Thriller." And thanks to Quincy Jones as well!
Thank you to Porcaro for writing this beautiful melody and some lyrics Thank you to John Bettis for polishing the song with thought provoking lyrics that add to the beauty of this track Thank you Quincy for having the musical ear to know a hit when you hear it and know who the best of the best are to collaborate with! And last but certainly not least, thank you Michael for making your own adjustments to the bridge and for having the best voice in music history to sing your ass off with on this gorgeous and timeless track!
