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Both Quincy Jones and Bruce Swedien have pointed to ‘Liberian Girl’ as an example of Jackson’s unique and vivid artistic imagination. “All of his stuff is so different,” Quincy Jones explained. “I mean, ‘Liberian Girl’, who would think of a thing like that? Its amazing! The imagery and everything else. Its an amazing fantasy.” Bruce Swedien has called it “one of my absolute favorites of all the music i have done with Michael.”

The song begins with an intimate Swahili intro (spoken by Letta Mbulu), “Naku penda piya, naku taka piya-mpenziwe (which translates to: “I love you too, I want you too-my love”), followed by deep, exotic drums and lush instrumentation. The Los Angeles Times described the track as the album’s best ballad, conjuring a “dusky tropical atmosphere, jazz shadings and less mawkish lyrics”. Jackson’s vocals are exquisite, beautifully conveying the song’s passion and yearning.” The lead, and the big, block background harmonies… are absolutely stellar,” notes Bruce Swedien. The result is an intoxicating and unusual love song that forced a primarily white audience to consider the beauty and vitality of an African woman. 

The final single released from the album, ‘Liberian Girl’ is one of Bad’s hidden gems, often overlooked on an album packed with well known hits. The song is yet another dream capsule in which Jackson transports the listener to a vivid paradise of possibility.