Even decades after his rise to superstardom, Michael Jackson continues to surprise fans with glimpses into his creative process. One recently revisited demo from over 30 years ago reveals a lyric so unexpected that it initially inspires laughter—but a closer look shows it may carry a poignant, deeply personal meaning.

“Love is a Donut”: A Comedic Slip in a Classic Ballad

The demo in question comes from Give In To Me, a track that ultimately appeared on Jackson’s 1991 album Dangerous. In its final form, the song is a heartfelt rock ballad, with Jackson pleading for emotional intimacy: “Love is a woman / I don’t wanna hear it / Give in to me.”

But in the early demo, fans are greeted with a humorous twist: instead of “love is a woman,” Jackson sings “love is a donut.” At first, the lyric seems absurd—a pop icon equating love with a sugary pastry—but as with much of Jackson’s work, context adds layers of meaning.

The Sweet—and Bittersweet—Backstory

Jackson’s affection for donuts wasn’t merely whimsical. During a 2001 lecture at the University of Oxford, he reflected on his complicated relationship with his father, Joe Jackson. The elder Jackson, known for his strict and often harsh parenting style, rarely showed affection. He seldom played with young Michael or expressed love directly, leaving the star to navigate childhood largely on his own.

Yet there was one small gesture that Jackson interpreted as a sign of love: every few weeks, his father would leave a bag of glazed donuts on the kitchen counter for him. No note, no spoken sentiment—just donuts. To Michael, this act spoke volumes. In a life where verbal or physical affection was scarce, these pastries became a symbol of care and approval.

So when Jackson jokingly replaced “love is a woman” with “love is a donut” in the demo, it may have been more than a fleeting whimsy. It could have been a tender nod to his childhood, where love was sweet, tangible, and often silent—a subtle, autobiographical imprint hidden within a pop song.

From Comedy to Connection

What initially provokes laughter now resonates with empathy. A line that could have been dismissed as a quirky joke actually offers insight into Jackson’s psyche and upbringing, revealing how early experiences shaped his understanding of love and affection.

Michael Jackson’s creative genius often merged playfulness with profound emotion, and this demo is no exception. In one fleeting lyric, he managed to be funny, personal, and heart-rending all at once—a reminder that even the King of Pop had his own bittersweet ways of expressing what words alone could not convey.

This glimpse into Jackson’s songwriting process underscores a truth that resonates universally: love—and its memory—can come in unexpected forms, whether a person, a song, or, in Michael’s case, a simple glazed donut.