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Michael Jackson will always be a part of our culture, our music and ourselves. His contribution to the music world is undeniable.

For today’s guitar riff, we’ll take a look at one of his heavy guitar licks played on the intro and all over the song. This one is called “Black or White“.

Released in 1992, this song is obviously an attempt to stump out racism. About the music video? – It shows MJ in the full length video dancing and destroying all things racist, including a swastika used by the Nazis. Michael Jackson also performed some rather explicit crotch grabs in the video.

How to Play Black or White

This is a very catchy song with amazing guitar parts. Slash of Guns N’ Roses was mistakenly thought of as the one who played the riff, but he confirmed that he does not have any part in this song.

Check out the tablature of the song on the right courtesy of Songsterr.com

The song is actually pretty easy to play on the guitar. It has a distorted sound and does not have any flashy finger works. It is just a 3-note, 3-string guitar riff that is very easy to learn.

Black Or White - Michael Jackson

#intro : Esus4 E Esus2 E

E
I took my baby on a Saturday bang

Boy is that girl with you, yes we’re one and the same
A
Now I believe in miracles
E
And a miracle has happened tonight
B
But, if you’re thinkin’ about my baby
A E
It don’t matter if you’re black or white

#intro : Esus4 E Esus2 E

E
They print my message in the Saturday sun

I had to tell them I ain’t second to none
A
And I told about equality
E
And it’s true either you’re wrong or you’re right
B
But, if you’re thinkin’ about my baby
A E
It don’t matter if you’re black or white

#intro : Esus4 E Esus2 E

E5
I am tired of this devil
E5
I am tired of this stuff
E5
I am tired of this business
E5
Sew when the going gets rough
E5 G5
I ain’t scared of your brother
E5 A5
I ain’t scared of no sheets
E5 A5
I ain’t scare of nobody
E5
Girl when the goin’ gets mean

Protection for gangs, clubs and nations
Causing grief in human relations
Its a turf war on a global scale
I’d rather hear both sides of the tale
See, its not about races, just places, faces
Where your blood comes from, is where your space is
I’ve seen the bright get duller
I’m not going to spend my life being a color

A
Don’t tell me you agree with me
E
When I saw you kicking dirt in my eye
B
But, if you’re thinkin’ about my baby
A E
It don’t matter if you’re black or white
B
I said if you’re thinkin’ of being my baby
A E
It don’t matter if you’re black or white
B
I said if you’re thinkin’ of being my brother
A E
It don’t matter if you’re black or white

#intro : Esus4 E Esus2 E

Its black, its white
Its tough for you to get by
Its black , its white, whoo
Its black, its white
Its tough for you to get by
Its black , its white, whoo