It was released by Epic Records in the United Kingdom on July 13, 1992,[2] as the fourth single from Jackson's eighth studio album, Dangerous (1991).

Jackson wrote and composed the track, in the key of D minor, and produced it with Bill Bottrell.

Chris Lacy from Albumism described the song as a "haunting masterpiece" that "finds Jackson teeming with rage and regret when his lover leaves him unexpectedly.

"[7] Larry Flick from Billboard called it a "stellar jam", adding that "minor-key synths and rigid rhythms underscore a white-knuckled vocal and a hook reminiscent of 'Billie Jean'.

"[8] Chris Willman of the Los Angeles Times claimed that it "recaptures some of the slinky, insinuating feel of 'Billie Jean'.

"[12] "Who Is It" was commercially successful worldwide, generally peaking within the top 30 positions on national music charts.

[23] In Sweden, the track entered the country's music chart at its peak position, number 24 and, after four weeks, fell out of the top 50.

[1] It begins with Jackson in what seems to be a hotel, singing about his girlfriend portrayed by English model Yasmin Le Bon.

The video alternates scenes from where Jackson is singing about his pain, to where the girl is being changed into her different identities and taking care of her jobs (mostly meeting with other men and even some women, and sleeping with them).

Her employer (portrayed by actress Lois Chiles) slaps her in the face and the video ends as the girl is seen being prepared for a new identity.

This version did not initially air in the USA but was included on the video albums: Dangerous: The Short Films and Michael Jackson's Vision.