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Data as of Jun 16, 2026
Michael Jackson – HIStory - Past, Present And Future - Book I
1995 · US · Epic · CD Album Compilation Remastered Stereo
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Matrix / runout
- EK59003EK59004DIDP-084534 5 🝊 🝊🝊 🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊DIDP-084535 5 🝊 🝊🝊 🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊DIDP-084534 6 🝊 🝊🝊 🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊DIDP-084535 3 🝊 🝊🝊 🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊🝊
- Barcode
- 0 7464-59000-2 5
- Mastering SID Code
- IFPI L326(CD1, Variant 1)
- Mould SID Code
- IFPI 5037(CD1, Variant 1)
- Mastering SID Code
- IFPI L325(CD2, Variant 1)
- Mould SID Code
- IFPI 503A(CD2, Variant 1)
- Mastering SID Code
- IFPI L323(CD1, Variant 2)
- Mould SID Code
- IFPI 5001(CD1, Variant 2)
- Mastering SID Code
- IFPI L325(CD2, Variant 2)
- Mould SID Code
- IFPI 5007(CD2, Variant 2)
- Mastering SID Code
- IFPI L323(CD1, Variant 3)
- Mould SID Code
- IFPI 5001(CD1, Variant 3)
- Mastering SID Code
- IFPI L325(CD2, Variant 3)
- Mould SID Code
- IFPI 503A(CD2, Variant 3)
- Manufactured By
- Epic
- Glass Mastered At
- DADC
- Recorded At
- The Hit Factory
- Recorded At
- Sony Music Studios, New York City
- Recorded At
- Record One, Los Angeles
- Recorded At
- Ocean Way Recording
- Recorded At
- Larrabee Sound Studios
- Recorded At
- Westlake Studios
- Recorded At
- Soundcastle
- Recorded At
- Todd-AO Scoring Stage
Specifications
- Artist
- Michael Jackson
- Genre
- Electronic, Hip Hop, Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop
- Style
- Contemporary R&B, Funk, Soul, Disco, Pop Rock, New Jack Swing, Conscious, Ballad
- Year
- 1995
- Label
- Epic
- Catalog number
- E2K 59000
- Country
- US
- Barcode
- 0 7464-59000-2 5
Tracklist
- HIStory Begins
- 1-1Billie Jean4:54
- 1-2The Way You Make Me Feel4:57
- 1-3Black Or White4:15
- 1-4Rock With You3:40
- 1-5She's Out Of My Life3:38
- 1-6Bad4:07
- 1-7I Just Can't Stop Loving You4:12
- 1-8Man In The Mirror5:19
- 1-9Thriller5:57
- 1-10Beat It4:18
- 1-11The Girl Is Mine3:41
- 1-12Remember The Time3:59
- 1-13Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough6:05
- 1-14Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'6:04
- 1-15Heal The World6:24
- HIStory Continues
- 2-1Scream4:38
- 2-2They Don't Care About Us4:44
- 2-3Stranger In Moscow5:44
- 2-4This Time Around4:20
- 2-5Earth Song6:46
- 2-6D.S.4:49
- 2-7Money4:41
- 2-8Come Together4:02
- 2-9You Are Not Alone5:45
- 2-10Childhood (Theme From "Free Willy 2")4:28
- 2-11Tabloid Junkie4:32
- 2-122 Bad4:49
- 2-13HIStory6:37
- 2-14Little Susie6:13
- 2-15Smile4:56
- Coordinator [Production]
- Rachel Smith
- Executive-Producer
- Michael Jackson
- Concertmaster
- Gerald Vinci
- Mastered By
- Bernie Grundman
- Recorded By, Mixed By
- Bruce Swedien
- Recorded By, Mixed By [Additional]
- Bill Bottrell
About this record
Catalogue E2K 59000 marks the original 1995 US pressing of this two-disc set, distinguished by the uncensored "They Don't Care About Us" and the original "HIStory" opening with Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition"—versions later altered for reissue. The sticker number 59000 S1 with its red border and the gold-colored discs confirm this first pressing, which ships in a fat jewel case with a 52-page color booklet and merchandise order form.
Community demand shows 147 collectors want this pressing against 456 who own it, a ratio that reflects its status as a foundational 1995 release rather than a scarce variant.
What drives its value
The original 1995 Epic pressing commands attention because it preserves content—the uncensored version and the Mussorgsky intro—that later reissues censored or replaced. The two-disc format delivers 150 minutes across 30 tracks, split between 15 remastered greatest hits and 15 new songs including the Janet Jackson duet "Scream" and the "Free Willy 2" theme "Childhood." With 456 copies in collector hands and 147 seeking one, supply outpaces active demand, keeping this pressing accessible.
The catalogue number E2K 59000 and matrix codes EK59003 and EK59004 (paired with DIDP-084534 and DIDP-084535 identifiers) anchor verification. The 52-page booklet and gold discs in a fat case remain hallmarks of the original; later reissues typically downgrade packaging or alter content, making the first pressing the reference for collectors prioritizing authenticity and completeness.
How to appraise this pressing
Verify this pressing by the catalogue number E2K 59000 printed on the back page of the 52-page color booklet and stamped on the sticker (59000 S1 with red border). The two gold-colored discs should bear the matrix runout codes EK59003 and EK59004 on the first and second discs respectively, with secondary identifiers DIDP-084534 and DIDP-084535 also present in the dead wax.
The fat jewel case and the sticker stating "150 MINUTES OF MUSIC !" with the 15 remastered and 15 new songs breakdown confirm the original configuration. Check that "They Don't Care About Us" plays uncensored and that "HIStory" begins with the Mussorgsky orchestral passage—both were removed or altered in subsequent reissues.
The merchandise order form and 52-page booklet are original-pressing markers; later editions often omit or reduce these inserts. The Epic pressing plant attribution and the gold disc color distinguish this from any remaster or reissue variant.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
This is the original release with the uncensored version of "They Don't Care About Us" and the original version of HIStory that starts with Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition."
The sticker has a red border with number 59000 S1. Comes in a fat jewel case. Front cover says: 2 COMPACT DISC SET, printed in red. Gold-colored discs. Includes a 52-page color booklet and an official HIStory merchandise order form. Catalog number 59000 printed on back page of booklet.
Sticker: 150 MINUTES OF MUSIC ! 15 REMASTERED GREATEST HITS PLUS 15 BRAND NEW SONGS INCLUDING SCREAM (DUET WITH JANET JACKSON) CHILDHOOD (THEME FROM "FREE WILLY 2") CONTAINS 52-PAGE HISTORY COLOR BOOKLET 59000 S1
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
How do I confirm I have the original 1995 pressing and not a later reissue?
Check the back page of the 52-page booklet for catalogue number E2K 59000 and examine the sticker for the red border and number 59000 S1. The two gold-colored discs should show matrix codes EK59003 and EK59004. Most critically, play "They Don't Care About Us"—the original 1995 pressing contains the uncensored version, and "HIStory" should open with Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition" rather than a spoken intro. Later reissues censored the first track and replaced the orchestral opening, making these audio markers the fastest verification.
What is the market position of this pressing among other HIStory editions?
The 1995 original US pressing on Epic (E2K 59000) is the first and definitive version, containing content—uncensored "They Don't Care About Us" and the Mussorgsky intro—that reissues altered or removed. With 456 copies in collector hands and 147 seeking one, it is well-distributed but actively wanted, reflecting its importance as the reference edition. Reissues and international pressings exist but lack the original's audio integrity and packaging (52-page booklet, merchandise form, fat case), making this pressing the standard for completists and purists.
What does the matrix code tell me about this disc?
The matrix runout EK59003 on the first disc and EK59004 on the second, paired with the DIDP-084534 and DIDP-084535 identifiers, are the manufacturing stamps of the original 1995 Epic pressing. These codes confirm the pressing plant and production batch; they do not appear on reissues or international variants. The presence of both codes in the dead wax (the unlabeled area near the center hole) is non-negotiable for authentication of this specific 1995 release.
Why does the packaging matter for this pressing?
The original 1995 pressing ships in a fat jewel case with a 52-page color booklet and an official HIStory merchandise order form—packaging that later reissues either eliminated or reduced. The sticker itself is a marker: it states "150 MINUTES OF MUSIC !" and breaks down the 15 remastered greatest hits and 15 brand new songs, plus the Janet Jackson duet "Scream" and "Childhood" theme. Reissues often came in standard jewel cases with thinner booklets and no merchandise insert, making the fat case and 52-page booklet quick visual confirms of originality.
How many tracks are on this pressing, and what makes the track selection unique?
The 1995 original contains 30 tracks across two discs: 15 remastered greatest hits and 15 brand new songs, totaling 150 minutes. The new material includes the Janet Jackson duet "Scream" and "Childhood," the theme from "Free Willy 2." This track split and the inclusion of both remastered catalog and new work distinguish the original from later compilations or single-disc editions, which typically omit or rearrange material.