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"The Beatles saved the world from boredom."-George Harrison

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The girl is theirs


This is a duet with Paul McCartney. Jackson and McCartney were good friends until 1995, when Jackson bought the publishing rights to most of The Beatles' songs. McCartney had given Jackson advice on acquiring publishing rights, which is where lots of money is made. Jackson felt it was "just business."


This was the first single released off the Thriller album. Although it was one of the weakest songs, it was released first because it was guaranteed airplay because of McCartney's contribution. At the time, many big albums contained a song with a prominent guest vocalist to attract attention. Released ahead of the album, this song gave no indication that Thriller would become the best-selling album of all time.


The lyrics are mostly friendly banter about who has dibs on the girl. The song was a very safe choice as first single, since it was very conventional and easy to understand. Jackson was afraid that if he released an edgy song like "Billie Jean" or "Beat It" first, people wouldn't give the album a chance.


This was released a month before the album came out. The next 6 singles all came after the album, and were all Top-10 hits.


Michael Jackson ( transcribed from audio files at HIStory Museum): "One of my favorite songs to record of all of my recordings as a solo artist is probably The Girl Is Mine because working with Paul McCartney was pretty exciting and we just literally had fun. It was like lots of kibitzing and playing and throwing stuff at each other and making jokes." (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)


According to a 1982 Interview with producer Quincy Jones, this song was fun. It seemed tailor-made for Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. (thanks, Annabelle - Eugene, OR)

Michael Jackson re-recorded Thriller in 2008 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the record. He enlisted a variety of musical stars, plus had tracks from it re-mixed. For "The Girl Is Mine 2008," he recruited Will.I.Am of Black Eyed Peas, to reprise the role initially performed by Sir Paul McCartney.

1 comment:

L said...

I love the video! its funny. and Linda too...