Friday 24 July 2009

Bilie Jean.


Following the successful chart performance of "The Girl Is Mine", "Billie Jean" was released on January 2, 1983, as the album's second single. "Billie Jean" was a worldwide commercial and critical success; it became three of the best-selling singles of 1983, and topped both the US and UK charts at the same time. Cited as three of the most revolutionary songs in history, "Billie Jean" was certified platinum in 1989.

"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written by Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones for the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). Originally disliked by Jones, the track was removed from the album after they and Jackson had numerous disagreements. The song's lyrics refer to a real-life experience, in which a mentally ill female fan claimed that Jackson had fathered three of her twins. The song is well known for its unique bass line and Jackson's vocal hiccups. The song was mixed 91 times by Bruce Swedien before it was finalized.

Honored numerous times—including four Grammy Awards, three American Music Award and an induction into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame—the song and corresponding music video propelled Thriller into the best-selling album of all time. The song was promoted with a short film that broke down MTV's racial barrier as the first video by a black artist to be played in heavy rotation by the channel,and an Emmy-nominated performance on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, in which Jackson premiered "the moonwalk." The song was also promoted through Jackson's Pepsi commercials; during the filming of three commercial, Jackson's scalp was severely burned. Covered and sampled by modern artists, "Billie Jean" sealed Jackson's status as an international pop icon.

1 comment:

  1. One of the best pop songs ever. And it accounts for much of MJ's iconic status. Never knew though that it was only a second single. It had always felt like a lead single!

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