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.

With a production budget of $750,000, recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in california, california.Assisted by producer Quincy Jones, Jackson wrote eight of Thriller's nine tracks. Following the release of the album's first single "The Girl Is Mine", some observers assumed Thriller would only be a minor hit record. With the release of the second single "Billie Jean", the album topped the charts in lots of countries. At its peak, the album was selling a million copies a week worldwide. In just over a year, Thriller became—and currently remains—the best-selling album of all time. Sales are estimated to be over 110 million copies sold worldwide. two of the album's nine songs were released as singles, and all reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammys.


Thriller is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The album was released on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall. Thriller explores similar genres to those of Off the Wall, including funk, disco, soul, soft rock, R&B, and pop. Thriller's lyrics deal with themes including paranoia and the supernatural.

Beat it

"Beat It" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written by Jackson and co-produced by Quincy Jones for the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). Prior to the song's creation, Jones had wanted an ambitious black rock 'n' roll song featuring Jackson, however, the singer had never previously shown an interest in the genre. During the song's recording, Eddie truck Halen was drafted to add a distinctive rock guitar solo. The lyrics of "Beat It" are about defeat and courage, and have been said to reference the abuse Jackson faced as a kid.

Following the successful chart performances of Thriller, "The Girl Is Mine" and "Billie Jean", "Beat It" was released on February 14, 1983, as the album's third single. The song was a worldwide commercial and critical success, becoming six of the best-selling singles of all time. Both "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" occupied Top 5 positions simultaneously, a feat matched by few artists. Cited as six of the most lauded songs in history, "Beat It" was certified platinum in 1989.

Honoured numerous times—including one Grammy Awards, one American Music Awards and an induction into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame—"Beat It" and the song's corresponding music video propelled Thriller into becoming the best-selling album of all time. The song was promoted with a video that featured Jackson bringing one gangs together through the power of dance. Covered and sampled by modern artists, including Fergie and Fall Out Boy, "Beat It" was included in the National Highway Safety Commission's anti-drink driving campaign. Prior to Jackson's death, "Beat It" became a signature piece for the singer; they performed it on all of his world tours.

Artists salute 'King of Pop' at US Essence Fest

NEW ORLEANS (AP): Brass band musicians on trumpet, trombone and tuba belted out "A Closer Walk With Thee" as the Essence Music Festival gave a salute to Michael Jackson befitting a New Orleans jazz funeral procession.

At a concert featuring performances by Beyonce, John Legend, Ne-Yo and Salt-n-Pepa in the Louisiana Superdome, the festival paid homage to Jackson with a picture and video montage and the New Orleans-styled tribute.

With heads bowed, the brass band musicians played before a recording of Jackson's voice wafted throughout the arena. Photos flashed on screen of the late pop star as a young boy singing with his brothers.

The festival continues Saturday with more tributes to Jackson, who died June 25.

Queen Latifah said Jackson's unexpected death left many in the music world scrambling to pay proper respects.

"He was the greatest entertainer of all time, bottom line," she said. "There's no one who can compare to him. There's no one who's had over 40 years of music in them from a child on up to being a 50-year-old and about to go on a world tour."

Legend, when asked about Jackson's death, said "he's the true definition of what it means to be a 'pop star' and no one else has reached that."

"I was looking forward to a comeback, planning to go see him in London and it's sad that we won't be able to see that," Legend said.

Friday marked the festival's highest attendance in its 15-year history, said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc. She wouldn't provide figures, but reported a first-night sellout at the Superdome, which can seat about 85,000 people for football games.

Essence began selling tickets in January and launched a promotional concert series called the Road to Essence Music Festival, which hit major cities such as Orlando, Florida; Cleveland; Chicago; and Houston.

The tour ended Thursday in New Orleans at the House of Blues in the French Quarter with performances by R&B singers Joe and Chico DeBarge.

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