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“Billie Jean” one the longest songs at the number spot holding at the number one spot for seven weeks. During this time it was the toughest for black artists to get played on the radio. Michael’s record label had to fight just so “Billie Jean” could be put into the rotation. “Thriller” was the album “Billie Jean” was under an album that took months to get to the number one spot, “Billie Jean” being the second number-one single on the album.
This song was nothing good in fact it was about a disturbed woman writing Michael claiming her son was his, and that she was going to kill herself and the child if they were not together. Some may say that Michael used this song as a way to push away all that he had achieved, being so stressed out of the lady really having his child. “Billie Jean” did not only hit the top charts but it became a dance-pop culture this song created a big dance that is still used to this day. Jackson came up with this dance just sitting at home while programming his drum machine. Michael would purposely in his song mutter so that he could keep along with the melody, which was also a key for the dance to go as smoothly as it did.
Although Michael and his song “Billie Jean” were at the top of the charts there was man Quincy Jones who felt as if Michael had stolen the song from Donna Summer noting these two artists had worked together on multiple occasions. Quincy feels the song was not a big hit until it was recorded by the big pop star at the time Donna Summer to whom was produced by Jones. Jones would say “I hate to get into this publicly, but Michael stole a lot of stuff.
He stole a lot of songs. [Summer’s] ‘State of Independence’ and ‘Billie Jean.’ The notes don’t lie, man. He was as Machiavellian as they come.”. These words could have ended Michaels considering he was at the top of the charts for more than just one song. Later as the years came Jones would come to realization apologizing for the words that he had said referring to it as a word vomit.
The Song “Billie Jean” changed the world noting that Michael Jackson at this time was at the top of his game just boosted the song itself. Leaving “Billie Jean” to be one of the most revolutionary songs in pop history. Not only did the lyrics make this song a top seller but most importantly a video wherein this time a single track had to be released with a great video. This song did not only get the attention of young people but it grabbed the minds of everyone and every culture.
The song “Billie Jean” was set up perfectly to be one of the best records ever made. Based on the year it was released, the story behind the song, and the video behind it including a pop changing dance.
Written By: Jordan Fenderson
Sources:
Stereogum: The Number Ones: Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”
cheatsheet: Michael Jackson: Quincy Jones Says He Stole ‘Billie Jean’
mercury news: Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” a true story?
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Indi Samarajiva Flickr Page – Creative Commons