Beat It

"Beat It" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his sixth studio album, Thriller (1982). It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Jones encouraged Jackson to include a rock song on the album, though Jackson had never previously shown an interest in the genre. Jackson later said: "I wanted to write a song, the type of song that I would buy if I were to buy a rock song... That is how I approached it and I wanted the children to really enjoy it—the school children as well as the college students."[5] It includes a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen.

For other uses, see Beat It (disambiguation).

"Beat It"
Side-A label of US 7-inch vinyl single
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
B-side
ReleasedFebruary 14, 1983
Recorded1982
StudioWestlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California)[1]
Genre
Length4:18
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Michael Jackson
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Billie Jean"
(1983)		 "Beat It"
(1983)		 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
(1983)
Music video
"Beat It" on YouTube
Audio sample
  • file
  • help

Following the successful Thriller singles "The Girl Is Mine" and "Billie Jean", "Beat It" was released on February 14, 1983 as the album's third single. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for three weeks.[6] It also charted at number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.[7] Billboard ranked the song No. 5 for 1983.[8] It is certified 5x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). With over 7 million copies sold worldwide, it is one of the best-selling singles of all time. "Beat It" was a number one hit in Europe, reaching number one in Spain and the Netherlands.[7]

The "Beat It" music video, which features Jackson bringing two gangsters together through the power of music and dance, helped establish Jackson as an international pop icon.[9] The single, along with its music video, helped make Thriller the best-selling album of all time. "Beat It" has been cited as one of the most successful, recognized, awarded and celebrated songs in the history of popular music; both the song and video had a large impact on pop culture.[10]

"Beat It" received the 1984 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, as well as two American Music Awards. It was inducted into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone ranked "Beat It" number 344 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and the 81st greatest guitar song.[11] It was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.[12]

Production and composition

"Beat It" was composed by Michael Jackson for his Thriller album. Producer Quincy Jones had wanted to include a rock and roll song in the vein of the Knack's "My Sharona", though Jackson reportedly had never previously shown an interest in the genre.[10][13] Jackson later said of "Beat It", "I wanted to write a song, the type of song that I would buy if I were to buy a rock song... That is how I approached it and I wanted the children to really enjoy it—the school children as well as the college students."[5] Jackson first worked on a demo version of the song with musicians at his home studio. The drum part was programmed on a drum machine, and the bass line was a combination of electric bass guitar and Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer Synergy keyboard. This hybrid bass style was retained for the main recording session.[14]

The song is played in the key of E ♭ minor at a moderately fast tempo of 138 beats per minute.[15][16][17] In the song, Jackson's vocal range is B♭3 to A♭5.[15]

Upon hearing the first recorded vocals, Jones stated that it was exactly what he was looking for.[10] The song begins with seven distinct synthesizer notes played on the Synclavier digital synthesizer, with Tom Bahler credited for the Synclavier performance on the song. The intro is taken note for note from a demo LP released the year before, called "The Incredible Sounds of Synclavier II" first published in 1981 by Denny Jaeger Creative Services, Inc and sold by New England Digital, makers of the Synclavier.[18] The drums were played by Toto co-founder Jeff Porcaro.[19]

Jermaine Jackson has suggested the inspiration of "Beat It" and its video came from the Jackson family experiencing gang activity in Gary, Indiana. "From our front window, we witnessed, about three bad rumbles between rival gangs."[20] The lyrics of "Beat It" have been described as a "sad commentary on human nature".[21] The line "don't be a macho man" is said to express Jackson's dislike of violence, whilst also referring to the childhood abuse he faced at the hands of his father Joseph.[22]

Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo

Eddie Van Halen, lead guitarist of hard rock band Van Halen, was asked to add a guitar solo.[13][23] When initially contacted by Jones, Van Halen thought he was receiving a prank call.[24] Having established that the call was genuine, Van Halen used a Hartley–Thompson amplifier borrowed from guitarist Allan Holdsworth[25] and recorded his guitar solo free of charge. "I did it as a favor", the musician later said. "I was a complete fool, according to the rest of the band, our manager and everyone else. I was not used. I knew what I was doing—I don't do something unless I want to do it."[6] Van Halen recorded his contribution following Jones and Jackson arriving at the guitarist's house with a "skeleton version" of the song. Fellow guitarist Steve Lukather recalled, "Initially, we rocked it out as Eddie had played a good solo—but Quincy thought it was too tough. So I had to reduce the distorted guitar sound and that is what was released."[6] Two versions of the solo were recorded.[24] Van Halen reported in 2015 that he also rearranged the song and asked Jones to edit the chords so his solo could be in the key of E.[26]

Right before Van Halen's guitar solo begins, a noise is heard that sounds like somebody knocking at a door. It is reported that the knock was a person walking into Eddie's recording studio. Another story has claimed that the sound was simply the musician knocking on his own guitar.[27] The sound, however, is that of Jackson knocking on a drum case, as he is credited in the album's liner notes.

The engineers were shocked during the recording of Van Halen's solo to discover that the sound of his guitar had caused the monitor speaker in the control room to catch fire, causing one to exclaim, "This must be really good!"[28]

Release and reception
"The uncredited guitarist who whipped out the fluttering, squealing solo on this ode to macho cowardice was Eddie Van Halen. The aerodynamic metal flight pumped crossover fuel that would boost the success of Thriller—a gimmick Jackson would flog later with spots from Slash and Carlos Santana. Without the Van Halen precedent, there might have been no collaboration of Run-DMC and Aerosmith on the 1986 rap/rock version of 'Walk This Way'."

—Greg Burk, South Coast Today.[29]

"Beat It" was released in early 1983, following the successful chart performances of "The Girl Is Mine" and "Billie Jean". Frank DiLeo, the vice president of Epic Records, convinced Jackson to release "Beat It" while "Billie Jean" was heading towards number one. Dileo, who later became Jackson's manager, correctly predicted that both singles would remain in the Top 10 at the same time.[6] "Billie Jean" remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks, before being toppled by "Come On Eileen", which stayed at No. 1 for a single week, before Jackson reclaimed the position with "Beat It".[6][30]

"Billie Jean" and "Beat It" occupied Top 5 positions at the same time, a feat matched by very few artists. The single remained at the top of the Hot 100 for a total of three weeks.[6] The song also charted at No. 1 on the US R&B singles chart and No. 14 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart in the US.[7] Billboard ranked it at the No. 5 song for 1983.[8] "Beat It" also claimed the top spot in Spain and The Netherlands, reached No. 3 in the UK and the Top 20 in Austria, Norway, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.[7]

In a Rolling Stone review, Christopher Connelly describes "Beat It" as the best song on Thriller, adding that it "ain't no disco AOR track". He notes of the "nifty dance song", "Jackson's voice soars all over the melody, Eddie Van Halen checks in with a blistering guitar solo, you could build a convention center on the backbeat".[31] AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine states that the song is both "tough" and "scared".[32] Robert Christgau claimed that the song has Eddie Van Halen "wielding his might in the service of antimacho".[33] Slant Magazine observed that the song was an "uncharacteristic dalliance with the rock idiom".[34] The track also won praise from Jackson biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, who stated that the song was "rambunctious".[13]

"Beat It" has been recognized with several awards. At the 1984 Grammy Awards, the song earned Jackson two of a record-eight awards: Record of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The track won the Billboard Music Award for favorite dance/disco 12" LP in 1983.[7][35] The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a few months after its release, for shipments of at least one million units. In 1989, the standard format single was re-certified platinum by the RIAA, based on the revised sales level of one million units for platinum singles.[36] The total number of digital sales in the US, as of August 2018, stands at 4,000,000.[37]

Music video
Jackson during a dance step in the music video for "Beat It".

The music video for "Beat It" helped establish Jackson as an international pop icon.[9][38] The video was Jackson's first treatment of black youth and the streets. Both "Beat It" and "Thriller" are notable for their "mass choreography" of synchronized dancers, a Jackson trademark.[39]

The video, which cost Jackson $150,000 to create after CBS refused to finance it,[35][40] was filmed on Los Angeles' Skid Row—mainly on locations on East 5th Street[41]—around March 9, 1983. To add authenticity to the production but also to foster peace between them, Jackson had the idea to cast members of rival Los Angeles street gangs Crips and Bloods.[42] In addition to around 80 genuine gang members,[40] the video, which is noted for opening up many job opportunities for dancers in the US,[43] also featured 18 professional dancers and four breakdancers.[44] Besides Jackson, Michael Peters, and Vincent Paterson, the cast included Michael DeLorenzo, Stoney Jackson, Tracii Guns, Tony Fields, Peter Tram, Rick Stone, and Cheryl Song.[38][45][46] The bar location shown in the latter part of the first minute of the video was also featured 13 years earlier in the gatefold and on the back cover of the Doors 1970 album, Morrison Hotel.[47] Coincidentally, the name of that skid row bar, the Hard Rock Café, was also the inspiration for the London original of the famous chain of restaurants begun in 1971.[48]

The video was written and directed by Bob Giraldi, produced by Ralph Cohen, Antony Payne and Mary M. Ensign through production company GASP. The second video released for the Thriller album, it was choreographed by Michael Peters who also performed, alongside Vincent Paterson, as one of the two lead dancers. Despite some sources claiming otherwise, Jackson was involved in creating some parts of the choreography.[42] Jackson asked Giraldi, at the time already an established commercial director but who had never directed a music video,[49] to come up with a concept for the "Beat It" video because he really liked a commercial Giraldi had directed for WLS-TV in Chicago about a married couple of two elderly blind people who instead of running from a run-down neighborhood all the other white people had fled from, chose to stay and throw a block party for all the young children in the area. Contrary to popular belief, the concept of the video was not based on the Broadway musical West Side Story; in reality Giraldi drew inspiration from his growing up in Paterson, New Jersey.[42]

The video had its world premiere on MTV during prime time on March 31, 1983;[50][51] neither "Beat It" nor "Billie Jean" were, as is often claimed,[51][52] the first music video by an African-American artist to be played on MTV.[53] Soon after its premiere the video was also running on other video programs including BET's Video Soul, SuperStation WTBS's Night Tracks, and NBC's Friday Night Videos. In fact, "Beat It" was the first video shown on the latter's first ever telecast on July 29, 1983.[54]

The video opens with the news of a fight circulating at a diner. This scene repeats itself at a pool hall, where gang members arrive via foot, forklift, and out of sewers, while the video's titular song begins to play. The camera cuts to Jackson lying on a bed as he contemplates the senseless violence. Jackson notices rival gangs and leaves. Michael Jackson dons a red leather J. Parks brand jacket, and dances his way towards the fight through the diner and pool hall. A knife fight is taking place between the two gang leaders in a warehouse. They dance battle for an interlude of music until Jackson arrives; he breaks up the fight and launches into a dance routine. The video ends with the gang members joining him in the dance, agreeing that violence is not the solution to their problems.[38]

The video received recognition through numerous awards. The American Music Awards named the short film their Favorite Pop/Rock Video and their Favorite Soul Video. The Black Gold Awards honored Jackson with the Best Video Performance award. The Billboard Video Awards recognized the video with 7 awards; Best Overall Video Clip, Best Performance by a Male Artist, Best Use of Video to Enhance a Song, Best Use of Video to Enhance an Artist's Image, Best Choreography, Best Overall Video and Best Dance/Disco 12". The short film was ranked by Rolling Stone as the No. 1 video, in both their critic's and reader's poll. The video was later inducted into the Music Video Producer's Hall of Fame.[35]

The music video of the song appears on the video albums: Video Greatest Hits – HIStory, HIStory on Film, Volume II, Number Ones, on the bonus DVD of Thriller 25 and Michael Jackson's Vision.

Live performances

Jackson performed "Beat It" live with his brothers during The Jacksons' Victory Tour. On July 14, 1984, the brothers were joined on stage by Eddie Van Halen, who played the guitar in his solo spot.[35] The song became one of Jackson's signature songs; he performed it on all of his world tours: Bad, Dangerous and HIStory.[55] The October 1, 1992 Dangerous Tour performance, including "Beat It", was included in the Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection box set. The DVD was later repackaged as Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour.[55] Jackson also performed the song on the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special, a concert celebrating the musician's thirtieth year as a solo performer. The performance featured Slash as the song's guest guitarist.[56]

A highlight of Jackson's solo concert tour performances of the song is that he would begin the song on a cherry picker (which he would also later use with "Earth Song" during the HIStory World Tour) after performing Thriller. Another live version of the song is available on the DVD Live at Wembley July 16, 1988. The song would have also been performed as part of the This Is It concerts which were canceled due to Jackson's death.

Legacy

Jackson's "Beat It" has been cited as one of the most successful, recognized, awarded and celebrated songs in the history of pop music; both the song and video had a large impact on pop culture.[10] The song is said to be a "pioneer" in black rock music, and is considered one of the cornerstones of the Thriller album.[10] Eddie Van Halen has been praised for adding "the greatest guitar solo", helping "Beat It" become one of the best-selling singles of all time.[10]

Shortly after its release, "Beat It" was included in the National Highway Safety Commission's anti-drunk driving campaign, "Drinking and Driving Can Kill a Friendship".[57] The song was also included on the accompanying album. Jackson collected an award from President Ronald Reagan at the White House, in recognition for his support of the campaign.[35] Reagan stated that Jackson was "proof of what a person can accomplish through a lifestyle free of alcohol or drug abuse. People young and old respect that. And if Americans follow his example, then we can face up to the problem of drinking and driving, and we can, in Michael's words, 'Beat It'."[58]

Frequently listed in greatest song polling lists, "Beat It" was ranked as the world's fourth favorite song in a 2005 poll conducted by Sony Ericsson.[56] Over 700,000 people in 60 different countries cast their votes.[56] Voters from the UK placed "Billie Jean" at No. 1, ahead of "Thriller", with a further five of the top ten being solo recordings by Jackson.[56] In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed "Beat It" in the 337th spot on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[59] The song was featured in the films Back to the Future Part II, Zoolander and Undercover Brother.[56] When re-released, as part of the Visionary campaign in 2006, "Beat It" charted at No. 15 in the UK.[56]

A remix of "2 Bad", is featured on Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix containing a sample of "Beat It" as well as a rap by John Forté and guitar solo by Wyclef Jean.[60]

Format and track listing
7" vinyl single – US (Epic 34-03759)[61]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beat It"Michael Jackson4:18
2."Get on the Floor"Jackson, Louis Johnson4:44
12" vinyl single – UK (Epic TA 3258)[62]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beat It"Jackson4:11
2."Burn This Disco Out"Rod Temperton3:38
3."The Jacksons – Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" (live version)Greg Phillinganes, Jackson4:22
Visionary single 2006[62]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beat It"Jackson4:18
2."Beat It" (Moby's Sub Remix)Jackson6:11
Visionary single DVD[62]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Beat It" (video)Jackson4:18

Credits and personnel

Adapted from the Thriller liner notes.[63]

Performers

Production

  • Michael Jackson – writing, composition, co-production, rhythm and vocal arrangement
  • Quincy Jones – production, rhythm arrangement

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[106] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[107] Platinum 100,000^
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[108] Platinum 90,000
France (SNEP)[109] Platinum 1,234,600[110]
Italy (FIMI)[111] Gold 25,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[112] Platinum 250,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)[113] Gold 30,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[114] Gold 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[115] Gold 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[116] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[117] 4× Platinum (digital) 4,000,000
United States (RIAA)[117] Gold (MT) 500,000^
United States (RIAA)[117] Platinum (physical) 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"Beat It 2008"
"Beat It 2008"
Song by Michael Jackson featuring Fergie
from the album Thriller 25
ReleasedFebruary 8, 2008
RecordedNovember 2007
Length4:12
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Michael Jackson
Producer(s)

For Thriller 25, The Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am remixed "Beat It".[118] The song, titled "Beat It 2008", featured additional vocals by fellow Black Eyed Peas member Fergie.[119][120] Upon its release in 2008, the song reached No. 26 in Switzerland, the Top 50 in Sweden and No. 65 in Austria.[121] This was the second remixed version of "Beat It" to get an official release, following Moby's Sub Mix which was released on the "Jam" and "Who Is It" singles in 1992,[122] as well as the "They Don't Care About Us" single in 1996 (and re-released as part of the Visionary campaign.[123])

Reception

"Beat It 2008" received generally unfavorable reviews from music critics. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone claimed that the song was a "contender for the year's most pointless musical moment".[124] AllMusic criticized Fergie for "parroting the lyrics of "Beat It" back to a recorded Jackson".[125] Blender's Kelefa Sanneh also noted that the Black Eyed Peas singer traded lines with Jackson. "Why?", she queried.[126] Todd Gilchrist was thankful that the remix retained Eddie Van Halen's "incendiary guitar solo", but added that the song "holds the dubious honor of making Jackson seem masculine for once, and only in the context of Fergie's tough-by-way-of-Kids Incorporated interpretation of the tune".[127] Tom Ewing of Pitchfork observed that Fergie's "nervous reverence is a waste of time".[128]

Charts
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[121] 65
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Singles)[80] 66
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[129] 43
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[130] 26
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[131] 14
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[129] 8

Remix credits
  • Written and composed by Michael Jackson
  • Remix drums: will.i.am
  • Remix keyboards and synths: will.i.am
  • Remix engineered by will.i.am and Kerin
  • Remix produced and mixed by Michael Jackson and will.i.am
  • Remix recorded in November 2007

Fall Out Boy version
"Beat It"
Single by Fall Out Boy featuring John Mayer
from the album Live in Phoenix
ReleasedMarch 25, 2008[132]
Recorded2008
Length3:48
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)Michael Jackson
Producer(s)Patrick Stump
Fall Out Boy singles chronology
"I'm Like a Lawyer (Me & You)"
(2007)		 "Beat It"
(2008)		 "'I Don't Care"
(2008)
John Mayer singles chronology
"Say"
(2007)		 "Beat It"
(2008)		 "Free Fallin'"
(2008)
Music video
"Beat It (MTV Version) ft. John Mayer " on YouTube

American rock band Fall Out Boy covered "Beat It". The studio version was digitally released on March 25, 2008 by Island Records as the only single from the band's first live album, Live in Phoenix (2008). The song features a guitar solo by John Mayer, which was performed by Eddie Van Halen in the original song. In the United States, the song peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 21 on the defunct-Billboard Pop 100 chart, also charting internationally. The band has since regularly incorporated it in their set list at their shows.

Background, recording and release

In early 2008 it was announced that Fall Out Boy were to cover "Beat It" for their Live in Phoenix album.[133] The band had previously performed the song at venues such as Coors Amphitheatre and festivals such as the Carling Weekend in Leeds.[134][135] Bassist Pete Wentz, who has claimed to have an obsession with Jackson, stated that prior to recording the song, he would only watch Moonwalker.[136] It was also announced that John Mayer was to add the guitar solo previously played by Eddie Van Halen.[137]

The band's lead singer/guitarist Patrick Stump stated that the band had not planned to cover the song. "Basically, I just started playing the riff in sound-check one day, and then we all started playing it, and then we started playing it live, and then we figured we'd record it and put it out with our live DVD."[138] Bassist Pete Wentz added that the band had not originally intended for the song to be released as a single either.[138] "'Beat It' seemed like a song that would be cool and that we could do our own take on," he said.[136] Having spent time deciding on a guitarist for the song, Wentz eventually called John Mayer to add the guitar solo. "We were trying to think about who is a contemporary guitar guy who's going to go down as a legend," Wentz later noted.[138]

Upon its digital release as a single in April 2008, Fall Out Boy's cover of "Beat It" became a mainstay on iTunes' Top 10 chart.[139] The song peaked at No. 8 in Canada, becoming another top 10 hit in the region. It also charted at No. 13 in Australia, No. 14 in New Zealand, No. 75 in Austria and No. 98 in the Netherlands.[140]

Music video

The music video for Fall Out Boy's "Beat It" was directed by Shane Drake and was made in homage to Jackson. "I think when you're doing a Michael Jackson cover, there's this expectation that you're going to do one of his videos verbatim," Stump said. "What we decided to do was kind of inspired by Michael Jackson and the mythology of him. There are specific images that are reference points for us, but at any given point, it's not any of his videos. It's kind of all of his videos, all at once, but on a Fall Out Boy budget, so it's not quite as fancy."[141] The costumes for the video were similar to the originals. "My costume is this take on one of the guys from Michael Jackson's original 'Beat It' video, like, the guy who plays the rival dancer," Wentz said during the filming of the video.[141] The music video featured numerous cameos, including a karate class/dance session being taught by Tony Hale, Donald Faison and Joel David Moore dressed up like Michael Jackson.[141] The short film later received a MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Rock Video.[142]

Weekly charts
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[143] 13
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[144] 75
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[145] 12
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[146] 8
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[147] 50
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Singles)[148] 4
Ireland (IRMA)[149] 21
Germany (Official German Charts)[150] 69
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[151] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[140] 98
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[152] 14
UK Singles (OCC)[153] 21
US Billboard Hot 100[154] 19
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[148] 4
Venezuela Pop Rock (Record Report)[155] 9

Year-end charts
Chart (2008) Position
Australia (ARIA)[156] 94

"Eat It" parody

In 1984, parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic released his parody song "Eat It".[157] Yankovic recorded the song with Jackson's permission.[158] The song's music video mocked the "Beat It" short film scene-for-scene, with Yankovic mimicking Jackson's dance moves in a clumsy fashion.[159] Jackson received royalties as Jackson was listed as co-writer of "Eat It".[160]

See also

References
  1. Roberts, Randall (August 29, 2012). "Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature': An NYC classic on his birthday". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. Halstead & Cadman 2003, p. 40.
  3. Cromelin, Richard (December 12, 1982). "Jackson goes over 'The Wall'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  4. Gill, Andy (June 27, 2009). "'Thriller' was the masterpiece that set tone for pop's next generation". The Independent. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  5. Johnson, Robert E. (May 1984). "Michael Jackson, the World's Greatest Entertainer". Ebony. Vol. 39 no. 7. p. 165. ISSN 0012-9011.
  6. Cadman & Halstead 2007, pp. 27–28.
  7. George 2004, p. 39.
  8. "Top 100 Hits for 1983". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  9. Campbell 1993, p. 60.
  10. Thriller 2008, p. 41.
  11. "100 Greatest Guitars Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008.
  12. "Experience The Music: One Hit Wonders and The Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  13. Taraborrelli 2004, pp. 224–225.
  14. Staff (July 1984). "Inside Tracks: The keyboards on Thriller". Keyboard. Vol. 10 no. 7. p. 10.
  15. "Beat It". Michaeljackson.com. November 18, 2003. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013.
  16. "BPM for 'Beat It' (Michael Jackson)". GetSongBPM. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  17. "Michael Jackson". BPM Database. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  18. ""The Incredible Sounds of Synclavier II," and other hits". Fauxmat. May 14, 2010. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  19. Ruhlmann, William. "Jeff Porcaro – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  20. Jackson, Jermaine (2011). You Are Not Alone: Michael: Through a Brother's Eyes. Simon & Schuster. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-4516-5158-4.
  21. Dean 2003, p. 463.
  22. Whiteley 2005, p. 35.
  23. Shields, Gerard (April 22, 1983). "Motown going strong into the '80s". Daily Collegian. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012.
  24. Quan, Denise (November 30, 2012). "Eddie Van Halen deconstructs his collaboration on 'Beat It'". CNN. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  25. "Tribute to Eddie Van Halen's Favorite Guitarist, Allan Holdsworth". Van Halen News Desk. April 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017.
  26. Klosterman, Chuck (June 19, 2015). "Billboard Cover: Eddie Van Halen on Surviving Addiction, Why He's Still Making Music and What He Really Thinks of David Lee Roth (and Other Past Van Halen Bandmates)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  27. Day, Patrick Kevin; Martens, Todd (February 12, 2008). "25 'Thriller' facts". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  28. "The Many Lives of Q". BBC. December 10, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  29. Powers, Ann (February 15, 2008). "Nine reasons why Jackson masterpiece remains a 'Thriller'". South Coast Today. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  30. Baldwin, Kristen (April 30, 1999). ""V" for television victory". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008.
  31. Connelly, Christopher (January 28, 1983). "Michael Jackson – Thriller". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009.
  32. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Michael Jackson – Thriller". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
  33. Christgau, Robert. "Michael Jackson: Thriller". Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  34. Henderson, Eric (October 17, 2003). "Michael Jackson – Thriller". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  35. Cadman & Halstead 2007, p. 29.
  36. "Gold & Platinum – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  37. "Michael Jackson's Catalogue Garners Major New Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. August 23, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  38. Austen 2005, p. 264.
  39. Weitner, Sean. "Michael Jackson: A Life in Film". Flak Magazine. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012.
  40. Reed, J.D. (July 18, 1983). "Music: New Rock on a Red-Hot Roll". Time. Vol. 122 no. 3. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012.
  41. Blake, Lindsay (March 26, 2010). "The (Probable) Warehouse from Michael Jackson's "Beat It" Video". Iamnotastalker.com. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  42. Ritchie, Kevin (July 7, 2009). "Q&A: Bob Giraldi on directing "Beat It"". Boards. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012.
  43. Farley, Ellen (September 2, 1983). "Cable service triggers boom in marketing for music videos". St. Petersburg Times. pp. 1D and 5D, here 5D. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  44. Halstead & Cadman 2003, p. 41.
  45. Crawford, Allyson B. (June 26, 2009). "Tracii Guns Danced with Jackson, Recalls Concert Memory". Noisecreep. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  46. "Tony Fields". The Solid Gold Dance Connection. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  47. Cherry, Jim (February 6, 2018). "The Doors Michael Jackson Connection". Medium. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  48. "Followup: Was the name "Hard Rock Cafe" inspired by the Doors?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  49. Foti, Laura (March 26, 1983). "Music Monitor". Billboard. Vol. 95 no. 13. p. 30. ISSN 0006-2510.
  50. Willman, Chris (July 28, 1991). "Cover Story : Traveling Along The Mtv Time Line ..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  51. "MTV's Highlight History". The Washington Post. August 1, 2006. p. C01. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  52. Reesman, Bryan (September 2, 2006). "Rewinding 25 Years of MTV". Billboard. Vol. 118 no. 35. pp. 36–54, here 38. ISSN 0006-2510.
  53. Denisoff 1988, p. 106.
  54. Denisoff 1988, p. 142.
  55. Cadman & Halstead 2007, pp. 29–30.
  56. Cadman & Halstead 2007, p. 30.
  57. Allard, François; Lecocq, Richard (2018). "Thriller, A Global Idol". Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Octopus Books. ISBN 9781788401234.
  58. "Remarks at a White House Ceremony Marking Progress Made in the Campaign Against Drunk Driving". Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. May 14, 1984. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  59. "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (1–500)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 20, 2006.
  60. Jackson, Michael. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (booklet). Sony BMG. p. 8.
  61. Popoff, Martin (2009). Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records (7th ed.). Krause. p. 354. ISBN 978-0-89689-958-2.
  62. "Lescharts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  63. Jackson, Michael. Thriller (booklet). Sony BMG.
  64. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  65. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Jackson – Beat It" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  66. "Ultratop.be – Michael Jackson – Beat It" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  67. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6269." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  68. "UK, Eurochart, Billboard & Cashbox No.1 Hits". MusicSeek.info. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006.
  69. Jacksons 2003, p. 19.
  70. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Jackson – Beat It". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  71. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Beat It". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  72. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Michael Jackson – Beat It" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  73. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Jackson – Beat It" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  74. "Charts.nz – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  75. "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It". VG-lista. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  76. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (J)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  77. "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  78. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  79. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  80. "Thriller – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  81. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MAY 7, 1983". Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012.
  82. "Italiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Top Digital Download. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  83. "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  84. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  85. "Danishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Tracklisten. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  86. "Australian-charts.com – Michael Jackson – Beat It". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  87. Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100
  88. "Michael Jackson: Beat It" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  89. "Download Single Top 50 France – 11/07/2009" (in French). Lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  90. "Billboard Türkiye Top 20". Billboard Türkiye (in Turkish). July 6, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  91. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  92. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  93. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  94. "Jaaroverzichten 1983" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  95. "The Top Singles of 1983". RPM. Vol. 39 no. 17. December 24, 1983. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  96. "TOP – 1983". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  97. "Jahrescharts – 1983". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015.
  98. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1983" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  99. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1983" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  100. "End of Year Charts 1983". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  101. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983". Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012.
  102. "Årslista Singlar – År 2009". Hitlistan.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on March 29, 2012.
  103. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2009". Hitparade.ch. (in German). Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  104. "ChartsPlusYE2009" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  105. "Hot 100 Turns 60". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  106. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020.
  107. "Canadian single certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Music Canada.
  108. "Danish single certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat It". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  109. "Les Singles / Titres Certifiés "Platine"". InfoDisc (in French). Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  110. "Les Meilleures Ventes "Tout Temps" de 45 T. / Singles / Téléchargement". InfoDisc (in French). Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  111. "Italian single certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat it" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved May 7, 2018. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Beat it" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
  112. "Japanese single digital certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat It" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 30, 2020. Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
  113. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type Michael Jackson in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Beat It in the box under TÍTULO
  114. "Dutch single certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat It" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved April 8, 2019. Enter Beat It in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  115. "New Zealand single certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Recorded Music NZ.
  116. "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat It". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Beat It in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  117. "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – Beat It". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  118. "Fergie joins Michael Jackson's Thriller". MTV. December 21, 2009.
  119. "Still a Thriller". The Times. February 2, 2008. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009.
  120. "Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 is Rocking the Planet!" (Press release). PR Newswire. February 6, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  121. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Jackson with Fergie – Beat It 2008" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  122. Jam (CD cover). Sony Music. 1992.
  123. Beat It (DVD cover). Sony Music. 2006.
  124. Sheffield, Rob (February 21, 2008). "Michael Jackson – Thriller 25 Deluxe Edition". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008.
  125. Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "The Funk of 25 Years: Thriller Hits The Quarter Century Mark". AllMusic. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  126. Sanneh, Kelefa (February 12, 2008). "Thriller – 25th Anniversary Edition". Blender. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009.
  127. Gilchrist, Todd (February 7, 2008). "Michael Jackson – Thriller 25th Anniversary Ed". IGN. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  128. Ewing, Tom (February 15, 2008). "Michael Jackson – Thriller: 25th Anniversary Edition". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  129. "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Jackson with Fergie – Beat It 2008". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  130. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson with Fergie – Beat It 2008". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  131. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Jackson with Fergie – Beat It 2008" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  132. "Beat It (feat. John Mayer) – Single – Fall Out Boy". iTunes. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  133. Kreps, Daniel (March 3, 2008). "News Ticker: Robert Plant, Digital Hip-Hop, Gnarls Barkley, Fall Out Boy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 6, 2008.
  134. Wenzel, John (December 5, 2007). "Review: Kids are all right with Fall Out Boy". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  135. "Fall Out Boy load Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival set with covers". NME. August 24, 2007. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  136. "The Police, Fall Out Boy, Kelly Clarkson and More: 15 Can't-Miss Summer Tours". Rolling Stone. June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on June 3, 2007.
  137. "Fall Out Boy to release first full-length live CD/DVD". NME. March 4, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  138. Montgomery, James (April 24, 2008). "Fall Out Boy Released 'Beat It' By Accident, But Still Dream Of World Tour With Michael Jackson". MTV. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  139. Montgomery, James (April 10, 2008). "Fall Out Boy To Enter Studio Soon, But Michael Jackson Cover Could Delay Them A Bit". MTV. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  140. "Dutchcharts.nl – Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer – Beat It" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  141. Montgomery, James (April 18, 2008). "Fall Out Boy Say Their 'Beat It' Clip Is Like All Of Michael Jackson's Videos 'But On A Fall Out Boy Budget'". MTV. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  142. Harris, Chris (August 15, 2008). "Britney Spears, Jonas Brothers Battle It Out For VMA Video Of The Year". MTV. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
  143. "Australian-charts.com – Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer – Beat It". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  144. "Austriancharts.at – Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer – Beat It" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  145. "Ultratop.be – Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer – Beat It" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  146. "Fall Out Boy Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  147. "Fall Out Boy Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  148. "Fall Out Boy – Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  149. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Fall Out Boy". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  150. "Offiziellecharts.de – Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer – Beat It". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  151. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  152. "Charts.nz – Fall Out Boy feat. John Mayer – Beat It". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  153. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  154. "Fall Out Boy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  155. "Record Report – Pop Rock" (in Spanish). Record Report. April 26, 2008. Archived from the original on April 28, 2008.
  156. "2008 ARIA Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  157. Cadman & Halstead 2007, p. 100.
  158. "Weird Al Yankovic Dishes On James Blunt, Discusses His Role As the Whitest, Nerdiest Rock Star Ever". Rolling Stone. September 19, 2006. Archived from the original on October 21, 2006.
  159. Ankeny, Jason. "Weird Al Yankovic – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  160. Yankovic, Weird Al (July 9, 2009). "Michael Jackson Remembered: 'Weird Al' Yankovic on Imitation as Flattery". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 26, 2019.

Bibliography

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.