1983 Michael Jackson – Beat It (US: #1 UK: #3)
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Beat It“ is a song written and performed by American singer Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones (with co-production by Jackson). It is the third single from the singer’s sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). Eddie Van Halen played the song’s distinctive overdriven guitar solo. While Van Halen was prevented by his record label from appearing in the music video, he did appear on stage with Jackson in Dallas during the Jackson brothers “Victory Tour.” Following the successful chart performances of the Thriller singles “The Girl Is Mine” and “Billie Jean”, “Beat It” was released on February 3, 1983 as the album’s third single. The song was promoted with a short film that featured Jackson bringing two gangs together through the power of music and dance.
“Beat It” received the 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. The single, along with its music video, propelled Thriller into becoming the best-selling album of all time. The single was certified platinum in the United States in 1989. Rolling Stone placed “Beat It” on the 344th spot of its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. The song was also ranked number 81 on Rolling Stone ’s “100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time”.
Album
Thriller is the sixth studio album by the American recording artist Michael Jackson. It 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 pop, R&B, rock, post-disco, funk, and adult […]
Musicians
| Bass | Steve Lukather |
| Drums | Jeffrey Porcaro |
| Guitar | Steve Lukather |
| Guitar (solo) | Eddie van Halen |
| Keyboards | Bill Wolfer |
| Piano | Greg Phillinganes |
| Synthesizer | Greg Phillinganes |
| Synthesizer | Tom Bahler |
| Synthesizer | Greg Smith |
| Synthesizer | Steve Porcaro |
| Percussion | Michael Jackson |
| Vocals | Michael Jackson |
Produced By
Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson
Songwriters
Michael Jackson
Charts
US:#1
UK:#3
December 6, 2015 @ 12:03
Yeahhhhhhh! Luke on bass. Dirty rythm guitar, lead riff guitar….. Awesomeness itself. And then some ?
December 6, 2015 @ 14:21
Paul Jackson Jr on rhythm guitar!
December 6, 2015 @ 17:40
Sorry its all me man. There were 2 versions. I tire of arguing about this. Jeff and I had to RE make this record after EVH and Donn land cut the 24 track tapes and I am the sole guitar player ( aside fro Eddies solo) and also Bass player on this. Paul Jackson does not sound like this? I LOVE Paul.. a giant musicians and friend but think even HE think s he played on it. I created the secondary riff w/ Mickael ON the date with Quincy and the riff was MJ’s but I played 3 different ways. There WAS a pre recorded version that never made the final cut. Paul was on that. Quincy’s credits can be someone confusing. Many times you see 2-3 Bass players or drummers on one track. It is because of alternate versions I believe. NO offense to Paul. Love the guy.. but come on. Paul aint known for his rock sounds..
December 6, 2015 @ 19:45
Steve, I have been working with Jan in making the list of all the charting singles you worked on (about a hundred entries). It includes all participating musicians per song. We could send this list to you so you can check on it before we publish everything. It would be a pleasure and an honour.
December 6, 2015 @ 20:42
Hé hé!
December 6, 2015 @ 18:12
Thank you Steve. It explains a lot about the credits. I removed Paul from the song on the website.
December 6, 2015 @ 21:48
Right that explains a lot ! I was just going by my cd sleeve credits !
December 6, 2015 @ 21:52
I wasn’t aware that this was discussed before, maybe in other groups. If this is popping up every time I can imagine that this is tiring. That is why I removed some posts.
December 6, 2015 @ 21:53
Sorry Jan I was going by the credits! Thanks to you and luke for the clarification! Cheers!
December 6, 2015 @ 21:56
With do much happening at these sessions it must be a nightmare trying to remember who played what!
December 6, 2015 @ 21:57
So much!