1983 Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (US:#5 UK:#8)
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” is a song by American singer Michael Jackson recorded for his sixth studio album Thriller (1982). It is the opening track of the album and was released as its fourth single on May 8, 1983, by Epic Records. It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. The lyrics pertain to strangers spreading rumors to start an argument for no good reason. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” evokes the disco sound of Jackson’s previous studio album, Off the Wall, released in 1979. The song is characterized by a complex rhythm arrangement and a distinctive horn arrangement.
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” became Jackson’s fourth consecutive top 10 single from Thriller on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five. The song also topped the charts in Canada as well as the Netherlands and charted within the top 20 and top 30 in several countries. It was generally well received by contemporary music critics. As part of the release of Thriller 25, a remix of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'”, entitled “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008 with Akon”, was recorded with Akon, and released as the second single from the album. The remix was commercially successful, mainly charting within the top 10 in six countries, as well as the top 20 in several territories worldwide and top 40 in Canada. It was more successful internationally than in the United States, having peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 81, which was the song’s lowest charting position.
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 […]
Muscians
| Bass | Louis Johnson |
| Guitar | David Williams |
| Piano | Greg Phillinganes |
| Synthesizer | Greg Phillinganes |
| Synthesizer | Bill Wolfer |
| Synthesizer | Michael Boddicker |
| Trombone | Bill Reichenbach |
| Trumpet | Gary Grant |
| Trumpet | Jerry Hey |
| Percussion | Paulinho Da Costa |
| Background Vocals | Becky Lopez |
| Background Vocals | Benny Hull |
| Background Vocals | James Ingram |
| Background Vocals | Julia Tillman Waters |
| Background Vocals | Maxine Willard Waters |
| Background Vocals | Michael Jackson |
| Background Vocals | Oren Waters |
| Vocals | Michael Jackson |
Produced By
Quincy Jones
Songwriters
Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson
Charts
US:# 5
UK:# 8