In 1982, Michael Jackson was working on his sixth solo album when he teamed up with his then-friend Paul McCartney to record "The Girl is Mine." According to the book Michael Jackson: The Solo Years by authors Craig Halstead and Chris Cadman, Jackson said that the studio session was one of his most enjoyable "because working with Paul McCartney was pretty exciting and we just literally had fun." But this wasn't the first time the musical duo had combined their enormous talents. During the previous year, the two had collaborated to record "Say, Say, Say" and "The Man" for McCartney's album "Pipes of Peace," which would be released in 1983.
(Photograph by Linda McCartney. From the Epic LP/Cassette "Thriller" EPC 85930)
The tune topped charts for weeks, both here and abroad (and the album which it's on, "Thriller," would later become one of the best-selling of all time). In my opinion, "The Girl is Mine" has that laid back Sunday afternoon kind of feel. Steady. Easy-going. The moderate finger-snapping beat is pleasantly interlaced with Michael and Paul's gentle dialogue of faux contention and playful bantering. Also, the lyrics of this song are so simple that you'll find yourself singing along in no time. It's just a great classic. And I'm pretty sure that by now we're all familiar with its plot: Guy meets girl, second guy meets same girl, guy fights guy, girl likes neither, girl leaves for San José. Well, I made up those last two, but you get the gist. Basically, it's the King of Pop and the ex-Beatle boy acting as if this one female were the last chick on earth. Now that's good stuff.
If you feel like walking down memory lane, go to YouTube and listen to "The Girl is Mine" now.
i love that song
ReplyDeleteGoing to go listen now!
ReplyDeleteI like that song. Do you think Brandy and Monica did a remake (of sorts) with their song "The Boy is Mine"?
ReplyDelete@ShanimalsCrackers - Probably. Although Monica and Brandy's song is more like two chicks seriously hatin' on each other. You get the feeling that any minute now, an all-out cat fight is gonna break out. Not good. And nothing like the carefree vibes that pervade Paul and Mike's tune. I'll take the earlier version, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteChallenge: someone mash up "The Girl is Mine" and "The Boy is Mine." I'd like to hear that.
ReplyDelete