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Billie Jean

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Billie Jean"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
B-side
ReleasedJanuary 2, 1983
Recorded1982
StudioWestlake (Los Angeles, California)[1]
Genre
Length
  • 4:54 (album/single version)
  • 6:20 (12-inch version)
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Michael Jackson
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"The Girl Is Mine"
(1982)
"Billie Jean"
(1983)
"Beat It"
(1983)
Music video
"Billie Jean" on YouTube

"Billie Jean" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson. It is a song on his 1982 album, Thriller. The song was released as a single on January 2, 1983. "Billie Jean" was one of many hits by the singer. It was number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] The song blends post-disco, R&B, funk, and dance-pop. The lyrics describe a woman, Billie Jean, who claims that the narrator is the father of her newborn son, which he denies. Jackson said the lyrics were based on groupies' claims about his older brothers when he toured with them as the Jackson 5.

At the 1984 Grammy Awards, Jackson was given awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Male Vocal Performance for the song.[3] In 2008, Kanye West remixed the song for Thriller 25. This was a new version of Thriller made for its 25th anniversary.[4]

It is well-known for it's notable music video, directed by Steve Barron, was the first video by a black artist to be aired in heavy rotation on MTV. Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean" on the TV special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever was nominated for an Emmy Award. It introduced a number of Jackson's signatures, including the moonwalk, rhinestone glove, black sequined jacket, and high-water pants, and was widely imitated.

The song was performed live in all of Jackson's world concert tours.

References

[change | change source]
  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. Trust, Gary (March 6, 2018). "Rewinding the Charts: In 1983, Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' Moonwalked to No. 1 on the Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  3. "People: Mar. 12, 1984". Time. March 12, 1984. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010.
  4. Ewing, Tom (February 15, 2008). "Michael Jackson – Thriller: 25th Anniversary Edition". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 21, 2009.