BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” is a song by American recording artist 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. The song was written, composed and co-produced by Jackson, and was produced by Quincy Jones.
The song’s lyrics pertain to strangers spreading rumors to start an argument for no good reason. Musically, “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'” has been covered and sampled by multiple recording artists since its release. Aside from Thriller, the song appears on multiple compilation and greatest hits albums by Jackson.
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” was generally well received by contemporary music critics. The song was also commercially successful, charting within the top 20 and top 30 in several countries. It became Jackson’s fifth consecutive top 10 single in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five, and later re-entered charts in 2008 after the release of Thriller 25. Following Jackson’s death in June 2009, the song re-entered music charts worldwide, mainly due to digital download sales. Unlike previous singles from Thriller, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” did not have a music video to accompany it, but was performed by Jackson on world concert tours, as both a member of The Jacksons and as a solo artist.
SIDE A:
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Long Version) 6:32
SIDE B:
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Instrumental Version) 6:32
Beat It 4:18
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
OBI: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #5 |
| 1983 | Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #5 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 12・3P-491
Series: Michael Jackson Jumbo Single Series 2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Japan
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Funk, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Co-producer – Michael Jackson
Producer – Quincy Jones
Written-By – M. Jackson*
NOTES:
OBI states:
Side A: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Unpublished Long version)
Side B: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Karaoke Version)
Beat It (Special Mix)
A side: Special Version from the LP “Thriller”
B side: From the LP “Thriller”
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Hi Paul Can You Please Fix The Link the links is not available
Thank you very much for this one Paul.
Thank you for sharing this. It amazes me that all the MJ 12 inches haven’t been re-released on CD yet with all the versions included. (Vocal, Instrumental and/or Dubs)
Thank you for sharing this treasure. Awesome track/mix and your ripping skills of course!
Thank you for this, DJPaul!
Great to have the instrumental in Paulity. Thanks!
This ‘Special Mix’ of Beat It as mentioned on the OBI, would you know if this is really a new mix?
Great thanks ! Somewhere in the back of my mind always has been some ideas to mess with the rhythm-track. Now you got me to try them out.
Update : it did not work out well, yet. The original shall not be messed with in public? Oh if only more people would think like me, haha…kidding – the journey continues.
I like both songs and versions. Thank you for the RIP and Share, Paul.
Awesome, the 12″ version of “Beat It” is awesome, thank you!
Thanks a lot
Amazing once again. I love this track so much! Extended instrumental version is great!!! <3
I do not think U had ever heard that 12inch version before your upload, Paul. I always though that it was just the album version. What a surprise for me. And a nice one, too 🙂
Thank you very much.
S´n´D
You’re welcome Song_and_Dance 🙂
And indeed, thanks for the instrumental which is still vinyl only – I only had a bad rip so yours is a wonderful addition!
You’re welcome 🙂
Up to this day still a sensational track that perfectly echoed the Afro origin that we owe to so many styles in ‘black’ music, whether it is soul, blues or disco and dance today. Apart from that, MJ was a Fred Astaire and Elvis in one, the biggest entertainer or artist of our time. As we all know, he was also tragically caught between his genius and the limbo of never having grown up, due to his lack of a decent childhood in the first place. But the music remains and there is no question about that is doesn’t get… Read more »
Well said Martijn van Heeringen 🙂
I loved this MJ era and particularly with Quincy Jones at the controls. This was probably my favourite single from the early 80’s.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
Wonderful, thanks for this prescious song.
Brilliant, thank you for this one.
You’re welcome Cam 🙂
I always loved this song. When i hear it I feel like dancing. It´s great to get the exclusive Instrumental Version. Thank you Paul for your continuous hard and great work.
You’re welcome Daniel 🙂