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Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

October 20, 2023

"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'"
One of US 7-inch vinyl release artworks
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
B-side"Rock with You" (live)
ReleasedMay 8, 1983 (1983-05-08)
Recorded1978 (original recording)
1982 (re-recorded)
StudioWestlake (Los Angeles, California)[1]
Genre
Length
  • 6:03 (album version)
  • 4:21 (single version)
  • 6:30 (12" version)
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Michael Jackson
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Beat It"
(1983) 		"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
(1983) 		"Human Nature"
(1983)
Audio video
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" on YouTube

"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.

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. Following Jackson's death in June 2009, the song re-entered music charts worldwide. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" has been covered and sampled by multiple recording artists since its release, notably by Rihanna in her 2007 song "Don't Stop the Music", who was sued as a result. Aside from Thriller, the song appears on multiple compilation and greatest hits albums by Jackson.

Background Edit

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was written, composed and co-produced by Michael Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones. It was originally written for his sister La Toya Jackson about her troubled relationship with her sisters-in-law,[citation needed] but Michael ended up recording the song, and La Toya sometimes performs the song at her concerts. The song was originally recorded in 1978 for the inclusion on the Off the Wall album, but was later re-recorded in fall 1982, in Los Angeles, California.[3] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was one of the four songs that Jackson received writing credits on for his sixth studio album Thriller in 1982.[3] The song was released by Epic Records as the fourth single from the album. Unlike Thriller's previous singles, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" did not have a film or a music video released to promote it.

Aside from Thriller, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" has appeared on multiple compilation and greatest hits albums by Jackson since the song's release.[4] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" appeared on the first disc of Jackson's two-disc compilation album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I in 1995 as well as the 25th anniversary edition of Thriller, entitled Thriller 25, and the greatest hits album King of Pop; both albums were released in 2008.[4] The song is also included on the box set collection released in 2004, The Ultimate Collection, the greatest hits album The Essential Michael Jackson, the compilation album This Is It, and the special box set The Collection released days after Jackson's death.[4] Some versions of the 1995 Earth Song CD single included the Brothers in Rhythm Mix and Tommy D's Main Mix as B-sides. The song was also remixed to the Immortal album in 2011. The demo version of the song was also released in This Is It (2009).

Composition Edit

A post-disco and funk song,[5][6] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was viewed as a nod to the disco sound of Jackson's material on his previous studio album, Off the Wall, released in 1979.[4] Arranged by Jackson himself and played by percussionist Paulinho da Costa, the song's rhythm was regarded as a "complex interweaving of drum-machine patterns and work", while the horn section, arranged by Jerry Hey, was described as both "brassy and precise".[4] Slant Magazine commented that the song was a "complicated tapestry of colliding hooks and pop references." The song's lyrics, "Too high to get over, too low to get under", has strong similarities to Funkadelic's opening salvo for "One Nation Under a Groove".[7]

The lyrics pertain to the media and press, as well as gossip and people trying to start arguments or problems for no reason, which he states in the lyrics, "Someone's always tryin' to start my baby crying," and then goes to a more "quasi paranoia" yield in the "near-bitterness" chorus, 'You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable/ You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable/ They'll eat off you, you're a vegetable.'"[8] In "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", Jackson's vocal range spans from E3 to A5. Played in the key of E major, the song is moderately bright with a tempo of 122 beats per minute.[9] It has a basic sequence of D/E–E–D/E–E as its chord progression.[9] The coda at the end of the song, which comes directly from Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango's 1972 disco song "Soul Makossa", is "Mama-say mama-sah ma-ma-coo-sah".[7] Makossa is a Cameroonian music genre and dance. Dibango sued Jackson and, in 1986, settled out of court for one million French francs, agreeing thereby to waive future rights to this recording but not future use of the material.[10][11][12]

Critical reception Edit

Christopher Connelly, a writer for Rolling Stone, described "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" as being Thriller's "most combative track".[8] Connelly noted that in the "hyperactive" song, Jackson's "emotions are so raw that the song nearly goes out of control".[8] He further commented that the song has a "tune that's almost as exciting as seeing Jackson motivate himself across a concert stage – and a lot more unpredictable".[8] Remarking that while the song's lyrics "won't keep Elvis Costello awake nights", they "do show that Jackson has progressed past the hey-let's-hustle sentiments that dominated Off the Wall".[8] He added that Jackson's "raw ability and conviction make material like 'Baby Be Mine' and 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' into first-class cuts".[8] Cash Box called the song a "smash," specifically praising the "danceable groove...superb arrangement and strange but ultimately uplifting lyrics."[13]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, a writer for AllMusic, listed "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", along with "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Human Nature", as being the best songs from Thriller. He also described the song as the "freshest funk on the album".[6] Eric Herderson, a writer for Slant Magazine, commented that with "three quick rimshots", he felt that "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was like a "court fanfare".[7] Robert Christgau, a music critic, commented that he'd "expect to bear more" of Thriller's "Wanna Be Startin' Something" and "Thriller" on the "dancefloor" rather than in his "living room".[14] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" received one Grammy Award nomination; it was nominated for "Best R&B Song" at the 1984 Grammy Awards, but lost to "Billie Jean," another of Jackson's singles from Thriller.[15]

Pitchfork ranked this song No. 2 on its list of "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s", saying that "if you're going to become the biggest star in the world, it helps to make the biggest song".[16]

Chart performance Edit

In 1983, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" had a good chart performance worldwide. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart top ten positions on July 2, 1983, at number nine, having moved up six places from the song's previous week.[17] On July 16, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" charted at number five, which was the song's peak position on the chart.[18] The song's peak position made "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" Thriller's fourth consecutive single to peak within the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] It was more commercially successful than Thriller's follow-up single "Human Nature" on the Billboard Hot 100, with the song peaking on the chart at number seven.[19] The song also peaked within the top ten, at number five, on the Black Singles Chart.[19]

Internationally, the song was commercially successful, mainly charting within the top 20 and top 30 on music charts. In the United Kingdom, on June 11, 1983, the song entered the chart's top 40 positions at number 38.[20] The following week, the song moved up 24 positions to number 14,[21] and on June 25, the song peaked within the top ten at number eight.[22] The song remained on the charts for a total of nine weeks in 1983.[21] In New Zealand, on July 24, 1983, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" entered the charts at number 47. The following week, the song peaked at number 35, which was its peak position, and remained in the top 50 of the chart for three weeks.[23] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" entered the Dutch charts on July 9, 1983, charting within the top five at number four. The following week, the song charted at number three, which was its peak position, for three consecutive weeks. The song charted within the top ten for several weeks, and remained in the top 20 for ten weeks in 1983.[24]

In 2008, after the release of Thriller 25 the song re-entered music charts worldwide. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" entered the Italian music charts on February 21, 2008, charting at number 14; it remained on the chart for only one week.[25] The song entered the Danish music charts on February 28, charting within the top 30 at number 29. The following week, it peaked at number 22.[26] In Switzerland, the song entered the top 50 at number 47 on February 24, 2008. The following week, the song peaked at number 30. After a total of six weeks on the chart the song, fell out of the top 100, and after four weeks re-entered the chart at number 83, before falling off the chart again.[27]

Following Jackson's death in June 2009, his music experienced a surge in popularity.[28] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" re-entered the United Kingdom charts on July 4, 2009, and peaked at number 57 the following week.[29] On July 12, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" re-entered Switzerland music charts for the second time. The song charted at number 37, which was its peak position, and remained on the charts for three weeks, before charting out of the top 100 positions.[27]

Live performances Edit

 
Jackson and background dancers performing "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" during rehearsals for the This Is It concerts. Video footage of performances of the song were used in the film Michael Jackson's This Is It in 2009.

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " was one of the songs released as a single without an accompanying video. It nonetheless has attained a popularity rivaling its sister compositions on the album, and became Jackson's song of choice for opening live concerts, although not being as strictly associated with a specific dance routine as those others has arguably allowed for more flexibility in performances and staging.

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", along with "Beat It" and "Billie Jean", was also used on every set list of Jackson's tours, from the Victory Tour in 1984, right the way through to the HIStory Tour in 1997. Unlike most of the other songs performed live, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was never lip-synced during any of Jackson's tours.

The song was first performed by Jackson as both a member of The Jacksons as well as a solo artist during world concert tours. It was performed by Jackson during the Jacksons final world concert series, including the Victory Tour in 1984, for which it was the tour's opening song. Similar to the Victory Tour, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was the Bad World Tour opening song on both tour legs. The concert series lasted from 1987 to 1989. A version was released on the 2012 DVD Live at Wembley July 16, 1988.

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was also performed during Jackson's Dangerous World Tour from June 1992 to November 1993. The next, and what would be the last performance of the song, was during Jackson's world concert tour, HIStory World Tour, from 1996 to 1997.

Since March 2009, Jackson was preparing to perform "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" during his This Is It concert series from July 13, 2009 to March 6, 2010.[30] During rehearsals at Staples Center for the This Is It comeback concerts in London at The O2 Arena, Jackson's performance of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" contained an a cappella snippet of "Speechless", from Jackson's studio album Invincible (2001). Following Jackson's death in June of the same year, video footage of Jackson rehearsing the song was used as the opening song in the 2009 concert documentary, Michael Jackson's This Is It.[31]

Manu Dibango controversy Edit

After Barbadian pop singer Rihanna sampled the song in her 2007 hit single "Don't Stop the Music",[32][33] she and Jackson were both sued by Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango, in February 2009, four months before Jackson's death, who claimed that both songs used the "mama-say mama-sa mama-coo-sa" hook from his 1972 single "Soul Makossa" without permission. According to Agence France-Presse, Jackson admitted earlier that he had borrowed the line for "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and had eventually settled financially with Dibango. However, when Rihanna asked only Jackson's permission to sample the line in 2007, Jackson allegedly approved the request without contacting Dibango beforehand. Dibango's attorneys brought the case before a court in Paris, demanding €500,000 in damages and for Sony BMG, EMI and Warner Music to be "barred from receiving 'mama-say mama-sa'-related income until the matter is resolved".[11] Dibango lost the case in Paris, after it turned out that Universal Music had updated its database and added Dibango into the list of those credited for Rihanna's song.

Charts Edit

Weekly charts Edit

Year-end charts Edit

Chart (1983) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[46] 11
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[47] 38
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[48] 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[49] 23
US Billboard Hot 100[50] 68
US Cash Box[51] 51

Certifications Edit

Certifications for Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[53] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel Edit

Credits adapted from the album Thriller 25.[54]

Track listing Edit

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 Edit

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 with Akon"
 
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller 25
ReleasedMarch 21, 2008
RecordedNovember 2007
Length
  • 4:14 (album version)
  • 3:51 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Michael Jackson
  • Aliaune Thiam
  • Giorgio Tuinfort
Producer(s)
  • Michael Jackson
  • Akon
  • Giorgio Tuinfort
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"The Girl Is Mine 2008"
(2008) 		"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 with Akon"
(2008) 		"Mind Is the Magic"
(2010)
Akon singles chronology
"I'll Still Kill"
(2007) 		"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 with Akon"
(2008) 		"What You Got"
(2008)

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was re-recorded for the 2008 re-issue of Thriller, entitled Thriller 25. The song was titled on the CD sleeve as "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 with Akon". Recorded in November 2007, the 2008 version was remixed, co-written and co-produced by Akon.[54] The single of that song was the last one released during Jackson's lifetime.

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, with critics having felt that while the 2008 version was good, it was not better than the original, but was better than other re-issues on Thriller 25. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic commented that "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was turned into a "moody piano murk".[55] He further commented that while the song is not great, "it is better than Fergie parroting the lyrics of 'Beat It' back to a recorded Jackson, and it's better than will.i.am turning 'The Girl Is Mine' into a hapless dance number".[55] Rob Sheffield, a writer for Rolling Stone, commented that "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is "actually kind of great" and praised the song's composition.[56]

The song was released by Epic Records and Legacy Recordings on March 21, 2008.[57] It was commercially a modest success internationally, charting within the top 20 in several countries, as well charting within the top ten in four territories.[58] The song charted at number three in Sweden,[59] number four in New Zealand,[60] number eight in Australia[57] and number ten in France.[61] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" charted at number 15 in Belgium's Flanders and Wallonia charts.[58] and also charted at number 20 in Italy.[62] In the US, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the song its lowest charting position. The song also charted on the Pop charts at number 48, as well as number 47 on the Pop Hot 100 Airplay.[19]

Other charting positions include number 47 on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs and the Hot Canadian Digital Singles Chart at number 33.[19] It also peaked at number 2 on the Dance Club Songs chart.[19] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" also reached number 19 on the year-end chart of Dance Club Play Song. A music video to promote the single and album consisted of a montage of previous Michael Jackson music videos and concert footage, and also clips of Akon singing his parts.

Charts Edit

Track listing Edit

  • CD single
  1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" Radio Edit – 3:51
  2. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" Johnny Vicious Club – Radio Edit – 3:36
  3. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" Johnny Vicious Full Club Remix – 9:03

Remix credits Edit

  • Written and produced by Michael Jackson, Aliaune "Akon" Thiam, Giorgio Tuinfort
  • Lead vocals by Aliaune "Akon" Thiam and Michael Jackson (on second verse)
  • Background vocals by Michael Jackson
  • Mixed by Mark "Evil" Goodchild
  • Recorded in November 2007

Cover versions and uses in popular culture Edit

 
At her Sticky & Sweet Tour, Madonna and a dancer impersonating Jackson performed a medley of Jackson's music while photos of Jackson throughout his life were shown on a screen behind them.

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" has been covered and sampled by multiple recording artists since its release.

  • Jackson's elder sister La Toya Jackson has frequently covered the song. She used it to open her set at 1993's Sopot Song Festival, on MDR in the 1990s, and on the sixth season of the United Kingdom television show Celebrity Big Brother in 2009.[72]
  • Whitney Houston performed "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" as the opening selection throughout her Greatest Love World Tour in 1986, which ran from July to December. In February 2010, she again performed the song, along with Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel", during her Nothing but Love World Tour.[73][74]
  • One week after Jackson's death, Madonna used that song as part of a medley of Jackson's songs as a tribute, during her second leg of her Sticky & Sweet Tour in July 2009. A dancer impersonated Jackson, performing his signature moves, like spinning, moonwalking and gyrating.[75]
  • Glee used it as the opening song in its "Michael" episode (2012). This cover debuted and peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 46 on the Digital Songs chart and number 88 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart at the week of February 18, 2012. Darren Criss performed the song.[76]
  • Ashaye covered the song as part of his single "Michael Jackson Melody" in 1983.[77]

See also Edit

References Edit

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October 20, 2023
wanna, startin, somethin, song, american, singer, michael, jackson, recorded, sixth, studio, album, thriller, 1982, opening, track, album, released, fourth, single, 1983, epic, records, written, jackson, produced, jackson, quincy, jones, lyrics, pertain, stran. 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 One of US 7 inch vinyl release artworksSingle by Michael Jacksonfrom the album ThrillerB side Rock with You live ReleasedMay 8 1983 1983 05 08 Recorded1978 original recording 1982 re recorded StudioWestlake Los Angeles California 1 GenrePost discofunkafropop 2 Length6 03 album version 4 21 single version 6 30 12 version LabelEpicSongwriter s Michael JacksonProducer s Quincy JonesMichael Jackson co Michael Jackson singles chronology Beat It 1983 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 1983 Human Nature 1983 Audio video Wanna Be Startin Somethin on YouTube 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 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 Following Jackson s death in June 2009 the song re entered music charts worldwide Wanna Be Startin Somethin has been covered and sampled by multiple recording artists since its release notably by Rihanna in her 2007 song Don t Stop the Music who was sued as a result Aside from Thriller the song appears on multiple compilation and greatest hits albums by Jackson Contents 1 Background 2 Composition 3 Critical reception 4 Chart performance 5 Live performances 6 Manu Dibango controversy 7 Charts 7 1 Weekly charts 7 2 Year end charts 8 Certifications 9 Personnel 10 Track listing 11 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 11 1 Charts 11 2 Track listing 11 3 Remix credits 12 Cover versions and uses in popular culture 13 See also 14 ReferencesBackground Edit Wanna Be Startin Somethin was written composed and co produced by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones It was originally written for his sister La Toya Jackson about her troubled relationship with her sisters in law citation needed but Michael ended up recording the song and La Toya sometimes performs the song at her concerts The song was originally recorded in 1978 for the inclusion on the Off the Wall album but was later re recorded in fall 1982 in Los Angeles California 3 Wanna Be Startin Somethin was one of the four songs that Jackson received writing credits on for his sixth studio album Thriller in 1982 3 The song was released by Epic Records as the fourth single from the album Unlike Thriller s previous singles Wanna Be Startin Somethin did not have a film or a music video released to promote it Aside from Thriller Wanna Be Startin Somethin has appeared on multiple compilation and greatest hits albums by Jackson since the song s release 4 Wanna Be Startin Somethin appeared on the first disc of Jackson s two disc compilation album HIStory Past Present and Future Book I in 1995 as well as the 25th anniversary edition of Thriller entitled Thriller 25 and the greatest hits album King of Pop both albums were released in 2008 4 The song is also included on the box set collection released in 2004 The Ultimate Collection the greatest hits album The Essential Michael Jackson the compilation album This Is It and the special box set The Collection released days after Jackson s death 4 Some versions of the 1995 Earth Song CD single included the Brothers in Rhythm Mix and Tommy D s Main Mix as B sides The song was also remixed to the Immortal album in 2011 The demo version of the song was also released in This Is It 2009 Composition EditA post disco and funk song 5 6 Wanna Be Startin Somethin was viewed as a nod to the disco sound of Jackson s material on his previous studio album Off the Wall released in 1979 4 Arranged by Jackson himself and played by percussionist Paulinho da Costa the song s rhythm was regarded as a complex interweaving of drum machine patterns and work while the horn section arranged by Jerry Hey was described as both brassy and precise 4 Slant Magazine commented that the song was a complicated tapestry of colliding hooks and pop references The song s lyrics Too high to get over too low to get under has strong similarities to Funkadelic s opening salvo for One Nation Under a Groove 7 The lyrics pertain to the media and press as well as gossip and people trying to start arguments or problems for no reason which he states in the lyrics Someone s always tryin to start my baby crying and then goes to a more quasi paranoia yield in the near bitterness chorus You re a vegetable you re a vegetable You re just a buffet you re a vegetable They ll eat off you you re a vegetable 8 In Wanna Be Startin Somethin Jackson s vocal range spans from E3 to A5 Played in the key of E major the song is moderately bright with a tempo of 122 beats per minute 9 It has a basic sequence of D E E D E E as its chord progression 9 The coda at the end of the song which comes directly from Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango s 1972 disco song Soul Makossa is Mama say mama sah ma ma coo sah 7 Makossa is a Cameroonian music genre and dance Dibango sued Jackson and in 1986 settled out of court for one million French francs agreeing thereby to waive future rights to this recording but not future use of the material 10 11 12 Critical reception EditChristopher Connelly a writer for Rolling Stone described Wanna Be Startin Somethin as being Thriller s most combative track 8 Connelly noted that in the hyperactive song Jackson s emotions are so raw that the song nearly goes out of control 8 He further commented that the song has a tune that s almost as exciting as seeing Jackson motivate himself across a concert stage and a lot more unpredictable 8 Remarking that while the song s lyrics won t keep Elvis Costello awake nights they do show that Jackson has progressed past the hey let s hustle sentiments that dominated Off the Wall 8 He added that Jackson s raw ability and conviction make material like Baby Be Mine and Wanna Be Startin Somethin into first class cuts 8 Cash Box called the song a smash specifically praising the danceable groove superb arrangement and strange but ultimately uplifting lyrics 13 Stephen Thomas Erlewine a writer for AllMusic listed Wanna Be Startin Somethin along with Beat It Billie Jean and Human Nature as being the best songs from Thriller He also described the song as the freshest funk on the album 6 Eric Herderson a writer for Slant Magazine commented that with three quick rimshots he felt that Wanna Be Startin Somethin was like a court fanfare 7 Robert Christgau a music critic commented that he d expect to bear more of Thriller s Wanna Be Startin Something and Thriller on the dancefloor rather than in his living room 14 Wanna Be Startin Somethin received one Grammy Award nomination it was nominated for Best R amp B Song at the 1984 Grammy Awards but lost to Billie Jean another of Jackson s singles from Thriller 15 Pitchfork ranked this song No 2 on its list of The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s saying that if you re going to become the biggest star in the world it helps to make the biggest song 16 Chart performance EditIn 1983 Wanna Be Startin Somethin had a good chart performance worldwide The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart top ten positions on July 2 1983 at number nine having moved up six places from the song s previous week 17 On July 16 Wanna Be Startin Somethin charted at number five which was the song s peak position on the chart 18 The song s peak position made Wanna Be Startin Somethin Thriller s fourth consecutive single to peak within the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 4 It was more commercially successful than Thriller s follow up single Human Nature on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song peaking on the chart at number seven 19 The song also peaked within the top ten at number five on the Black Singles Chart 19 Internationally the song was commercially successful mainly charting within the top 20 and top 30 on music charts In the United Kingdom on June 11 1983 the song entered the chart s top 40 positions at number 38 20 The following week the song moved up 24 positions to number 14 21 and on June 25 the song peaked within the top ten at number eight 22 The song remained on the charts for a total of nine weeks in 1983 21 In New Zealand on July 24 1983 Wanna Be Startin Somethin entered the charts at number 47 The following week the song peaked at number 35 which was its peak position and remained in the top 50 of the chart for three weeks 23 Wanna Be Startin Somethin entered the Dutch charts on July 9 1983 charting within the top five at number four The following week the song charted at number three which was its peak position for three consecutive weeks The song charted within the top ten for several weeks and remained in the top 20 for ten weeks in 1983 24 In 2008 after the release of Thriller 25 the song re entered music charts worldwide Wanna Be Startin Somethin entered the Italian music charts on February 21 2008 charting at number 14 it remained on the chart for only one week 25 The song entered the Danish music charts on February 28 charting within the top 30 at number 29 The following week it peaked at number 22 26 In Switzerland the song entered the top 50 at number 47 on February 24 2008 The following week the song peaked at number 30 After a total of six weeks on the chart the song fell out of the top 100 and after four weeks re entered the chart at number 83 before falling off the chart again 27 Following Jackson s death in June 2009 his music experienced a surge in popularity 28 Wanna Be Startin Somethin re entered the United Kingdom charts on July 4 2009 and peaked at number 57 the following week 29 On July 12 Wanna Be Startin Somethin re entered Switzerland music charts for the second time The song charted at number 37 which was its peak position and remained on the charts for three weeks before charting out of the top 100 positions 27 Live performances Edit nbsp Jackson and background dancers performing Wanna Be Startin Somethin during rehearsals for the This Is It concerts Video footage of performances of the song were used in the film Michael Jackson s This Is It in 2009 Wanna Be Startin Somethin was one of the songs released as a single without an accompanying video It nonetheless has attained a popularity rivaling its sister compositions on the album and became Jackson s song of choice for opening live concerts although not being as strictly associated with a specific dance routine as those others has arguably allowed for more flexibility in performances and staging Wanna Be Startin Somethin along with Beat It and Billie Jean was also used on every set list of Jackson s tours from the Victory Tour in 1984 right the way through to the HIStory Tour in 1997 Unlike most of the other songs performed live Wanna Be Startin Somethin was never lip synced during any of Jackson s tours The song was first performed by Jackson as both a member of The Jacksons as well as a solo artist during world concert tours It was performed by Jackson during the Jacksons final world concert series including the Victory Tour in 1984 for which it was the tour s opening song Similar to the Victory Tour Wanna Be Startin Somethin was the Bad World Tour opening song on both tour legs The concert series lasted from 1987 to 1989 A version was released on the 2012 DVD Live at Wembley July 16 1988 Wanna Be Startin Somethin was also performed during Jackson s Dangerous World Tour from June 1992 to November 1993 The next and what would be the last performance of the song was during Jackson s world concert tour HIStory World Tour from 1996 to 1997 Since March 2009 Jackson was preparing to perform Wanna Be Startin Somethin during his This Is It concert series from July 13 2009 to March 6 2010 30 During rehearsals at Staples Center for the This Is It comeback concerts in London at The O2 Arena Jackson s performance of Wanna Be Startin Somethin contained an a cappella snippet of Speechless from Jackson s studio album Invincible 2001 Following Jackson s death in June of the same year video footage of Jackson rehearsing the song was used as the opening song in the 2009 concert documentary Michael Jackson s This Is It 31 Manu Dibango controversy EditAfter Barbadian pop singer Rihanna sampled the song in her 2007 hit single Don t Stop the Music 32 33 she and Jackson were both sued by Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango in February 2009 four months before Jackson s death who claimed that both songs used the mama say mama sa mama coo sa hook from his 1972 single Soul Makossa without permission According to Agence France Presse Jackson admitted earlier that he had borrowed the line for Wanna Be Startin Somethin and had eventually settled financially with Dibango However when Rihanna asked only Jackson s permission to sample the line in 2007 Jackson allegedly approved the request without contacting Dibango beforehand Dibango s attorneys brought the case before a court in Paris demanding 500 000 in damages and for Sony BMG EMI and Warner Music to be barred from receiving mama say mama sa related income until the matter is resolved 11 Dibango lost the case in Paris after it turned out that Universal Music had updated its database and added Dibango into the list of those credited for Rihanna s song Charts EditWeekly charts Edit Chart 1983 PeakpositionAustralia Kent Music Report 34 25Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 35 3Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 36 7Canada Top Singles RPM 37 1Germany Official German Charts 38 16Ireland IRMA 39 5Netherlands Dutch Top 40 40 1Netherlands Single Top 100 24 3New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 23 35Spain AFYVE 41 14UK Singles OCC 22 8US Billboard Hot 100 42 5US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard 43 5US Cash Box Top 100 44 6 Chart 2008 PeakpositionDenmark Tracklisten 26 22Italy FIMI 25 14Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 27 30 Chart 2009 PeakpositionCanada Hot Canadian Digital Singles 19 52Netherlands Single Top 100 24 31Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 27 37UK Singles OCC 29 57US Digital Song Sales Billboard 45 20 Year end charts Edit Chart 1983 PositionBelgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 46 11Canada Top Singles RPM 47 38Netherlands Dutch Top 40 48 17Netherlands Single Top 100 49 23US Billboard Hot 100 50 68US Cash Box 51 51Certifications EditCertifications for Wanna Be Startin Somethin Region Certification Certified units salesUnited Kingdom BPI 52 Silver 200 000 United States RIAA 53 Platinum 1 000 000 Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Personnel EditCredits adapted from the album Thriller 25 54 Michael Jackson lead and backing vocals songwriting Greg Phillinganes Rhodes synthesizer Michael Boddicker and Bill Wolfer synthesizers David Williams guitar Louis Johnson bass Paulinho da Costa percussion Jerry Hey Gary Grant trumpets flugelhorns Larry Williams saxophone flute Bill Reichenbach trombone Michael Jackson Nelson Hayes and Steven Ray bathroom stomp board Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey and Michael Jackson Background vocals Julia Waters Maxine Waters Oren Waters James Ingram Bunny Hull and Becky Lopez Produced by Quincy Jones Co produced by Michael JacksonTrack listing EditUnited States 7 version Wanna Be Startin Somethin single version 4 19 Wanna Be Startin Somethin instrumental 4 19United States 12 version Wanna Be Startin Somethin 12 version 6 31 Wanna Be Startin Somethin instrumental 6 31 United Kingdom 7 version Wanna Be Startin Somethin single version 4 19 Rock with You live with The Jacksons 3 58Europe 12 version Wanna Be Startin Somethin 12 version 6 31 Wanna Be Startin Somethin instrumental 6 31 Rock with You live with The Jacksons 3 58Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 Edit Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 with Akon nbsp Single by Michael Jacksonfrom the album Thriller 25ReleasedMarch 21 2008RecordedNovember 2007Length4 14 album version 3 51 radio edit LabelEpicLegacySongwriter s Michael JacksonAliaune ThiamGiorgio TuinfortProducer s Michael JacksonAkonGiorgio TuinfortMichael Jackson singles chronology The Girl Is Mine 2008 2008 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 with Akon 2008 Mind Is the Magic 2010 Akon singles chronology I ll Still Kill 2007 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 with Akon 2008 What You Got 2008 Wanna Be Startin Somethin was re recorded for the 2008 re issue of Thriller entitled Thriller 25 The song was titled on the CD sleeve as Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 with Akon Recorded in November 2007 the 2008 version was remixed co written and co produced by Akon 54 The single of that song was the last one released during Jackson s lifetime Wanna Be Startin Somethin received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics with critics having felt that while the 2008 version was good it was not better than the original but was better than other re issues on Thriller 25 Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic commented that Wanna Be Startin Somethin was turned into a moody piano murk 55 He further commented that while the song is not great it is better than Fergie parroting the lyrics of Beat It back to a recorded Jackson and it s better than will i am turning The Girl Is Mine into a hapless dance number 55 Rob Sheffield a writer for Rolling Stone commented that Wanna Be Startin Somethin is actually kind of great and praised the song s composition 56 The song was released by Epic Records and Legacy Recordings on March 21 2008 57 It was commercially a modest success internationally charting within the top 20 in several countries as well charting within the top ten in four territories 58 The song charted at number three in Sweden 59 number four in New Zealand 60 number eight in Australia 57 and number ten in France 61 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 charted at number 15 in Belgium s Flanders and Wallonia charts 58 and also charted at number 20 in Italy 62 In the US Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 giving the song its lowest charting position The song also charted on the Pop charts at number 48 as well as number 47 on the Pop Hot 100 Airplay 19 Other charting positions include number 47 on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs and the Hot Canadian Digital Singles Chart at number 33 19 It also peaked at number 2 on the Dance Club Songs chart 19 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 also reached number 19 on the year end chart of Dance Club Play Song A music video to promote the single and album consisted of a montage of previous Michael Jackson music videos and concert footage and also clips of Akon singing his parts Charts Edit Chart 2008 PeakpositionAustralia ARIA 57 8Belgium Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders 58 15Belgium Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia 63 15Canada Hot Canadian Digital Singles 19 33Canada Canadian Hot 100 64 32Canada CHR Top 40 Billboard 65 21CIS TopHit 66 105France SNEP 61 10Germany Official German Charts 67 63Italy FIMI 62 20Italy Musica e Dischi 68 48New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 60 4Romania Romanian Top 100 69 65Sweden Sverigetopplistan 59 3UK Singles OCC 70 69US Billboard Hot 100 19 81US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 19 2US Billboard Pop 100 19 48 Chart 2009 PeakpositionFrance SNEP 71 52Chart 2010 PeakpositionFrance SNEP 71 98 Track listing Edit CD single Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 Radio Edit 3 51 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 Johnny Vicious Club Radio Edit 3 36 Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 Johnny Vicious Full Club Remix 9 03Remix credits Edit Written and produced by Michael Jackson Aliaune Akon Thiam Giorgio Tuinfort Lead vocals by Aliaune Akon Thiam and Michael Jackson on second verse Background vocals by Michael Jackson Mixed by Mark Evil Goodchild Recorded in November 2007Cover versions and uses in popular culture Edit nbsp At her Sticky amp Sweet Tour Madonna and a dancer impersonating Jackson performed a medley of Jackson s music while photos of Jackson throughout his life were shown on a screen behind them Wanna Be Startin Somethin has been covered and sampled by multiple recording artists since its release Jackson s elder sister La Toya Jackson has frequently covered the song She used it to open her set at 1993 s Sopot Song Festival on MDR in the 1990s and on the sixth season of the United Kingdom television show Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 72 Whitney Houston performed Wanna Be Startin Somethin as the opening selection throughout her Greatest Love World Tour in 1986 which ran from July to December In February 2010 she again performed the song along with Jackson s The Way You Make Me Feel during her Nothing but Love World Tour 73 74 One week after Jackson s death Madonna used that song as part of a medley of Jackson s songs as a tribute during her second leg of her Sticky amp Sweet Tour in July 2009 A dancer impersonated Jackson performing his signature moves like spinning moonwalking and gyrating 75 Glee used it as the opening song in its Michael episode 2012 This cover debuted and peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 number 46 on the Digital Songs chart and number 88 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart at the week of February 18 2012 Darren Criss performed the song 76 Ashaye covered the song as part of his single Michael Jackson Melody in 1983 77 See also EditList of Dutch Top 40 number one singles of 1983 List of number one singles of 1983 Canada References Edit Roberts Randall August 29 2012 Michael Jackson s Human Nature An NYC classic on his birthday Los Angeles Times Retrieved December 6 2019 Pitchfork Staff August 24 2015 The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s Pitchfork Retrieved October 18 2022 The song takes on a lot of musical heft too mostly because it sounds like everything lithe funk and disco like the kind Jackson made on Off the Wall aggressive mathy rock African pop experimental music a b Thriller Media notes Epic Records 1982 a b c d e f Bush John Wanna Be Startin Somethin Song Review AllMusic Retrieved February 26 2010 Baca Ricardo June 26 2009 Michael Jackson s musical career The Denver Post Retrieved October 21 2014 a b Erlewine Stephen Thomas Michael Jackson Thriller AllMusic Retrieved February 27 2010 a b c Herderson Eric October 18 2003 Michael Jackson Thriller Slant Magazine Retrieved February 27 2010 a b c d e f Connelly Christopher January 23 1983 Michael Jackson Thriller Album Review Rolling Stone Retrieved February 27 2010 a b Wanna Be Startin Somethin by Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music Sony ATV Music Publishing 16 April 2002 Retrieved February 27 2010 via Musicnotes com Breihan Tom February 4 2009 Manu Dibango Sues Rihanna Michael Jackson Pitchfork Retrieved July 13 2013 a b Michaels Sean February 4 2009 Rihanna and Michael Jackson sued by African singer The Guardian London Retrieved July 13 2013 Gbadamassi Falila June 30 2009 Michael Jackson and his African affairs Afrik News Retrieved October 21 2014 Reviews PDF Cash Box June 4 1983 p 10 Retrieved 2022 07 20 Christgau Robert December 28 1982 Christgau s Consumer Guide The Village Voice Retrieved February 27 2010 26th Grammy Awards 1984 Rock on the Net February 28 1984 Retrieved February 27 2010 Cox Jamieson August 24 2015 The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s Pitchfork p 10 Retrieved September 17 2016 The Hot 100 July 2 1983 Billboard Retrieved February 27 2010 The Hot 100 July 16 1983 Billboard Retrieved February 27 2010 a b c d e f g h i j Thriller Awards AllMusic Retrieved February 27 2010 Official Singles Chart Top 100 05 June 1983 11 June 1983 Official Charts Company Retrieved July 13 2013 a b Official Singles Chart Top 100 12 June 1983 18 June 1983 Official Charts Company Retrieved July 13 2013 a b Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved July 13 2013 a b Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin Top 40 Singles Retrieved June 11 2013 a b c Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin in Dutch Single Top 100 Retrieved June 11 2013 a b Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin Top Digital Download Retrieved June 11 2013 a b Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin Tracklisten Retrieved June 11 2013 a b c d Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin Swiss Singles Chart Retrieved June 11 2013 Bruno Antony July 2 2009 Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last for Months Billboard Retrieved February 27 2010 a b Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved June 11 2013 Michael Jackson s London O2 Arena setlist revealed NME March 12 2009 Retrieved March 1 2010 Kara Scott October 31 2009 Michael Jackson s This Is It The New Zealand Herald Retrieved February 27 2010 Levine Nick January 8 2008 Rihanna Don t Stop The Music Digital Spy Retrieved February 27 2010 Huff Quentin B June 25 2007 Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad PopMatters Retrieved February 27 2010 Kent David 2003 Australian Chart Book 1970 1992 St Ives N S W Australian Chart Book ISBN 0 646 11917 6 Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin in Dutch Ultratop 50 Retrieved June 11 2013 Top RPM Adult Contemporary Issue 6294 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved June 11 2013 Top RPM Singles Issue 6312 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved June 11 2013 song in German GfK Entertainment charts Retrieved June 11 2013 The Irish Charts Search Results I Wanna Be Startin Irish Singles Chart Retrieved July 13 2013 Nederlandse Top 40 week 31 1983 in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved June 11 2013 Salaverri Fernando September 2005 Solo exitos ano a ano 1959 2002 in Spanish 1st ed Spain Fundacion Autor SGAE ISBN 84 8048 639 2 Michael Jackson Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved May 25 2017 Michael Jackson Chart History Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard Retrieved May 25 2017 CASH BOX Top 100 Singles Week ending JULY 30 1983 Cash Box Archived from the original on September 11 2012 Michael Jackson Chart History Digital Song Sales Billboard Retrieved May 25 2017 Jaaroverzichten 1983 in Dutch Ultratop Hung Medien Retrieved October 21 2014 The Top Singles of 1983 RPM Vol 39 no 17 Library and Archives Canada December 24 1983 Archived from the original on October 22 2014 Retrieved October 22 2014 Top 100 Jaaroverzicht van 1983 in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved October 21 2014 Jaaroverzichten Single 1983 in Dutch Single Top 100 Hung Medien Retrieved October 21 2014 Top 100 Hits for 1983 The Longbored Surfer Retrieved October 21 2014 The CASH BOX Year End Charts 1983 Cash Box Archived from the original on September 11 2012 British single certifications Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin British Phonographic Industry American single certifications Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin Somethin Recording Industry Association of America a b Thriller 25 liner notes Michael Jackson Epic MJJ Productions Legacy Sony BMG 2008 88697 17986 2 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link a b Thomas Erlewine Stephen The Funk of 25 Years Thriller Hits The Quarter Century Mark AllMusic Retrieved February 27 2010 Sheffield Rob February 21 2008 Michael Jackson Thriller 25 Deluxe Edition Rolling Stone Archived from the original on February 17 2008 a b c Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 ARIA Top 50 Singles Retrieved June 11 2013 a b c Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 in Dutch Ultratip Retrieved June 11 2013 a b Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 Singles Top 100 Retrieved June 11 2013 a b Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 Top 40 Singles Retrieved June 11 2013 a b Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 in French Les classement single Retrieved June 11 2013 a b Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 Top Digital Download Retrieved June 11 2013 Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 in French Ultratip Retrieved June 11 2013 Michael Jackson Chart History Canadian Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved June 24 2020 Michael Jackson Chart History Canada CHR Top 40 Billboard Retrieved June 24 2020 Michael Jackson amp Akon Wanna Be Starting Something TopHit Retrieved May 9 2022 Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 in German GfK Entertainment charts Retrieved October 22 2018 Classifiche Musica e Dischi in Italian Retrieved May 29 2022 Set Tipo on Singoli Then in the Artista field search Michael Jackson Romanian Top 100 Issue nr 15 2008 21 Aprilie 27 Aprilie 2008 in Romanian Romanian Top 100 Archived from the original on April 21 2008 Retrieved May 22 2023 Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved July 13 2013 a b Michael Jackson with Akon Wanna Be Startin Somethin 2008 in French Les classement single McLaughlin Martyn January 5 2009 Don t bother with Big Brother Tommy The Scotsman Edinburgh Retrieved February 27 2010 Whitney Houston struggles through first concert The Daily Telegraph February 23 2010 Retrieved February 27 2010 Woods Travis February 24 2010 Whitney Houston Stumbles Through Australian Concert BeatCrave Archived from the original on September 22 2010 Retrieved February 27 2010 Rodriquez Jason July 5 2009 Madonna Salutes Michael Jackson at London s O2 Arena MTV Retrieved March 1 2010 Trust Gary February 10 2012 Weekly Chart Notes Madonna Michael Jackson Godspell Billboard Retrieved February 13 2012 Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited p 31 ISBN 1 904994 10 5 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wanna Be Startin 27 Somethin 27 amp oldid 1170611376, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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