Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Michael Jackson | ||
| from the album Thriller | ||
| Released | May 1983 | |
| Recorded | 1982 | |
| Genre | Pop/R&B | |
| Length | 4:05 | |
| Label | Epic Records | |
| Writer(s) | Michael Jackson | |
| Producer(s) | Quincy Jones | |
| Chart positions | ||
| Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||
| "Beat It" (1983) |
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (1983) |
"Human Nature" (1983) |
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is a 1983 single released from Michael Jackson's multi-platinum selling 1982 album Thriller. It was the first track on the album, and the fourth song released as a single, following "The Girl Is Mine" (a duet with Paul McCartney), "Billie Jean", and "Beat It", the latter two songs having both achieved number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Contents |
[edit] History
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is one of Thriller's four major songs written and composed by Jackson himself. It begins with a volley of synth-drumbeats and ends in a cacophony of faux-African chanting, horns reminiscent of Earth, Wind & Fire, a pulsing bassline, and Jackson's ad-libs.
A furiously uptempo song, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" features lyrics that echo feelings of paranoia. Along with the song "Billie Jean" (whose eponymous antagonist is briefly introduced "...always talking when nobody else is talking"), this represented some of the earliest examples in his lyrics of Jackson's mistrust of those around him. The song is confrontational and angry, in stark contrast with Jackson's childlike and innocent public image of the time, addressing gossips, femme fatales, and rumour-mongers, with unorthodox yet still catchy wordplay ("You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable, they eat off you, you're just a buffet"). High, hard and breathlessly soulful Jackson vocals (replete with all of his trademark tics, hiccups, "hoo-hoos", and "ooows") accompanied punchy brass and backing vocals. Yet the singer eventually rises above the falsehoods and encourages the listener to do the same ("As I believe in me/So you believe in you"). According to sister La Toya's autobiography, La Toya: Growing up in the Jackson Family, this song was written about La Toya's tense relationship with her sister-in-laws. La Toya went on to perform her own version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" on her 1993 tour throughout Europe.
Probably most remembered is the chanted refrain "Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa", featured prominently during the song's final bridge. With regard to this chant, writer Mark Anthony Neal says: "The lyrics (utterings really) were taken directly from the music of Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango who broke into the American market in 1973 with his classic 'Soul Makossa'."
At six minutes and three seconds, "...Startin Somethin'" is also the longest song on Thriller, ushering in the album in a buoyantly accessible way, and cannily showcasing the pop and soul music sensibilities of Jackson and producer Jones.
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" continued the trend of hit singles for Jackson, eventually peaking at number five on the Pop and on the R&B charts, and gaining time on radio playlists across the country. The song was often not played at full length, however, due to industry format standards.
[edit] Performance and choreography
One of the songs released as a single without an accompanying video, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" nonetheless has attained a popularity rivaling its sister compositions on the album, and has become Jackson's song of choice for opening live concerts. Not being as strictly associated with a specific dance routine as those others has arguably allowed for more flexibility in performances and staging.
Two notable occurrences during live performances are the "stop/start" choreography that brings Jackson and his dancers to a frozen stop several times, and the sing-along between performer and audience during the bridge.
Startin' Somethin' 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.
[edit] Track listing
[edit] US single
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" – 6:02
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (instrumental) – 6:02
[edit] UK single
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" – 6:02
- "Rock With You" (live with The Jacksons) – 3:58
[edit] Mixes
- Album Version – 6:03
- 12" Version – 6:30
- Instrumental – 6:30
- 7" Edit – 4:17
[edit] Credits
- Written, arranged, and composed by Michael Jackson
- Produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson
- Lead vocals by Michael Jackson
- Backing vocals by Michael Jackson, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, James Ingram, Bunny Hull, and Becky Lopez
- Rhodes and synthesizer by Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer by Michael Boddicker and Bill Wolfer
- Guitar by David Williams
- Bass by Louis Johnson
- Percussion by Paulinho da Costa
- Trumpets and flügelhorns by Jerry Hey and Gary Grant
- Sax and flute by Larry Williams
- Trombone by Bill Reichenbach
- Bathroom stomp board: Michael Jackson, Nelson Hayes, and Steven Ray
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
[edit] Pop culture
- Comedian Damon Wayans at one time included in his comedy routine a segment in which he was "speaking in tongues"; this segued into him performing the chant from the final bridge of the song.
- The song was featured in the 2002 videogame Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and its accompanying soundtrack.
- The song was originally written in 1979 and intended for his Off The Wall album but was not recorded until the sessions for Thriller in 1982.
- In an episode of Martin Lawrence's eponymous sitcom entitled "The Night He Came Home," Martin tries to undo a supposed demonic possession by chanting the words "mama-se, mama-sa, mama-coosa."
- Icelandic singer Björk sang part of the song live, on her b-side 'I Go Humble' during the Homogenic tour, a recording of a live performance including the reprise was released on her Live Box Set.
- The phrase "mama-se, mama-se, mama-coosa" is used in a scat section in "The Song That Goes Like This (Reprise)" sung by the Lady of the Lake; from the Monty Python musical "Spamalot".
- Bloodhound Gang has a song called "Mama Say" where they repeatedly say the chant as well as making MJ noises at the end.
- On the "Wingmen" episode of The Boondocks, Cairo's new best friend introduces himself as "Dewey Obababa-ooooooo Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coosa . . . Jenkins."
[edit] Sources
- Moonwalk — by Michael Jackson, edited by Jackie Onassis (Doubleday 1988, ISBN 0-385-24712-5)
- The Michael Jackson Story — by Nelson George (Dell 1983, ISBN 0-440-15592-4)
- Trapped: Michael Jackson and the Crossover Dream — by Dave Marsh (Bantam 1985, ISBN 0-553-34241-X)
- Thriller – Special Edition (Epic Records, 2001 — selected interviews)
- Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection (Epic Records, 2004 — liner notes)
- www.allmusic.com
- www.mjjsource.com
- www.michaeljackson.com
