Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

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“Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'”
“Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'” cover
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
Released May 8, 1983
Recorded 1982
Genre Dance-pop/funk
Length 4:05 (Radio Edit)
6:04 (Album Version)
Label Epic Records
Writer(s) Michael Jackson
Producer Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Beat It"
(1983)		 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
(1983)		 "Human Nature"
(1983)
Thriller track listing
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin"
(1)		 "Baby Be Mine"
(2)
HIStory track listing
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
(13)		 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
(14)		 "Heal the World"
(15)

"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 song has recently been re-recorded by Jackson and R&B artist Akon for the Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition album called Thriller 25.

Contents

[edit] Overview

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.

At six minutes and three seconds, "Wanna Be Startin Somethin'" is also the longest song on Thriller, ushering in the album in a buoyantly accessible way, and cannily showcasing the pop/funk 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] African chant

The song ends with Jackson repeatedly singing "Mama-se, mama-sa, mama-coo-sa". According to writer Mark Anthony Neal, "the lyrics were taken directly from the music of Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango who broke into the American market in 1973 with his classic Soul Makossa." ("Makossa" means "dance" in Duala, a Cameroonian language). Dibango sued Jackson for copyright infringement after Thriller was released; the case was settled out of court.

The chant has since then taken on a life of its own, having been sampled and interpolated in other songs, including an interpolation in singer Rihanna's hit single Don't Stop the Music.

[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.

"Wanna Be 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. Unlike most of the other songs performed live, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" has never been lip-synched during any of Jackson's tours.

[edit] Track listing

[edit] U.S. single (7")

  1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin (7" Edit)'" – 4:17
  2. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Instrumental) – 6:30

[edit] UK single

  1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" – 6:02
  2. "Rock with You" (live with The Jacksons) – 3:58

[edit] Mixes

  1. Album Version – 6:03
  2. 12" Version – 6:30
  3. Instrumental – 6:30
  4. 7" Edit – 4:17
  5. Brothers in Rhythm House Mix – 7:40
  6. Tommy D's Main Mix – 7:35
  7. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" (with Akon) - 3:45
  8. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" (with Akon) (Johnny Vicious Radio Mix) - 3:36
  9. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" (with Akon) (Johnny Vicious Club Remix) - 9:03
  10. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" (with Akon) (Johnny Vicious Warehouse Thrilla Dub) - 7:23

[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] Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008

“Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008”
“Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008” cover
Single by Michael Jackson and Akon
from the album Thriller 25
Released Flag of the United States January 23, 2008 (Digital Download)

Flag of Germany March 21, 2008 (Digital Download, CD Single, 12" Vinyl Single) [1]
Flag of France March 25, 2008 (Digital Download, CD Single)
Flag of the United Kingdom June 2, 2008 (CD Single)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2007
Genre Ballad, Soul, Funk, R&B, Dance, Pop
Length 4:11 (Album Version)
Label Epic/Legacy Recordings
Writer(s) Michael Jackson
Producer Michael Jackson, Akon, Tuinfort
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"The Girl Is Mine 2008"
(2008)		 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008"
(2008)		 TBA
Akon singles chronology
"I'll Still Kill"
(2007)		 "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008"
(2008)		 "What You Got"
(2008)

In the United States, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" was released as the first downloadable single (although "The Girl Is Mine 2008" was the first release internationally) from Jackson's latest album Thriller 25 on January 23.[2][3] It is a re-worked, updated version featuring Akon on lead vocals with Michael Jackson on backing vocals. However, it was also played in full at least a week earlier on the Bristol and South Wales station Kiss 101 part of the Kiss Network, and it had leaked on the internet in late 2007 (a demo version without background vocals including Jackson's part also exists). In the U.S., the single premiered on New England's WPRO-FM, better known as 92 Pro FM. [4] The single had its physical release in Germany on March 21, 2008 (2-track, 3-track CDs + 12" Vinyl) and in France on March 25, 2008. In France, a special edition of the 2-track CD with a picture of Jackson and Akon on the cover will be also released on April 7, 2008. [5] The song has no music video. The single received its official premier UK radio play on GCap Media's Music Control radio show presented by Kevin Hughes across The One Network on January 24, 2008. The song will be released there on June 2, 2008 despite the fact that it has already entered the singles chart once already at number 69.

[edit] Credits

  • Original song written by Jackson
  • Original recording produced by Jones/Jackson
  • Remix written by Akon/Tuinfort/Jackson
  • Remix instrumentation and additional programming: Akon/Tuinfort
  • Remix mixed by Mark "Evil" Goodchild
  • Remix produced by Akon/Jackson/Tuinfort

[edit] In popular culture

  • 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. Wayans also included the gag in an episode of My Wife and Kids in a scene where a midwife tries to show his daughter-in-law (Brooklyn Sudano) birthing techniques, including a chant of "mama-se, mama-sa, mama-coosa".
  • Similarly, on the sitcom The Wayans Bros., when Marlon joined a cult, he chanted "mama-se, mama-sa, mama-coo-sa", as the cult's phrase.
  • In an episode of Martin entitled "The Night He Came Home", Martin Lawrence tries to undo a supposed demonic possession by chanting the words "mama-se, mama-sa, mama-coosa".
  • In an episode of The Steve Harvey Show entitled "Nightmare on Steve's Street", Steve, Cedric, Regina, & Lovita chant "Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-koo-sa" during a seance. Cedric then surprises the others by standing up & imitating Jackson, singing "You've been hit by; you been struck by...", quoting the chorus of "Smooth Criminal".
  • In an episode of Will & Grace entitled "From Queer to Eternity", Jack finds a former acting student has stolen his catch phrase - "acting is attracting". Jack then says; "That's my catch phrase. Well, that and "ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa."
  • 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.
  • Rihanna sampled the song for her third single from the 2007 album Good Girl Gone Bad, called "Don't Stop the Music".
  • 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.
  • The Bloodhound Gang has a song called "Mama Say" where they repeatedly say the chant as well as making various famous Michael Jackson 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".
  • The track is featured in Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on the Fever 105 in-game radio station.
  • Satirical news anchor Stephen Colbert referred to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Mahmoud Ahmemedimeme..mamasemamasamamacoosa-jad. (Or something)
  • In an episode of The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Grim tries to bring a clown balloon monster to life by using the chant.
  • Background vocals sampled in "The Drums" by House artist Basic J.
  • In the Nintendo DS version of The Urbz: Sims in the City, if you talk to Mambo Loa and select the "Jibba Jabba" option, she says "Mamma-say, mamma-saw, mamma mah-koo-sah! Sing it with me!"

[edit] Chart performance

Chart (1983) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 25
Dutch Top 40[6] 1
UK Singles Chart[7] 8
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 5
U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 5
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Chart[8] 8
Belgium [9] 15
Brazil Hot 100[10] 34
Canadian Hot 100[11] 32
Czech Republic[12] 50
Denmark[13] 29
Europe[14] 87
France[15] 10
Germany[16] 63
Greece[17] 10
Italy[18] 20
Japan[19] 52
Luxembourg Singles Chart[20] 23
Macedonian Radio Chart[21] 4
New Zealand Singles Chart[22] 4
Swedish Singles Chart[23] 3
Swiss Singles Chart[24] 30
UK Singles Chart[25] 69
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[26] 81
U.S. Billboard Pop 100[26] 48
United World Chart[27] 87
  • 1983: Michael Jackson
  • 2008: Michael Jackson with Akon

[edit] Sources

[edit] References

  1. ^ SONY BMG - Michael Jackson - Diskografie
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ The Michael Jackson Fan Club - 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' On Download
  4. ^ Music Control
  5. ^ michaeljackson-officiel.fr
  6. ^ De Nederlandse Top 40, week 30, 1983. Retrieved on 2008-02-23.
  7. ^ h8p://www.everyhit.com
  8. ^ Australian ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. ARIA Charts. Retrieved on February 4, 2008.
  9. ^ ultratop.be - Michael Jackson with Akon - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008
  10. ^ Hot 100 Singles
  11. ^ Billboard.com - Charts - Singles - Canadian Hot 100
  12. ^ Čns Ifpi
  13. ^ Denmark singles chart
  14. ^ Europe singles chart
  15. ^ France singles
  16. ^ germany
  17. ^ Ελληνικό Chart
  18. ^ ultratop.be - Michael Jackson with Akon - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008
  19. ^ Japan Singles Chart
  20. ^ ELDORADIO, LUXEMBOURG'S HITRADIO – 105.0 & 107.2 MHz FM - Music / Chartbreaker
  21. ^ Antenna5
  22. ^ nztop40.com
  23. ^ The Michael Jackson Fan Club - Charts Update Sweden
  24. ^ Swiss singles chart
  25. ^ The Official UK Charts Company : TOP 100 SINGLES CHART
  26. ^ a b Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Michael Jackson
  27. ^ World Singles Official Top 100 @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Michael Jackson singles discography
Got to Be There
Ben
"Ben"
Music and Me
"With a Child's Heart" · "Music and Me" · "Happy"
Forever, Michael
"We're Almost There" · "Just a Little Bit of You"
The Wiz
"Ease on Down the Road" (w/ Diana Ross) · "You Can't Win" · "A Brand New Day" (w/ Diana Ross)
Off the Wall
One Day in Your Life
Thriller
"The Girl Is Mine" (w/ Paul McCartney) · "Billie Jean" · "Beat It" · "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" "Human Nature" · "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" · "Thriller"
Farewell My Summer Love
"Farewell My Summer Love" / "Girl You're So Together"
Bad
Dangerous
HIStory
Blood on the Dance Floor:
HIStory in the Mix
Invincible
Number Ones
Thriller 25
Other collaborations
"Somebody's Watching Me" (w/ Rockwell)  · "Say Say Say" (w/ Paul McCartney)  · "Get It" (w/ Stevie Wonder)  · "Whatzupwitu" (w/ Eddie Murphy)  · "Why" (w/ 3T)  · "No Friend of Mine" (w/ Pras)
v • d • e
Akon
Albums
Singles
Featured singles
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