The Girl Is Mine

Infobox Single
Name = The Girl Is Mine


Artist = Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
from Album = Thriller
B-side = "Can't Get Outta the Rain"
Released = October 18, 1982
Format =
Recorded = April 1982
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:42
Label = Epic Records
Writer = Michael Jackson
Producer = Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
Certification =
Misc = Extra chronology 2
Artist = Michael Jackson singles
Type = singles
Last single = "One Day in Your Life"
(1981)
This single = "The Girl Is Mine"
(1982)
Next single = "Billie Jean"
(1983)Extra chronology 2
Artist = Paul McCartney singles
Type = singles
Last single = "Tug of War"
(1982)
This single = "The Girl Is Mine"
(1982)
Next single = "Say Say Say"
(1983)Extra tracklisting
Album = Thriller
Type = studio
prev_track = "Baby Be Mine"
prev_no = 2
this_track = "The Girl Is Mine"
track_no = 3
next_track = "Thriller"
next_no = 4Extra tracklisting
Album = HIStory
Type = compilation
prev_track = "Beat It"
prev_no = 10
this_track = "The Girl Is Mine"
track_no = 11
next_track = "Remember the Time"
next_no = 12

"The Girl Is Mine" is a 1982 hit duet by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. Composed by Michael Jackson and released as the first single from the world's biggest selling album, "Thriller", the song was about two men fighting over the love of one woman, each claiming that he can love the woman better than the other. It leads into a spoken debate near the end of the song by the two singers with Jackson giving his now famous line: "Paul, I think I told you - I'm a lover, not a fighter." The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Soul Singles Chart in the winter of 1982-83 before Jackson's second single from "Thriller" ("Billie Jean") took over its spot the next month. On the Adult Contemporary chart, it was the first Michael Jackson single to reach #1; he would not top the A/C chart again until "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" in 1987. Jackson and McCartney recorded other duets, including the more successful "Say Say Say" and "The Man" in 1981, which were included on Paul's 1983 album "Pipes of Peace".

The song has recently been re-recorded by Jackson and rapper will.i.am for the Thriller - 25th anniversary Edition album called "Thriller 25".

Cover versions

A parody by lounge act Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine, featuring an "impersonated" Stephen Hawking, appeared on their 2005 album "Aperitif for Destruction". It was also covered by Umphrey's McGee, often intertwined with verses of the song "Jane Says" by Jane's Addiction.

The song inspired R&B singers Brandy and Monica in the 1998 hit, "The Boy Is Mine". Though not a cover of "The Girl Is Mine", "The Boy Is Mine" had a similar premise, and similarly featured a spoken debate between Brandy and Monica at the beginning of the song.

UK rapper, Stylah has also recorded a song called The Girl Is Mine [ [http://www.myspace.com/stylah MySpace.com - STYLAH - NEW SONG UP! - UK - Hip Hop / Rap - www.myspace.com/stylah ] ] . Produced by Sivey and featuring Tony D, it has received radio play from early 2008.

Stephen Colbert and John Legend performed the song on the March 6th, 2008 episode of the Colbert Report. The "Girl" in question being the Statue of Liberty, in a competition to show who loves America more. [http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=156643]

Track listing

;CD single
# "The Girl Is Mine" – 3:42
# "Can't Get Outta the Rain"

Credits

* Written and composed by Michael Jackson
* Produced by Quincy Jones
* Rhodes: Greg Phillinganes
* Piano: David Paich
* Synthesizer: David Foster
* Synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro
* Guitar: David Parks and Steve Lukather
* Bass: Louis Johnson
* Drums: Jeff Porcaro
* Vocal: Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
* Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
* Rhythm arrangement by Quincy Jones and David Paich
* Synthesizer arrangement by David Foster
* Strings arranged and conducted by Jerry Hey
* Concertmaster: Jerry Vinci

"Thriller 25" version

Infobox Single
Name = The Girl Is Mine 2008


Artist = Michael Jackson and will.i.am
from Album = Thriller 25
Released = January 14, 2008 (Digital download)
January 25, 2008 (Europe 5")
February 4, 2008 (UK 5")
Format = 5" single, digital download, 12", 7" (French Release)
Recorded = 2007
Genre = Pop rap
Length = 3:11
Label = Epic/Legacy Recordings
Writer = Michael Jackson, William Adams, Keith Harris
Producer = will.i.amExtra chronology 2
Artist = Michael Jackson singles
Type = singles
Last single = "Blood on the Dance Floor"
(2006)
This single = "The Girl Is Mine 2008"
(2008)
Next single = "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008"
(2008)Extra chronology 2
Artist = will.i.am singles
Type = singles
Last single = "I Want You"
(2007)
This single = "The Girl Is Mine 2008"
(2008)
Next single = "Here I Come"
(2008)

In 2007, a demo version of the song (before Paul McCartney's involvement) was remixed with added new lyrics rapped by hip-hop vocalist and producer will.i.am, for "Thriller 25" (a 25th anniversary special edition of "Thriller"). The mix is very different from the "Thriller" album recording and is significantly shorter - conforming to the modern trend for shorter songs being more popular as singles. Hip-hop beats have been layered over the remixed song, creating a very different sound and vibe though Jackson's original vocal recordings were retained. The song includes never before heard different and additional vocals by Jackson, taken from the original demo which is also included on the physical 5" CD single as well as iTunes downloads in most European iTunes stores.

Internationally, "The Girl Is Mine 2008" was released as a downloadable single on January 14 [ [http://www.mjworld.net/news/2007/12/14/new-single-and-more/ Michael Jackson's New Single and More - From UK Fan Club] - MJWN 14.12.07] and as a physical release on January 25. [ [http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=706&Itemid=1 The Michael Jackson Fan Club - 'The Girl Is Mine 2008' Out Now ! ] ] In the U.K the original physical release date was January 28 but pushed back to February 4. [ [http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=786&Itemid=59 The Michael Jackson Fan Club - Single Release Date Change In UK ] ] In the U.S however, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" was the first single to be released. [ [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=42261999 MySpace.com - Michael Jackson - Pop / Rock / Soul - www.myspace.com/michaeljackson ] ] These are Jackson's first singles since "One More Chance" , in 2003. The song has no music video

The Girl is Mine 2008 - 5" track listing

# "The Girl Is Mine 2008" – will.i.am Album version 3:10
# "The Girl Is Mine 2008" – will.i.am Club Remix 3:25
# "The Girl Is Mine" - Original demo 3:13

The Girl is Mine 2008 - Promo CD track listing

# "The Girl is Mine 2008" - wiil.i.am Album version 3:10
# "The Girl Is Mine 2008" – will.i.am Club Remix 3:25

Chart performance

Credits

* Remix written by Michael Jackson, William "will.i.am" Adams, Keith Harris
* Remix produced, engineered and mixed by William "will.i.am" Adams
* Remix drums and keyboards: William "will.i.am" Adams
* Remix keys and synths: Keith Harris
* Remix recorded in November 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.theofficialcharts.com/top40_singles.php Top 100 UK singles]
* [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=Canadian+Hot+100&pageNumber=Top+51-100&g=Singles Canadian Hot 100]