The Girl Is Mine

by

Michael Jackson

Album: Thriller     Released: 1982

US Chart: 2      UK Chart: 8

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This is a duet with Paul McCartney. Jackson and McCartney were good friends until 1995, when Jackson bought the publishing rights to most of The Beatles' songs. McCartney had given Jackson advice on acquiring publishing rights, which is where lots of money is made. Jackson felt it was "just business."

This was the first single released off the Thriller album. Although it was one of the weakest songs, it was released first because it was guaranteed airplay because of McCartney's contribution. At the time, many big albums contained a song with a prominent guest vocalist to attract attention. Released ahead of the album, this song gave no indication that Thriller would become the best-selling album of all time.

The lyrics are mostly friendly banter about who has dibs on the girl. The song was a very safe choice as first single, since it was very conventional and easy to understand. Jackson was afraid that if he released an edgy song like "Billie Jean" or "Beat It" first, people wouldn't give the album a chance.

This was released a month before the album came out. The next 6 singles all came after the album, and were all Top-10 hits.

Michael Jackson ( transcribed from audio files at HIStory Museum): "One of my favorite songs to record of all of my recordings as a solo artist is probably The Girl Is Mine because working with Paul McCartney was pretty exciting and we just literally had fun. It was like lots of kibitzing and playing and throwing stuff at each other and making jokes." (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

According to a 1982 Interview with producer Quincy Jones, this song was fun. It seemed tailor-made for Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. (thanks, Annabelle - Eugene, OR)

Michael Jackson re-recorded Thriller in 2008 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the record. He enlisted a variety of musical stars, plus had tracks from it re-mixed. For "The Girl Is Mine 2008," he recruited Will.I.Am of Black Eyed Peas, to reprise the role initially performed by Sir Paul McCartney.

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Comments:

Paul might have to pay royalties to Michael because he owns the catalog, but Michael still has to pay the original writer of the song royalties as well, so Paul still gets paid for each song he sing from the catalog. Somebody had to own the catalog, it was up for sale and the people that owned it, a company in Australia, offered it to Paul and he didn't want it. This person was on TV a couple of months ago and told the whole story. The Beatles catalog wa among other catalogs that were for sale, it was a package deal. Michael bought them, end of story. I love the Beatles, but Pleas, it's time to leave Michael alone. He did nothing wrong.
- Sue , Hamilton, ON

Michael was an amazing songwriter and won many songwritting awards. He wrote Billie Jean and Thriller, just to name a couple.
- Sue , Hamilton, ON

I don't know that much about publishing rights but if Michael did that then he used Paul's advice against him.
- DeKendrick , Jackson, MS

FACT vs. RUMOR. Here's a link that breaks it all down: http://www.pophistorydig.com/?tag=beatles-song-catalog-history. There was no bidding war. Michael had his lawyers approach Paul, FIRST. Never mind, Paul had already been approached earlier by the owners, themselves, but he said the price was too "steep." Once he found out Michael was interested, he "CHANGED HIS MIND." Hmmm ... Paul has two-faces: He has been paying someone else his entire life, & never had a problem w/it until Michael got involved. Never mind, it was on Paul's advice that Michael ventured into this area, in the first place. Now, how would Paul know that, THAT is a great way to make money? OH YEAH! That's right! Someone is PAYING HIM, every time they sing one of their own songs. As a matter-of-fact, a "whole lotta someones." Hmmm, your attitude is very interesting, Paul . . . THAT is what's disgusting. Paul needs to get over himself. He had his chance & he had the money.
- AnMarie , Burbank, CA

This song features Paul McCartney from The Beatles and is about Michael and Paul fighting over a girl they both love.
- San , San Fransisco, CA

Have to agree with TARA-CHICAGO. Paul McCartney could easily have outbid Jacko or any other interested party, but for some reason he chose not to. Wonder if he regrets that decision now? Any future chance to own those rights will cost Paul or any other bidder dearly. But, I don't like that the rights aren't owned by a Beatle, it just doesn't seem right.
- Chuck , Concord, NH

I like this song, but it reminds me of the fact that Michael Jackson owns the rights to the Beatles songs. I'm surprised that someone other than one of the Beatles has the rights to the Beatles songs, even though 2 of the Beatles are still around. It doesn't seem right, especially since Michael Jackson actually worked with Paul McCartney.
- Eric , Beaverton, OR

I cannot believe that Michael Jackson wrote this song. This sounds like McCartney all the way. Jackson is not a good songwriter. Notice that many of Michael's songs that he composed contain 2 or 3 chords. This song is very melodic - like McCartney's work.
- Joe , Teaneck, NJ

The Jackson/McCartney collaborations started in the late 70´ies with McCartney releasing "London Town" in 1977. Jackson liked the song "Girlfreind"(track nr:7 on the album) and released His own version of this song on His 1979 album "Off the wall".
- Asef , Silkeborg, Denmark

Michael Jackson asked Paul McCartney to do a duet with him for his new album ("Thriller"). McCartney agreed, only if Jackson would come to Montserrat to record a duet with HIM("Say Say Say" on Paul's "Pipes Of Peace" album).
- Ken , Louisville, KY

I love this song! I think it's cute. But why do they keep on singing "The doggone girl is mine"?
- Takashi , Tokyo, Japan

Another one of the PLETHORA of FALSE FACTS that mislead you about who Michael Jackson is, or what he did... He never OUTBID Paul McCartney for the catalog. It was up for grabs, and Macca did not put in a bid. Michael did, and it was purchased.
- appleheadluva , Boston, MA

Truth is, McCartney had two chances to buy the company. Both times, he was too cheap to spend the bucks. Mind you, Paul is said to be one of the richest entertainers in the world. The man is worth about 560 million, his royalties in one year come to 41 million. If he didn't want to invest 47.5 million in his own songs, then he shouldn't cry about it now. Are you all saying Michael shouldn't have bid on a valuble company because it belonged to one of the Beatles?? PLEASE!
- Tara , Chicago, IL

It's an outrage. It is a humiliating kick in the crotch to Paul but The Beatles are still the greatest and always will be, but like Brad said it's sickening to know that Paul has to pay that little twirp royalties every time he sings a Beatles song. He stabbed him in the back; but good.
- Shirley , Ocean, NJ

This was the first of four million selling singles from THRILLER...reached #1 on the soul chart,thanks to Michael's mass appeal!!!
- cio , lithonia, GA

I can't believe Michael Jackson had the nerve to outbid Paul McCartney for rights to the songs that John, George, Ringo, and him wrote. To think that Paul has to pay royalties to Michael everytime he sings a Beatles song is disgusting.
- Brad , Indianapolis, IN

Michael purchased ATV Songs from Robert Holmes A Court in Perth, Australia in 1985, not 1995. Part of the purchase agreement required Michael to visit Australia and participate in a Fund Raising Telethon for sick children and he honoured this agreement in August, 1985.
- Loretta , Sydney, Australia

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