Moonwalking to Billie Jean

July 12, 7:03 PMActing ExaminerDeborah Smith Ford

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Michael Jackson              (Photo/MJ Media)

"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop Rhythm & Blues song by American recording artist Michael Jackson, King of Pop. It was written by Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones for the singer's sixth solo album, Thriller (1982).  Say Say Say was released around the same time and co-written with Paul McCartney.

Following the successful chart performance of "The Girl Is Mine", "Billie Jean" was released on January 2, 1983, as the album's second single. "Billie Jean" was a worldwide commercial and critical success.

Cited as one of the most revolutionary songs in history, "Billie Jean" was certified platinum in 1989.

Honored numerous times—including two Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and an induction into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame—the song and corresponding music video propelled Thriller into the best-selling album of all time.

The song was promoted with a short film that broke down MTV's racial barrier as the first video by a black artist. It, too, was an Emmy-nominated performance on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, in which Jackson premiered "the moonwalk."

The song was also promoted through Jackson's Pepsi commercials.  During the filming of one commercial, Jackson's scalp was severely burned. Covered and sampled by modern artists, "Billie Jean" sealed Jackson's status as an international pop icon.

Rolling Stone magazine placed "Billie Jean" in the 58th spot on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and it appears on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. ~ What we don't see is behind-the-scenes.  Will there be a future offspring performer of Michael Jackson's?