Acting 101: What song & music video did Jackson and McCartney create together?

July 13, 12:45 AMActing ExaminerDeborah Smith Ford

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        Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney                                        (AP Photo/Rolling Stone)

"Say Say Say" is the song by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. The track was written by the duo, and produced by George Martin for McCartney's fifth solo album, Pipes of Peace (1983).

The song was the pair's second duet to be released, following "The Girl Is Mine" for Jackson's Thriller (1982), however, it had been recorded one year before, at the same time as McCartney's Tug of War (1982) album.  Billie Jean was released January 2, 1983.

The single became Jackson's seventh top ten hit in a year upon its release in October 1983. "Say Say Say" was a number one hit in the US and peaked at number two in the UK. Number one in Canada, Finland, Italy, Norway and Sweden, the single also peaked within the top ten in Australia, Austria and New Zealand.

Jackson stayed at the home of McCartney and his wife Linda during the recording sessions, becoming friendly with both. One evening whilst at the dining table, McCartney brought out a booklet displaying all the songs he owned the publishing rights to.

This is the way to make big money, said Paul,

  (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Every time someone records one of these songs, I get paid. Every time someone plays these songs on the radio, or in live performances, I get paid."

McCartney's words later influenced Jackson's purchase of the Northern Songs song catalogue in 1985. The recording of "Say Say Say" was completed in February 1983. George Martin, who had worked with The Beatles, produced "Say Say Say". He said of Jackson,

He actually does radiate an aura when he comes into the studio, there's no question about it. He's not a musician in the sense that Paul is...but he does know what he wants in music and he has very firm ideas."

The music video for "Say Say Say" featured cameo appearances by Linda McCartney, La Toya Jackson and Mr. T.  It was filmed in Santa Ynez Valley, California, and McCartney had to fly out to Jackson, as his, Jackson's schedule, was busy.

The video's scenario  - "Mac and Jack", the duo play a pair of con-men selling a "miracle potion". The salesman (McCartney) offers Jackson the potion, claiming it's "guaranteed to give you the strength of a raging bull". Jackson drinks the potion and challenges a large man, also in on the scam, to arm wrestle.

Upon Jackson winning, the crowd surges forward, hoping to buy the magical potion. With the money earned from the scam, Mac and Jack donate it all to an orphanage. In their hotel, Jackson enters the bathroom while McCartney is shaving. McCartney playfully dabs shaving foam on Jackson's cheek, despite the fact that Jackson does not need a shave. McCartney and Jackson then star as vaudeville performers singing and dancing at a bar.

Jackson's love interest, with whom he flirts, was played by his sister La Toya. Before taking to the stage, the duo appear in black face makeup. The video ends with Paul, Linda and Michael driving off into the sunset. La Toya, handed a bunch of flowers by McCartney, is left at the roadside. The video cost the singers $500,000 to make.

 Director Giraldi said of the duo,

Michael didn't out dance Paul, and Paul didn't out sing Michael. Making the video was hard work, and the egos could fill a room."

The video introduced both dialog and storyline, an element extended upon in Thriller. Upon its release, the National Coalition of Television Violence classified the music video as too violent to be aired. They also classified Thriller and more than half of the 200 videos surveyed from MTV as being overtly violent.

Steven Greenlee of The Boston Globe said that the video was both "horrifying and compelling", while noting the ridiculousness of a potion aiding Jackson in beating somebody at arm wrestling. He added,

It's even harder to believe that the two of them didn't get the pulp beaten out of them in that bar for dressing like a pair of Chess King employees."

Upon Jackson's death in June 2009, McCartney commented on his time working with the singer,

 

I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones."

The video was later included on the McCartney DVD, The McCartney Years.