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Beat It
Michael Jackson
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- Album
- Thriller
- Released
- 1982
- Genres
- Length
- 4:18
- Tempo
- 139 BPM
- Label
- Epic
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About this song
Released as the third single from Thriller, the song helped propel the album to the top of the charts. Jackson created a rock track featuring a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen, who provided it free of charge. The music video, which Jackson paid for himself after Epic Records refused to finance it, was shot in downtown Los Angeles with real gang members and became a hit on MTV.
What it's about
The song is about the tension between wanting to prove your toughness through fighting and knowing when to have the strength to back down from a fight.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 57 other songs, like “Daft Meme (Technologic) by Duuzu”.
- Covered 40 times, including “Beat It by Myles Frost”.
- Written by Michael Jackson.
- Produced by Quincy Jones.
- Recorded at Westlake Recording Studios.