Even dead, Michael Jackson almost stuck it to another creditor. This time it was credit for a song.
On Sunday night at 12:01 Michael Jackson's estate released a new song by Jackson which is hardly new. Sounding tinny and dated, it was co-written by Michael Jackson and legendary singer Paul Anka back in 1983 at Anka's home studio. Jackson then soon left with the original source tapes and refused to return them to him despite Anka's personal protests.
At the time of the 12:01 song release Paul was not even given proper song writing credit. Good for him he had some historical truth on his side to back up his claim.
Fortunately for Anka the song itself was not originally performed by Jackson. It was performed by little known artist Saffire under it's original song name I Never Heard. In Jackson's death I Never Heard has been re-titled This Is It in an effort to give it new legs for Jackson's promotion of the song.
Here is Saffire's version on YouTube.
Recognizing his own work Anka was quick to release a statement upon the Monday morning song release stating, "They have a big problem." By afternoon the Jackson estate attorneys' contacted Anka promising full credit and royalties. After being contacted by Jackson's representatives Anka explained they're response was, "We'll give you whatever you want; whatever it takes, we'll do the right thing."
It's funny how the right thing came after trying to get away with the wrong thing. Then being caught in the act.
When Anka co-wrote the song in his home studio in Carmel California he was shocked to learn the King of Pop "stole the tapes" and would not return them. Of course if you've seen Martin Bashir's expose interview of Michael Jackson just a few years before his death, it's not hard to understand this had been the way Jackson operated for years. In it Jackson would visit posh vendors to buy expensive trinket's only to balk at paying later. Eventually Anka got his tapes back but Jackson made copies and recorded his own vocal track.
Anka offered the Jackson estate an out being diplomatic on the tail end, “I said, ‘It’s fine if it’s an honest mistake. These things happen.’”
The Jackson song now being released is allegedly from source tapes where Jackson was only accompanied by Piano. In his death a full arrangement and backing vocals by his brothers were laid down to complete this re-hashed oldy, I Never Knew as This Is It.
