Released in October 1983 as the lead single for Paul McCartney’s album Pipes of Peace , "Say Say Say" remains one of the most significant pop collaborations in history. Produced by the legendary George Martin , the track successfully blended McCartney’s melodic sensibilities with Michael Jackson’s emerging "froth-funk" energy.
While Billboard ranks it as Jackson's best-performing Hot 100 hit, some critics at the time, such as those from Rolling Stone, dismissed it as a "vapid dance groove" or "banality".
The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks and became McCartney’s final U.S. number one hit.
The song’s origins date back to 1981, predating the release of Jackson's Thriller . Jackson initially initiated the partnership with a phone call to McCartney, leading to a session where they wrote the song at McCartney’s London office. While early demos were acoustic, Jackson later presented a 24-track studio recording featuring horns, a dance beat of 116 BPM, and a harmonica solo by Chris Smith, which became the foundation of the final version.
Retrospective reviews, like those from Vibe, have praised it as a "falsetto fantasy" and ranked it among the greatest duets of all time.
