Songwriter/producer "Paul Anka" has reached an agreement with Michael Jackson's estate over the newly released single "This Is It." Anka claims he and Michael co-wrote the song in the 1980's and Michael recorded it in 1991 during his sessions for his Dangerous album. According to Anka, the song was also recorded by a singer named Safire in 1991 and released as "I Never Heard." Producers have arranged at least three versions of the song, the original, a version with Michael's brothers singing backup, and an orchestral arrangement. The latter two will be included on the two-disc companion set for the film This Is It.
Under the terms of the agreement, Anka received an official apology for his omission from the writing credits for the song and he will share in 50% of the publishing rights; Anka, himself, called the omission "an honest mistake" shortly after claiming estate special administrator John McClain told him, "Now we know why the song was so good ... it wasn't the type of Michael Jackson song that he could write." Excuse me?
No body had even heard of Safire until this came up this week. Pay the man and move on.
ReplyDeleteI think Branca and Mcclain just wanted to keep all the money. They probably did mean to cut him out but Michael wasn't in on it. Michael never planned to release this song.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Michael would have been happy with this song.It's a good song because it's Mike but it's a bad song because it's Mike.
ReplyDeleteis paul ankles a group?
ReplyDeleteThis would be a career hit for anyone else but for Mike this is run of the mill. There is a reason he never released this song. He probably got the tapes to prevent anyone from putting it out. It needs more background vocals and a lusher musical score. It sounds like a demo.
ReplyDeleteIt is a demo
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