Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is a song by Michael Jackson recorded for his sixth studio album Thriller (1982). It is the opening track of the album and was released as its fourth single in May 1983 by Epic Records. It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is a song by Michael Jackson recorded for his sixth studio album Thriller (1982). It is the opening track of the album and was released as its fourth single in May 1983 by Epic Records. It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. The lyrics pertain to strangers spreading rumours to start an argument for no good reason. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' evokes the disco sound of Jackson's previous studio album, Off the Wall. This post-disco and funk song is characterised by a complex rhythm arrangement and a distinctive horn arrangement. Unlike previous singles from Thriller, it did not have a music video to accompany it but was performed by Jackson on concert tours all over the world, as both a member of The Jacksons and as a solo artist.
Michael Jackson, The King of Pop, is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest entertainers in the history of music. Jackson's contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his well-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. Through stage and video performances, he popularised complicated dance techniques such as the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His sound and style have influenced artists of various genres. The eighth child of the Jackson family, Jackson made his professional debut in 1964 with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 and began his solo career in 1971 while at Motown Records, rising to solo stardom with his fifth studio album Off the Wall in 1979 during the peak of disco. His music videos, especially those for Beat It, Billie Jean, and Thriller from his sixth album Thriller, are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. His popularity helped propel the television channel MTV into a prominent highlight of 1980s pop culture.
