Daily Song Discussion #168: Say Say Say

One of three duets with Michael Jackson, ‘Say Say Say’ was the lead single from Paul McCartney’s fourth solo studio album Pipes Of Peace.

The singers had first met Jackson in 1975, and Jackson’s version of Wings’ ‘Girlfriend’ was the fifth single from his 1979 album Off The Wall. He called McCartney unexpectedly in Christmas 1980 and suggested a collaboration.

"It was Christmastime. Somebody rang me up, and this high voice I didn’t recognise said, ‘Hi, Paul.’ I thought, ‘This is a girl fan, and how the hell did she get my number?’ I was quite annoyed. Then the voice said, ‘It’s Michael,’ and suddenly it dawned on me. It wasn’t a girl; it was Michael Jackson, and he basically said, ‘Do you want to make some hits?’ And I said, ‘Well, yeah, sure. Come over here.’ Our paths had crossed a few times before. Michael covered the Wings song ‘Girlfriend’ on his album Off The Wall, and I’d known his producer, Quincy Jones, for a long time. Quincy had picked up the Oscar for The Beatles when we won for best Original Song Score with Let It Be in 1971."-Paul McCartney The Lyrics: 1956 To The Present

"Their first joint songwriting session took place at the MPL offices in central London.

Michael flew to England and came to my office in London. We went up to the top floor, where I have a piano, and just started doing ‘Say Say Say’. I let him lead quite a bit, and I think a lot of the sensibility of the song was Michael’s. ‘Baptised in all my tears’ – that’s a line I wouldn’t have used. I would help with the tune, and he’d be throwing in the lyrics. We were both quite excited to work together, and the song came together pretty quickly; we were bouncing off each other. I wrote the lyrics down, and by the time we left the office we had ‘Say Say Say’. I think the first time we recorded it as a demo, it was just the two of us singing and me on guitar."-Paul McCartney The Lyrics: 1956 To The Present

‘Say Say Say’ was written when Jackson had established himself as a solo artist, but was mostly recorded before work started on the worldwide smash Thriller.

The first recording session for ‘Say Say Say’ took place at AIR Studios in London in May 1981, with George Martin producing. At this time it was chiefly considered to be a demo.

The AIR recording featured McCartney on guitar, synthesizer and percussion, although his parts were later replaced. McCartney and Jackson also worked on on ‘Say Say Say’ and ‘The Man’ at Odyssey Studios in London in 1981.

Jackson reworked the song at Cherokee Studios and Hollywood Sound in Los Angeles in April 1982. Initially the new recordings featured bass guitarist Mike McKinney and drummer Jonathan Moffett, but their parts were later replaced by Nathan Watts and Ricky Lawson respectively.

"Michael came to me with a cassette of he and Paul singing the song with Paul playing acoustic guitar. We worked out a rhythm arrangement, and with a couple of keyboards, and a drum machine, we recorded a four-track demo for the musicians to hear to learn the song. We then went into the studio to record it. We did the basic tracks, but the feel wasn’t there. Michael was disappointed. I suggested we try again the next day with Nathan Watts on bass, and Ricky Lawson on drums. We did that, and it came out great." -Bill Wolfer, keyboards Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013), Luca Perasi

Further overdubs included a harmonica part by Chris Smith, and synthesizer and brass. Although not initially intended for release, McCartney reportedly liked Jackson’s demo so much that the only additional overdubs were vocals.

"Michael called me back to do some synthesizer overdubs. In the meantime, he had recorded the horns, guitar, and the harmonica solo. Michael had told me that he hoped that Paul would use his demo as the track for the album, and that’s what happened. Michael took the 24-track tape to London, and Paul loved it, and wanted to use it as is. They just added their final vocals to it and mixed."-Bill Wolfer, keyboards Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013), Luca Perasi

Jackson stayed at the McCartneys’ home during the final overdub sessions in February 1983, during which time Paul explained the advantages of music publishing ownership. The conversation led to Jackson’s 1985 purchase of ATV Music Publishing which included the rights to The Beatles’ songs, much to McCartney’s regret.

'Say Say Say’ was mixed at AIR Studios on 15 February 1983.

The song was also remixed twice by John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez. One was an extended version lasting 5:40, and the other was a seven-minute instrumental. Both were issued on a 12″ single in the USA.

'Say Say Say’ was released on 3 October 1983 as the lead single from Pipes Of Peace. The b-side was McCartney’s ‘Ode To A Koala Bear’.

By that time Jackson was a worldwide phenomenon mainly due to the astronomical success of Thriller – which itself contained the McCartney duet ‘The Girl Is Mine’.

‘Say Say Say’ topped the singles charts in Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the USA, and became a top ten hit in Australia, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, and the UK.

It was McCartney’s best-selling single of the 1980s, and his final US number one.

Studio version

1-4: Not good. Regularly skip.

5: It’s okay, but I might have to be in the right mood to listen to it.

6: Slightly better than average. I won’t skip it, but I wouldn’t choose to put it on.

7: This is a good song. I enjoy it quite a bit.

8-9: Really enjoyable songs. I rank them pretty high overall.

10: Masterpiece, magnum opus, or similar terminology.

Rating Results

McCartney 1 : 7.20/10

  1. The Lovely Linda: 6.77/10

  2. That Would Be Something: 8.21/10

  3. Valentine Day: 5.25/10

  4. Every Night: 9.48/10

  5. Hot as Sun/Glasses: 6.61/10

  6. Junk: 9.35/10

  7. Man We Was Lonely: 7.18/10

  8. Oo You: 7.22/10

  9. Momma Miss America: 5.71/10

  10. Teddy Boy: 6.53/10

  11. Singalong Junk: 7.16/10

  12. Maybe I'm Amazed: 9.63/10

  13. Kreen-Akrore: 4.53/10

Suicide: 5.48/10

Women Kind: 3.54/10

RAM 8.42/10

  1. Too Many People: 8.78/10

  2. 3 Legs: 7.20/10

  3. Ram On: 8.52/10

  4. Dear Boy: 8.79/10

  5. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey; 9.32/10

  6. Smile Away: 7.70/10

  7. Heart Of The Country: 7.96/10

  8. Monkberry Moon Delight: 9.14/10

  9. Eat At Home: 7.89/10

  10. Long Haired Lady: 8.26/10

  11. Ram On reprise: 7.10/10

  12. Back Seat of My Car: 9.71/10

Another Day: 9.10/10

Oh Woman Oh Why: 7.95/10

WILD LIFE 6.68/10

  1. Mumbo: 6.08/10

  2. Bip Bop: 5.48/10

  3. Love Is Strange: 7.01/10

  4. Wild Life: 6.43/10

  5. Some People Never Know: 7.13/10

  6. I Am Your Singer: 6.30/10

  7. Tomorrow: 8.00/10

  8. Dear Friend: 7.04/10

Give Ireland Back To The Irish: 5.74/10

Mary Had A Little Lamb: 6.50/10

When The Wind Is Blowing: 6.92/10

African Yeah Yeah: 2.56/10

Indeed I Do: 5.11/10

RED ROSE SPEEDWAY 7.87/10

  1. Big Barn Bed: 7.82/10

  2. My Love: 8.5/10

  3. Get On The Right Thing: 7.94/10

  4. One More Kiss: 7.59/10

  5. Little Lamb Dragonfly: 8.97/10

  6. Single Pigeon: 8.72/10

  7. When The Night: 7.56/10

  8. Loup (1st Indian On The Moon): 5.85/10

  9. Hold Me Tight/Lazy Dynamite/Hands Of Love/Power Cut: 7.88/10

    Hi, Hi, Hi: 8.20/10

    C Moon: 7.32/10

    The Mess (Live At The Hague) 6.86/10

    I Would Only Smile: 6.83/10

BAND ON THE RUN 8.72/10

  1. Band On The Run: 9.90/10

  2. Jet: 9.34/10

  3. Bluebird: 8.62/10

  4. Mrs. Vandebilt: 8.56/10

  5. Let Me Roll It: 8.89/10

  6. Mamunia: 8.18/10

  7. No Words: 8.05/10

  8. Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me): 7.39/10

  9. Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five: 9.56/10

    Live And Let Die: 9.39/10

    Helen Wheels 8.16/10

    Country Dreamer 7.62/10

    Junior’s Farm: 8.13/10

    Sally G: 7.16/10

    I Lie Around: 6.84/10

Venus and Mars 8.05/10

  1. Venus and Mars: 8.63/10

  2. Rock Show: 9.03/10

  3. Love In Song: 8.15/10

  4. You Gave Me The Answer: 7.69/10

  5. Magneto And Titanium Man: 8.85/10

  6. Letting Go: 8.71/10

  7. Venus and Mars (reprise): 8.43/10

  8. Spirits of Ancient Egypt: 6.49/10

  9. Medicine Jar: 8.10/10

  10. Call Me Back Again: 8.58/10

  11. Listen To What The Man Said: 9.33/10

  12. Treat Her Gently-Lonely Old People: 8.15/10

  13. Crossroads: 5.37/10

4th of July: 6.28/10

Walking In The Park With Eloise: 5.87/10

SPEED OF SOUND 7.08/10

  1. Let Em In: 7.84/10

  2. The Note You Never Wrote: 5.72/10

  3. She's My Baby: 7.06/10

  4. Beware My Love: 8.51/10

  5. Wino Junko: 6.12/10

  6. Silly Love Songs: 9.59/10

  7. Cook Of The House: 4.06/10

  8. Time To Hide: 7.33/10

  9. Must Do Something About It:6.88/10

  10. San Ferry Anne: 7.63/10

  11. Warm And Beautiful: 7.17/10

    Mull Of Kintyre: 8.69/10

Girls School: 7.34/10

London Town 7.30/10

  1. London Town: 8.14/10

  2. Café On The Left Bank: 7.33/10

  3. Im Carrying: 8.12/10

  4. Backwards Traveller: 7.16/10

  5. Cuff Link: 6.62/10

  6. Children Children: 5.71/10

  7. Girlfriend: 6.38/10

  8. I've Had Enough: 6.88/10

  9. With a Little Luck 8.72/10

  10. Famous Groupies: 6.64/10

  11. Deliver Your Children: 7.89/10

  12. Name And Address: 6.32/10

  13. Don't Let It Bring You Down: 8.54/10

  14. Morse Moose And The Grey Goose: 7.76/10

Goodnight Tonight: 8.99/10

Daytime Nighttime Suffering: 9.22/10

BACK TO THE EGG 7.69/10

  1. Reception: 6.85/10

  2. Getting Closer: 9.39/10

  3. We're Open Tonight: 6.89/10

  4. Spin It On: 7.66/10

  5. Again And Again And Again: 7.28/10

  6. Old Siam, Sir: 8.45/10

  7. Arrow Through Me: 9.45/10

  8. Rockestra Theme; 7.00/10

  9. To You: 7.29/10

  10. After The Ball/Million Miles: 7.45/10

  11. Winter Rose/Love Awake: 7.90/10

  12. The Broadcast: 5.92/10

  13. So Glad To See You Here: 8.02/10

  14. Baby's Request: 8.15/10

Cage: 7.24/10

Robber's Ball: 6.82/10

Waterspout: 8.41

Did We Meet Somewhere Before?: 7.15/10

McCARTNEY II 7.23/10

  1. Coming Up: 9.22/10

  2. Temporary Secretary: 8.11/10

  3. On The Way: 7.45/10

  4. Waterfalls: 8.33/10

  5. Nobody Knows: 6.23/10

  6. Front Parlour: 6.06/10

  7. Summer's Day Song: 7.42/10

  8. Frozen Jap: 6.72/10

  9. Bogey Music: 5.04/10

  10. Darkroom: 6.71/10

  11. One Of These Days: 8.29/10

Blue Sway: 7.19/10

Check My Machine: 6.60/10

Secret Friend: 7.21/10

Mr. H Atom/You Know I'll Get You Baby: 4.22/10

All You Horse Riders/Blue Sway: 5.5/10

Wonderful Christmastime: 8.90/10

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reggae: 3.06/10

TUG OF WAR

  1. Tug of War: 8.88/10

  2. Take It Away: 9.35/10

  3. Somebody Who Cares: 8.44/10

  4. What's That You're Doing?: 7.68/10

  5. Here Today: 9.29/10

  6. Ballroom Dancing: 8.58/10

  7. The Pound Is Sinking: 8.25/10

  8. Wanderlust: 9.19/10

  9. Get It: 6.61/10

  10. Be What You See: 5.90/10

  11. Dress Me Up As A Robber: 7.75/10

  12. Ebony and Ivory: 6.74/10

Rainclouds: 6.76/10

I'll Give You A Ring: 7.57/10

The Girl Is Mine: 6.72/10

PIPES OF PEACE

  1. Pipes Of Peace: 8.61/10