The collaboration between pop titans Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson yielded two somewhat forgettable songs to start. But the third time was the charm, as they delivered a propulsive, ridiculously catchy duet in “Say Say Say” in 1983 that soared to the top of the pop charts.
What is the song about? How did the two come together to write? And why did this partnership end on a sour note? Here is the story behind “Say Say Say,” an unforgettable ‘80s smash.
Macca and Michael
After meeting once in the mid-’70s, Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson got reacquainted when Jackson reached out to the ex-Beatle in 1980 to potentially write and work together. McCartney was up for it, and the two came together in 1981.
Even though it would be the last of the three songs they wrote together to be released, “Say Say Say” was actually the first one they began writing. In his book The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, McCartney remembered how the song came to life:
“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.'”
Although the song itself was finished, the actual gestation of the recording took a bit longer, which is why “Say Say Say” wasn’t released until 1983. Jackson eventually gathered some musicians and put together what he thought was just a working demo, one which featured an invigorating disco-style rhythm, sweeping horns, and a prominent harmonica solo by Chris Hammer Smith. McCartney liked it so much the pair used that as the finished track and simply laid their vocals on top of it.
In the interim between when the song was started and when it finally was released as the lead single from Paul McCartney’s Pipes of Peace album in 1983, Michael Jackson’s Thriller LP made him the biggest pop star on the planet. “Say Say Say” was a great track that didn’t need a lot of help, but Jackson’s status ensured the song would garner great attention. Sure enough, it rolled to No. 1.
Alas, the good vibes between the two men were short-lived. During the final overdubs, Jackson visited McCartney at his home, and Paul advised the younger artist about the wisdom of buying publishing rights. Two years later, Jackson outbid McCartney for a company that owned the rights to The Beatles’ catalog, which effectively ended the men’s friendship.
What is the Meaning Behind “Say Say Say”?
“Say Say Say” is framed as a plea from the narrator to his lover. The girl seems to be as wayward as the guy is steadfast. He’s willing to give her a little bit of leeway, but she always seems to take it a bit too far, as McCartney sings, Say, say, say what you want, but don’t play games with my affection / Take, take, take what you need, but don’t leave me with no direction.
What bothers him most is that she doesn’t seem to be bothered by anything concerning their relationship: You never ever worry, and you never shed a tear. Jackson urgently begs her to accept the damage that she’s doing: You’re saying that my love ain’t real / Just look at my face, these tears ain’t drying.
In addition to being a shared smash hit, “Say Say Say” also proved to be a nice boost for Pipes of Peace. Even though the two men eventually fell out over business, the music they made together on this fantastic track just can’t be denied.
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Photo courtesy MichaelJackson.com
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