Beat It#Fall Out Boy version

Jackson first worked on a demo version of the song with musicians at his home studio. The drum part was programmed on a drum machine, and the bass line was a combination of electric bass guitar and Bell Labs Digital Synthesizer Synergy keyboard. This hybrid bass style was retained for the main recording session.{{cite magazine|title= Inside Tracks: The keyboards on Thriller |magazine= Keyboard |date= July 1984 |volume= 10 |number= 7 |page= 10}}

Sheet music for the song is in the key of E-flat minor in standard time, with a moderately fast tempo. Jackson's vocal range is B{{music|flat}}₃ to A{{music|flat}}₅.{{cite web|title= Beat It |website= Michaeljackson.com |date= November 18, 2003 |url= http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/303258 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002826/http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/303258 |archive-date= December 3, 2013}}

Upon hearing the first recorded vocals, Jones stated that it was exactly what he was looking for.{{sfn|Thriller|2008|p=41}} The song begins with seven distinct synthesizer notes played on the Synclavier digital synthesizer, with Tom Bahler credited for the Synclavier performance on the song. The intro is taken note for note from a demo LP released the year before, called "The Incredible Sounds of Synclavier II" first published in 1981 by Denny Jaeger Creative Services, Inc., and sold by New England Digital, makers of the Synclavier.{{cite web|title= "The Incredible Sounds of Synclavier II," and other hits |publisher=Fauxmat |date= May 14, 2010 |access-date= July 1, 2016 |url= https://fauxmat.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/the-incredible-sounds-of-synclavier-ii-2/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161012071709/https://fauxmat.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/the-incredible-sounds-of-synclavier-ii-2/ |archive-date= October 12, 2016 |url-status= dead}} The drums were played by Toto co-founder Jeff Porcaro.{{cite web|first= William |last= Ruhlmann |title= Jeff Porcaro – Artist Biography |website= AllMusic |access-date= April 3, 2015 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jeff-porcaro-mn0000228685}} Steve Porcaro and Steve Lukather, also Toto members, participate with synthesizers, and guitar and bass guitar respectively.

Jermaine Jackson has suggested the inspiration of "Beat It" and its video came from the Jackson family experiencing gang activity in Gary, Indiana. "From our front window, we witnessed, about three bad rumbles between rival gangs."{{cite book|first= Jermaine |last= Jackson |year= 2011 |title= You Are Not Alone: Michael: Through a Brother's Eyes |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn= 978-1-4516-5158-4 |page= 85 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=tk0zQIaFrccC&pg=PA85}} The lyrics of "Beat It" have been described as a "sad commentary on human nature".{{sfn|Dean|2003|p=463}} The line "don't be a macho man" is said to express Jackson's dislike of violence, while also referring to the childhood abuse he faced at the hands of his father Joseph.{{sfn|Whiteley|2005|p=35}}

File:Eddie Van Halen at the New Haven Coliseum.jpg performing in 1978]]

Eddie Van Halen, lead guitarist of hard rock band Van Halen, was asked to add a guitar solo.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2004|pp=224–225}}{{cite news|first= Gerard |last= Shields |title= Motown going strong into the '80s |date= April 22, 1983 |work= Daily Collegian |url= http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG%2F1983%2F04%2F22&EntityId=Ar02600 |archive-date= March 14, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120314080148/http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG%2F1983%2F04%2F22&EntityId=Ar02600}} When initially contacted by Jones, Van{{nbsp}}Halen thought he was receiving a prank call.{{cite news|first= Denise |last= Quan |title= Eddie Van{{nbsp}}Halen deconstructs his collaboration on 'Beat It' |work=CNN|date= November 30, 2012 |access-date= April 3, 2015 |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/30/showbiz/music/van-halen-jackson-thriller/index.html}} Having established that the call was genuine, Van{{nbsp}}Halen used a rented Marshall amplifier, set up to use alongside his Frankenstrat guitar and an Echoplex, then recorded two takes of the solo free of charge.{{cite magazine|title=Van Halen: 1984|first=Stewart|last=Jaffey|magazine=International Musician & Recording World (US)|date=March 1984|page=24}}{{cite magazine|title=Eddie Van Halen|first=Steve|last=Rosen|magazine=Music U.K.|date=September 1983|url=https://muzines.co.uk/articles/eddie-van-halen/12012|access-date=January 6, 2025|via=muzines}} "I did it as a favor", the musician later said. "I was a complete fool, according to the rest of the band, our manager and everyone else. I was not used. I knew what I was doing—I don't do something unless I want to do it."{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|pp=27–28}} Van{{nbsp}}Halen reported in 2015 that he also helped rearrange the song: they wanted him to solo over the chorus, but he suggested doing the solo over the verse section instead with the chord change underneath, which he felt worked better.{{cite magazine|first= Chuck |last= Klosterman |author-link= Chuck Klosterman |title= Billboard Cover: Eddie Van Halen on Surviving Addiction, Why He's Still Making Music and What He Really Thinks of David Lee Roth (and Other Past Van Halen Bandmates) |magazine= Billboard |date= June 19, 2015 |access-date= October 7, 2020 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6605231/eddie-van-halen-addiction-david-lee-roth-touring}} The edits made based on this, however, interfered with the SMPTE timecode on the multitrack reel needed for synchronise with other multitrack reels for the complete song. Thus, guitarist Steve Lukather and drummer Jeff Porcaro had to re-cut the basic tracks of the song to fit around Jackson's lead vocal and the guitar solo with the help of engineer Humberto Gatica.{{cite web|title="There was another take of Beat It" – Steve Lukather on re-tracking his parts with Jeff Porcaro under Eddie Van Halen's solo|first=Rob|last=Laing|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/there-was-another-take-of-beat-it-steve-lukather-on-re-tracking-his-parts-with-jeff-porcaro-under-eddie-van-halens-solo|date=January 18, 2023|access-date=June 25, 2023}} Lukather recalled, "Initially, we rocked it out as Eddie had played a good solo—but Quincy thought it was too tough. So I had to reduce the distorted guitar sound and that is what was released."{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|pp=27–28}}

Right before Van{{nbsp}}Halen's guitar solo begins, a noise is heard that sounds like somebody knocking at a door. It is reported that the knock was a person walking into Van Halen's recording studio. Another story has claimed that the sound was simply the musician knocking on his own guitar.{{cite news|first1= Patrick Kevin |last1= Day |first2= Todd |last2= Martens |title= 25 'Thriller' facts |work= The Baltimore Sun |date= February 12, 2008 |access-date= March 25, 2009 |url= http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/la-et-web-thrillertrivia12feb12-story.html}} Jackson performed the knocking sounds himself by striking a drum case. In the song credits provided for the album, Jackson is listed as "drum case beater".{{cite web | url=https://www.michaeljackson.com/track/beat-it-4/ | title=Beat It }}

It was reported that during the marathon mixing sessions, the engineers were shocked while working on Van Halen's solo to discover that the sound of his guitar caused the monitor speaker in the control room to catch fire, allegedly causing "Thriller" songwriter Rod Temperton to exclaim, "This must be really good!" In an interview in 2016, this was confirmed to be an urban legend.{{cite news|title= The Many Lives of Q |publisher= BBC |date= December 10, 2010 |access-date= October 11, 2015 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-H1mCEAoiA#t=7m00s |archive-date= 16 November 2021 |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/e-H1mCEAoiA |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}} Following Jackson's death in 2009, Van Halen described working with him as "one of [the] fondest memories in [his] career".{{cite web|first= Nick |last= Cracknell |title= Musicians Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson |website= MusicRadar |date= June 29, 2009 |access-date= May 2, 2022 |url= https://www.musicradar.com/totalguitar/musicians-pay-tribute-to-michael-jackson-248237}}

{{quote box|width=28em|quote="The uncredited guitarist who whipped out the fluttering, squealing solo on this ode to macho cowardice was Eddie Van Halen. The aerodynamic metal flight pumped crossover fuel that would boost the success of Thriller—a gimmick Jackson would flog later with spots from Slash and Carlos Santana. Without the Van Halen precedent, there might have been no collaboration of Run-DMC and Aerosmith on the 1986 rap/rock version of 'Walk This Way'."|source=—Greg Burk, South Coast Today.{{cite news |first= Ann |last= Powers |author-link= Ann Powers |title= Nine reasons why Jackson masterpiece remains a 'Thriller' |work= South Coast Today |date= February 15, 2008 |access-date= March 25, 2009 |url= http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/LIFE/802150316 |archive-date= June 6, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110606220310/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article/?AID=%2F20080215%2FLIFE%2F802150316 |url-status= dead }}}}

"Beat It" was released in early 1983 to widespread acclaim, following the successful chart performances of "The Girl Is Mine" and "Billie Jean". Frank DiLeo, the vice president of Epic Records, convinced Jackson to release "Beat It" while "Billie Jean" was heading towards number one. DiLeo, who later became Jackson's manager, correctly predicted that both singles would remain in the top 10 at the same time.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|pp=27–28}} The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 30, 1983. "Billie Jean" remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks, before being toppled by "Come On Eileen", which stayed at No. 1 for a single week, before Jackson reclaimed the position with "Beat It".{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|pp=27–28}}{{cite magazine|first= Kristen |last= Baldwin |title= "V" for television victory |date= April 30, 1999 |magazine= Entertainment Weekly |url= https://ew.com/article/1999/04/30/v-television-victory/ |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081013060236/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,273184,00.html |archive-date= October 13, 2008}}

"Billie Jean" and "Beat It" occupied top 5 positions at the same time, a feat matched by very few artists. The single remained at the top of the Hot 100 for a total of three weeks.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|pp=27–28}} The song also charted at No. 1 on the US R&B singles chart and No. 14 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart in the US.{{sfn|George|2004|p=39}} Billboard ranked it at the No. 5 song for 1983. "Beat It" also claimed the top spot in Spain and the Netherlands, reached No. 3 in the UK and the top 20 in Austria, Norway, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.{{sfn|George|2004|p=39}}

During the week of Dec. 18, 1982, “Beat It” was one of Billboard’s top three adds at rock radio alongside cuts by Sammy Hagar and Bob Seger. The song peaked at No. 14 on Billboard’s rock tracks chart. {{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/exclusive-how-michael-jacksons-thriller-changed-the-music-business-268212/ | title=Exclusive: How Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Changed the Music Business | magazine=Billboard }}

In a Rolling Stone review, Christopher Connelly describes "Beat It" as the best song on Thriller, adding that it "ain't no disco AOR track". He notes of the "nifty dance song", "Jackson's voice soars all over the melody, Eddie Van Halen checks in with a blistering guitar solo, you could build a convention center on the backbeat".{{cite magazine|first= Christopher |last= Connelly |title= Michael Jackson – Thriller |date= January 28, 1983 |magazine= Rolling Stone |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/303823/review/6067536/thriller |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090630034030/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/303823/review/6067536/thriller |archive-date= June 30, 2009}} AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine states that the song is both "tough" and "scared".{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title= Michael Jackson – Thriller |publisher=AllMusic |access-date= March 26, 2009 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/thriller-mw0000056882}} Robert Christgau claimed that the song has Eddie Van Halen "wielding his might in the service of antimacho".{{cite web|first= Robert |last= Christgau |author-link= Robert Christgau |title= Michael Jackson: Thriller |access-date= March 18, 2016 |url= http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=2373}} Slant Magazine observed that the song was an "uncharacteristic dalliance with the rock idiom".{{cite web|first= Eric |last= Henderson |title= Michael Jackson – Thriller |website= Slant Magazine |date= October 17, 2003 |access-date= April 3, 2015 |url= https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/michael-jackson-thriller}} The track also won praise from Jackson biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, who stated that the song was "rambunctious".{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2004|pp=224–225}}

"Beat It" has been recognized with several awards. At the 1984 Grammy Awards, the song earned Jackson two of record-eight awards: Record of the Year and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The track won the Billboard Music Award for favorite dance/disco 12" LP in 1983.{{sfn|George|2004|p=39}}{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=29}} The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), a few months after its release, for shipments of at least one million units. In 1989, the standard format single was re-certified platinum by the RIAA, based on the revised sales level of one million units for platinum singles.{{cite web|title= Gold & Platinum – Michael Jackson – Beat It |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date= May 12, 2016 |url= https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=michael+jackson&ti=beat+it}} The total number of digital sales in the US, as of August 2022, stands at 8,000,000.{{cite news|title= Michael Jackson's Catalogue Garners Major New Gold & Platinum Awards |work= Recording Industry Association of America |date= August 23, 2018 |access-date= September 9, 2018 |url= https://www.riaa.com/michael-jacksons-catalogue-garners-major-new-gold-platinum-awards/}}

File:Michael Jackson - Beat It music video.jpg

The music video for "Beat It" helped establish Jackson as an international pop icon.{{sfn|Campbell|1993|p=60}}{{sfn|Austen|2005|p=264}} The video was Jackson's first treatment of black youth and the streets. Both "Beat It" and "Thriller" are notable for their "mass choreography" of synchronized dancers, a Jackson trademark.{{cite magazine|first= Sean |last= Weitner |title= Michael Jackson: A Life in Film |magazine= Flak Magazine |url= http://www.flakmag.com/music/mj/videos.html |archive-date= July 5, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120705071354/http://www.flakmag.com/music/mj/videos.html}}

The video, which cost Jackson $150,000 to create after CBS refused to finance it,{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=29}}{{cite magazine|first= J.D. |last= Reed |title= Music: New Rock on a Red-Hot Roll |date= July 18, 1983 |magazine= Time |volume= 122 |issue= 3 |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950986-4,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 6, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121106040506/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950986-4,00.html}} was filmed on Los Angeles' Skid Row—mainly on locations on East 5th Street{{cite web|first= Lindsay |last= Blake |title= The (Probable) Warehouse from Michael Jackson's "Beat It" Video |website= Iamnotastalker.com |date= March 26, 2010 |access-date= September 21, 2010 |url= http://www.iamnotastalker.com/2010/03/26/the-probable-warehouse-from-michael-jacksons-beat-it/}}—around March 9, 1983. To add authenticity to the production but also to foster peace between them, Jackson had the idea to cast members of rival Los Angeles street gangs Crips and Bloods. In addition to around 80 genuine gang members, the video, which is noted for opening up many job opportunities for dancers in the US,{{cite news|first= Ellen |last= Farley |title= Cable service triggers boom in marketing for music videos |work= St. Petersburg Times |pages= 1D and 5D, here 5D |date= September 2, 1983 |access-date= September 21, 2010 |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wroMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6957,1421770 }} also featured 18 professional dancers and four breakdancers.{{sfn|Halstead|Cadman|2003|p=41}} Besides Jackson, Michael Peters, and Vincent Paterson, the cast included Michael DeLorenzo, Stoney Jackson, Tracii Guns, Tony Fields, Peter Tram, Rick Stone and Cheryl Song.{{sfn|Austen|2005|p=264}}{{cite web|first= Allyson B. |last= Crawford |title= Tracii Guns Danced with Jackson, Recalls Concert Memory |date= June 26, 2009 |website= Noisecreep |access-date= September 21, 2010 |url= http://noisecreep.com/tracii-guns-danced-with-jackson-recalls-concert-memory/}}{{cite web|title= Tony Fields |publisher=The Solid Gold Dance Connection |access-date= September 21, 2010 |url= http://www.sgdanceconnection.com/bios/tony_bio.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= September 9, 2012 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120909030538/http://www.sgdanceconnection.com/bios/tony_bio.html}} The bar location shown in the latter part of the first minute of the video was also featured 13 years earlier in the gatefold and on the back cover of the Doors 1970 album, Morrison Hotel.{{cite web|first= Jim |last= Cherry |title= The Doors Michael Jackson Connection |website= Medium |date= February 6, 2018 |access-date= April 7, 2020 |url= https://medium.com/@jimcherry/the-doors-michael-jackson-connection-1cf7382b6d1d}} Coincidentally, the name of that skid row bar, the Hard Rock Café, was also the inspiration for the London original of the famous chain of restaurants begun in 1971.{{cite web|title= Followup: Was the name "Hard Rock Cafe" inspired by the Doors? |website= The Straight Dope |date= December 31, 1969 |access-date= April 7, 2020 |url= https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1487/followup-4/}}

The video was written and directed by Bob Giraldi, produced by Ralph Cohen, Antony Payne and Mary M. Ensign through the production company GASP. The second video released for the Thriller album, it was choreographed by Peters who also performed, alongside Vincent Paterson, as one of the two lead dancers. Despite some sources claiming otherwise, Jackson was involved in creating some parts of the choreography.{{cite magazine|first= Kevin |last= Ritchie |title= Q&A: Bob Giraldi on directing "Beat It" |date= July 7, 2009 |magazine= Boards |url= http://www.boardsmag.com/articles/online/20090707/giraldibeatit.html |archive-date= March 28, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120328131555/http://www.boardsmag.com/articles/online/20090707/giraldibeatit.html}} Jackson asked Giraldi, at the time already an established commercial director but who had never directed a music video,{{cite magazine|first= Laura |last= Foti |title= Music Monitor |magazine= Billboard |date= March 26, 1983 |volume= 95 |issue= 13 |page= 30 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=oSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22laura+foti%22&pg=PT29}} to come up with a concept for the "Beat It" video because he really liked a commercial Giraldi had directed for WLS-TV in Chicago about a married couple of two elderly blind people who instead of running from a run-down neighborhood all the other white people had fled from, chose to stay and throw a block party for all the young children in the area. Contrary to popular belief, the concept of the video was not based on the Broadway musical West Side Story; in reality, Giraldi drew inspiration from his growing up in Paterson, New Jersey.

The video had its world premiere on MTV during prime time on March 31, 1983;{{cite news|first= Chris |last= Willman |title= Cover Story : Traveling Along The MTV Time Line ... |work= Los Angeles Times |date= July 28, 1991 |access-date= September 21, 2010 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-28-ca-435-story.html}}{{cite news|title= MTV's Highlight History |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= August 1, 2006 |page= C01 |access-date= September 21, 2010 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/31/AR2006073101108.html}} neither "Beat It" nor "Billie Jean" were, as is often claimed,{{cite magazine|first= Bryan |last= Reesman |title= Rewinding 25 Years of MTV |magazine= Billboard |volume= 118 |issue= 35 |pages= 36–54, here 38 |date= September 2, 2006 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=3A0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38}} the first music video by an African-American artist to be played on MTV.{{sfn|Denisoff|1988|p=106}} Soon after its premiere the video was also running on other video programs including BET's Video Soul, SuperStation WTBS's Night Tracks, and NBC's Friday Night Videos. In fact, "Beat It" was the first video shown on the latter's first ever telecast on July 29, 1983.{{sfn|Denisoff|1988|p=142}}

The video opens with the news of a fight circulating at a diner. This scene repeats itself at a pool hall, where gang members arrive and the song begins to play. The camera cuts to Jackson lying on a bed as he contemplates the senseless violence. Jackson dons a red leather J. Parks brand jacket and dances his way towards the fight through the diner and pool hall. A knife fight is taking place between the two gang leaders in a warehouse. They dance battle for an interlude of music until Jackson arrives; he breaks up the fight and launches into a dance routine. The video ends with the gang members joining him in the dance, agreeing that violence is not the solution to their problems.{{sfn|Austen|2005|p=264}}

The video received recognition through numerous awards. The American Music Awards named the short film their Favorite Pop/Rock Video and their Favorite Soul Video. The Black Gold Awards honored Jackson with the Best Video Performance award. The Billboard Video Awards recognized the video with 7 awards; Best Overall Video Clip, Best Performance by a Male Artist, Best Use of Video to Enhance a Song, Best Use of Video to Enhance an Artist's Image, Best Choreography, Best Overall Video and Best Dance/Disco 12". The short film was ranked by Rolling Stone as the No. 1 video, in both their critic's and reader's polls. The video was later inducted into the Music Video Producer's Hall of Fame.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=29}}

In November 2023 the music video reached 1 billion views on YouTube. It was Jackson's third music video (after "Billie Jean" and "They Don't Care About Us") to achieve this milestone.{{Cite magazine |last=Denis |first=Kyle |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Beat It' Dances Its Way Into YouTube's Billion Views Club |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/michael-jackson-beat-it-youtube-billion-views-club-1235515822/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231129193846/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/michael-jackson-beat-it-youtube-billion-views-club-1235515822/ |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}

The music video of the song appears on the video albums: Video Greatest Hits – HIStory, HIStory on Film, Volume II, Number Ones, on the bonus DVD of Thriller 25 and Michael Jackson's Vision.

Jackson performed "Beat It" live with his brothers during the Jacksons' Victory Tour. On July 13, 1984, the brothers were joined on stage by Eddie Van Halen, who played the guitar in his solo spot. The song became one of Jackson's signature songs; he performed it on all of his world tours: Bad, Dangerous and HIStory.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|pp=29–30}} The October 1, 1992 Dangerous Tour performance, including "Beat It", was included in the Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection box set. The DVD was later repackaged as Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|pp=29–30}} Jackson also performed the song on the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special, a concert celebrating the musician's thirtieth year as a solo performer. The performance featured Slash as the song's guest guitarist.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=30}}

A highlight of Jackson's solo concert tour performances of the song is that he would begin the song on a cherry picker (which he would also later use with "Earth Song" during the HIStory World Tour) after performing "Thriller". Another live version of the song is available on the DVD Live at Wembley July 16, 1988. The song would have also been performed as part of the This Is It concerts, which were canceled due to Jackson's death.

Jackson's "Beat It" has been cited as one of the most successful, recognized, awarded, and celebrated songs in the history of pop music; both the song and video had a large impact on pop culture.{{sfn|Thriller|2008|p=41}} The song is said to be a "pioneer" in black rock music and is considered one of the cornerstones of the Thriller album.{{sfn|Thriller|2008|p=41}} Eddie Van Halen has been praised for adding "the greatest guitar solo", helping "Beat It" become one of the best-selling singles of all time.{{sfn|Thriller|2008|p=41}}

Shortly after its release, "Beat It" was included in the National Highway Safety Commission's anti-drunk driving campaign, "Drinking and Driving Can Kill a Friendship".{{cite book|first1= François |last1= Allard |first2= Richard |last2= Lecocq |title= Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track |year= 2018 |chapter= Thriller, A Global Idol |publisher=Octopus Books |isbn= 9781788401234 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4qJfDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT294}}{{cite web |title=creepy Drunk Driving PSA 1987 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy9gGl8OJQM |website=YouTube | date=May 8, 2011 |publisher=robatsea2009 |access-date=16 March 2020}}{{cite web |title="Drinking And Driving Can Kill A Friendship" (1980) |url=https://www.retrojunk.com/commercial/show/21399/drinking-and-driving-can-kill-a-friendship |website=Retro Junk |access-date=29 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=Drinking and Driving Can Kill a Friendship -1985 |url=https://archive.org/details/title00_20180806 |website=Internet Archive |year=1985 |access-date=29 March 2020}} The song was also included on the accompanying album. Jackson collected an award from President Ronald Reagan at the White House, in recognition for his support of the campaign.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=29}} Reagan stated that Jackson was "proof of what a person can accomplish through a lifestyle free of alcohol or drug abuse. People young and old respect that. And if Americans follow his example, then we can face up to the problem of drinking and driving, and we can, in Michael's words, 'Beat It'."{{cite web |title= Remarks at a White House Ceremony Marking Progress Made in the Campaign Against Drunk Driving |date= May 14, 1984 |publisher= Ronald Reagan Presidential Library |access-date= February 3, 2009 |url= http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/51484a.htm |archive-date= September 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085324/http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/51484a.htm |url-status= dead }}

Frequently listed in greatest song polling lists, "Beat It" was ranked as the world's fourth favorite song in a 2005 poll conducted by Sony Ericsson.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=30}} Over 700,000 people in 60 countries cast their votes.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=30}} Voters from the UK placed "Billie Jean" at No. 1, ahead of "Thriller", with a further five of the top ten being solo recordings by Jackson.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=30}} Rolling Stone placed "Beat It" at number 337 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs in 2004,{{cite magazine|title= The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (1–500) |magazine= Rolling Stone |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/4 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060820114526/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/4 |archive-date= August 20, 2006}} and at number 185 in its 2021 update of the list.{{cite magazine|title= The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= September 15, 2021 |access-date= September 20, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/}} The song was featured in the films Back to the Future Part II, Zoolander and Undercover Brother.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=30}} When re-released, as part of the Visionary campaign in 2006, "Beat It" charted at No. 15 in the UK.{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=30}}The song was featured in The Flintstone Kids while it was performed by La Toya Jackson but as a parody with “Beat it say no” to drugs.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Vj-Pr7zRNMpc-kx8&v=2nxv0t4K9XM&feature=youtu.be |title=Michael Jackson - Beat It ("The Flintstone Kids - Just Say No", 1988) |date=2015-09-16 |last=Michael Jackson FanSquare |access-date=2024-08-27 |via=YouTube}}

A remix of "2 Bad", is featured on Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix containing a sample of "Beat It" as well as a rap by John Forté and guitar solo by Wyclef Jean.{{cite AV media notes|first= Michael |last= Jackson |title= Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix |page= 8 |type= booklet |publisher=Sony BMG}}

{{Track listing

| headline = 7" vinyl single – US (Epic 34-03759){{cite book |first= Martin |last= Popoff |author-link= Martin Popoff |year= 2009 |title= Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records |edition= 7th |publisher= Krause |page= 354 |isbn= 978-0-89689-958-2 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=kO8Pj784_4YC&q=%22beat+it%22&pg=PA354 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

| title1 = Beat It

| writer1 = Michael Jackson

| length1 = 4:18

| title2 = Get on the Floor

| writer2 = Jackson, Louis Johnson

| length2 = 4:44

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = 12" vinyl single – UK (Epic TA 3258)

| title1 = Beat It

| writer1 = Jackson

| length1 = 4:11

| title2 = Burn This Disco Out

| writer2 = Rod Temperton

| length2 = 3:38

| title3 = The Jacksons – Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough

| note3 = live version

| writer3 = Greg Phillinganes, Jackson

| length3 = 4:22

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Visionary single 2006

| title1 = Beat It

| writer1 = Jackson

| length1 = 4:18

| title2 = Beat It

| note2 = Moby's Sub Remix

| writer2 = Jackson

| length2 = 6:11

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Visionary single DVD

| title1 = Beat It

| note1 = video

| writer1 = Jackson

| length1 = 4:56

}}

Adapted from the Thriller 25 liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title= Thriller 25 |others= Michael Jackson |year= 2008 |type= liner notes |publisher=Epic/MJJ Productions/Legacy/Sony BMG |id= 88697 17986 2}}

Performers

• Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals, drum case beater
• Paul Jackson Jr. – rhythm guitar
• Steve Lukather – lead guitar, bass guitar
• Eddie Van Halen – guitar solo
• Steve Porcaro – synthesizer, synthesizer programming
• Greg Phillinganes – Rhodes piano, synthesizer
• Bill Wolfer – keyboards
• Tom Bahler – Synclavier
• Jeff Porcaro – drums
• Greg Smith – Synergy synthesizer
• Chris Shepard – vibraslap

Production

• Michael Jackson – songwriting, co-production, rhythm and vocal arrangement
• Quincy Jones – production, rhythm arrangement

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Beat It"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Platinum|certyear=2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=1983|certyear=2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2024|id=14078|access-date=July 2, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|title=Beat It|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|source=infodisc|certyear=1983|access-date=November 9, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1984|certyear=2023|access-date=January 25, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=Beat It|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Platinum|access-date=17 July 2023|relyear=1983|certyear=2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Platinum|certyear=2014|relyear=2004|certmonth=1|digital=true|access-date=December 30, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Diamond+Gold|relyear=1983|certyear=2023|access-date=February 6, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Gold|relyear=1983|certyear=1983|access-date=April 8, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1983|access-date=December 16, 2024|certyear=2024|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=Beat It|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1983|certyear=2024|access-date=July 24, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|id=742-168-1|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|access-date=November 11, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Platinum|number=8|relyear=1984|certyear=2022|access-date=August 29, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Beat It|award=Gold|note=Mastertone|digital=true|relyear=1983|certyear=2009|refname=usgold2}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Beat It 2008

| type = song

| artist = Michael Jackson featuring Fergie

| album = Thriller 25

| released = April 7, 2008

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 4:12

| label = Epic

| writer = Michael Jackson

| producer =

• Michael Jackson
• will.i.am

}}

For Thriller 25, Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am remixed "Beat It". The song, titled "Beat It 2008", featured additional vocals by fellow Black Eyed Peas member Fergie.{{cite news|title= Still a Thriller |work= The Times |date= February 2, 2008 |url= http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Magazine/Article.aspx?id=692694 |archive-date= January 9, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090109225008/http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Magazine/Article.aspx?id=692694}}{{cite press release|title= Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 is Rocking the Planet! |agency= PR Newswire |date= February 6, 2008 |access-date= March 28, 2009 |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-33849780_ITM}} Upon its release in 2008, the song reached No. 26 in Switzerland, the top 50 in Sweden and No. 65 in Austria. This was the second remixed version of "Beat It" to get an official release, following "Moby's Sub Mix" which was released on the "Jam" and "Who Is It" singles in 1992,{{cite AV media notes|title= Jam |type= CD cover |publisher=Sony Music |year= 1992}} as well as the "They Don't Care About Us" single in 1996 (and re-released as part of the Visionary campaign{{cite AV media notes|title= Beat It |type= DVD cover |publisher=Sony Music |year= 2006}}).

"Beat It 2008" received generally unfavorable reviews from music critics. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone claimed that the song was a "contender for the year's most pointless musical moment".{{cite magazine|first= Rob |last= Sheffield |title= Michael Jackson – Thriller 25 Deluxe Edition |date= February 21, 2008 |magazine= Rolling Stone |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/18290476/review/18305830/thriller_25_deluxe_edition |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080207111157/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/18290476/review/18305830/thriller_25_deluxe_edition |archive-date= February 7, 2008}} AllMusic criticized Fergie for "parroting the lyrics of "Beat It" back to a recorded Jackson".{{cite web|first= Stephen |last= Thomas Erlewine |title= The Funk of 25 Years: Thriller Hits the Quarter Century Mark |publisher=AllMusic |access-date= April 3, 2014 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/blog/post/the-funk-of-25-years-thriller-hits-the-quarter-century-mark}} Blender's Kelefa Sanneh also noted that the Black Eyed Peas singer traded lines with Jackson. "Why?", she queried.{{cite magazine|first= Kelefa |last= Sanneh |title= Thriller – 25th Anniversary Edition |magazine= Blender |date= February 12, 2008 |url= http://www.blender.com/guide/reissue/55020/thriller-25th-anniversary-edition.html |archive-date= July 3, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090703090912/http://www.blender.com/guide/reissue/55020/thriller-25th-anniversary-edition.html}} Todd Gilchrist was thankful that the remix retained Eddie Van Halen's "incendiary guitar solo", but added that the song "holds the dubious honor of making Jackson seem masculine for once, and only in the context of Fergie's tough-by-way-of-Kids Incorporated interpretation of the tune".{{cite web|first= Todd |last= Gilchrist |title= Michael Jackson – Thriller 25th Anniversary Ed. |publisher=IGN |date= February 7, 2008 |access-date= March 10, 2009 |url= http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/850/850483p2.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= June 30, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090630160309/http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/850/850483p2.html}} Tom Ewing of Pitchfork observed that Fergie's "nervous reverence is a waste of time".{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Ewing |title= Michael Jackson – Thriller: 25th Anniversary Edition |website= Pitchfork |date= February 15, 2008 |access-date= March 10, 2009 |url= https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11163-thriller-25th-anniversary-edition/}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Beat It

| cover = Fall Out Boy - Beat It.PNG

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Fall Out Boy featuring John Mayer

| album = Live in Phoenix

| released = March 25, 2008{{cite web|title= Beat It (feat. John Mayer) – Single – Fall Out Boy |date=January 2008 |publisher=iTunes |access-date= April 3, 2015 |url= https://music.apple.com/us/album/beat-it-feat-john-mayer-single/276328441}}

| recorded = 2008

| studio =

| genre = Hard rock

| length = 3:48

| label = Island

| writer = Michael Jackson

| producer = Patrick Stump

| chronology = Fall Out Boy

| prev_title = I'm Like a Lawyer (Me & You)

| prev_year = 2007

| next_title = 'I Don't Care

| next_year = 2008

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = John Mayer

| type = singles

| prev_title = Say

| prev_year = 2007

| title = Beat It

| year = 2008

| next_title = Free Fallin'

| next_year = 2008

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|sk8Pb17pcQI|"Beat It (MTV Version) ft. John Mayer "}}}}

}}

American rock band Fall Out Boy covered "Beat It". The studio version was digitally released on March 25, 2008, by Island Records as the only single from the band's first live album, Live in Phoenix (2008). The guitar solo is played by John Mayer. In the United States, the song peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 21 on the defunct-Billboard Pop 100 chart, also charting internationally. The band has since regularly incorporated it in their set list at their shows.

In early 2008, it was announced that Fall Out Boy were to cover "Beat It" for their Live in Phoenix album.{{cite magazine|first= Daniel |last= Kreps |date= March 3, 2008 |title= News Ticker: Robert Plant, Digital Hip-Hop, Gnarls Barkley, Fall Out Boy |magazine= Rolling Stone |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/03/03/news-ticker-robert-plant-indie-hip-hop-labels-gnarls-barkley/ |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080306124037/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/03/03/news-ticker-robert-plant-indie-hip-hop-labels-gnarls-barkley/ |archive-date= March 6, 2008}} The band had previously performed the song at venues such as Coors Amphitheatre and festivals such as the Carling Weekend in Leeds.{{cite news|first= John |last= Wenzel |title= Review: Kids are all right with Fall Out Boy |work= The Denver Post |date= December 5, 2007 |access-date= March 29, 2009 |url= http://www.denverpost.com/movies/ci_5882755}}{{cite magazine|title= Fall Out Boy load Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival set with covers |date= August 24, 2007 |magazine= NME |access-date= March 29, 2009 |url= https://www.nme.com/news/readingleeds-festival/30642}} Bassist Pete Wentz, who has claimed to have an obsession with Jackson, stated that prior to recording the song, he would only watch Moonwalker.{{cite magazine|title= The Police, Fall Out Boy, Kelly Clarkson and More: 15 Can't-Miss Summer Tours |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= June 1, 2007 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/14953357/the_police_fall_out_boy_kelly_clarkson_and_more_15_cantmiss_summer_tours |archive-date= June 3, 2007 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070603161210/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/14953357/the_police_fall_out_boy_kelly_clarkson_and_more_15_cantmiss_summer_tours}} It was also announced that John Mayer was to add the guitar solo previously played by Eddie Van Halen.{{cite magazine|magazine= NME |title= Fall Out Boy to release first full-length live CD/DVD |date= March 4, 2008 |access-date= March 29, 2009 |url= https://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/34864}}

The band's lead singer/guitarist Patrick Stump stated that the band had not planned to cover the song. "Basically, I just started playing the riff in sound-check one day, and then we all started playing it, and then we started playing it live, and then we figured we'd record it and put it out with our live DVD."{{cite news|first= James |last= Montgomery |title= Fall Out Boy Released 'Beat It' by Accident, But Still Dream of World Tour With Michael Jackson |publisher=MTV |date= April 24, 2008 |access-date= March 29, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1586226/20080424/fall_out_boy.jhtml?rsspartner=rssColdFusion|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130104014246/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1586226/20080424/fall_out_boy.jhtml?rsspartner=rssColdFusion|url-status= dead|archive-date= January 4, 2013}} Bassist Pete Wentz added that the band had not originally intended for the song to be released as a single either. "'Beat It' seemed like a song that would be cool and that we could do our own take on," he said. Having spent time deciding on a guitarist for the song, Wentz eventually called John Mayer to add the guitar solo. "We were trying to think about who is a contemporary guitar guy who's going to go down as a legend," Wentz later noted.

Upon its digital release as a single in April 2008, Fall Out Boy's cover of "Beat It" became a mainstay on iTunes' Top 10 chart.{{cite news|first= James |last= Montgomery |title= Fall Out Boy to Enter Studio Soon, But Michael Jackson Cover Could Delay Them a Bit |date= April 10, 2008 |publisher=MTV |access-date= March 29, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585123/20080409/fall_out_boy.jhtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080414013244/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585123/20080409/fall_out_boy.jhtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= April 14, 2008}} The song peaked at No. 8 in Canada, becoming another top 10 hit in the region. It also charted at No. 13 in Australia, No. 14 in New Zealand, No. 75 in Austria and No. 98 in the Netherlands.

The music video for Fall Out Boy's "Beat It" was directed by Shane Drake and was made in homage to Jackson. "I think when you're doing a Michael Jackson cover, there's this expectation that you're going to do one of his videos verbatim," Stump said. "What we decided to do was kind of inspired by Michael Jackson and the mythology of him. There are specific images that are reference points for us, but at any given point, it's not any of his videos. It's kind of all of his videos, all at once, but on a Fall Out Boy budget, so it's not quite as fancy."{{cite news|first= James |last= Montgomery |title= Fall Out Boy Say Their 'Beat It' Clip Is Like All of Michael Jackson's Videos 'But on a Fall Out Boy Budget' |date= April 18, 2008 |publisher=MTV |access-date= March 29, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585892/20080418/fall_out_boy.jhtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080423022218/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585892/20080418/fall_out_boy.jhtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= April 23, 2008}} The costumes for the video were similar to the originals. "My costume is this take on one of the guys from Michael Jackson's original 'Beat It' video, like, the guy who plays the rival dancer," Wentz said during the filming of the video. The music video featured numerous cameos, including a karate class/dance session being taught by Tony Hale, Donald Faison, Joel David Moore and Hal Sparks dressed up like Michael Jackson. The short film later received a MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Rock Video.{{cite news|first= Chris |last= Harris |title= Britney Spears, Jonas Brothers Battle It Out for VMA Video of the Year |date= August 15, 2008 |publisher=MTV |access-date= March 29, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1592894/20080815/slipknot.jhtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080915075038/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1592894/20080815/slipknot.jhtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= September 15, 2008}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Beat It" by Fall Out Boy}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Fall Out Boy|title=Beat It|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=March 12, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Fall Out Boy ft John Mayer|title=Beat It|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2016|id=742-4211-1|access-date=December 2, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Fall Out Boy|title=Beat It (feat. John Mayer)|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|access-date=November 30, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

{{main|Eat It}}

In 1984, American parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic released his parody song "Eat It".{{sfn|Cadman|Halstead|2007|p=100}} Yankovic recorded the song with Jackson's permission.{{cite magazine|title= Weird Al Yankovic Dishes on James Blunt, Discusses His Role as the Whitest, Nerdiest Rock Star Ever |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= September 19, 2006 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/09/19/weird-al-yankovic-dishes-on-james-blunt-discusses-his-role-as-the-whitest-nerdiest-rock-star-ever/ |archive-date= October 21, 2006 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061021230111/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/09/19/weird-al-yankovic-dishes-on-james-blunt-discusses-his-role-as-the-whitest-nerdiest-rock-star-ever/}} The song's music video followed the "Beat It" short film scene-for-scene, with Yankovic mimicking Jackson's dance moves in a clumsy fashion.{{cite web|first= Jason |last= Ankeny |title= Weird Al Yankovic – Artist Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date= April 3, 2015 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/artist/weird-al-yankovic-mn0000817315/biography}} Jackson received royalties as Jackson was listed as co-writer of "Eat It".{{cite magazine|first= Weird Al |last= Yankovic |title= Michael Jackson Remembered: 'Weird Al' Yankovic on Imitation as Flattery |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= July 9, 2009 |access-date= August 26, 2019 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-remembered-weird-al-yankovic-on-imitation-as-flattery-96288/}}

• List of best-selling singles in the United States
• List of Top 25 singles for 1983 in Australia
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1983
• Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1983
• List of number-one singles of 1983 (Canada)
• List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1983
• List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1983
• List of European number-one hits of 1983
• List of number-one singles from the 1980s (New Zealand)
• List of number-one R&B singles of 1983 (U.S.)
• List of number-one singles of 2006 (Spain)

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|first=Jake|last=Austen|year=2005|title=TV-a-Go-Go|publisher=Chicago Review Press|isbn=1-55652-572-9}}
• {{cite book|first1=Chris|last1=Cadman|first2=Craig|last2=Halstead|year=2007|title=Michael Jackson: For the Record|publisher=Authors OnLine|isbn=978-0-7552-0267-6}}
• {{cite book|first=Lisa|last=Campbell|year=1993|title=Michael Jackson: The King of Pop|publisher=Branden|isbn=0-8283-1957-X}}
• {{cite book|first=Maury|last=Dean|year=2003|title=Rock 'n' Roll Gold Rush|publisher=Algora Publishing|isbn=0-87586-207-1}}
• {{cite book|first=R. Serge|last=Denisoff|year=1988|title=Inside MTV|publisher=Transaction Publishers|isbn=978-0-88738-864-4}}
• {{cite book|first=Nelson|last=George|author-link=Nelson George|year=2004|title=Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet|title-link=Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection|publisher=Sony BMG}}
• {{cite book|first1=Craig|last1=Halstead|first2=Chris|last2=Cadman|year=2003|title=Jacksons Number Ones|publisher=Authors OnLine|isbn=978-0-7552-0098-6 |ref={{harvid|Jacksons|2003}}}}
• {{cite book|first1=Craig|last1=Halstead|first2=Chris|last2=Cadman|year=2003|title=Michael Jackson: The Solo Years|publisher=Authors OnLine|isbn=978-0-7552-0091-7}}
• {{cite book|first=J. Randy|last=Taraborrelli|year=2004|title=The Magic and the Madness|publisher=Headline|location=Terra Alta, WV|isbn=0-330-42005-4}}
• {{cite book|title=Thriller 25: The Book|title-link=Thriller 25|year=2008|publisher=ML Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-9768891-9-9|ref={{harvid|Thriller|2008}}}}
• {{cite book|first=Sheila|last=Whiteley|year=2005|title=Too Much Too Young|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-31029-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/toomuchtooyoungp0000whit}}

{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=2021-08-17|Beat-it-article_-_Mixdown(2).ogg}}

{{Thriller (album)}}

{{Michael Jackson songs}}

{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1980s}}

{{Fall Out Boy}}

{{John Mayer}}

{{Good article}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1982 songs

Category:1983 singles

Category:2008 singles

Category:American hard rock songs

Category:Dance-rock songs

Category:Michael Jackson songs

Category:Fall Out Boy songs

Category:Fergie (singer) songs

Category:John Mayer songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Island Records singles

Category:Grammy Award for Record of the Year

Category:Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance

Category:Music videos directed by Shane Drake

Category:Music videos directed by Bob Giraldi

Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones

Category:Song recordings produced by will.i.am

Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles