Say Say Say

Paul McCartney

About Say Say Say

"Say Say Say" is a song written and performed by English musician Paul McCartney and American singer Michael Jackson, released in October 1983 as the lead single to McCartney's 1983 album Pipes of Peace. Produced by George Martin, the song was recorded during production of McCartney's 1982 Tug of War album, about a year before the release of "The Girl Is Mine", the pair's first duet from Jackson's album Thriller (1982). After its release in October 1983, "Say Say Say" became Jackson's seventh top-ten hit inside a year. It was a number one hit in the United States (his sixth number-one single there), Canada, Norway, Sweden and several other countries, reached number two in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten in Australia, Austria, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland and over 20 other nations. In 2013, Billboard magazine listed the song as the 41st biggest hit of all time on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It has also been voted the ninth best collaboration of all time in a Rolling Stone readers poll. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in December 1983, representing sales of one million copies. The single was promoted with an influential music video directed by Bob Giraldi. The short film centres around two con artists called "Mac and Jack" (played by McCartney and Jackson). 


Year:
1983
3:56
619 
#1

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Step right up, step right up, come on gentleman, gather around
Let me tell you all about the Michael Jackson wonder potion
It's guaranteed to give you unbelievable power

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
All alone I sit home by the phone waiting for you baby (baby)
Through the years how can you stand to hear my pleading for you dear?
You know I'm crying, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah

Now go, go, go where you want but don't leave me here forever
You, you, you stay away so long, girl, I see you never
What can I do, girl, to get through to you
'Cause I love you baby (baby)
Standing here baptized in all my tears, baby through the years
You know I'm crying, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, hee, hee, hee
What you say, say, say, what you say, say, say

You never ever worry and you never shed a tear
You're saying that my love ain't real
Just look at my face, these tears ain't drying

You, you, you can never say that I'm not the one who really loves you
I pray, pray, pray every day that you'll see things, girl, like I do
What can I do, girl, to get through to you
'Cause I love you (love you) baby (baby)
Standing here baptized in all my tears, baby through the years
You know I'm crying, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Say, say, say

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say
Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say
Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say (fire, fire)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, say, say, say

You never ever worry and you never shed a tear
You're saying that my love ain't real
Just look at my face, these tears ain't drying

You, you, you can never say that I'm not the one who really loves you
I pray, pray, pray every day that you'll see things, girl, like I do

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Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the Beatles, and his collaboration with Lennon is one of the most celebrated songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. After the group's break-up, he pursued a solo career, later forming the band Wings with his first wife, Linda, and singer-songwriter Denny Laine. more »

13 fans

Written by: Michael Joseph Jackson, Paul James McCartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Details
"Say Say Say" was released by Epic Records as the lead single of Paul McCartney's album "Pipes of Peace" on October 3, 1983.
Collaboration
The song is a remarkable collaboration of Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, produced by George Martin, who is known as the "fifth Beatle" because of his extensive work with the Beatles.
Chart Performance
"Say Say Say" was not just a commercial hit but topped multiple charts worldwide, including the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for six consecutive weeks.
Music Video
The song's music video, featuring both Jackson and McCartney, was one of the most popular of its time. It showcased the duo as two con artists who go around a small town conning people and then give the money to orphans.
Grammy Nomination
Though the song didn't bag a Grammy, it received a nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1984.
Sales Achievement
"Say Say Say" hit platinum in the United States, selling over one million copies. It also achieved gold status in the United Kingdom.
Second Collaboration
Despite their first successful collaboration on "The Girl Is Mine" in 1982, it was "Say Say Say" that truly marked the successful musical partnership of Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.
Remixed Version
In 2015, a remixed version of "Say Say Say" was released on McCartney's reissue of his "Pipes of Peace" album. The updated version, produced by McCartney's son-in-law, featured previously unheard vocals by both stars.
Artistic Tension
Despite their successful collaborations, the partnership between Jackson and McCartney wrongly soured when Jackson purchased the rights to the Beatles' catalogue, outbidding McCartney.
Song Composition
In terms of musical composition, "Say Say Say" is a pop and post-disco song that combines the pop tendencies of McCartney and the R&B leanings of Jackson.
Alec Monopoly Artwork
In 2016, street artist Alec Monopoly dedicated a mural in Los Angeles to "Say Say Say", signifying its lasting cultural influence.
Live Performances
Although the song was a major hit, it was never performed live by either McCartney or Jackson before Jackson's death in 2009.

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    Say Say Say

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1984

    Billboard #1


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    Michael Jackson: "Don't walk away, see I just can't find the right..."
    A "...way to stay."
    B "...time of day."
    C "...thing to say."
    D "...thing, come what may."

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