'This Is It' ... If by It You Mean an Old Song

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 12th 2009 05:22PM

A never-before-heard single recorded by Michael Jackson prior to his death, entitled 'This Is It,' was released today. But some people may have actually heard the song before -- by another artist.

According to TMZ, Paul Anka co-wrote the song -- called 'I Never Heard' -- with Jackson back in the '80s, but then the 'Thriller' legend stole the tapes before Anka could finish the tune. Jackson eventually returned them, but Anka claims the late King of Pop kept a copy and used it as material to record 'This Is It.'

Anka gave the song to Safire, who released it in 1990. Listen to them both.

'This Is It'

'I Never Heard'

Safire even mentioned Jackson and the song on her MySpace the day after he died.

"Michael touched my heart & soul in so many different ways I feel blessed that I had the chance of recording an original song he wrote for me with Paul Anka titled "I Never Heard". Michael was someone who I admired and who's career I followed."

Sony execs admit that they didn't even know where the song came from. "I really have no idea what the origins of the song are," Rob Stringer told The New York Times.

Anka has been speaking to his lawyers about possible legal action, and says the people handling Michael Jackson's estate have already apologized for "ripping-off my song," offering "anything you want" to keep the conflict from escalating. Anka claims that the co-Special Administrator for Jackson's estate, John McClain, admitted that "Michael couldn't have written this song alone. It's not his style."

John Branca, the co-executor of Jackson's will, told TMZ, "We acknowledge that Michael and Paul wrote this song together."

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Tags: michael jackson, MichaelJackson, paul anka, PaulAnka, this is it, ThisIsIt

Comments

(29)

Tuesday 13 October

By rbuzz0105

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The new version is much better and I think it sounds totally different. I think if you have love & respect for your friend you would let it go Anka instead of trying to cash in on his estate. So, you helped write the song, but lots of artists have someone help write their songs. He put his style and voice to sing it made it personally his. Besides , he is deceased, honor him & let it go. God will bless u for it.Your still alive so move on. Be big enough to let it go. RIP , MJ

By Raejean

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I actually think I like the MJ version better, but arrangements aside, it's pretty obviously the same song. If Michael was forced to return the tapes, he obviously made copies or some sort of record to keep his hands on it. Maybe he thought Anka would forget? Wouldn't protest? Anyway, whoever wrote the lion's share of the song, it's clear Michael did NOT have free and clear title to use it. Not sure why Anka should be "big enough to let it go" when Jackson stole it. As MJ himself said to Paul McCartney when Macca discovered his treachery, "Hey, it's only business."

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By ELVIS LIVES

Not even close, The other girl does better than MJ on this one. I guess, This was not it...

By Carmarger

THIS MAKES MICHAEL JACKSON A THEIF TOO! GEE WIZ - I WONDER WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO COME OUT IN THE WASH AS TIME GOES ON !?!

By R.

Michael, as other 'artists' have had co-writers to meet and exceed their so called style. Co-writers some loud, some quiet, rarely get credit.. it only goes to the artists. Some 'artists' call them 'angels' or miracles....too many lawyers.. too much money. The business is very ugly. They want people to 'stand up' and say.. hey.... so they can destroy and rip them apart. Angels, miracles just don't stnad up when theartists in real life needd them most. Pay back in a mother f..... R.

Michael, as other artists have co-writers and writers that let them meet and excedd their talents, their styles. Unpaid and unnoticed. The business is ugly they rip these people apart, too many lawyers, too much money to fight. Some artists call them 'angels' or miracles'. I am sure Paul Anka had a few himself. The writers sit back and watch... as the business soap operas unfold. And when they are needed in person.. they just don't show. There will always be controversy, it keeps people working. It makes the business important to only itself. R.

Wednesday 14 October

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