UNITED KINGDOM: New Michael Jackson single "This Is It" hits radio airwaves for first time

Record ID: 784225

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: New Michael Jackson single "This Is It" hits radio airwaves for first time
  • Date: 12th October 2009
  • Summary: CLOSE OF AUDIO METERS STUDIO
  • Embargoed: 27th October 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAEG150UU09F9ZHYXI9SS42DM62
  • Story Text: British radio stations were the first in the world to play Michael Jackson's new single "This Is It" on Monday (October 12), nearly four months since his death.
    The CD was delivered under heavy security to radio stations from record company Sony Music and debuted at approximately 0745 local (0645gmt) time.
    A 40 second clip of the single was made available on the internet overnight.
    Initial reactions by listeners at radio station Kiss FM were mostly positive, with fans texting that they "had goose bumps" upon hearing the song. There were a few dissenters with one listener saying the song was "wacko".
    The track, which features backing vocals by Jackson's brothers, opens with a soft, soulful introduction and the lines: "This is it, here I stand/I'm the light of the world, I feel grand."
    Kiss radio DJ's unanimously agreed they liked the song and believe it will be another number one for the pop star.
    "When I first heard it (Jackson single), it was reminiscent of old MJ. It just took me back to 'Thriller', 'Off The Wall', that kind of sound so I loved it. I loved it. I thought it was really good," said Rickie.
    "I felt quite nervous talking about it on air I don't know why. It's a sad case really. It's an amazing song. And I think it will hit people's hearts in different ways so yeah, really quite emotional, it's good," added Charlie.
    "I think it's a massive track. It's got a very raw sound to it. It's got a very classic sound to it. The perfect tune for him to go out on as well and obviously the relation to his film so, a good track," said Melvin.
    The single will be available to buy as part of the two-disc album "This Is It" which hits the shelves internationally on October 26 and in North America on October 27 to coincide with the global release of the Jackson movie of the same name on October 28.
    ALBUM "THIS IS IT" TRACKLISTING:

    Disc 01

    1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

    2. Jam

    3. They Don't Care About Us

    4. Human Nature

    5. Smooth Criminal

    6. The Way You Make Me Feel

    7. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)

    8. I Just Can't Stop Loving You

    9. Thriller

    10. Beat It

    11. Black Or White

    12. Earth Song

    13. Billie Jean

    14. Man In The Mirror

    15. This Is It

    16. This Is It (Orchestra Version)

    Disc 02

    1. She's Out Of My Life (Demo)

    2. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Demo)

    3. Beat It (Demo)

    4. Planet Earth (Poem)
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