FIRST TIME HEARING - MICHAEL JACKSON - BEAT IT 😳😱

[@egilskallagrimsson2941]

It’s mathematically impossible to not have heard this song at least once in the last thirty years.

[@juanito1975]

If there was no radio, internet, or tv, walkmans, Mp3 players, Cd players then maybe! .lol

[@wylerXL]

maybe he's referring to watch the mtv not heard. kids born in 2010's know most of his popular songs even when they were born after MJ died.

[@patinho5589]

It’s actually not logically impossible.

[@tracyleesmith781]

I heard it too!🤣🤦🏽‍♀️

[@breakena]

He actually asked if that was MJ at the start of the video

[@ErsenAsper]

As a kid of 80's im sure that we wont see a star like Michael. He was a legend.

[@southsideman4891]

From Motown 25 until a little bit after Bad: Michael was on a level by himself that only the Beatles or Elvis was on. It was a sight to see.

[@johnsonmark65]

@@southsideman4891 he really was, specially in '84 lol it was crazy to say the least

[@MichaelSasario]

Preach mate

[@ALXCHTZ]

Maybe lady Gaga she’s a legend too

[@blvckdoll]

Was? 🤯 is a legend❤

[@e.s.7272]

You're absolutely right. Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo on Michael Jackson's “Beat It” is iconic

[@omgbeardriving]

Supposedly done on the first take. Legend RIP

[@themysteriousoa4466]

Eddie: Michael came in, and I was like, “I hope you don’t mind, I changed your song.” and he listens and he goes, “No I, I really like what you did with that high fast stuff!”

[@paatty153]

That’s right. I know that Slash played one of the songs.

[@mdoug15918]

David was pissed. Said never give anything away for free again.

[@Platypus333]

​@@paatty153black or white. Slash from guns n roses did all the guitar.

[@ayaanbretmitchell9830]

The man shook the world. For decades. Still shocks me till this day what he achieved and the mass love he got from the fans. They CREATED awards for him as he won them all in a time when the competitors were excellent. Legend.

[@ItzKyIe]

More like forever

[@harryrob8221]

The one true G.O.A.T

[@Salemaa]

Nd his was always knew for ppl nd no one could ever overshadow him.

[@Salemaa]

Nd his was always knew for ppl nd no one could ever overshadow him.

[@glennwelsh9784]

Eddie Van Halen contributed that epic guitar solo, and he did it completely free of charge. People thought he was crazy for not wanting to get paid for it, but he didn't regret it one bit and calls it one of the best experiences of his career. The solo was literally fire - one of the speakers in the recording studio actually caught fire while they were recording it.

[@southsideman4891]

They said he really, REALLY invested in creating that solo and Michael noticed his efforts and appreciated it.

[@rashb3994]

Wow thanks for sharing. I never heard this story before. Now I need to go find out how they connected in the first place.

[@Biga1707]

No he didn't want anybody to know it's him playing there is an interview with Luke something here on KZbin where he tells the story of the solo

[@southsideman4891]

@@rashb3994 it was all people knowing each other in the industry stuff. Michael said he wanted a metal solo and they thought of Eddie and it went from there.

[@baileejo7663]

This song made Michael more than just a pop star. He started to appeal to rock fans and crossed genres. The rock radio stations played this song just as much as the pop stations. Honestly he was one of a kind and I don’t think we will ever see someone like him again.

[@davechattoe9144]

I remember when "Thriller" came out they sold just that single on VHS tapes and my mom brought it home. That was true epic "Movie style" video production that you never see anymore.

[@lewisner]

I have a cassette recording of the album being reviewed on UK radio 1 in 1983.

[@TNgirl546]

@@lewisner I have the Thriller album that I purchased in the 80s. He has always been one of my favorites. There has never been anyone like him or I double will ever be.

[@jenniferpartridge6235]

The making of video is amazing too.

[@drjag1155]

The King of pop. Gone but never forgotten 👏🤗👍

[@creativitycell]

EVH Eddie Van Halen did the guitar solos in one afternoon! MJ phoned him up and he said no probs, thinking it was just a small bit or a "b" side, he didn't even ask for any money! When he heard the finished song months later after it was released he thought "oh fck it's a monster! I should have asked for royalties!" He laughs about it now and reckoned he would have made $10M in royalties on the song by now, but at the time he was just doing MJ a quick favour! He didn't realise it was going to become one of the most iconic guitar solos in pop music history! EVH is a true rock legend for not even bothering to try and chase MJ up afterwards for a cut! What a music brother! Respect!👏🙏

[@williamhayes981]

The Eddie Van Halen guitar solo in this song.....timeless

[@ShannonDaniels-z5h]

Respect to the King of Pop. There is no comparison

[@MohamedMohamed-by5iy]

If you’re not from the 80s and 90s .. you’ll not realise how big MJ was 🥲

[@SuperMario-eq8ik]

Unfortunately not the kids born in the 2000s cause he died when we were really young. He died when I was 6 years old.

[@MohamedMohamed-by5iy]

@@SuperMario-eq8ik yes, my son was born in 2005, he doesn’t know how big MJ was 😅

[@rashb3994]

It's fascinating to watch your reaction. You have this wholesome vibe and you're right about MJ passing the vibe check. The media has been trying to villify him for decades, even 10 years after his death. I have never believed them based on his energy and what he was about while on the planet. He brought people together and let the world know that's what he's about, and I think deep down inside that's what the powers that be really couldn't stand.

[@michaelwduffy]

Thank you so much means the world!!! And I totally agree it seems he was one of a kind!! 😁

[@sunil3371]

@@michaelwduffy Not one of The Best Michael Duffy, My Michael Jackson is always will be The only one.The Best ever talented guy in the whole universe. Thank you MD for appreciating my comment. I'm in India, Bangalore Sir . Hope to meet you some day before I stop breathing. Not a joke Bro.

[@marilynbergemann6808]

Michael was the greatest singer and dancer of all times. He was the genius. He was so ahead of his time. May he rest in peace.

[@gordonfreeman1839]

There will never be anyone else like Michael!

[@threekidzmom04]

Gosh I loved Michael Jackson's fun videos!!! We were so blessed to have grown up with him! It had to be so fun being in his videos!

[@MotownGirlK]

The dancer in white is choreographer Michael Peters. He choreographed the dances for the Beat It and Thriller videos.

[@dr.bishops691]

This man single handedly sold america to the world. I knew Micheal Jackson before I knew america. No musica will ever come close to this man. He was a god

[@JeanGulaparojo]

So many grest songs of MJ.He is a legend and will never be forgotten by us fans.

[@iLuSi0n]

It s not possibile to hear this for the first time , if is true you re an absolute boom!

[@wen-nz3sk]

Eddie Van Halen provided guitar greatness on this single helping Michael crossover into the rock arena. Treasure this one...we still rockin ya MJ and Ed...RIP.

[@thairaism]

You are right.. he was too nice of a guy and too genuine.. too talented and love.. and that's why they tried to destroy him.. but failed!!

[@rainbowpegacornstudios]

Eddie Van Halen's ICONIC guitar solo is one of the best bits of music ever written or improvised.

[@johnsonmark65]

The Thriller album was the soundtrack of the early-mid 80s, regardless of age,race and even music taste everybody in America🇺🇸 loved that album back then, MJ really was the man during 82-85.

[@southsideman4891]

I thought I was the biggest Michael Jackson fan in the world and all y'all was second. Lol. R.I.P. Michael....

[@ExtremePainGames]

Ive never seen a fight like that .. Hooa aha wa ah ahaa aaaaaaaaa !!! Classic.

[@KarloAras.83]

One of the greatest songs ever!

[@mariacavanaugh1010]

For any kid/teen in the 80s the music video was almost as important as the song itself. The launch of MTV also helped propel the second British Invasion with Duran Duran, The Fixx,, The Police, and Def Leppard, plus U2 from Ireland. Michael Jackson's solo career was ready to hit the ground running with the Beat It album...five top ten hits! 😁

[@kevinmarshall854]

Michael Jackson wanted to have a harder rock song and he wanted to have a killer guitar solo in the song and after thinking about all of the great guitarist that were available Quincy asked Eddie Van Halen to go and meet Michael Jackson and see what he could do to help him. When you hear Eddie talk about it he didn't know what he could do to help him but he figured that what is it going to hurt to help this black kid for a few minutes and it ended up being one of the most heard guitar solos ever. And Eddie said that he wasn't sure if Michael was going to appreciate it but he reworked the song a little bit to let the guitar solo fit into the song better and when he had Michael listen to the changes that he had made Eddie said that Michael could not stop telling him how much he loved what Eddie did and the incredible sounds that he could get from his guitar that no one else had ever done before. Two true lovers of real music no matter the type of music. As long as you love what you do when you are making music.

[@joehoy9242]

It's worth remembering, though, that most of the guitar we're hearing on the song is played by the equally legendary and gifted Steve Lukather of Toto. He also wasn't sure if it was one of his friends goofing off when Michael called him, and it took Quincy calling to straighten things out. Eddie's solo is great - however at the same time the whole song hangs off the riff Steve's playing.

[@southsideman4891]

@joehoy9242 very True

[@ayaanbretmitchell9830]

So true. MJ didn't care what music style it was. He loved all music and all styles. That's why he experimented with all styles.

[@smoothkirito]

The guitar work on this song by Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather is truly iconic.

[@thejoshman3843]

i still remember summer camp 1984, when michael jacksons red zipper jacket was EVERYWHERE.

[@palmirasanchez]

Michael is timeless! He really was the king of pop. He was an amazing performer. He was the 80s. Eddie Van Halen in guitar... no suprise!

[@tibouzankor1997]

That red jacket! I don’t know how many copies of it were ever sold😅It was everywhere!

[@paatty153]

Michael Peters is the dude in the dragon jacket. He was the choreographer.

[@christiandidonato]

A genius like no other, absolute genius.

[@randieandjodistrom854]

I remember the day the late great Mr. Michael Jackson died as well, very well, as it was the day of the rehearsal dinner for my son's wedding. Mr. Michael Jackson is indeed the King of Pop, God rest his soul.

[@donnamoskowitz4978]

When word got out MJ was working on a new project everyone wanted to be included in some way! Great reaction!!!

[@deadlymantis4210]

5:14 the guy on the left goes left when everyone else goes right...With MJ being a perfectionist, I'm surprised they didnt re shoot that scene

[@thrashdagnarz8103]

That solo will forever be top tier 🔥

[@pro5692]

Michael delorenzo the back up dancer with the black vest went on to be a great actor in a show called New York undercover

[@gippywhite]

If you re-watch this video, the dude in the white suit was supposed to originally have been played by Eddie Murphy. But Murphy turned it down. So it ended up being played by the choreographer for this music video. 💙💙💙

[@billybucks8234]

Michael Jackson goat

[@rosauralemosdasilva8944]

Tenho 54 anos. Sou geração MJ. Este é meu vídeo preferido. Minha música preferida. Como ele jamais haverá outro. Parabéns pelo bom gosto.🙏🇧🇷

[@vishalnigam4946]

Every few days I like to close my eyes & pretend like I'm hearing Beat It for the first time. If this is truly your first time, I'm so jealous.

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

MJ holds a special place in my heart because I’m actually named after him in tribute to my oldest sister who died 3 months before I was born

[@southsideman4891]

Respect. R.I.P. Michael...

[@sunil3371]

Thank you brother. Michael Jackson was, is and forever be my idol. Also I love his "give in to me with Slash(gun's and roses)' playing guitar. I can say 'I'm a hard-core fan of Michael Jackson.' My all time favourite

[@jackmcculler658]

The bloke in the white jacket is the dance choreographer.

[@christophercarr3755]

This song is about gang rival, another great mj song

[@ramiroleon-ze5ve]

❤RAMIRO🕴🕺

[@TheHipisterDeer]

It's so iconic it even has an iconic parody song IN THE SAME SET AND BACKGROUND DANCERS AS THIS VIDEO.

[@terereynolds698]

The choreography in all of his film shorts is pure perfection, I love watching him perform.

[@bigd_selectersmg]

SO ICONIC!

[@gracemichelli.2am124]

Loved to watch and listen to MJ. 🥰

[@jameshayes3387]

The GOAT of all GOATS

[@EdithCardellini]

You need to react to "Scream," an amazing collaboration with his sister Janet Jackson. R.I.P. Michael Jackson🕊❤️

[@tihomirrasperic]

I think that the video "Dirty Diana" is the best Michael video without equal Although "The Way You Make Me Feel" isn't bad either and futuristic "leave me alone"

[@omegagilgamesh]

According to this one show years and years ago that brought up behind the scenes facts about music videos while they played, that dude in the white coat in that knife fight was the video's dance choreographer...and most of the extras were actual New York gangsters who were invited to be a part of the video.

[@KrishLius]

i miss the guy. i discovered mj later in my life but i fell absolutely in love with him. we will never get another mj

[@WineSippingCowboy]

40 years old 🎂 Written by Michael Jackson. Produced by him and Quincy Jones. All star band members: Steve Lukather on bass guitar and guitar riffs (beginning) 🎸 and rhythm guitar. David Paich on keyboards. Steve Porcaro on keyboards 🎹 His late brother Jeff on drums. 🥁 They are/were in Toto. Steve Lukather also played with Chicago, late Donna Sommer and Michael McDonald in that same year! 🤯 David Paich also played with many musicians in 1982. Thus, members worked like dogs 🐕 L 🤣L Late Eddie van Halen on guitar solo 🎸 . He rearranged the song. MJ approved! 🤯 RIP Jeff Porcaro, Eddie van Halen and Michael Jackson

[@southsideman4891]

Great post. R.I.P.

[@mistyfaella3115]

And Michael Peters ( choreographer in white) died on Michael’s birthday

[@silafuyang8675]

I spent years in China, learning stuff in the monasteries. Once a Taoist monk came to me and asked me to teach him the lyrics of this song. He saw them in Chinese and thought they are very wise and the young should know them because the song teaches how to avoid conflict. So for hours we sat in the Grand Hall, singing "Beat It". Later I found out that he was not just any monk but master of the martial arts from Huangshan.

[@AyrtonFelipe1]

THE KING

[@babaraegert8549]

It's one of my favourite Songs

[@tullochmacdonald4245]

The music video for Thriller had a vhs which was a mix of behind-the-scenes footage and a mini biography of Mj. We learned that Michael danced with professional dancers, and you couldn't tell that he'd never had professional dance lessons. If you haven't seen the video for Thriller, you NEED to see it and react to it.

[@LyllianaofMirrah]

eddie van halen doing great job on that solo guitar part

[@GoinAllOut]

This dude was completely immersed

[@foxymacadoo]

According to a video documentary I watched it was MJ's idea to actually used 2 rival gang members, 80 members in total, for this video. The producers were concerned about possible trouble between the gangs but when MJ was on the set everyone was chill and there was no trouble. Apparently it was quite something to witness. The documentary was extremely interesting with a lot of information I didn't know.

[@charleskofflermusic9051]

In France too, we know that as if it was our own culture, dude. We can say he knows how to dance. I enjoyed, Michael 👍👍👍🎉🎉☀️☀️💫☀️👏👏👏

[@borutodepaz2086]

Me Born in year 1988 I guaranteed when you hear the sound of Michael Jackson music you like to dance.

[@Altman1953]

The "gang member" in the white jacket is Michael Peters. He was MJ's long time choreographer.

[@Jammy._.]

fun fact the first time he did the moon walk he messed up at the end he was supposed to spin and do the tip toe pose and stay that way for a few seconds but he messed up the landing and only did one second but he was so fluid it looked like thats what he planned to do all along

[@looneygardener]

Michael Jackson began these big production videos with Thriller.

[@steveenlow3689]

Such a great song 🕺🕺🕺🕺 love it 😁👍

[@petrilampela]

If I remember correctly most of the gang members on the video were "the real thing" and were teached how to dance for this video alone. Steve Lukather from Toto plays the rhythm guitar and Eddie Van Halen plays the solo. Eddie didn't want any money for it so he did it for free. Just imagine the amount of royalties lost... If you haven't seen Thriller (the 13 minute music video) that's a must watch. Easily the best music video ever made IMO, an event.

[@FURognar]

How is it even possible for someone to go through life and never hear Beat it at least 1000 times in passing.

[@Hercules4444]

Couldn't agree more...🎶👍

[@valogden]

I love Eddie talking about this. It's fun to look up if you get a chance. He was in Tower Records after it was released and a couple of kids were saying listen to this guy playing guitar trying to sound like Eddie Van Halen. He laughed and said it is me.

[@alexandralenz7790]

Hail Michael!!! We love you for ever! thanks for ur true reaction :)

[@michaelwduffy]

Thank you sm!! 😁🙏

[@VelvetViolator]

Rhythm guitar played by Steve Lukather (TOTO), solo done by Eddie Van Halen.

[@RuanAntunes7]

How are you only hearing this now? I was born in 1992 but I grew up listening to it on the radio and now this song is on my playlist which consists of nearly 5000 songs. “Beat It” is an awesome song

[@MotownGirlK]

The Bad video is a true film production, directed by Martin Scorsese and co-starring Wesley Snipes

[@klb9142]

The majority of the dancers in this video was competing LA street gangs, that he talked into getting along to be a part of this music video. You'll find more great guitar playing in the video of his song Dirty Diana.

[@Nonyonah143]

Those guys were actually real crips and bloods and MJ was able to bring them together.

[@hughfuller8416]

Dance battle solves everything.

[@solomoon3083]

Try that Eddie solo on guitar hero. It s a supreme ass kicker! Haha. I had one dream about Michael Jackson. It was in 2016. And it felt as real as I am sitting here. He came up to me in a white smoky room. Smiled and then slow danced with me. He kissed my lips. And then he vanished. I don’t know what he smelled like, but I could smell and feel him as though he were actually there with me. I woke up In tears. It was bizarre.

[@walkofnails2923]

Eddie Van Halen being a rock god in the guitar solo ❤

[@kerryn6714]

Eddie Van Halen did the solo and Steve Lukather did the rest. Steve was from the band Toto.

[@Zoyanna]

Eddie Van Halen - guitar solo ... in this song

[@richardremick1639]

Just a side note: there was dozens of ambulances at every Michael Jackson show back in 84 people would die for him man it was like when the Beatles were famous. He was everywhere. Larger than life. To live through that was mind boggling. He was so famous I’m talking Fame man like you never saw or heard.

[@rodhanson7112]

Michael JACKSON died aged 50 AND THEN SOMEONE WENT into his house and FOUND Mark's ON THE WOOD WHERE HE practiced his dancing

[@kimking6036]

The date and time of Michael's new video would be announced on MTV. We couldn't wait! Micheal asked rival gang members to be in this one. His videos are amazing. I love the Earth song

[@pianoekket]

I always think of Back to the future 2 when I hear this. Such a good tune

[@Shadowman820]

You're right they don't make music videos like this anymore because these days they don't play them on TV as much like MTV used to in the beginning so there is no point in spending big money to make a music video .

[@tracyleesmith781]

That guitar riff, Van Halen, may he rest in peace❤️🤘🏽

[@glamourisbest]

You’re right video quality back then was much better and Michael led the way.

[@RockFan89]

Yes, the 80s music videos were really something. Mini movies. Artists spent like $500k to make each one, and MTV played them every hour.

[@FlavioCdac]

There's no one like him... MJ was the best one I he keep creating followers for his style!

[@julesPal100]

He used several guitar solos. Yes awesome

[@dcg4mn]

Hey your responses are really good, heartfelt, observant, ya feel it. Yes no one had higher production values (or budgets)😉 on his videos than MJ🤘🏽

[@Getstr8cash]

Theirs no way it’s your first time hearing this mj classic you must’ve heard it when you younger great vid tho 🔥🔥🔥

[@justinwill1163]

Fun fact these guys were actual gangsters back in the day. Michael used real gangsters as a way to try to bring peace between them

[@Thepokemonhotdog]

It has 1 billion now…

[@kendoglarson5419]

You said it yourself, " OMG....you can see why this guy is the King of Pop"😁🐐📯