Unless you came here from another planet, you’ve likely heard Michael Jackson’s song, “Billie Jean”, at some point in your life. Come to think of it, at least one person who came here from another planet did hear the song. Superman had it played at his wedding to Lois Lane. And he did the moonwalk — on the actual moon! But I don’t want to get off track (no pun intended).
During the recording sessions for Thriller, Michael Jackson (MJ) approached Quincy Jones (QJ), the producer, with an idea:
MJ: I want to write a song called, “Jelly Bean.”
QJ: Come again.
MJ: Yeah. I want to write a song called, “Jelly Bean.”
QJ: You want to write a song about Easter candy?
MJ: Well, yeah. No. Kinda.
QJ: With that kind of decisiveness, you’ll have a hit, for sure.
MJ: I just want to write a song about a girl who only likes purple jellybeans. But because the coloring is artificial — a blend of Red 3 (Erythrosine) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — she ends up having allergic reactions and cognitive issues.
QJ: That sounds catchy. Where’d that idea come from?
MJ: I don’t know. I just made it up. All I have is the chords, so far.
QJ: Let me sleep on it. But leave the chord sheet with me.
While Quincy was pondering the title of the track, he was assembling the musicians who’d bring Michael’s chord progression to life. His choice to play bass was Louis Johnson, a founding member of the funk band, The Brothers Johnson.
When Quincy heard the bass line Louis came up with, he said, “That’s one seriously contagious groove you got going on there. I believe we’re going to hear it again somewhere down the line.”
Given how modest he was, Louis replied, “I don’t know, Man. I can’t imagine anybody wantin’ to pick that thing up. And we damn well won’t hear any white folks using it.”
The rest, as they say …
A Week Later
After the instrumental tracks had all been recorded, Michael came back to the studio.
MJ: Are we ready to cut “Jelly Bean”?
QJ: I can’t let you do that.
MJ: How about if we change the name to “Belly Jean”?
QJ: What will that be about?
MJ: I don’t know. I just made it up.
QJ: Tell you what. How about we call it “Billie Jean” and make it about a girl who says you fathered her child?
MJ: But I didn’t!
QJ: Exactly. That’s the point of the song.
MJ: No mention of jellybeans at all?
QJ: No. Sorry.
MJ: Okay. But it’ll never sell.
QJ: Look. I have to get to the console to mix the instrumental tracks, okay? Go write some lyrics for “Billie Jean”.
As Michael was headed toward the door, he stopped and turned around.
MJ: What about “Bobby Jean”?
QJ: Beat it!
MJ: Ooh. Great idea!
QJ: Good grief.
