P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) Explained

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
Cover:P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).jpg
Border:yes
Caption:US 7" vinyl
Type:single
Artist:Michael Jackson
Album:Thriller
B-Side:
Recorded:1982
Studio:Westlake (Los Angeles, California)[1]
Label:Epic
Producer:Quincy Jones
Prev Title:Human Nature
Prev Year:1983
Next Title:Say Say Say
Next Year:1983

"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" is a song by American singer, songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson, released as the sixth single from his sixth album, Thriller (1982). The song was written by James Ingram and Quincy Jones.

"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was released on September 19, 1983. The single charted at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 46 on the Hot Black Singles chart, becoming the sixth top 10 hit from the album. It reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was most successful in Belgium, charting within the top 10 at number 6. The song has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, including Monica, Justin Guarini and Kanye West. The original demo was also remixed by Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am for Thriller 25.

Background

Quincy Jones came up with the original title for the song after his wife, Peggy Lipton, brought lingerie with the words "pretty young thing" on it. From there, Jones asked several songwriters to write a song around the title. Jackson and musician Greg Phillinganes co-wrote and recorded a demo, which was presented to Jones by Phillinganes. That version is featured on The Ultimate Collection (2004).[2] [3] Jackson recalls that his version with Phillinganes was not what Jones was looking for. "Quincy wanted a fast song. Mine was mid-tempo."[4] When James Ingram presented his demo, Jones said "that's it", and sent Ingram home to finish the lyrics. Jones then suggested they extend the bridge and add a chant section, resulting in Jones receiving a co-writer's credit. Jackson says he loved the version Ingram and Jones came up with, stating that he liked the "code" in the lyrics and the fact that words like "tenderoni" were fun rock 'n' roll-type words that couldn't be found in the dictionary.[5]

Recording

Producer Quincy Jones allowed his long-time sound engineer Bruce Swedien to choose a large-diaphragm Shure SM7 dynamic microphone for Jackson's voice. The choice was unusual, as the microphone was more often seen in radio stations. For backing vocals, Swedien positioned Jackson at different distances from the microphone to record each track, to get a thicker sound.[6]

James Ingram later described working with Jackson and Jones as being in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. "It's almost like I got the chance to go to Oz and Quincy was the Wizard of Oz and Michael Jackson was who he was dealing with in his world. Their work ethic is unbelievable."[7] He noted how Jones would fall asleep on the board, waking up to answer a question. "He works in the Alpha state a lot", Ingram added.[7] Two of Jackson's sisters, Janet and La Toya, provided backing vocals in the guise of the P.Y.T.s. The two sisters sang "na na na" back at their brother towards the end of the song.[8] According to the official sheet music at Musicnotes.com, "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" is in the key of B minor.[9] It has a tempo of 126 beats per minute, making it one of Jackson's fastest songs.[10]

Release and reception

"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was released in the US on September 19, 1983, as the sixth single from Thriller. The single charted at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 46 on the Hot Black Singles chart, becoming the sixth Top 10 hit from Thriller.[11] The song was released in Europe in March 1984. In the United Kingdom, the song reached a peak position of 11. It was most successful in Belgium, charting within the Top 10 at no. 6. The single was placed at no. 14 in the Netherlands. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" charted at number 24 in Canada and peaked at number 51 in Germany.

Response to "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was mixed to positive. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic thought that it was "frizzy funk".[12] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine believed that "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was a "lush disco paradise".[13] However, Rolling Stone reviewer Christopher Connelly, while discussing the album in a review, stated that the song "isn't up to the spunky character of the other tracks". Connelly mentioned that one of Jackson's weaknesses was "a tendency to go for the glitz", and cited the song as one example of this.[14] Davitt Sigerson, from the same magazine, also agreed with Connelly, calling it one of Thrillers "forgettables".[15] Jon Pareles of The New York Times called the song "fluff", and believed that the other songs from the album were what made Thriller such a hit.[16]

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008
Type:song
Artist:Michael Jackson featuring will.i.am
Album:Thriller 25
Released:2008
Length:4:37
Label:Epic
Producer:
  • Michael Jackson
  • will.i.am

For Thriller 25, Black Eyed Peas frontman and producer will.i.am remixed the demo version of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" which Michael Jackson and Greg Phillinganes had co-written.[17] The producer commented on Jackson and the project: "You always just dream of meeting him, let alone working with him. I wouldn't have believed it. I grew up in the projects in East Los Angeles and Thriller was filmed about two blocks from my house, but my mother was really strict and she wouldn't let me go to the factories—she didn't care who was filming a video there; but I'm on the 25th anniversary, 25 years later—that's pretty awesome."[7] Entitled "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008", the remix was well received by Rolling Stone. The publication described the track, along with "The Girl Is Mine 2008", as being one of the best songs on the album.[18] They noted that will.i.am "updates the songs' original sound to make them dancefloor-worthy 25 years after their release".[18]

Personnel

Track listing

45 RPMA-side
  1. "P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)" – 3:59

B-side

  1. "Working Day and Night" (live—Jacksons) – 4:26
Disco singleA-side
  1. "P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)" – 3:59

B-side

  1. "This Place Hotel" – 4:41
  2. "Thriller" (instrumental) – 5:56

Official versions

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1983–1984)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[19] 40
US Billboard Adult Contemporary37
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 10
US Billboard Hot Black Singles46
US Cash Box[21] 15
Chart (2009)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Belgium (Back Catalogue Singles Flanders)[22] 26
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Singles)48
UK Singles (OCC)[23] 98
US Billboard Hot Digital Songs14

Year-end charts

Chart (1983)!scope="col"
Position
US Cash Box[24] 96
Chart (1984)!scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 65

Cover versions and references to the song

Sampling

Bibliography

External links

"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" lyrics

Notes and References

  1. News: Randall . Roberts . Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature': An NYC classic on his birthday . . August 29, 2012 . December 6, 2019 .
  2. Web site: Alyssa . Rashbaum . Michael Jackson's Ultimate Box Set Has Demos, Hits, Live DVD . September 9, 2004 . MTV . May 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20040912014647/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490867/09092004/jackson_michael.jhtml. dead. September 12, 2004.
  3. News: CDs . . December 10, 2004 . May 3, 2009 .
  4. Web site: Michael . Jackson . 1993 . Mexico Deposition . YouTube . live . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/c1uyuSB6Lm4 . December 21, 2021.
  5. Book: Jackson, Michael . 1988 . Moonwalk . . USA . 196 . 0-385-24712-5.
  6. Book: Savona, Anthony . 2005 . Console Confessions: The Great Music Producers in Their Own Words . . 194 . 9780879308605.
  7. Joy . Bennett . Thrills to come: King of Pop teams up with Kanye, Akon, will.i.am. for remix of world's' best-selling album: is new CD coming next? . . December 24, 2007 . July 12, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090712004947/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-34135617_ITM.
  8. News: Peter . Lyle . Michael Jackson's monster smash . . November 25, 2007 . May 3, 2009 .
  9. Web site: P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) by Michael Jackson – Digital Sheet Music . Musicnotes . 10 July 2009 . January 26, 2018 .
  10. Book: The Complete Michael Jackson . 1997 . . 1859094473 . 69.
  11. News: Ron . Yeany . MJ breaks record with record and makes 25 million sales . . February 10, 1984 . May 3, 2009 . dead . March 21, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321134133/http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG%2F1984%2F02%2F10&EntityId=Ar02604.
  12. Web site: Stephen Thomas . Erlewine . Michael Jackson – Thriller . . May 28, 2009 .
  13. Web site: Eric . Henderson . Michael Jackson: Thriller . . October 18, 2003 . May 28, 2009 .
  14. Christopher . Connelly . Michael Jackson: Thriller . . January 28, 1983 . May 28, 2009 .
  15. Web site: Davitt . Sigerson . Michael Jackson: Bad . Rolling Stone . October 27, 1987 . May 28, 2009 .
  16. News: Jon . Pareles . Critic's Notebook; How Good Is Jackson's 'Bad'? . . September 3, 1987 . May 28, 2009 .
  17. Kanye West, Akon, will.i.am for 'Thriller' reissue . NME . November 30, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927232056/http://www.nme.com/news/nme/32881 . September 27, 2013.
  18. Daniel . Kreps . The "Thriller" Remixes: Kanye, Akon, Will.i.am and Fergie Try to Top the Chipmunks' "Beat It" . Rolling Stone . December 20, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071224125942/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/12/20/the-thriller-remixes-kanye-akon-william-and-fergie-try-to-top-the-chipmunks-beat-it/ . December 24, 2007.
  19. Book: Kent, David . David Kent (historian) . 1993 . Australian Chart Book 1970-1992 . Australian Chart Book . . 0-646-11917-6.
  20. Web site: Thriller – Awards . . July 4, 2013 . 27 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130727114455/http://www.allmusic.com/album/thriller-mw0000056882/awards.
  21. CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – December 3, 1983 . . September 11, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120911042142/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19831203.html.
  22. Web site: 50 Back Catalogue Singles – 04/07/2009 . Ultratop. Hung Medien . June 1, 2013 .
  23. Web site: Chart Log UK: Jessie J – JX . Zobbel.de . May 8, 2015 .
  24. The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983 . . dead . August 25, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120825143147/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html.
  25. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1984 . Ultratop. Hung Medien . April 26, 2014 . nl.
  26. News: Ryan . Blay . Two compete on 'American Idol' for a record deal with RCA . . September 2, 2002 . April 26, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140426234129/https://www.michigandaily.com/print/36507.
  27. Web site: Glenn . Gamboa . Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' turns 25 . . February 12, 2008 . April 26, 2014 .
  28. News: Luke . O'Neil . If it fits in the mix, it works . July 31, 2007 . . June 24, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070624195540/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2007/07/31/if_it_fits_in_the_mix_it_works/.
  29. Web site: Idolator Staff . 'Glee' Covers Katy Perry and Michael Jackson for Valentine's Day . . January 22, 2011 . April 26, 2014 .
  30. Web site: Josh . Modell . The Wood Brothers cover Michael Jackson . . August 21, 2012 . April 2, 2013 .
  31. Web site: Mark . Kavanagh . Watch: New single from Irish DJ John Gibbons . April 11, 2017 . May 15, 2017 .
  32. Web site: Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 26 May 2017 – 1 June 2017 . . May 27, 2017 .
  33. Web site: Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50/: 26 May 2017 – 1 June 2017 . . May 27, 2017 .
  34. Web site: Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 26 May 2017 – 1 June 2017 . . May 15, 2017 .
  35. Christina . Saraceno . Monica Eyes the Spotlight . Rolling Stone . December 11, 2002 . May 20, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070520232504/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/monica/articles/story/5934131/monica_eyes_the_spotlight.
  36. News: Corey . Moss . Monica's Next Album Showcases Her Newfound Potty Mouth . . July 3, 2002 . May 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140605082911/http://www.mtv.com/news/1455920/monicas-next-album-showcases-her-newfound-potty-mouth/. dead. June 5, 2014.
  37. News: Shaheem . Reid . Monica Brings New Perspective to Third Album . MTV . May 8, 2002 . May 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121026093602/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453841/monica-all-grown-up-on-new-lp.jhtml. dead. October 26, 2012.
  38. News: Shaheem . Reid . Memphis Bleek Gets Past Bleak Period, Now Has It M.A.D.E. . MTV . May 5, 2003 . May 3, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121026095434/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471696/memphis-bleek-has-it-made.jhtml. dead. October 26, 2012.
  39. Louis . Pattison . Kanye West – Graduation . . September 13, 2007 . May 3, 2009 .

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