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Written by James Ingram and Quincy Jones, the song was aimed at giving Thriller a lighter, more playful funk vibe to balance the intense drama of songs like "Beat It".
While Michael Jackson had revolutionized the music video format with the epic, narrative-driven productions for "Billie Jean" and "Thriller," the official music video for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" took a different approach. Rather than a mini-movie, it was a performance-based clip directed by the prolific commercial and music video director Joe Pytka.
The song famously features backing vocals from La Toya and Janet Jackson, adding a high-pitched, playful counterpoint to Michael's lead. michael jackson pyt pretty young thing
He and singer-songwriter James Ingram turned that phrase into a lyrical masterpiece, constructing a song that was all about the groove and lighthearted flirtation. Unlike many tracks on Thriller that were designed to break boundaries or social norms, "P.Y.T." was designed to dance. The Production and Sound
Check out our breakdowns of Billie Jean, Beat It, and the making of the legendary music video for Thriller.
The song's distinct vocal hooks and driving rhythm have been sampled by numerous contemporary artists. Most famously, rapper Kanye West heavily sampled the slowed-down vocals of the original Michael Jackson demo for his 2007 smash hit "Good Life" featuring T-Pain. This public link is valid for 7 days
While it sounds quintessentially 80s, the production quality is so high that it doesn't feel dated.
"P.Y.T." has been sampled dozens of times, most famously by Monica in her 1995 hit "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)" and by Kanye West on the song "Good Life."
"P.Y.T." may not have been released as a single from Thriller , but its influence is undeniable. It became a staple of the R&B and New Jack Swing movements that followed. The song’s structure—a mix of hard funk beats and pop melody—served as a blueprint for countless artists in the late 80s and early 90s. Can’t copy the link right now
Though it was the sixth single chosen from an album that had already generated massive hits, "P.Y.T." still managed to conquer the airwaves. It became Thriller 's sixth consecutive top-10 single on the Billboard Hot 100, a testament to the album's unprecedented momentum. Sampling and Modern Influence
Produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, "P.Y.T." is a masterclass in early 80s funk-pop. The song features:
Look into the used by Quincy Jones See a list of the most famous hip-hop samples of the song
Released as a single in September 1983, "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was a massive commercial success. It became the sixth consecutive top-10 hit from Thriller on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 10. It also performed exceptionally well on the R&B singles chart, solidifying Jackson’s dual dominance over mainstream pop and urban radio.