Michael Jackson and Paul Mc Cartney – Say Say Say

Written by Michael with Paul McCartney, and recorded as a duet for Paul’s album, Pipes Of Peace, issued in November 1983.

Michael and Paul first worked on the song during McCartney’s ‘War’ sessions between May and September 1981. The song was completed at Abbey Road studios in February 1983.

It was produced by Beatles producer, George Martin, who said of Michael: "He actually does radiate an aura when he comes into the studio, there’s no question about it. He’s not a musician in the sesne that Paul is… but he does know what he wants in music and he has very firm ideas."

It hit no.1 on the Hot 100 and no.2 on the R&B singles chart, in the US – achieved no.2 in the UK. It also charted no.1 in Canada, Finland, Italy and Norway.

Lyrics

(Paul)
Say Say Say
What you want
But don’t play games
With my affection
Take take take
What you need
But don’t leave me
With no direction

(Michael)
All alone
I sit home by the phone
Waiting for you, baby
Through the years
How can you stand to hear
My pleading for you, dear
You know I’m cryin’
Oo oo oo oo oo

(Paul)
(Now) Go go go
Where you want
But don’t leave me
Here forever
You you you stay away
So long girl, I see you never

(Michael)
What can I do, girl
To get through to you
Cause I love you baby
Standing here
Baptized in all my tears
Baby through the years
You know I’m cryin’
Oo oo oo oo oo

Say say say
Say say say

(Paul)
You never ever worry
And you never shed a tear
You’re sayin’ that my love ain’t real
(Paul and Michael)
Just look at my face these tears ain’t dryin’

(Paul)
You you you
Can never say
That I’m not the one
Who really loves you
I pray pray pray, every day
That you’ll see things
Girl like I do

(Micheal)
What can I do, girl
To get through to you
Cause I love you baby
Standing here
Baptized in all my tears
Baby through the years
You know I’m cryin’
Oo oo oo oo oo

Say say say…
(Repeat and fade out)