New Michael Jackson Song "Don't Be Messin' Round"

posted in: Music News

In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of Bad, a previously unreleased track by the late Michael Jackson has seen the light of day, as reported by The Atlantic. “Don’t Be Messin’ Around,” originally recorded during the Thriller sessions, and subsequently reworked for Bad, never made it onto an official release. The track is one of many demos that will be made available to the public in September for the 25th anniversary re-release. The unfinished demo serves as an intimate view into King of Pop’s recording process; perhaps most surprising is MJ on the piano, a skill the talented performer is not often recognized. Many of the vocal lines are ad-libbed as Michael snaps along to the infectious Latin rhythm. The fuzzy, funked-out bassline lays a foundation for flourishes of percussion, accented by the singer’s innate ability to fill silence with infectious vocal ticks. The final two minutes of the song are a highlight – MJ calls out “Bridge!” and proceeds to playfully scat new parts, emulating and eventually harmonizing with the surrounding parts. Listen to the song yourself and let us know what you think in the comments section.