Beat It – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson occupied the UK top 10 for four weeks in 1983 with this track.

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Thirty years ago this week, Beat it by Michael Jackson was at its highest position of number 3 in the UK singles chart for the second of two weeks. It had entered the top 40 three weeks previously at number 30 and broke into the top 10 a week later. After falling from its peak position, the song spent one more week in the top 10, then four more in the lower top 40, before leaving the chart.

Beat it was released on the Epic record label and was the twelfth top 10 hit for Michael Jackson in the UK. It was taken from the album Thriller, which spent eight weeks at the top of the UK album chart and was certified platinum eleven times. The single was certified silver and both the single and the album topped the US charts.

Jackson’s version of the song entered the UK chart on two other occasions, reaching number 15 in 2006 and number 19 in 2009. A cover version by Fall Out Boy featuring John Mayer peaked at number 21 in 2008.

More music from Michael Jackson

 

UK singles chart for the week ending 30 April 1983

1. True – Spandau Ballet

2. Words – F R David

3. Beat it – Michael Jackson

4. (Keep feeling) fascination – Human League

5. Church of the poison mind – Culture Club

6. Let’s dance – David Bowie

7. Love is a stranger – Eurythmics

8. True love ways – Cliff Richard with the London Philharmonic Orchestra

9. We are detective – Thompson Twins

10. Breakaway – Tracey Ullman

 

12. Rosanna – Toto