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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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9

Jackson Single Not New, and Was Co-Written by Paul Anka

Penned in 1983, artist Safire released it in '90

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(Newser) – Michael Jackson’s underwhelming new single, This Is It, isn’t new, and isn’t all his. The King of Pop’s lawyers tell TMZ that singer-songwriter Paul Anka’s claim that he and Jackson co-wrote the song in 1983 is true; moreover, Latin artist Safire released the song, with the same words and melody but called I Never Heard, in 1990, CNN adds.

Late this afternoon, Anka relays to TMZ, the special administrators of Jackson's estate agreed to give him 50% of the proceeds from This Is It. "Now we know why the song was so good," one evidently told Anka. "It wasn't the type of Michael Jackson song that he could write."

Singer and songwriter Paul Anka wrote the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra's
Singer and songwriter Paul Anka wrote the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra's "My Way," among other hits.   (AP Photos)
Latin artist Safire.
Latin artist Safire.   (MySpace.com)
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9 comments
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Robert_Dada
Oct 12, 09 7:10 PM CDT
Just more greedy people trying to cash in on a dead pop star's name and legacy. Reply
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Spudsy
Oct 13, 09 3:40 PM CDT
Anka wrote it so he deserves the money. You get paid for working in this country. If anyone is trying to get rich off the dead guy it is his family that never gave a shit about his drug problem while he was alive and probably saw it as a way to get to the leftovers faster.
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lumina
Oct 12, 09 9:07 PM CDT
What a dumb comment RD. If Anka wrote half of it, he gets half the royalties. Basic business law 101 Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Oct 12, 09 9:28 PM CDT
I think Robert may have been referring to re-releasing an old song under a new name purporting to be a new song. THAT is hype trying to make a buck on a dead star's name and legacy.
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IN RESPONSE:
Robert_Dada
Oct 13, 09 8:11 PM CDT
Thanks shonan...you picked up exactly what I was trying to convey. To all others, I should have been more clear. I apologize.
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