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During Michael Jackson’s incredible run of success with Thriller, he issued a monstrous seven singles. One of the latter chart hits from the project was “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” a song with a history far beyond that of a typical four minute cut.
The title for the cut came to Jones from a garment that his wife, actress Peggy Lipton, was wearing, and he commissioned his songwriting team to create a song with that title.
Legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes put together a smooth midtempo number that felt more like the cool, urbane vibe of Off The Wall than the grittier, starker sounds that would dominate Thriller. Michael Jackson recorded a demo of this version, and there was something special there.
During Michael Jackson’s incredible run of success with Thriller, he issued a monstrous seven singles. One of the latter chart hits from the project was “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” a song with a history far beyond that of a typical four minute cut.
The title for the cut came to Jones from a garment that his wife, actress Peggy Lipton, was wearing, and he commissioned his songwriting team to create a song with that title.
Legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes put together a smooth midtempo number that felt more like the cool, urbane vibe of Off The Wall than the grittier, starker sounds that would dominate Thriller. Michael Jackson recorded a demo of this version, and there was something special there.
James Ingram created his own song using the “P.Y.T.” title, and it was a more upbeat, pop-dance hybrid that was more in line with the overall sound of Thriller, and it was the version that Jones preferred. That is the version of the song that became part of the iconic album, and itself became a top 10 pop and soul song.
The original Phillinganes-Jackson demo then sat in the vaults for forty years (other than occasional leaks), until it was added as part of the Thriller 40 compilation last year. But it isn’t just a different version of the hit single – it is an entirely different song that bears the same title.
Michael Jackson fans have loved this alternate version for years, and with good reason. It could absolutely have been not only included on an MJ project, it could have been a single.
Check out the other “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” below. It is our newest SoulTracks Lost Gem.