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P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

By: James Ingram and Quincy Jones

At a glance

  • Album: Thriller
  • Released: September 19th, 1983
  • Recorded: Apr 14th - Nov 8th, 1982
  • Length: 3:59
  • Billboard: 10
  • UK Charts: 11
  • Greg Phillinganes: Synthesizer, Synthesizer Programming
  • Michael Boddicker: Vocoder, Emulator
  • James Ingram: Portasound Keyboard
  • Paul Jackson: Guitars
  • Louis Johnson: Electric Bass
  • Ndugu Chancler – Drums
  • Michael Jackson, Louis Johnson, Greg Phillinganes, James Ingram & Steven Ray: Handclaps
  • Arrangement by: James Ingram & Quincy Jones
  • P.Y.T.’s: Janet Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Becky Lopez, Bunny Hull
  • Additional background vocals: James Ingram, Howard Hewett
  • Lead vocals: Michael Jackson
  • Produced by: Quincy Jones
  • Recorded and mixed by: Bruce Swedien
  • Technical engineer: Matt Forger

Credits

Taken from the original "Thriller" LP linear notes.
  • Greg Phillinganes: Synthesizer, Synthesizer Programming
  • Michael Boddicker: Vocoder, Emulator
  • James Ingram: Portasound Keyboard
  • Paul Jackson: Guitars
  • Louis Johnson: Electric Bass
  • Ndugu Chancler – Drums
  • Michael Jackson, Louis Johnson, Greg Phillinganes, James Ingram & Steven Ray: Handclaps
  • Arrangement by: James Ingram & Quincy Jones
  • P.Y.T.’s: Janet Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Becky Lopez, Bunny Hull
  • Additional background vocals: James Ingram, Howard Hewett
  • Lead vocals: Michael Jackson
  • Produced by: Quincy Jones
  • Recorded and mixed by: Bruce Swedien
  • Technical engineer: Matt Forger

A brief history

“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” is the penultimate track on “Thriller.” It was also the penultimate single released from the album. In 2004 Michael released his original demo of the song as part of “The Ultimate Collection” box set. The demo’s lyrics, melody and tempo were completely different from the final result. In fact it was an entirely different song from what was finally released on “Thriller.”

The reason for such drastic differences was because of Quincy Jones. He asked several songwriters to write a song based solely on the title. Michael and Greg Phillinganes recorded the demo, but it was James Ingram’s version that Jones eventually thought was right.

In 2008 will.i.am remixed Michael’s original demo for “Thriller 25.” This was alongside another remix he made for “The Girl Is Mine.” That too used solely Michael’s demo version.

Fun fact

At 126 beats per minute, “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” is one of Michael’s fastest songs.

Alternative single covers

Listen on Spotify

Below is the famous track as found on the “Thriller” album, as well as Michael’s original demo, and the 2008 remix by will.i.am of Michael’s original demo.

Where did you come from lady
And ooh won’t you take me there
Right away won’t you baby
Tenderoni you’ve got to be
Spark my nature
Sugar fly with me
Don’t you know now is the perfect time
We can make it right hit the city lights
Then tonight ease the lovin’ pain
Let me take you to the max

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
And I’ll take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
I’ll take you there (Anywhere you wanna go)

Nothin’ can stop this burnin’
Desire to be with you
Gotta get to you baby
Won’t you come, it’s emergency
Cool my fire yearnin’ honey, come set me free
Don’t you know now is the perfect time
We can dim the lights, just to make it right
In the night
Hit the lovin’ spot
I’ll give you all I’ve got

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
And I’ll take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
I’ll take you there

Pretty young things, repeat after me
(Michael) Sing na na na
(P.Y.T.’S) na na na
(Michael) na na na na
(P.Y.T.’s) na na na na
(Michael) Sing na na na
(P.Y.T.’s) na na na
(Michael) na na na na na
(P.Y.T.’s) na na na na na
(Michael) Oh take it back, take it back

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
And I’ll take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
I’ll take you there

Lyrics

Where did you come from lady
And ooh won’t you take me there
Right away won’t you baby
Tenderoni you’ve got to be
Spark my nature
Sugar fly with me
Don’t you know now is the perfect time
We can make it right hit the city lights
Then tonight ease the lovin’ pain
Let me take you to the max

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
And I’ll take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
I’ll take you there (Anywhere you wanna go)

Nothin’ can stop this burnin’
Desire to be with you
Gotta get to you baby
Won’t you come, it’s emergency
Cool my fire yearnin’ honey, come set me free
Don’t you know now is the perfect time
We can dim the lights, just to make it right
In the night
Hit the lovin’ spot
I’ll give you all I’ve got

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
And I’ll take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
I’ll take you there

Pretty young things, repeat after me
(Michael) Sing na na na
(P.Y.T.’S) na na na
(Michael) na na na na
(P.Y.T.’s) na na na na
(Michael) Sing na na na
(P.Y.T.’s) na na na
(Michael) na na na na na
(P.Y.T.’s) na na na na na
(Michael) Oh take it back, take it back

I wanna love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
And I’ll take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.)
Pretty young thing
You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.)
Tender lovin’ care
I’ll take you there

The Michael Jackson World Network

The Michael Jackson World Network

This project is part of The Michael Jackson World Network, the UK's oldest MJ Fan Club. We provide official news to millions of fans and are proud to continue to support Michael! We're here to keep his magic alive and in 2022 celebrate 40 years of Thriller!

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