Beat It

"Beat It" is a 1983 hit single from Michael Jackson's multi-platinum selling album Thriller. It was the third song from the album that was released as a single, following "The Girl is Mine" (a duet with Paul McCartney) and "Billie Jean".

Performances & choreography

The video for "Beat It" follows an uncomplicated narrative: it opens in a diner, where two men walk outside (the music begins when the doors slam shut behind them) and then the members of two warring gangs gather and march to a "rumble" at a warehouse. Throughout, Jackson appears as a lone figure, eventually arriving at the warehouse just as the gang leaders (one of whom portrayed in a white outfit and sunglasses by choreographer Peters) are engaged in a knife fight. Viewers watching closely can see elements of another early-to-mid 1980?s phenomenon being performed by some of the cast: breakdancing. Also, eagle-eyed viewers can catch a couple of the lesser-experienced dancers flubbing steps in the background behind Jackson.

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The basic structure of "Beat It" was instantly and endlessly copied, which continues to this day. Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" – also directed by Giraldi and choreographed by Peters – could be viewed as the ultimate female counterpart to the video, so similar is its content, editing and theme. Other artists including Lionel Richie (who worked with the same director/choreographer team on his "Running with the Night" video), Madonna, Janet Jackson, The Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Usher and countless others all borrowed from the template of the winning video to craft their own entries into the medium — much to the delight of video stations everywhere.

Related Topics:
Pat Benatar - Lionel Richie - Madonna - Janet Jackson - The Backstreet Boys - N'Sync - Britney Spears - Christina Aguilera - Usher

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Jackson too couldn?t escape the popularity of his own handiwork, and has spent the ensuing years trying to outperform himself. By most accounts he succeeded by year?s end with the solo follow-up "Thriller".

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Such was the strength of Peters' choreographic skills that well over a decade after the release of the video, live Jackson performances of "Beat It" typically included many of the original arrangements and steps. These were however embellished for purposes of live theatricality.

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