View source for P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

{{Short description|1983 single by Michael Jackson}}
{{About|the Michael Jackson song|other uses|Pretty Young Thing (disambiguation)|and|PYT (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox song
| name          = P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
| cover         = P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).jpg
| alt           = 
| border        = yes
| caption       = US 7" vinyl
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Michael Jackson]]
| album         = [[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]
| B-side        = 
* "[[This Place Hotel]]" (UK)
* "[[Working Day and Night]]"
* "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" (instrumental)
| released      = {{Start date|1983|9|19}}
| recorded      = 1982
| studio        = [[Westlake Recording Studios|Westlake]] (Los Angeles, California)<ref>{{cite news|first= Randall |last= Roberts |title= Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature': An NYC classic on his birthday |newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date= August 29, 2012 |access-date= December 6, 2019 |url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2012-aug-29-la-et-ms-michael-jacksons-human-nature-a-classic-on-his-birthday-20120829-story.html}}</ref>
| genre         = <!--Sourced in "Release and reception" section. Do not add unsourced genres --> {{hlist|[[Disco]]|[[funk]]}}
| length        = {{duration|m=3|s=59}}
| label         = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| writer        = 
* [[James Ingram]]
* [[Quincy Jones]]
| producer      = Quincy Jones
| prev_title    = [[Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)|Human Nature]]
| prev_year     = 1983
| next_title    = [[Say Say Say]]
| next_year     = 1983
| misc          = {{External music video|{{YouTube|y32ejtuxSjM|"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"}}|header=Audio}}
}}

"'''P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)'''" is a song by the American singer, songwriter and dancer [[Michael Jackson]], released as the sixth [[Single (music)|single]] from his sixth album, ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' (1982). The song was written by [[James Ingram]] and [[Quincy Jones]].

"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was released on September 19, 1983. The single charted at number 10 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number 46 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Black Singles chart]], becoming the sixth top 10 hit from the album. It reached number 11 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. The single was most successful in Belgium, charting within the top 10 at number 6. The song has been [[Cover version|covered]] and [[Sampling (music)|sampled]] by numerous artists, including [[Monica (singer)|Monica]], [[Justin Guarini]] and [[Kanye West]]. The original demo was also remixed by [[Black Eyed Peas]] singer [[will.i.am]] for ''[[Thriller 25]]''.

==Background==
Jones came up with the original title for the song after his then-wife, [[Peggy Lipton]], brought lingerie with the words "pretty young thing" on it. From there, Jones asked several songwriters to write a song around the title. Jackson and musician [[Greg Phillinganes]] co-wrote and recorded a demo, which was presented to Jones by Phillinganes. That version is featured on ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Michael Jackson album)|The Ultimate Collection]]'' (2004).{{sfn|Halstead|2007|p=256}}<ref>{{cite web|first= Alyssa |last= Rashbaum |title= Michael Jackson's Ultimate Box Set Has Demos, Hits, Live DVD |date= September 9, 2004 |publisher= MTV |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490867/09092004/jackson_michael.jhtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040912014647/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490867/09092004/jackson_michael.jhtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= September 12, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= CDs |newspaper= [[The Washington Post]] |date= December 10, 2004 |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51629-2004Dec9.html}}</ref> Jackson recalls that his version with Phillinganes was not what Jones was looking for. "Quincy wanted a fast song. Mine was mid-tempo."<ref>{{cite web|first= Michael |last= Jackson |year= 1993 |title= Mexico Deposition |website= YouTube |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1uyuSB6Lm4 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/c1uyuSB6Lm4 |archive-date= December 21, 2021}} {{cbignore}}</ref> When James Ingram presented his demo, Jones said "that's it", and sent Ingram home to finish the lyrics. Jones then suggested they extend the bridge and add a chant section, resulting in Jones receiving a co-writer's credit. Jackson says he loved the version Ingram and Jones came up with, stating that he liked the "code" in the lyrics and the fact that words like "[[Tenderoni#Slang term|tenderoni]]" were fun rock 'n' roll-type words that couldn't be found in the dictionary.<ref>{{cite book|first= Michael |last= Jackson |year= 1988 |title= Moonwalk |publisher= [[Doubleday (publisher)|Doubleday]] |location= USA |page= 196 |isbn= 0-385-24712-5}}</ref>

==Recording==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| alt1 = 
| caption1 = 
| image1 = Janet Jackson (1).jpg
| width1 = 150
| image2 = La Toya Jackson cropped.jpg
| width2 = 150
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| footer = Jackson's sisters [[Janet Jackson]] ''(left)'' and [[La Toya Jackson]] ''(right)'' provided backing vocals in the guise of the P.Y.T.s.
}}
Producer [[Quincy Jones]] allowed his long-time sound engineer [[Bruce Swedien]] to choose a large-diaphragm [[Shure SM7]] dynamic microphone for Jackson's voice. The choice was unusual, as the microphone was more often seen in radio stations. For backing vocals, Swedien positioned Jackson at different distances from the microphone to record each track, to get a thicker sound.<ref>{{cite book|first= Anthony |last= Savona |year= 2005 |title= Console Confessions: The Great Music Producers in Their Own Words |publisher= [[Hal Leonard LLC|Hal Leonard]] |page= 194 |isbn= 9780879308605}}</ref>

James Ingram later described working with Jackson and Jones as being in ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]''. "It's almost like I got the chance to go to [[Land of Oz|Oz]] and Quincy was the [[Wizard of Oz (character)|Wizard of Oz]] and Michael Jackson was who he was dealing with in his world. Their work ethic is unbelievable."<ref name="Jet">{{cite magazine|first= Joy |last= Bennett |title= Thrills to come: King of Pop teams up with Kanye, Akon, will.i.am. for remix of world's' best-selling album: is new CD coming next? |magazine= [[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |date= December 24, 2007 |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-34135617_ITM |archive-date= July 12, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090712004947/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-34135617_ITM}}</ref> He noted how Jones would fall asleep on the board, waking up to answer a question. "He works in the Alpha state a lot", Ingram added.<ref name="Jet"/> Two of Jackson's sisters, [[Janet Jackson|Janet]] and [[La Toya Jackson|La Toya]], provided backing vocals in the guise of the P.Y.T.s. The two sisters sang "na na na" back at their brother towards the end of the song.{{sfn|Halstead|2003|p=42}}{{sfn|Halstead|2007|p=256}}<ref>{{cite news|first= Peter |last= Lyle |title= Michael Jackson's monster smash |newspaper= [[The Daily Telegraph]] |date= November 25, 2007 |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3669538/Michael-Jacksons-monster-smash.html}}</ref> According to the official sheet music at Musicnotes.com, "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" is in the key of [[B minor]].<ref>{{cite web|title= P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) by Michael Jackson – Digital Sheet Music |website= Musicnotes |date= 10 July 2009 |access-date= January 26, 2018 |url= https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0075675}}</ref> It has a tempo of 126 beats per minute, making it one of Jackson's fastest songs.<ref>{{cite book|title= The Complete Michael Jackson |year= 1997 |publisher= [[International Music Publications]] |isbn= 1859094473 |page= 69}}</ref>

==Release and reception==
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was released in the US on September 19, 1983, as the sixth single from ''Thriller''. The single charted at no. 10 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and no. 46 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Black Singles chart]], becoming the sixth Top 10 hit from ''Thriller''.{{sfn|Halstead|2007|p=256}}<ref>{{cite news|first= Ron |last= Yeany |title= MJ breaks record with record and makes 25 million sales |newspaper= [[The Daily Collegian (Penn State)|The Daily Collegian]] |date= February 10, 1984 |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG/1984/02/10&EntityId=Ar02604 |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 21, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120321134133/http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG%2F1984%2F02%2F10&EntityId=Ar02604}}</ref> The song was released in Europe in March 1984. In the United Kingdom, the song reached a peak position of 11.{{sfn|Halstead|2003|p=42}} It was most successful in Belgium, charting within the Top 10 at no. 6.{{sfn|Halstead|2003|p=42}} The single was placed at no. 14 in the Netherlands.{{sfn|Halstead|2003|p=42}} "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" charted at number 24 in Canada and peaked at number 51 in Germany.{{sfn|Halstead|2003|p=42}}

Response to "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was mixed to positive. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] thought that it was "frizzy funk".<ref>{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |title= Michael Jackson – Thriller |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= May 28, 2009 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/thriller-mw0000056882}}</ref> Eric Henderson of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' believed that "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was a "lush disco paradise".<ref>{{cite web|first= Eric |last= Henderson |title= Michael Jackson: Thriller |work= [[Slant Magazine]] |date= October 18, 2003 |access-date= May 28, 2009 |url= http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/michael-jackson-thriller/349}}</ref> However, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reviewer Christopher Connelly, while discussing the album in a review, stated that the song "isn't up to the spunky character of the other tracks". Connelly mentioned that one of Jackson's weaknesses was "a tendency to go for the glitz", and cited the song as one example of this.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Christopher |last= Connelly |title= Michael Jackson: Thriller |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= January 28, 1983 |access-date= May 28, 2009 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/thriller-19830128}}</ref> Davitt Sigerson, from the same magazine, also agreed with Connelly, calling it one of ''Thriller'''s "forgettables".<ref>{{cite web|first= Davitt |last= Sigerson |title= Michael Jackson: Bad |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= October 27, 1987 |access-date= May 28, 2009 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/bad-19871022}}</ref> [[Jon Pareles]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the song "fluff", and believed that the other songs from the album were what made ''Thriller'' such a hit.<ref>{{cite news|first= Jon |last= Pareles |title= Critic's Notebook; How Good Is Jackson's 'Bad'? |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |date= September 3, 1987 |access-date= May 28, 2009 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/03/arts/critic-s-notebook-how-good-is-jackson-s-bad.html}}</ref>

==P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008==
{{Infobox song
| name          = P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008
| cover         = 
| alt           = 
| type          = song
| artist        = [[Michael Jackson]] featuring [[will.i.am]]
| album         = [[Thriller 25]]
| released      = 2008
| recorded      = 
| studio        = 
| venue         = 
| genre         = 
| length        = 4:37
| label         = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| writer        = * Michael Jackson
* William Adams
* [[Keith Harris (record producer)|Keith Harris]]
* [[Greg Phillinganes]]
| producer      = * Michael Jackson
* will.i.am
}}

For ''[[Thriller 25]]'', [[Black Eyed Peas]] frontman and producer [[will.i.am]] remixed the demo version of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" which Michael Jackson and Greg Phillinganes had co-written.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Kanye West, Akon, will.i.am for 'Thriller' reissue |magazine= NME |date= November 30, 2007 |url= http://www.nme.com/news/nme/32881 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927232056/http://www.nme.com/news/nme/32881 |archive-date= September 27, 2013}}</ref> The producer commented on Jackson and the project: "You always just dream of meeting him, let alone working with him. I wouldn't have believed it. I grew up in the projects in East Los Angeles and ''Thriller'' was filmed about two blocks from my house, but my mother was really strict and she wouldn't let me go to the factories—she didn't care who was filming a video there; but I'm on the 25th anniversary, 25 years later—that's pretty awesome."<ref name="Jet"/> Entitled "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008", the remix was well received by ''Rolling Stone''. The publication described the track, along with "[[The Girl Is Mine 2008]]", as being one of the best songs on the album.<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|first= Daniel |last= Kreps |title= The "Thriller" Remixes: Kanye, Akon, Will.i.am and Fergie Try to Top the Chipmunks' "Beat It" |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= December 20, 2007 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/12/20/the-thriller-remixes-kanye-akon-william-and-fergie-try-to-top-the-chipmunks-beat-it/ |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071224125942/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/12/20/the-thriller-remixes-kanye-akon-william-and-fergie-try-to-top-the-chipmunks-beat-it/ |archive-date= December 24, 2007}}</ref> They noted that will.i.am "updates the songs' original sound to make them dancefloor-worthy 25 years after their release".<ref name="RS"/>

==Personnel==
*Written, composed and arranged by James Ingram and Quincy Jones
*Produced by Quincy Jones
*Michael Jackson – lead and backing vocals, handclaps
*[[Greg Phillinganes]] – Fender Rhodes electric piano, synthesizers, synthesizer programming, handclaps
*[[Michael Boddicker]] – [[Roland VP-330|vocoder]], [[E-mu Emulator]]
*[[James Ingram]] – Portasound keyboard, handclaps
*[[Paul Jackson Jr.]] – guitars
*[[Louis Johnson (bassist)|Louis Johnson]] – electric bass, handclaps
*[[Leon "Ndugu" Chancler|N'dugu Chancler]] – drums
*Steven Ray – handclaps
*P.Y.T.'s:
**[[Janet Jackson]]
**[[La Toya Jackson]]
**Becky Lopez
**[[Bunny Hull]]
*Additional background vocals:
**James Ingram
**[[Howard Hewett]]

==Track listing==
;45 RPM
A-side
#"P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)" – 3:59
B-side
#"[[Working Day and Night]]" (live—Jacksons) – 4:26

;Disco single
A-side
#"P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)" – 3:59
B-side
#"[[This Place Hotel]]" – 4:41
#"[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]" (instrumental) – 5:56

==Official versions==
*Album version – 3:59
*Demo version – 3:47
*2008 remix with will.i.am – 4:21

==Charts==
===Weekly charts===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+1983–1984 weekly chart performance for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
!scope="col"|Chart (1983–1984)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|first= David |last= Kent |author-link= David Kent (historian) |year= 1993 |title= Australian Chart Book 1970-1992 |publisher= Australian Chart Book |location= [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, N.S.W.]] |isbn= 0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|40
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|6|artist=Michael Jackson|song=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2013}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|13|chartid=4422|rowheader=true|access-date=June 11, 2013}}<!-- cf. last week peak position -->
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|17|chartid=4377|rowheader=true|access-date=July 4, 2013}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|13|year=1984|week=13|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2013}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|14|artist=Michael Jackson|song=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2013}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|4|song=P.Y.T.|rowheader=true|access-date=June 11, 2013}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|11|date=19840407|rowheader=true|access-date=July 14, 2013}}
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref name="awards"/>
|37
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="awards">{{cite web|title= Thriller – Awards |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= July 4, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/thriller-mw0000056882/awards |archive-date= 27 July 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130727114455/http://www.allmusic.com/album/thriller-mw0000056882/awards}}</ref>
|10
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Black Singles]]<ref name="awards"/>
|46
|-
!scope="row"|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|title= CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – December 3, 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19831203.html |archive-date= September 11, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120911042142/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19831203.html}}</ref>
|15
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|51|artist=Michael Jackson|song=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|songid=12517|rowheader=true|access-date=February 21, 2019}}
|}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2009 weekly chart performance for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
!scope="col"|Chart (2009)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-	
!scope="row"|Belgium ([[Ultratop 50|Back Catalogue Singles]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|title= 50 Back Catalogue Singles – 04/07/2009 |publisher= [[Ultratop]]. Hung Medien |access-date= June 1, 2013 |url= http://www.ultratop.be/nl/weekchart.asp?cat=sb&year=2009&date=20090704}}</ref>	
|26	
|-
!scope="row"|Canada ([[Hot Canadian Digital Singles]])<ref name="awards"/>
|48
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|68|artist=Michael Jackson|song=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2013}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|92|artist=Michael Jackson|song=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2013}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Chart Log UK: Jessie J – JX |website= Zobbel.de |access-date= May 8, 2015 |url= http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_J.HTM}}</ref>
|98
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Digital Songs|Hot Digital Songs]]<ref name="awards"/>
|14
|}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+1983 year-end chart performance for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
!scope="col"|Chart (1983)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825143147/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html}}</ref>
|96
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+1984 year-end chart performance for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
!scope="col"|Chart (1984)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten 1984 |publisher= [[Ultratop]]. Hung Medien |access-date= April 26, 2014 |url= http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1984 |language= nl}}</ref>
|65
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|relyear=1983|certyear=2024|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=April 23, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|relyear=2004|certyear=2021|award=Gold|id=10645|access-date=October 12, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|relyear=1983|certyear=2022|award=Gold|access-date=April 22, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=PYT (Pretty Young Thing)|award=Platinum|relyear=1983|access-date=January 19, 2025|certyear=2021|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=PYT (Pretty Young Thing)|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|award=Platinum|id=14615-168-1|access-date=August 25, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)|relyear=1983|certyear=2022|award=Platinum|number=4|access-date=August 29, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

==Cover versions and references to the song==
*2002: ''[[American Idol]]'' runner-up [[Justin Guarini]] sang "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" on [[American Idol (season 1)|the first season of the show]].<ref>{{cite news|first= Ryan |last= Blay |title= Two compete on 'American Idol' for a record deal with RCA |newspaper= [[The Michigan Daily]] |date= September 2, 2002 |url= https://www.michigandaily.com/print/36507 |archive-date= April 26, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140426234129/https://www.michigandaily.com/print/36507}}</ref>
*2007: A part of the lyrics to [[Justice (band)|Justice]]'s "[[D.A.N.C.E.]]" refer to Jackson's song, and are said to be in homage to the singer.<ref>{{cite web|first= Glenn |last= Gamboa |title= Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' turns 25 |website= [[PopMatters]] |date= February 12, 2008 |access-date= April 26, 2014 |url= http://www.popmatters.com/article/michael-jacksons-thriller-turns-25/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Luke |last= O'Neil |title= If it fits in the mix, it works |date= July 31, 2007 |newspaper= [[The Boston Globe]] |url= http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2007/07/31/if_it_fits_in_the_mix_it_works/ |archive-date= June 24, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070624195540/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2007/07/31/if_it_fits_in_the_mix_it_works/}}</ref>
*2011: The song is performed in the twelfth episode, "[[Silly Love Songs (Glee)|Silly Love Songs]]", of the second season of musical television series ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'', by character [[Artie Abrams]] (played by [[Kevin McHale (actor)|Kevin McHale]]).<ref>{{cite web|author= Idolator Staff |title= 'Glee' Covers Katy Perry and Michael Jackson for Valentine's Day |website= [[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |date= January 22, 2011 |access-date= April 26, 2014 |url= http://idolator.com/5747641/%E2%80%98glee%E2%80%99-covers-katy-perry-and-michael-jackson-for-valentine%E2%80%99s-day}}</ref>
*2012: [[The Wood Brothers]] performed a version of the song for ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'s}} A.V. Undercover series.<ref>{{cite web|first= Josh |last= Modell |title= The Wood Brothers cover Michael Jackson |work= [[The A.V. Club]] |date= August 21, 2012 |access-date= April 2, 2013 |url= http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-wood-brothers-cover-michael-jackson,83888/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120824002002/http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-wood-brothers-cover-michael-jackson%2C83888/|url-status= dead|archive-date= August 24, 2012}}</ref>
*2017: [[John Gibbons (DJ)|John Gibbons]] covered and remixed "P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)".<ref>{{cite web|first= Mark |last= Kavanagh |title= Watch: New single from Irish DJ John Gibbons |date= April 11, 2017 |access-date= May 15, 2017 |url= https://buzz.ie/watch-new-single-from-irish-dj-john-gibbons/}}</ref> It has  charted at number 12 on the UK Dance Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|title= Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 26 May 2017 – 1 June 2017 |publisher= [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date= May 27, 2017 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20170601/104/}}</ref> number 1 on the Indie Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|title= Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50/: 26 May 2017 – 1 June 2017 |publisher= [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date= May 27, 2017 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-breakers-chart/}}</ref> and number 22 on the Scottish Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web|title= Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100: 26 May 2017 – 1 June 2017 |publisher= [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date= May 15, 2017 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20170428/41/}}</ref>

===Certifications===
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" John Gibbons version}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=John Gibbons|title=P Y T (Pretty Young Thing)|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|award=Gold|id=14625-4374-1|access-date=May 28, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

===Sampling===
*2002: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was both sampled and interpolated on [[Monica (singer)|Monica]]'s single "[[All Eyez on Me (Monica song)|All Eyez on Me]]".{{sfn|Halstead|2007|p=256}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Christina |last= Saraceno |title= Monica Eyes the Spotlight |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= December 11, 2002 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/monica/articles/story/5934131/monica_eyes_the_spotlight |archive-date= May 20, 2007 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070520232504/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/monica/articles/story/5934131/monica_eyes_the_spotlight}}</ref> "We used vocals from the song that didn't make the ''Thriller'' album", stated producer [[Rodney Jerkins]]. "He [Jackson] had more vocals and ad-libs that were never heard, and we used the ones that were not heard."{{sfn|Halstead|2007|p=256}} Jackson hand-delivered his original masters to Monica, who, as a longtime Jackson fan, was touched by the move.<ref name="MTV">{{cite news|first= Corey |last= Moss |title= Monica's Next Album Showcases Her Newfound Potty Mouth |publisher= [[MTV]] |date= July 3, 2002 |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/1455920/monicas-next-album-showcases-her-newfound-potty-mouth/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140605082911/http://www.mtv.com/news/1455920/monicas-next-album-showcases-her-newfound-potty-mouth/|url-status= dead|archive-date= June 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Shaheem |last= Reid |title= Monica Brings New Perspective to Third Album |publisher= MTV |date= May 8, 2002 |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453841/monica-all-grown-up-on-new-lp.jhtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121026093602/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453841/monica-all-grown-up-on-new-lp.jhtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= October 26, 2012}}</ref>
*2003: The chorus of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was sampled by rapper [[Memphis Bleek]] on "I Wanna Love U". The song, sung by [[Donell Jones]], featured on Bleek's ''[[M.A.D.E.]]'' album.{{sfn|Halstead|2007|p=256}}<ref>{{cite news|first= Shaheem |last= Reid |title= Memphis Bleek Gets Past Bleak Period, Now Has It M.A.D.E. |publisher= MTV |date= May 5, 2003 |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471696/memphis-bleek-has-it-made.jhtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121026095434/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471696/memphis-bleek-has-it-made.jhtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= October 26, 2012}}</ref>
*2007: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was also sampled on rapper [[Kanye West]]'s "[[Good Life (Kanye West song)|Good Life]]", the third single from his ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' album.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Louis |last= Pattison |title= Kanye West – Graduation |magazine= [[NME]] |date= September 13, 2007 |access-date= May 3, 2009 |url= http://www.nme.com/reviews/8950}}</ref>
*2023: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was also sampled on producer [[DJ Khaled]]'s "[[Supposed to Be Loved]]".

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|first=Craig|last=Halstead|year=2003|title=Michael Jackson the Solo Years|publisher=Authors On Line|isbn=0-7552-0091-8}}
*{{cite book|first=Craig|last=Halstead|year=2007|title=Michael Jackson: For the Record|publisher=Authors On Line|isbn=978-0-7552-0267-6}}

==External links==
*[[Genius (website)|Genius]]: [https://genius.com/Michael-jackson-pyt-pretty-young-thing-lyrics "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" lyrics]

{{Thriller (album)}}
{{Michael Jackson songs}}
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{{John Gibbons}}
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[[Category:1982 songs]]
[[Category:1983 singles]]
[[Category:Epic Records singles]]
[[Category:Michael Jackson songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by will.i.am]]
[[Category:Songs written by James Ingram]]
[[Category:Songs written by Quincy Jones]]
[[Category:Songs written by will.i.am]]
[[Category:CDB (band) songs]]
[[Category:Will.i.am songs]]