Anka gets credit on Jackson single

With a familiar high-pitched voice counting off one-two-three-four, a new Michael Jackson single debuted online, prompting a hasty response from the singer's estate after Paul Anka revealed he was the song's co-writer.

This Is It is featured on the soundtrack to the upcoming documentary featuring the late superstar, but its genesis was actually in 1983 when it was written for a duets album Anka was recording.

The song was called I Never Heard - and Jackson and Anka are credited as co-authors on an early 1990s version recorded by the singer Sa-Fire.

Anka said Jackson's estate moved quickly to give him credit, promising Anka 50% of the song's profits.

"They did the right thing," Anka said. "I don't think that anybody tried to do the wrong thing. It was an honest mistake."

The string-backed ballad was released on the singer's official website and sent to radio stations. It gives advance publicity to the documentary, culled from footage of Jackson rehearsing for the concerts that he never got a chance to do.

Representatives of Jackson's estate acknowledged Anka's work in a prepared statement. Until Anka stepped forward, the song's history was a mystery.

"The song was picked because the lyrics were appropriate because of the name Michael gave his tour," the statement said.

"We are thrilled to present this song in Michael's voice for the first time and that Michael's fans have responded in unprecedented numbers."

Singer Anka, 68, initially contemplated legal action after being informed by outlets such as the New York Times and TMZ of the similarities between This Is It and the Sa-Fire version. But later he said he was satisfied with how the situation was handled.
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