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0:00Did you know one of the biggest hits of the 1980s exploded
0:03thanks to the secret voice of Michael Jackson?
0:10In 1984, Rockwell released Somebody's Watching Me,
0:13a mysterious and paranoid track that became a worldwide phenomenon.
0:17But there was one detail almost nobody knew at the time.
0:20The song's most iconic chorus wasn't sung by Rockwell.
0:23It was Michael Jackson. Rockwell wasn't just any artist.
0:27He was the son of Barry Gordy,
0:28founder of Motown, and had powerful connections in the music industry.
0:32Even so, his career wasn't taking off,
0:34so he made a decision that would change everything.
0:37He invited Michael Jackson
0:38to sing the chorus of Somebody's Watching Me.
0:40Even though Michael's involvement
0:42was barely used in the official promotion,
0:44the moment people heard the chorus,
0:46they instantly recognized his voice.
0:48And that was exactly what turned the song into a massive worldwide hit.
0:52Over the years, many people started saying
0:54Rockwell took advantage of Michael Jackson's presence
0:57to score an instant hit and claim most of the credit.
1:00Because even though Somebody's Watching Me carried Rockwell's name,
1:03what remained forever in the public's memory
1:05was Michael's voice on the chorus.
1:07While the song became a timeless 80s classic,
1:10Rockwell never managed to reach that level of worldwide success again.
