| "Centipede" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Rebbie Jackson | |
| from the album Centipede | |
| Released | September 10, 1984 |
| Recorded | 1984[1] |
| Studio | Yamaha International Recording (Glendale, California) Widetrack Recording Studio (Los Angeles, California) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:13 (single version) 4:25 (album version) |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Michael Jackson |
| Producer(s) | Michael Jackson[1] |
| Music video | |
| "Centipede" on YouTube | |
"Centipede" is the debut single by American singer Rebbie Jackson, and the title track from her debut album Centipede. Michael Jackson wrote the song.
Background
The song was written and produced by Jackson's younger brother Michael Jackson. He, and the Weather Girls, also sang backing vocals on the song. The 12-inch single includes an extended mix and an instrumental version. On the back of the single, Michael Jackson dedicated the song "to my mannequin friends".
The song was later re-released on The Rebbie Jackson Collection and the original 12-inch version was included on her 1998 comeback album Yours Faithfully.
Release and reception
Released in the late summer of 1984, the single climbed high on the Billboard R&B charts, peaking at number 4 there and at number 24 in the main Billboard Hot 100 chart in late December 1984. It was Jackson's highest-charting single and her only single to enter the Hot 100, though she had several more hits on the R&B chart throughout the decade. The single was Gold-certified by the RIAA, selling 500,000 copies in the US.[3]
Charts
| Chart (1984–1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 97 |
| US Cashbox (magazine)[5] | 15 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 24 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[7] | 29 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] | 4 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Personnel
- Lead vocals: Rebbie Jackson
- Background vocals: Michael Jackson, the Weather Girls (Izora Rhodes, Martha Wash)
- Arranger: Michael Jackson
- John Barnes: synthesizers and drum programming
- David Williams: guitar
- Jerry Hey: flugelhorn
References
- ^ a b Allard, François; Lecocq, Richard (2018). "Rockwell: Somebody's Watching Me". Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Octopus Books. ISBN 9781788401234.
- ^ "Billboard Charts". Billboard. 11 September 1984.
- ^ "RIAA Gold & Platinum certification". BMI. 5 October 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 152. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-898202-09-0.
- ^ "Rebbie Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Rebbie Jackson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Rebbie Jackson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "American single certifications – Rebbie Jackson – Centipede". Recording Industry Association of America.
