Hey everyone! I am so excited to finally share my brand new cover of "Billie Jean" with you all. This is one of those songs that is just woven into the DNA of popular music. Everybody knows that iconic bassline. Everybody knows the lyrics. When I decided to record my own version of this Michael Jackson masterpiece, I knew I had to do it justice while also putting my own spin on it.
Taking on a legend like the King of Pop is always a little bit intimidating, but it is also a total blast. In the world of smooth jazz saxophone music, we love a good cover, but there is a lot more to it than just hitting the record button. There is a whole business side to this that a lot of people do not see. Since I get asked about this a lot, I thought I would take some time today to walk you through how I actually got the rights to record "Billie Jean".
I used this exact same process when I recorded my cover of I'll Never Love Again. That song ended up going all the way to number one on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart, so I can definitely say that following the rules pays off. Let's dive into how the "magic" happens behind the scenes.
Why You Need a License
You might be wondering why an artist cannot just record whatever they want and put it on the internet. While you can certainly play a cover at a live show, recording it and selling it or streaming it is a different story. Music is intellectual property. The people who wrote the song, in this case Michael Jackson and his estate, deserve to get paid for their work.
If you want to release a cover properly, you need something called a mechanical license. This license gives you the legal permission to reproduce and distribute a copyrighted musical composition. It does not give you the right to use the original recording by the original artist. That is something totally different called a master use license. For my version of "Billie Jean," I am playing the melody on my sax and my band is playing the instruments. We are creating a brand new recording of an existing song.
The Success of I'll Never Love Again
When I took on Lady Gaga's I'll Never Love Again from the movie A Star Is Born, I knew it was a special song. I also knew that if I wanted it to have any chance at radio play or chart success, it had to be 100 percent legal. I followed the exact same mechanical licensing path I used for my new "Billie Jean" cover. Because everything was done correctly, there were no hurdles when it came time for Billboard to track the spins and sales.
Seeing that track hit number one was a huge moment for me because it became my first Billboard number one. It proved that saxophone instrumental music can take a modern pop ballad and turn it into something that fits perfectly in the contemporary jazz world. It also gave me the confidence to tackle "Billie Jean" with the same professional approach.
Step 1: Identifying the Copyright Holders
The first thing I had to do was figure out who actually owns the rights to "Billie Jean." For most major hits, this is pretty easy to find. You can look at the liner notes of the original album or search the databases of performing rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
For "Billie Jean," the song was written by Michael Jackson and the publishing is handled by Sony/ATV and Mijac Music. These are the folks who need to be compensated when someone like me decides to record a new version. It sounds like a lot of heavy lifting to contact these big companies, but luckily, there are services that make it much easier for independent artists.
Step 2: Using a Licensing Service
I do not usually call up the heads of Sony/ATV personally. Instead, I use services like Easy Song or the Harry Fox Agency's Songfile. These platforms are designed to help artists like me get the rights we need quickly and affordably.
You simply search for the song title and the original artist in their database. Once you find the right match, you tell them how you plan to distribute the song. Are you making physical CDs? Are you just doing digital downloads? Are you putting it on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music? For "Billie Jean," I wanted to make sure it was available everywhere, from my physical albums collection to all the major streaming platforms.
Step 3: Paying the Statutory Rate
There is a standard fee called a statutory rate that covers the cost of a mechanical license. As of 2024 and 2025, that rate is about 12.4 cents per song for physical copies and permanent digital downloads. For streaming, the math is a little more complicated because it is based on a percentage of revenue, but the licensing services handle all those calculations for you.
When I licensed "Billie Jean," I paid for a certain number of digital downloads upfront. This ensures that the songwriters get their fair share right from the start. It is a small price to pay to be able to share my love for this music with all of you.
Creating the Smooth Jazz Saxophone Music Vibe
Once the legal paperwork was out of the way, the real fun began: the creative process. My goal with "Billie Jean" was to keep that iconic, driving energy but give it a "smooth" makeover. I wanted the saxophone to carry the vocal melody with a lot of soul and a little bit of edge.
This version of "Billie Jean" was actually recorded back in 2009 and released on my 2010 City Beat album. My co-producer, Shannon Wallace, came up with the haunting intro and a lot of the creative arranging ideas throughout like the break and ending.
I wanted the production to feel modern but classic. We kept the famous drum beat and that synth bassline, but we added some lush keyboard layers and a really groovy guitar part. The result is a piece of saxophone instrumental music that feels like a late-night drive through a neon-lit city.
Why This Process Matters for Fans
You might be thinking: "Michael, why are you telling me all this business stuff?" I think it is important because it shows the respect we have for the legends who came before us. When you buy a track from my T-Shirt Collection or stream "Billie Jean" on Spotify, you are supporting a whole ecosystem of creators.
Doing things the right way also means the song will never get taken down because of a copyright strike. It means I can promote it, play it on the radio, and hopefully see it climb the charts just like I'll Never Love Again did. It gives me peace of mind so I can focus on what I love most: playing the sax.
The Visual Vibe
To go along with the release, we did a special photoshoot that pays homage to the original "Billie Jean" music video. I put on a sharp black suit, a fedora, and of course, I had to bring out a white glove. It was a fun way to celebrate the history of the song while staying true to my own brand as a contemporary jazz artist.
The feedback so far has been incredible. It seems like you guys are enjoying this version just as much as I enjoyed making it. If you haven't heard it yet, you can find it in my CDs, Vinyls, and Music.
Wrapping It Up
Recording a cover is a journey. It starts with a deep love for a song, moves through a bit of legal paperwork, and ends with hours of creative work in the studio. Whether it is a chart-topping hit like my cover of I'll Never Love Again or this new funky version of "Billie Jean," the goal is always the same: to create something that moves you.
Thank you all for coming along on this ride with me. Your support is what allows me to keep making smooth jazz saxophone music and sharing it with the world. Stay tuned for more music, more show announcements, and more behind-the-scenes stories!
Best,
Michael J Thomas