Bart raps his way to top with a little help from MJ
THE Simpsons first aired in December 1989 and, by the end of its first season was one of the hottest shows on TV.
In the summer of 1990 rumours began circulating that ‘King Of Pop’ Michael Jackson would write a song for Bart on a forthcoming Simpsons offshoot album.
In fact, Jackson - a superfan of the animated show - was already on board, having called the producers one night offering to write Bart ‘a number one single’ and do a guest spot on the show.
The resulting ‘Do The Bartman’, an infectious slice of new jack swing, was included as the first track on ‘The Simpsons Sing The Blues’ album, released in December 1990.
‘Do The Bartman’ was not released a single in the US but in the UK it spent three weeks at number one and went on to become the fifth best-selling single of 1991.
In Ireland the song dominated the charts through February and March, spending nine weeks at the top. Only nine singles have ever managed a longer run at number one in the Irish charts.
‘Do The Bartman’ was performed by voice of Bart Simpson, Nancy Cartwright. Michael Jackson provided backing vocals but was not credited for this contribution as he was under contract to Epic Records. It later transpired that he also co-wrote and co-produced the track (with co-writer Bryan Loren).
The extent of Jackson’s writing input is unclear.
Simpsons creator Matt Groening has repeatedly stated Michael Jackson wrote the song, but when selling the publishing and songwriting rights for ‘Do The Bartman’ in 2015, Bryan Loren disputed those claims.
‘I am the sole writer of the song. It was his idea to call the song, ‘Do The Bartman’. And, he did insist I include his name in the lyric. Hence, ‘If you can do the Bart, you’re bad like Michael Jackson.’ And so, obviously, he was involved. Perhaps this tidbit of info is not as sensational as saying MJ co-wrote the song, but I assure you, he did not.’
In reaching No. 1 on the UK charts, Bart Simpson joined a select club of chart-topping animated characters who have scaled single or album chart heights. Other members include Teletubbies Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po, Mr Blobby, The Archies, Bob The Builder, The Tweenies, The Wombles and The Muppets.