Michael Jackson's Final Recorded Song
Michael Jackson's last completed studio recording was "This Is It," written by Paul Anka and Jackson for the concert film of the same name. The track was recorded in 2009 at multiple studios, including the legendary Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, a facility also used by major artists such as Beyoncé and Adele. The song was released as a single on October 12, 2009, by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, and it charted on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 18 in the United States. The recording sessions were part of the preparation for the This Is It concert residency at the O2 Arena in London, which was canceled following his death. The single's release was handled by the estate's management team in coordination with the original production company, AEG Live. For details on the Sony Music catalog and release history, you can visit the official Sony Music website Sony Music.
The production credits for "This Is It" list Paul Anka as the primary songwriter, with Michael Jackson as the performer and co-producer alongside the original 1980s session musicians. The track was built around a demo Anka had recorded decades earlier, which Jackson later reworked with new orchestral arrangements and vocal takes. The final mix was completed under the supervision of the Jackson estate's music team, with mastering handled by engineers at Sterling Sound in New York. The song's release was supported by the concert film "Michael Jackson's This Is It," which premiered in October 2009 and grossed over $260 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing concert films of all time. The film's distribution was managed by Columbia Pictures, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Additional information about the film's commercial performance can be found on the Box Office Mojo page Box Office Mojo.
Posthumous Releases and Estate Management
After Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, his estate, managed by executors John Branca and John McClain, oversaw the release of multiple posthumous projects, including the "Michael" album in 2010 and "Xscape" in 2014. "This Is It" was the first major posthumous release directly tied to a completed studio recording, and it set a precedent for how the estate handles unreleased material. The estate's catalog is controlled by Sony Music's Legacy Recordings division, which manages the digital and physical distribution of Jackson's back catalog, including his work with the Jackson 5 and his solo albums. The licensing and royalty collection for these releases are tracked by performance rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI. For more on ASCAP's role in music royalty distribution, visit the ASCAP website ASCAP.
The financial impact of Michael Jackson's posthumous releases has been significant, with the estate generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from music sales, streaming, and licensing deals. According to public filings and reports from Forbes, the Jackson estate has consistently ranked among the highest-earning celebrity estates, with revenue streams from Sony Music royalties, the Cirque du Soleil "Michael Jackson: One" residency, and the sale of the ATV Music catalog. The estate's management team has also focused on maintaining the artist's brand through curated releases, documentaries, and merchandise. Detailed financial overviews of the estate's earnings are often reported by Forbes Forbes.
Legacy and Streaming Presence
Today, "This Is It" remains a key part of Michael Jackson's streaming catalog, available on major platforms such as Spotify, Apple
