One of Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s most famous collaborations has been given new life more than four decades after it was filmed.
On August 28, 2026, Paul McCartney’s official YouTube channel released a newly remastered 4K version of the original “Say Say Say” music video.
And for longtime fans, the upgrade brings back one of the most playful periods of Michael’s career in far greater detail.
Released as a single on October 3, 1983, “Say Say Say” paired Michael with the former Beatle at a moment when both were enormous global stars. The song was actually recorded before their other famous duet, “The Girl Is Mine,” even though it was released later on McCartney’s Pipes of Peace album.
The collaboration became a huge success.
Paul’s official site notes that “Say Say Say” spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the pair’s biggest commercial collaboration.
“Say Say Say” Remastered in 4K
The video itself was much more ambitious than a normal performance clip.
Directed by Bob Giraldi, it casts Michael and Paul as two traveling showmen known as Mac and Jack, who attract crowds by selling a supposed miracle potion before turning the whole operation into an elaborate musical performance.
The new official upload confirms that the video was filmed in Los Alamos, California and also features Linda McCartney and La Toya Jackson.
The result feels closer to a miniature comedy film than a conventional 1980s music video.
Paul and Michael dance, joke, perform tricks and play exaggerated characters while the story moves between dusty roads, theatrical stages and their traveling medicine-show setup.
Behind the video was an equally important musical team.
“Say Say Say” was written by McCartney and Jackson, while legendary Beatles producer George Martin produced the recording. Geoff Emerick, another name closely connected with the Beatles, engineered the Pipes of Peace sessions.
The 4K restoration does not change the song or add unreleased Michael vocals.
What it does is preserve the original film with far greater clarity, making the costumes, facial expressions and small visual jokes much easier to appreciate.
That matters because the chemistry between Michael and Paul is a huge part of why the video still works.
There was no giant special-effects spectacle needed.
It was simply two of the biggest musicians in the world clearly enjoying themselves in front of the camera.
More than 40 years later, “Say Say Say” now looks sharper than ever, giving a new generation the chance to see Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s playful partnership in full 4K.