New York - The first song by King of Pop Michael Jackson released since his June death was made available online early Monday. This Is It, a ballad about unexpectedly falling in love, was released on Jackson's official website, www.michaeljackson.com, at midnight in New York (0400 GMT) ahead of a documentary and album of the same name. It was also sent to radio stations.
The song opens with the words "This is it. Here I stand. I'm the light of the world. I feel grand."
"Falling in love wasn't my plan," Jackson croons. "I never thought I would be your lovebird."
Jackson's brothers sing background vocals on the track, which is to play during the closing scene of the documentary, set for release October 28, and is to also appear on the two-disc CD, due out October 26, the website said.
The documentary is to give film-goers a look behind the scenes at Jackson's rehearsals for a sold-out series of 50 concerts in London that was to have begun in July. The theme of those shows was also to have been This Is It.
"This song only defines, once again, what the world already knows - that Michael is one of God's greatest gifts," said John McClain, co-producer of the CD and an executor of Jackson's estate.
No information was given about when the song was written or recorded, but ABC News reported that it had been recorded as a demo track in 1991 when Jackson was working on his Dangerous album. It was also unclear when Jackson's brothers recorded their vocals for it.
The song was expected to be the first of a long line of Jackson material that his label Sony and his family would make available as they sift through his unreleased work.
The singer of such hits as Thriller, Bad and Billie Jean has again topped the best-seller lists since his June 25 death. Billboard magazine said Jackson sold 5 million albums in the week after his death in Los Angeles at the age of 50 after selling 750 million records during his career. His collection Number Ones became the best-selling album so far this year.
