AceShowbiz - "Say Say Say", Michael Jackson's 1983 duet with Paul McCartney, has emerged as the late King of Pop's most popular song in the U.S. following an in-depth study of the pop superstar's chart statistics. Billboard magazine fact checkers have been compiling the ultimate Jackson hit list to coincide with the first anniversary of the singer's death next week.

And "Say Say Say" has edged out "Billie Jean", the Jackson Five's "I'll Be There" and "Beat It" to claim the top spot. According to the researchers, although "Billie Jean" spent seven weeks at number one in America - one week longer than "Say Say Say" - the McCartney duet spent more time in the top 10.

"Say Say Say" appears in Paul McCartney's fifth solo album "Pipes of Peace". Produced by George Martin, the single peaked at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100.