Michael Jackson's new single This Is Itbegan streaming online and playing across the radio airwaves today, nearly four months after the singer died of a prescription drug overdose aged 50.
The track, which features backing vocals by Jackson's brothers, opens with a soft, soulful introduction and the lines: "This is it, here I stand/I'm the light of the world, I feel grand."
It will be available to buy as part of the two-disc album This Is Itwhich hits the shelves internationally on October 26th and in North America on October 27th to coincide with the global release of the Jackson movie of the same name on October 28th.
A short collection of clips from the film were also featured on websites showing Jackson and backing dancers rehearsing their routines for a run of 50 comeback shows at London's O2 Arena which the singer had been preparing for when he died.
"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 album and an executor of Jackson's estate.
The This Is Itmovie was the subject of a $60 million deal between Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live and Sony Pictures. Sony Music's Columbia/Epic Label Group will be releasing the album.
Sales of Jackson's records spiked after his death, and the release of the movie and album will add to the value of the Thrillersinger's estate, estimated at around $400 million.
Sony Music said the first disc of the album will feature some of Jackson's greatest hits plus two versions of the new single.
The second disc will include unreleased versions of some of the singer's classic tracks and a spoken word poem entitled Planet Earthperformed by Jackson and never heard before.
Sony Pictures and Sony Music are units of Sony Corp.