According to TMZ, Paul Anka co-wrote the song — called ‘I Never Heard’ — with Jackson back in the ’80s, but then the ‘Thriller’ legend stole the tapes before Anka could finish the tune. Jackson eventually returned them, but Anka claims the late King of Pop kept a copy and used it as material to record ‘This Is It.’

Anka has been speaking to his lawyers about possible legal action, and says the people handling Michael Jackson’s estate have already apologized for “ripping-off my song,” offering “anything you want” to keep the conflict from escalating. Anka claims that the co-Special Administrator for Jackson’s estate, John McClain, admitted that “Michael couldn’t have written this song alone. It’s not his style.”

Safire even mentioned Jackson and the song on her MySpace the day after he died. “Michael touched my heart & soul in so many different ways I feel blessed that I had the chance of recording an original song he wrote for me with Paul Anka titled “I Never Heard”. Michael was someone who I admired and who’s career I followed.”