Thanks Billie Jean, and Martin Luther returns (7)
I believe the answer is:
takings
'returns' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'thanks billie jean' is the wordplay.
'thanks' becomes 'ta' (UK informal version of 'thank you').
'billie jean' becomes 'kings' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ta'+'kings'='TAKINGS'
'and martin luther' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for takings that I've seen before include "What's in the till" , "Income from transactions" , "Monetary receipts" , "gold received?" , "Income from sales, etc" .)