Billie Jean is one of Michael Jackson’s most iconic songs, released in 1983. The lyrics tell a story about a woman who claims that the singer is the father of her child, but he insists that the kid is not his son. The song blends elements of mystery and drama, making it both catchy and emotional.
With its signature bassline and beat, it became a massive hit worldwide. Many fans believe the lyrics are based on real events, but Jackson denied it. The song remains a classic in pop music history.
Billie Jean Lyrics
Song credits for Billie Jean:
| Credit | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Billie Jean |
| Artist | Michael Jackson |
| Album | Thriller (1982) |
| Released | January 2, 1983 |
| Genre | Pop, R&B, Funk |
| Writer | Michael Jackson |
| Producer | Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones |
| Label | Epic Records |
Verse 1
She moved like a starlet from a silver screen
I asked, “What do you mean, am I the one
Who will groove on the dance floor in a circular pattern?
She claimed I’m the one
Who will groove on the dance floor in a circular pattern?
She said her name was Billie Jean, causing a scene
Every head turned, dreaming of being the one
Who will groove on the circular dance floor?
Pre-Chorus 1
Exercise caution in your behavior,” cautioned others
Don’t break young hearts” (Hee-hee)
Mother said, “Be careful who you love
And what you do
‘Cause lies can become the truth” (Oh-oh), hey-ey
Chorus
Billie Jean is not my lover, uh
She’s just a girl who says I’m the one (Oh, baby)
The child isn’t mine (Hoo)
She says I’m the one (Oh, baby)
You Are Not My Child (Hee-hee-hee, no-no, hee-hee-hee, hoo)
Verse 2
Forty days and forty nights, justice favored her
But who can stand when she’s in demand, with schemes and plans
We danced in the circular space (Hee)
So take my advice
Remember to always think twice
(Don’t think twice) Do think twice! (A-hoo!)
Pre-Chorus 2
She told my baby we’d danced till three, then she looked at me
Showed a photo of a crying baby, his eyes like mine (Oh, no)
Because we danced on the floor in the circle, darling (Ooh, hee-hee-hee)
Chorus
Folks always cautioned me, ‘Watch your step
Protect the feelings of young girls” (Protect no hearts; hee-hee)
But, she approached and stood directly next to me.
With the smell of sweet perfume (Ha-oh)
This happened much too soon (Ha-oh, ha-ooh)
She beckoned me to her room (Ha-oh, hoo), hey-ey
Chorus
Billie Jean is not my lover (Hoo)
She’s just a girl who says I’m the one
But the kid is not my son
No-no-no, no-no-no-no-no-no (Hoo)
Billie Jean is not my lover, uh
She’s just a girl who says I’m the one (Oh, baby)
The child isn’t mine (Oh, no, no)
She says I’m the one (Oh, baby)
The child isn’t mine (No, hee-hee-hee, ah, hee-hee-hee)
Outro
She says I’m the one, uh
The Child Isn’t Mine (No-no-no, hoo, ohh)
Billie Jean is not my lover, uh
She’s just a girl who says I’m the one (You know what you did to me, baby)
But the kid is not my son
No-no-no (No-no-no, ah), no-no-no-no (No-no-no)
She says I’m the one (No)
The Child Isn’t Mine (No-no-no-no)
She says I’m the one (You know what you did)
She claims he is my son (Breaking my heart, baby)
She says I’m the one
Billie Jean is not my lover, yeah, yeah
Billie Jean is not my lover, yeah, yeah
Billie Jean isn’t my romantic partner; she’s just a girl.
Billie Jean isn’t my romantic partner, uh (She’s simply a girl; please don’t refer to me as Billie Jean, hoo)
Billie Jean isn’t my lover, uh (She’s just a girl; she’s not at the scene)
Billie Jean is not (Hee), aa
Summary
The song tells the story of a woman named Billie Jean, who claims that the singer is the father of her child. In Verse 1, he describes meeting her, how she captivated everyone, and how she insisted he was the one dancing with her.
The Pre-Chorus warns about being cautious in love, as lies can turn into truth. The Chorus strongly denies her claim, emphasizing that the child is not his son. In Verse 2, he recalls a legal battle and a moment when Billie Jean showed him a photo of the baby, making him question everything.
The lyrics continue reinforcing his denial while reflecting on how quickly the situation escalated. The Outro repeatedly insists that Billie Jean is not his lover, leaving a haunting and emotional conclusion to the story.
Conclusion
Billie Jean” is a powerful song about love, deception, and denial. Through its gripping lyrics, Michael Jackson tells a dramatic story of a man falsely accused of fathering a child.
The song’s emotional depth, combined with its iconic bassline and beat, makes it unforgettable. It serves as a cautionary tale about trust, fame, and responsibility. Even decades later, “Billie Jean” remains one of the most legendary tracks in pop music history.
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