Today’s song of the day is the American Pop-Rock classic “Beat It” by Michael Jackson.
Fun Facts
- Michael Jackson was born in 1958 in Gary, Indiana.
- He is regarded as one of the most recognizable and culturally significant figures of the 20th century.
- He began his professional career in 1964, joining his older brothers in a musical act that came to be known as the Jackson 5.
- “Beat It” was the 3rd single from Jackson’s 6th solo record, “Thriller,” released in 1982.
- “Thriller” is widely considered to be the most successful album of all time, with certified sales in excess of 48 million copies.
- The song, written by Jackson, was a departure from his style at the time. Producer Quincy Jones had wanted a ‘rock song’ for the album.
- Michael Jackson had no formal musical instrument training. Instead, he used his voice to create the parts to be played on his records, which he then dictated to the musicians he worked with.
- The music video depicted a gang fight and was hugely successful. Jackson is credited as being one of the leading artists to make music videos an artform.
- Guitarist Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo on the song, foolishly doing so as a favor, and did not receive royalties for his work.
- The song was also successful in helping “Weird” Al Yankovic’s career, as his parody about food “Eat It” went on to be a big hit as well.
Lyrics:
They told him, “Don’t you ever come around here”
“Don’t wanna see your face, you better disappear”
The fire’s in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it
You better run, you better do what you can
Don’t wanna see no blood, don’t be a macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you wanna be bad
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it)
Just beat it (beat it)
Just beat it (beat it)
Just beat it (beat it, uh)
They’re out to get you, better leave while you can
Don’t wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man
You wanna stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it
You have to show them that you’re really not scared
You’re playin’ with your life, this ain’t no truth or dare
They’ll kick you, then they’ll beat you
Then they’ll tell you it’s fair
So beat it, but you wanna be bad
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it, beat it, beat it)
Beat it (beat it, beat it)
Beat it (beat it, beat it)
Beat it (beat it, beat it)
Beat it (beat it, beat it)
Beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right (who’s right)
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated (no one)
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated (oh, no)
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin’ how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated