“Billie Jean” is the sixth track on the “Thriller” album and was the second single. The song is about a woman called Billie Jean who claims that he is the father of her son. Michael heard stories like this from groupies when touring with his brothers.
The song reached number one in the USA, UK and multiple other countries around the world. Selling over 10 million copies, it went on to become one of the biggest selling singles of all time. It also won Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Male Vocal Performance.
Over the course of his career the song became Michael’s signature track. His associated single rhinestone encrusted white glove and black fedora have become iconic. A defining moment in Michael’s career was when he moonwalked across the stage at Motown 25. His performance of “Billie Jean” was watched by over 50 million people and earned him an Emmy nomination. Today it’s considered one of the most important pop culture moments in history.
Michael reworked “Billie Jean” for a Pepsi commercial in 1984, called “Pepsi Generation.” It was used in two commercials with his brothers that aired on the night of his record-breaking Grammy win. The commercials became the first (and only) commercials to be included in the weekly TV Guide listings.
Quincy Jones wanted to cut the original intro down so it wasn’t as long. However Michael said it made him want to dance, which was enough to convince Jones that it should stay. When doing the vocal take, it only took one and Michael was done. In contrast Bruce Swedien mixed the song ninety-one times…usually he only does it once. However he needn’t had spent so long, as it was the second mix he created that was eventually used.
Fun fact
During the writing process for “Billie Jean,” Michael was hearing it in his head while driving his car. He was so focused that he did not realize his car had caught fire!
Michael broke down racial barriers by becoming the first black artist to be aired in heavy rotation on MTV. They initially refused to air the “Billie Jean” music video. However CBS President, Walter Yetnikoff, threatened to go public with MTV’s stance on racial discrimination if they didn’t play it. At the time Yetnikoff said he told MTV “I’m pulling everything we have off the air, all our product. I’m not going to give you any more videos. And I’m going to go public and f**king tell them about the fact you don’t want to play music by a black guy.” This propelled “Thriller” to sell an additional 10 million copies.
Famously in the video, he walks along a sidewalk and each tile lights with every footstep like magic. He performs a quick spin, jumps and lands on his toes as the frame freezes. In June 2021, “Billie Jean” became the first 1980s music video by a solo artist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube.
Below is the album version of “Billie Jean” as well as the original home demo.
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
I said don’t mind, but do you mean I am the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful of what you do
And don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do ’cause the lie becomes the truth
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
For forty days and for forty nights
The law was on her side
But who can stand when she’s in demand
Her schemes and plans
‘Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice (Do think twice (x 1)
She told my baby we’d danced till three, then she looked at me
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine (oh, no!)
‘Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby
People always told me be careful of what you do
Don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts
She came and stood right by me
Then the smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
She called me to her room
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
(Continue ’til end)
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
I said don’t mind, but do you mean I am the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful of what you do
And don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do ’cause the lie becomes the truth
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
For forty days and for forty nights
The law was on her side
But who can stand when she’s in demand
Her schemes and plans
‘Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice (Do think twice (x 1)
She told my baby we’d danced till three, then she looked at me
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine (oh, no!)
‘Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby
People always told me be careful of what you do
Don’t go around breaking young girls’ hearts
She came and stood right by me
Then the smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
She called me to her room
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
(Continue ’til end)
