Michael Jackson – Billie Jean

Track written and co-produced, with Quincy Jones, by Michael.

Originally titled ‘Not My Lover’ (to avoid any confusion with the tennis player, Billie Jean King), and inspired by obsessive young women who accused Michael and his brothers of fathering their children.

Producer Quincy Jones wasn’t too impressed with the demo of the song – he didn’t care much for the bass. The song is mixed by Bruce Swedien, who usually did just one mix of a song – but he did 91 of Billie Jean, before the second mix was eventually chosen!

"Quincy said, ‘okay, this song has to have the most incredible drum sound that anybody has ever done, but it also has to have one element that’s different, and that’s sonic personality’," said Swedien. "What I ended up doing was building a drum platform and designing some special little things, like a bass drum cover and a flat piece of wood that goes between the snare and hi-hat… the bottom line is that there aren’t many pieces of music where you can hear the first three or four notes of the drums and immediately tell what the piece of music is. But I think that is the case with Billie Jean and that I attribute to sonic personality".

Credits
* Written and composed by Michael Jackson
* Produced by Quincy Jones
* Co-produced by Michael Jackson
* Rhodes and synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
* Synthesizer: Greg Smith
* Synthesizer and synthesizer programming: Bill Wolfer
* Guitar: David Williams
* Bass: Louis Johnson
* Drums: N’dugu Chancler
* Emulator: Michael Boddicker
* Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Michael Jackson
* Strings arranged by Jerry Hey
* Strings conducted by Jeremy Lubbock

Billie Jean – Lyrics

She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
I said don’t mind, but what 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)

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
And 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
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is

Not my lover
Not my lover
Not my lover
Not my lover

Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)
Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)
Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)
Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is

Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is

Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is