The song “Billie Jean” is a story of a woman who accuses Michael Jackson of being the father of at least one of her children.

Unfounded Accusation or Real Paternity?

There is some evidence that there really was a Billie Jean in the person calling herself Billie Jean Jackson. She once showed up at Jackson’s house by his pool and made her claims of the King of Pop’s paternity. For his part, Jackson claimed not only that he was not the father of her children but also that the song was not inspired by her. Rather, he said that the song referenced a pastiche of the countless groupies who bothered his brothers and him throughout the years. He maintained that position up until his death in 2009 at the age of 50.

There was, however, a fan who was arrested for continuing to harass Jackson after a court order had prohibited such contact. It’s highly unlikely that a court would issue such an order about a person who wasn’t real. The person calling herself Billie Jean Jackson spent two years in jail and was so obsessed with Jackson that she continued to hound him until he died. That said, There was never any proof or even suggestive evidence that Jackson had fathered this woman’s children.

Song Opens Doors for Black MTV Artists

The song was a smash hit. In 1982, MTV was, essentially, a venue only for white artists. Musical Youth appeared on the network but were not considered a legitimate act because the group, as its name implies, was made up of children. “Billie Jean” became a No. 1 hit and broke the color barrier on MTV. That led to many more Black acts to submit their work to the channel and also to many more of those acts appearing on the channel.

“Billie Jean” has appeared on TV many times. The shows include not only “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” but also “The American Dad,” “The Simpsons,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” In addition to being on television, “Billie Jean” has been in both movies and in video games. The game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City includes the song as part of the soundtrack when your character enters any vehicle in the game and turns on the radio. Paying homage to the song’s No. 1 status, the in-game DJ says that the song is, “No. 1 as long as we say so.”

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 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, do think twice)

She told my baby we’d danced ’til 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
Just 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
You know what you did, (she says he is my son) breaking my heart babe
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 (don’t Billie Jean)
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Michael Jackson

Billie Jean lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Listeners that enjoy this song about struggle may also be interested in the song Been to The Mountain by Margo Price.

This article was originally written February 7, 2023 and updated on May 28, 2023