The Meaning Behind Michael Jackson’s 1983 Classic “Beat It”

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The Meaning Behind Michael Jackson’s 1983 Classic “Beat It”

Michael Jackson’s sixth album introduced one of the most expensive music videos (with a $1 million budget) at the time “Thriller,” and one focused more on choreography, and costume design—and the first to run like a short film at 13 minutes around a zombified storyline. Thriller also gave Jackson the most hits off a single album with “Billie Jean,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” “Human Nature,” “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” his Paul McCartney duet on “The Girl is Mine,” and the harder rocking “Beat It.”

Though the word “beat” can connote an act of violence, the meaning behind the song, written entirely by Michael Jackson and co-produced with Quincy Jones, is actually centered around avoiding violence at all costs and pulling oneself away from a fight.

Told from the perspective of a man who often finds himself in situations where he’s either the winner or loser, in the opening verses, Jackson is telling a young man, who has joined a gang and is still trying to prove himself, to stay away.

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

If you wanna be tough, better do what you can

So beat it, but you wanna be bad

As the song progresses, it’s a battle of good versus evil, showcasing the pressure many men face to stand up for themselves (and fight) or be considered weak and how this can continue a vicious cycle of violence.

They’re out to get you, better leave while you can

Don’t wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man

If 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)

Beat it (beat it, beat it)