Thriller 25 was released by Sony BMG's re-issue division, Legacy Recordings. In the United Kingdom, the BBFC gave it a '15' certificate because it included the video for "Thriller". It is the first Jackson album with an age certificate. Along with the original material, the reissue contained remixes, new material, a DVD and collaborations with several contemporary artists.
Two singles, "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008", were released from the album to moderate success and a number of the other remixes charted, despite no physical release. Thriller 25 was a commercial success, selling three million copies worldwide in its 12 weeks, and was generally well received among critics, despite their view that the new material was not as inspiring as the original.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Michael Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
I took my baby to the doctor
With a fever, but nothing he found
By the time this hit the street
They said she had a breakdown
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', lyin'
Sayin' you just wanna be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You love to pretend that you're good
When you're always up to no good
You really can't make him hate her
So your tongue became a razor
Someone's always tryin' to keep my baby cryin'
Treacherous, cunnin', declinin'
You got my baby cryin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable
Still they hate you, you're a vegetable
You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable
They eat off of you, you're a vegetable
Billie jean is always talkin'
When nobody else is talkin'
Tellin' lies and rubbin' shoulders
So they called her mouth a motor
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', spyin'
Sayin' you just wanna be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable
Still they hate you, you're a vegetable
You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable
They eat off of you, you're a vegetable
If you cant feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
Then don't have a baby (yeah, yeah)
And don't think maybe (yeah, yeah)
If you can't feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
You'll be always tryin'
To stop that child from cryin'
Hustlin', stealin', lyin'
Now baby's slowly dyin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
Lift your head up high
And scream out to the world
I know I am someone
And let the truth unfurl
No one can hurt you now
Because you know what's true
Yes, I believe in me
So do believe in you
Help me sing it
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it, babe)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah, sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it out loud)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it, babe)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it out loud)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
The song “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” by Michael Jackson encourages its listeners to stand up for themselves and not let others bring them down. The lyrics suggest that if you want to start something, you have to be the one to take the initiative and make it happen. The song describes a situation where someone is stuck in the middle and can’t seem to escape the pain and torment that others are causing. The message is clear, that you must not let others dictate your life and that you should always be proud of who you are.
The song also addresses the issue of gossiping and lying, and the negative impact it can have on people. The lines "Billie Jean is always talkin’, when nobody else is talkin’, tellin’ lies and rubbin’ shoulders, so they called her mouth a motor" shows how people can spread rumors and lies about others, causing unnecessary pain and suffering. The chorus of the song includes the famous “ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa” chant, which originated from an African song.
Line by Line Meaning
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
I'm telling you that you're causing trouble and drama
You got to be startin' somethin'
You're always the one starting problems
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
The problem is too big to ignore
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
The problem is also too difficult to tunnel under
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
You're trapped between two sides of the issue
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
The pain and drama is loud and overwhelming
I took my baby to the doctor
I brought my loved one to a professional for help
With a fever, but nothing he found
They had a physical symptom, but no underlying medical condition was diagnosed
By the time this hit the street
News of the situation spread to the public
They said she had a breakdown
Rumors spread that my loved one had a mental breakdown
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
There are always people causing emotional distress to my loved one
Talkin', squealin', lyin'
They do so by spreading gossip and lies
Sayin' you just wanna be startin' somethin'
They're accusing me of starting the drama intentionally
You love to pretend that you're good
You like to put up a facade of being a good person
When you're always up to no good
When in reality, you're always causing trouble
You really can't make him hate her
You're incapable of making my loved one hate someone else
So your tongue became a razor
Therefore, you resort to using vicious words to hurt others
Someone's always tryin' to keep my baby cryin'
People are always causing pain and suffering to my loved one
Treacherous, cunnin', declinin'
They do so by being sneaky, deceitful, and manipulative
You got my baby cryin'
You've caused my loved one to cry
You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable
You're a lifeless, unfeeling person
Still they hate you, you're a vegetable
Despite this, people still use you and don't like you
You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable
You're just a resource that people take advantage of
They eat off of you, you're a vegetable
They use up your resources and leave nothing behind
Billie jean is always talkin'
Billie Jean is always gossiping and making rumors
When nobody else is talkin'
She spreads gossip when there's no one else around
Tellin' lies and rubbin' shoulders
She spreads lies and tries to get close to influential people
So they called her mouth a motor
People started calling her mouth a motor for constantly talking and making noise
If you cant feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
If you're not able to provide for your loved ones
Then don't have a baby (yeah, yeah)
Don't bring a child into the world if you can't properly care for them
And don't think maybe (yeah, yeah)
Don't delude yourself into thinking that you can take care of a child without adequate means
You'll be always tryin'
You'll always be struggling to make ends meet
To stop that child from cryin'
You'll be constantly trying to prevent your child from suffering
Hustlin', stealin', lyin'
You may turn to unethical and illegal means to provide for your child
Now baby's slowly dyin'
Now your child is suffering and dying due to your inability to take care of them
Lift your head up high
Take pride in yourself
And scream out to the world
Announce your worth and potential to everyone
I know I am someone
I know that I have value and worth
And let the truth unfurl
And let people see the real me
No one can hurt you now
No one can bring you down now that you believe in yourself
Because you know what's true
Because you know your self-worth and value
Yes, I believe in me
I have faith in myself
So do believe in you
And you should have faith in yourself as well
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
A nonsensical chant used to celebrate and express joy
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
A variation of the same nonsensical chant, expressing happiness and laughter
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Continuing the joyous chant
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it, babe)
Encouraging someone to join in the chant and celebrate together
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah, sing it to the world)
Asking others to join us in expressing happiness and joy
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it out loud)
Continuing to encourage people to join in the celebratory chant
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it)
Continuing to ask people to join in the chant together
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it to the world)
Expressing the desire for everyone to join in the fun and celebration
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah)
A final exclamation and expression of joy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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