Now 28, he has spent more than a decade at dance music's cutting edge. A rough diamond in the Warp label's glittering crown, Jackson made serious waves when he released his debut album, 'Smash', in 2005 and toured the world with his first live show. Described by its composer as "a style orgy, a psychedelic celebration of conflict", 'Smash' soon became a word-of-mouth classic. Its follow-up is shaping up handsomely, too. Many know Jackson as the producer behind 'Utopia', the shimmering six-minute après-rave odyssey that was used to great effect in an O2 commercial in the UK.
Jackson is also in great demand as a DJ. His rugged, romantic approach to crowd-pleasing guarantees surprises. A techno tease and a new-wave futurist, anything goes in Jackson's sets – and frequently does. As a remixer, Jackson receives many requests from acts keen to hear his unique take on their sound. Most recently, Justice personally asked Jackson for a remix. He delivered the astonishing 'Do The JAHCB', a 12-minute megamix of Justice's debut album which set the blogs ablaze and rather flattered his Parisian playmates. A few years earlier, Jackson's breathtaking rework of M83's 'Run Into Flowers', later the stand-out tune on Michael Mayer's 'Fabric 13' DJ mix, introduced him to a whole new audience. Jackson has also remixed Femi Kuti, Air, Vanessa Paradis, Freeform Five and Jean Jacques Perrey & Luke Vibert's Moog Acid project.
His restlessly inventive style of Dada disco has been cited as an influence by the likes of Justice, Simian Mobile Disco and Sebastian. But Jackson's music is constantly evolving. By the time others have caught up with him, he's way ahead, designing the future somewhere else entirely.
Jackson began making music aged 15, intrigued by the musicians and equipment surrounding his mother, Paula Moore, a folk and blues singer. After his acid house debut on Pumpking records in 1996, Sound Of Barclay released the 'Sense Juice' and 'Gourmet' EPs under the name Jackson & His Computer Band. Even then, these thumping filtered house cuts sounded weirdly different to the prevailing "French Touch" style of Daft Punk and Cassius, leading to articles in NME, I-D, Jockey Slut and the like.
Warp picked up on these early records, released on French imprint Sound Of Barclay. Instantly recognising Jackson as a genuine innovator with his own distinctive sound and personality – rare qualities in modern electronics – they signed him.
Since then, Jackson has been declared "the great hope of dance music" by The Wire magazine and has dazzed ravers in Tokyo, Montreal, New York and across Europe with his extraordinary freestyle show. In his hands, the future sounds deliciously unpredictable, which is just the way it should be.
Praise for 'Smash':
"'Smash' explodes like a symphony for the devil" DJ
"Tremendous debut from French magpie electronicist" The Observer
"A beautiful, soulful, fucked up masterpiece" Vice
Billy
Jackson and His Computer Band Lyrics
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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
(Don't think twice, don't 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
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
The song "Billie Jean" by Jackson and his Computerband tells the story of a man who encounters a woman named Billie Jean, who claims that he is the father of her child. The man denies the allegations and insists that Billie Jean is not his lover. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes this point, and the lyrics speak to the pressures of potential paternity, the power of rumor, and the consequences of actions.
The first verse is filled with contradictions as the man describes Billie Jean as being like a beauty queen from a movie scene, but then asks her to explain what she means. She responds that she is the one who will dance on the floor in the round, which sets the scene for the rest of the song. As the story unfolds, the man reflects on the warnings he received from others about breaking young girls' hearts and the importance of being careful about who you love. Despite his denials, Billie Jean persistently claims that he is the father of her child, and the man reflects on how quickly a situation can spiral out of control.
Overall, "Billie Jean" is a lyrically complex and emotionally charged song that explores themes of power, identity, and responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
The girl was stunning like a queen from a movie scene.
I said don't mind, but what do you mean, I am the one
I didn't think much of it, but she claimed I was 'the one'.
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She and I will dance in the circle on the floor.
She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She affirmed that I was 'the one' who would dance alongside her.
She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
The girl's name was Billie Jean and she created a scene while introducing herself.
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
All eyes were on her and they dreamed of being her partner.
People always told me be careful of what you do
People warned me to be careful about my actions.
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
Advice was given to not break young girls' hearts.
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
My mother always urged me to choose my love wisely.
And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth
My mother advised to be careful about my actions because lies can become the truth.
Billie Jean is not my lover
I am not in love with Billie Jean.
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
Billie Jean just claims that I am her partner.
But the kid is not my son
I am not the father of the child whose paternity is being questioned.
For forty days and forty nights
A period of forty days and forty nights passed.
The law was on her side
The law favored Billie Jean's side.
But who can stand when she's in demand
It's tough to say no to somebody when they're in high demand.
Her schemes and plans
She had a devious plan.
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round
Her and I danced on the circular dance floor.
So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice
Therefore, be careful and analyze twice before sticking to somebody.
(Don't think twice, don't think twice)
A reminder to not be impulsive and think well before committing to somebody.
She told my baby we'd danced till three, then she looked at me
She told my loved one about the time we danced till three, then looked upon me.
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine (oh, no!)
She revealed a photo which upset my loved one as the child's eyes resembled mine.
She came and stood right by me
She came and stood beside me.
Just the smell of sweet perfume
The sweet fragrance of her perfume filled the air.
This happened much too soon
This all happened way too quickly.
She called me to her room
She summoned me to her room.
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She continues to claim that I am her partner, but the child is not mine.
She says I am the one,
She still believes I am the one.
(you know what you did, (she says he is my son)breaking my heart babe)
She is convinced that I broke her heart and this child belongs to me.
Billie Jean is not my lover
I want to stress once again that she is not my lover.
Billie Jean is not my lover
I repeat, Billie Jean is not my lover.
Billie Jean is not my lover
I cannot emphasize enough that Billie Jean is not my lover.
Billie Jean is not my lover
Believe me, Billie Jean is not my lover.
(don't Billie Jean)
Please, don't even think about Billie Jean.
Billie Jean is not my lover
Let me reassure you that Billie Jean is not my lover.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL JOE JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind