BEAT IT
LIVING ROOM - Michael Jackson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They told him, "Don't you ever come around here
Don't want to 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 want to see no blood, don't be a macho man
You want to be tough, better do what you can

So beat it, but you want to 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
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it (ooh)

They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man
You want to stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it (ooh)

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 beat you
Then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you want to 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
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
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

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

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
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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Michael Jackson's "Beat It" convey the message of standing up for oneself and not backing down from a fight. The opening lyrics tell of a warning given to the subject of the song to stay away and not show his face, to which the response is to beat it and leave. The message is clear that confrontation is to be avoided, and there is no need to provoke aggression. The song suggests that strength and toughness are admirable qualities and that it's essential to stand up for oneself. Even when the odds are against you, it's better to fight and demonstrate your strength and courage than run away.

The lines "No one wants to be defeated, showing how funky and strong is your fight, it doesn't matter who's wrong or right" emphasizes the importance of demonstrating strength and determination in a fight, irrespective of the outcome. The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus about beating it, demonstrating that the main message of the song is to never back down from a challenge.

Line by Line Meaning

They told him, "Don't you ever come around here
The person was informed not to be present in a particular location

Don't want to see your face, you better disappear"
They do not desire to face this individual and insist they leave.

The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
Their intense gaze and the on-point meaning of their words indicate a confrontation.

So beat it, just beat it
The only solution is to leave immediately and not look back.

You better run, you better do what you can
It is advised that whoever is given this warning should try to leave.

Don't want to see no blood, don't be a macho man
It is recommended to avoid violent confrontation and show off.

You want to be tough, better do what you can
If being tough is important, then doing everything you can to avoid danger is vital.

So beat it, but you want to be bad
While the desire to act tough and be seen as tough may be present, safety must come first.

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
The need to escape and not engage in a fight is emphasized.

No one wants to be defeated
No one wants to lose a fight or be harmed.

Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
Demonstrating strength and skill in a fight can be perceived as impressive.

It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
In a physical fight like this, who is at fault is irrelevant.

They're out to get you, better leave while you can
It is evident that the individual is in danger and should vacate the area.

Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man
Being brave and strong is desirable, but running away from danger is sometimes the best course of action.

You want to stay alive, better do what you can
Survival is critical and all means of avoidance to stay safe should be taken.

So beat it, just beat it (ooh)
The only solution is to quickly escape and not provoke further.

You have to show them that you're really not scared
Showing fear will not help the situation and might further endanger the individual, so bravery and composure is essential.

You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
This is a serious and dangerous situation that is not a game.

They'll kick you, then they beat you
This illustrates the brutality and danger of the situation.

Then they'll tell you it's fair
Even if the attackers have been violent, they might claim that it is justified.

So beat it, but you want to be bad
Even if the individual wants to act tough and 'bad,' self-preservation should come first.