Don't Let It Get You Down
Michael Jackson Lyrics

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Don't let it get you down
When you're not on top
A winner stumbles too
But gets up and never stops, no

Ain't it a doggone shame?
Lovin' ain't a friendly game
Don't let it get you down, oh no

Don't let it get you down
When the cards are marked
Pick up what's let and walk away (pick it up, pick it up)
Before you lose your heart (don't look back, girl)

Ain't it a doggone shame?
Lovin' ain't a friendly game
Don't let it get you down (oh, no)
Oh, no (don't let it)

Look at me
Don't it seem like I know what I'm talking about?
Talk to me
Let me be, be the one that can straighten it out, girl

(Don't let it get you down)
(Oh, no, don't let it)
(Don't let it get you down)
(Oh, no, don't let it)

Ain't it a doggone shame?
Lovin' ain't a friendly game
Don't let it get you down (oh, no, don't let it)

I can bring you sunshine, make you happy
(I can bring you sunshine)
Ain't no cloud skies hanging over me, yeah

Don't let it get you down

Don't let it get you down
You can start again
Now yesterday is gone
Let tomorrow be your friend
(Don't look back, girl) hey, don't look back, girl
My love is straight ahead
Don't let it get you down (oh, no)
Oh, no (don't let it)

Look at me
Don't it seem like I know what I'm talking about?
Talk to me
Let me be, be the one that can straighten it out, girl

I can straighten it out girl, yeah
(Don't let it get you down, oh, no, don't let it)
I can't straighten it out, girl, come on

Don't let it, let it, let it (don't let it get you down, oh, no, don't let it)
Don't let it, let it, let it
No, don't let it (don't let it get you down, oh, no, don't let it)
Don't let it get you down
Don't let it, let it, let it (don't let it get you down, oh, no, don't let it)
Don't let it, let it, let it
Don't let it get you down, come on (oh, no, don't let it)
Don't let it get you down, yeah (oh, no, don't let it)
Yeah, ha
Yeah, come on, baby (don't let it get you down, oh, no, don't let it)
Don't let it get you down (oh, no, don't let it)

Come on, sugar
Yeah, woo (don't let it get you down, oh, no, don't let it)

Overall Meaning

"Don't Let It Get You Down" by Michael Jackson is an uplifting song about facing adversity, bouncing back from disappointments, and not getting discouraged by life's challenges. Jackson advises listeners not to let it get them down when things don't go their way, or they experience setbacks in their personal or professional lives. The first verse of the song acknowledges that everyone struggles, even successful people who stumble on occasion. Jackson insists that it's not a double shame, and love is not a friendly game, so we shouldn't take setbacks too hard. The second verse relates to the game of cards, where sometimes we may lose a hand or two, but it's better to pick up and walk away before we lose our hearts. The chorus reassures us that he can bring us sunshine and make us happy, and there are no clouded skies hanging above him. He finishes the chorus emphatically and resolutely, imploring us not to let it get us down.

The bridge of the song is repetitive and simple, with Jackson urging listeners to look at him; doesn't it seem like he knows what he's talking about? He wants us to talk and let him be the one who can straighten things out, to make us believe that love is not a game, and it's not worth getting down over. The third verse reminds us that we can always start again, that yesterday is gone, and tomorrow can be our friend. Jackson tells us not to regret and to look ahead to the future with hope and optimism. The song finishes with another repetition of the chorus, imploring us not to let it get us down and calling us "baby" to encourage us further.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't let it get you down
Do not allow the negativity to overwhelm you.

When you're not on top
During times of failure or loss of status.

When a stumble is tool
When a fall or misstep becomes a lesson learned.

Puts us up and never stops, no
Elevates us after a setback and keeps us moving forward to prevent stagnation.

Ain't double shame, love ain't a friendly game
There is no shame in being unlucky in love, as relationships are not always easy.

When the cards are far
When life seems out of reach or unattainable.

Pick up and let them walked away
Let go of what cannot be achieved and move on to new opportunities.

Before you loose your heart
Before you give up hope or become jaded.

Look at me
Pay attention to my words and actions.

Don't it seem like you know what I'm talking about
It feels like you understand the message I am conveying.

Talk to me
Engage in conversation with me.