Jackson's musical career began in 1967 as lead singer of The Jackson 5, when the group made their first recording with a local label before signing up with Motown Records in 1968. He made his first solo recordings in 1971 while still a member of the group. But it was Off the Wall (1979) which marked the start of his full-fledged solo career, and he formally parted with his siblings in 1984. In his solo career, Jackson recorded and co-produced the best-selling album of all time, Thriller (with worldwide sales over 100 million), received thirteen Grammy awards and charted thirteen #1 singles in the U.S. Throughout his four-decade career, Michael Jackson has been awarded numerous honors, including the World Music Awards Best-selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium. He is also a double-inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997, and in 2002 as a solo artist. He is also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In the mid-1980s, TIME magazine described Jackson as "the hottest single phenomenon since Elvis Presley". He has had a notable impact on music and culture throughout the world while also tearing down racial barriers and paving the way for modern pop music.
From 1988 to 2005, Jackson lived on his Neverland Ranch property, on which he built an amusement park and private zoo for the enjoyment of economically disadvantaged and terminally ill children. In 1993 and 2003, separate accusations of child molestation that allegedly occurred in Neverland were made against Jackson, which drew intensely negative media coverage. While he was never charged for the first case, Jackson was tried and vindicated in 2005 of the latter allegation, but moved out of the US shortly thereafter. He later returned to Las Vegas in early 2007.
In the years following his acquittal, (2005-2009) Jackson made numerous public appearances including MTV Japan's VMA awards where he accepted the legends award; the World Music Awards where he accepted the Diamond Award for selling over 100 million records; James Brown's funeral where he paid tribute and delivered a sermon; and a fan appreciation event in Tokyo, Japan, where he greeted troops at US Army base Camp Zama. In early 2008, Jackson issued Thriller 25th Anniversary, a critical and commercial success that was the second-biggest selling album of 2008 with over 2.1 million copies sold worldwide.
On June 25, 2009, Jackson collapsed at a rented home in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death is currently believed to be cardiac arrest. At the time of his death, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people, at London's O2 arena, from July 13, 2009, to March 6, 2010. During a press conference, Jackson made suggestions of possible retirement.
In the hours following Jackson's death, his record sales increased dramatically. His seminal album Thriller climbed to number one on the American iTunes music chart, while another eight made it into the top 40. In the UK, where Jackson would have performed less than three weeks after his death, fifteen of his albums occupied the top 15 spots on the Amazon music chart. Social music network website Last.fm also saw a dramatic increase in Michael Jackson plays per hour after the announcement of his death.
On December 10, 2010, a compilation album of previously unreleased material, simply entitled Michael, was released posthumously. Featuring guest performances by Akon, 50 Cent and Lenny Kravitz, the album was certified Platinum in 18 countries but received mixed reviews from most critics. This was followed in November 2011 by Immortal, a remix album; in September 2012 by Bad 25, a 25th anniversary reissue of Jackson's 1987 hit album Bad; and by Xscape, a second compilation album released in May 2014.
Official Website: http://www.michaeljackson.com
Monkey Business
Michael Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, Lord have mercy
This ain't no good for me
This ain't no good for me, babe
Well, Lord have mercy
Well, Lord have mercy
Ain't no good for me, babe
Tell me what's goin' down, babe
Every time I want to say it, it is
Just too much for me
I don't ever want to say it cause of
All the blasphemy
Everybody's doin' it to somebody's love
In sight of me
I might tell on you
Don't you start no stuff with me
Your brother's gone and kissed
The mother in law
I might tell Dad about what I saw
I caught your mother, she doin' a dude
You can't like it that I'm lookin' right at you
Stop it, it's too much
Monkey business goin' down
Well, Lord have mercy
Well, Lord have mercy
Don't be callin' out "mercy me" (Don't be callin' out "mercy me")
Don't be callin' down, babe (Don't be callin' out mercy)
Well, Lord have mercy
Even burst the breast
Don't be callin' out "mercy me" (Don't be callin' out "mercy me")
Don't be goin' down, babe (Don't be callin' out "mercy")
Every time I want to say it, it is
Just too much for me
Everybody's doin' it to somebody's love
It seems to me
I just can't believe the things I'm seein'
So just let it be
I might tell on you
So don't you start no stuff with me
Your brother's gone and kissed
The mother in law
I might tell Dad about what I saw
I caught your mother, she doin' a dude
You can't like it that I'm lookin' right at you
Stop it, it's too much
Monkey business goin' down
I read the paper and I can't believe what's goin' round
Somebody's doin' it to somebody's up, somebody's down
The government won't pay my taxes and I'm really mad
My mouth might let it be
So don't you monkey shy with me
Your brother's gone and kissed
The mother in law
I might tell Dad about what I saw
I caught your mother, she doin' a dude
You can't like it that I'm lookin' right at you
Your brother's gone and kissed
The mother in law
I might tell Dad about what I saw
Your brother didn't make a nickle, or dime too
Sittin' around tellin' how he did it to you
Stop it, it's too much
Monkey business goin' down
(Monkey business goin' down)
(Monkey business goin' down)
(Monkey business goin' down)
(Monkey business goin' down)
(Monkey business goin' down)
(Monkey business goin' down)
(Monkey business goin' down)
(Monkey business goin' down)
"Monkey Business" is a song that delves into the theme of infidelity and how everyone seems to be doing it to someone else. The song starts with the repeated phrase “Lord have mercy,” which is a way of expressing the singer's shock and surprise at the things he has witnessed. The singer doesn’t want to say what he knows because he doesn’t want to be labeled a snitch or cause trouble. He warns people not to start any issues with him by engaging in monkey business, an activity that involves deceit and duplicity. He proceeds to reveal several instances of cheating, including a brother who has kissed his mother-in-law, a wife who is cheating with another man while her husband watches, and a father who is unaware of his wife's infidelity. The singer seems overwhelmed by the amount of monkey business that’s happening around him, leading him to repeatedly say the phrase “stop it, it’s too much.” He concludes that the best course of action is to let it be and not get involved.
The song's underlying message is about the dangers of jealousy and dishonesty. It warns listeners that all it takes is a little monkey business for everything to come crashing down. The lyrics suggest that such deception can lead to chaos and suffering, and this can be avoided if individuals remain faithful to their partners and true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, Lord have mercy
Expressing shock and disbelief at the situation at hand.
This ain't no good for me
The current situation is not beneficial for me.
Tell me what's goin' down, babe
Asking for an explanation of the current situation.
Every time I want to say it, it is
Just too much for me
The singer is hesitant to speak out about what they've seen as it is too overwhelming.
I don't ever want to say it cause of
All the blasphemy
The singer is afraid to speak out for fear of being judged.
Everybody's doin' it to somebody's love
In sight of me
The singer is witnessing infidelity and deceit within relationships around them.
I might tell on you
Don't you start no stuff with me
The singer warns others not to provoke them or they may reveal their secrets.
Your brother's gone and kissed
The mother in law
I might tell Dad about what I saw
The singer has witnessed an inappropriate behavior and is considering telling family members about it.
You can't like it that I'm lookin' right at you
Stop it, it's too much
The singer is challenging someone who is doing something they shouldn't be and is making them uncomfortable.
Don't be callin' out "mercy me" (Don't be callin' out "mercy me")
Don't be callin' down, babe (Don't be callin' out mercy)
The singer is advising someone not to beg for forgiveness if they knew they are doing something wrong.
Even burst the breast
Don't be callin' out "mercy me" (Don't be callin' out "mercy me")
Don't be goin' down, babe (Don't be callin' out "mercy")
The situation is escalating and the singer is warning against begging for mercy.
Everybody's doin' it to somebody's love
It seems to me
I just can't believe the things I'm seein'
So just let it be
The singer is observing infidelity and deceit within relationships and they cannot believe what they are seeing.
I read the paper and I can't believe what's goin' round
Somebody's doin' it to somebody's up, somebody's down
The government won't pay my taxes and I'm really mad
My mouth might let it be
So don't you monkey shy with me
The singer is outraged by the current state of affairs and is warning others not to try to hide their involvement in any wrongdoing.
Your brother didn't make a nickle, or dime too
Sittin' around tellin' how he did it to you
The singer is calling out someone who is boasting about their infidelity and is doing so at the cost of their family members.
(Monkey business goin' down)
Reiterating that the situation at hand involves deceit, infidelity or some form of wrongdoing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MICHAEL JACKSON, BILL BOTTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cruz Florero
Well Lord have mercy
Well Lord have mercy
This ain't no good for me
This ain't no good for me babe
Well Lord have mercy
Well Lord have mercy
Ain't no good for me babe
Tell me what is going down babe
Every time I want to say it
It is just too much for me
I don't even want to say it
Cause it's all blasphemy
Everybody is doing it to somebody's love
In sight of me
I might tell on you
So don't you start no stuff with me
Your brother's got kids with your mother-in-law
I might drop dead about what I saw
I caught your mom she doing a dude
You can't lie cause I was looking right at you (oh Lord)
Stop it
It's too much
Monkey Business going down
Well Lord have mercy
Well Lord have mercy
Don't be calling out "Mercy me"
Don't be calling down babe
Said lord have mercy
Even burst the breast
Don't be calling out "Mercy me"
Don't be going down babe
Every time I wanna say it
It is just too much for me
Everybody's doing it to somebody's love
It seems to me
I just can't believe the things I'm seeing
So just let it be
I might tell on you
So don't you start no stuff with me
Your brother's got kids with your mother-in-law
I might drop dead about what I saw (oh lord)
I caught your mom she doing a dude
You can't lie cause I was looking right at you (oh lord)
Stop it
It is too much
Monkey business going down
I read the paper
And I can't believe what's going round
Somebody is doing it to
Somebody is up, somebody is down
The government won't pay my taxes
And I am really mad
My mouth might let it be
So don't you monkey shine with me
Your brother is got kids with your mother-in-law
I might drop dead about what I saw (oh lord)
I caught your mother she doing a dude
You can't like it that we're looking right at you
(You are dirty, you are dirty, dirty, dirty baby)
Your brother got kids..
Your mother-in-law
I might drop dead about what I saw
Your brother didn't make it out the two times two
You sitting 'round here telling how he did it to you
Stop it
It is too much
Monkey business going down
(Going down babe)
Monkey business going down
(You are not satisfied baby)
Monkey business going down
(You want to party)
Monkey business going down
(My business, is your business)
Monkey business going down
(I caught your mother she doing a dude
She can't lie cause I was looking right at you, oh Lord
Monkey business going down
(And monkey see, monkey do
You can't lie cause I was looking right at you, oh Lord)
Monkey business going down
Your business, is my business
Your business, is my business
Your business, is my business
Monkey business going down
Your business, is my business
Your business, is my business
Your business
Too much for the kids, baby
It's a monkey business going down
Jordi Adsuar
Well, Lord have mercy. Well, Lord have mercy. This ain't no good for me, this ain't no good for me, baby. Well, Lord have mercy. Well, Lord have mercy. Ain't no good for me, baby, tell me what's goin' down, baby.
Every time i wanna say it, it is just too much for me. I don't ever wanna say it 'cause of all the blasphemy, everybody's doin' it to somebody's love in sight of me, i might tell on you don't you start no stuff with me.
Your brother's got kids with your mother in law, i might drop dead about what I saw ( Oh, God! Hee! Hee! Hoo! Hoo! Hee! ) Caught your mother, she doin' a dude. You can't like it that i'm lookin' right at you ( Oh, no! Stop it! ) It's too much, monkey business goin' down ( Hee! Hee! Hee! )
Well, Lord, have mercy. Well, Lord, have mercy. Don't be callin' out "Mercy me", so don't be callin' down, baby ( Don't be callin' out mercy... ) Well Lord have mercy even burst the breast, don't be callin' out "Mercy me" ( Don't be callin' out "Mercy me".. ) Don't be goin' down, baby ( Don't be callin' out "Mercy me"... )
Every time i wanna say it, it is just too much for me. Everybody's doin' it to somebody's love, it seems to me.
I just can't believe the things i'm seein', so just let it be. I might tell on you, so don't you start no stuff with me.
Your brother's got kids with your mother in law, i might drop dead about what i saw ( Oh God! Come on! Hee! Hee! Daggone! Daggone! Hee! Hee! ) I caught your mother, she doin' a dude. You can't like it that i'm lookin' right at you ( Oh no! ) Stop it, it's too much Monkey business goin' down ( Hoo! )
I read the paper and i can't believe what's goin' around. Somebody's doin' it to somebody's up, somebody's down. The government won't pay my taxes and i'm really mad, my mouth might let it be so don't you monkey shy with me.
Your brother's got kids with
your mother in law, i might drop dead about what i saw ( Oh no! Hee! Hee! Hoo! Hee! Hee! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! ) I caught your mother, she doin' a dude. You can't like it that i'm lookin' right at you ( Oh no God! ) You're dirty ( Come on! Come on! ) You're dirty baby ( Come on! Hoo! ) You're dirty, you're dirty baby!
Your brother's gone and kissed, the mother in law, i might tell Dad about what i saw ( Oh no! Hee! Hee! Hoo! Hoo! ) Monkey, monkey ( Hoo! Hoo! ) Your brother didn't make a nickle, or dime too sittin' around tellin' how he did it to you. Stop it, it's too much monkey business goin' down, goin' down, goin' down ( Hee! Hee! )
Goin' down baby ( Hee! Hee! Monkey! ) Monkey bussiness goin' down ( Satisfied! Oh baby! Hee! Hee! ) Monkey business goin' down ( You're doin' baby! ) It's the police baby! ( What about it? Hee! ) Monkey, monkey ( Hee! Hee! ) Monkey, monkey ( Alright... ) It's monkey business goin' down.
My bussines ( Hee! Hee! ) You're bussines. My bussines, you're dirty ( What about Monkey? ) Monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey business goin' down. I told your brother ( Hee! Hee! ) She likes what i'd do ( Hold on! Hee! Hee! Hoo! Hee! Hee! ) Mercy, monkey bussines goin' down.
And don't you see? Monkey do ( Hoo! Hoo! You're dirty! ) He like what the police go on! Have mercy! ( Hee! Hee! ) Monkey bussines going down, your bussines, my bussines, your bussines ( Have mercy! ) My bussines ( Hoo! ) Your bussines ( Hoo! Hoo! ) My bussines ( Hoo! ) Your bussines. Monkey bussines goin' down.
Your bussines, my bussines, your bussines, my bussines ( Too much for me baby! Hoo! ) It's monkey bussines goin' down ( Oh baby, hold on... )
The Rebel And The Girl
When MJ’s unused demos sound better than most songs. Man was a genius.
Yordi
maybe even most of his own songs, remember, he wasn't always the one to assemble the songs on the album
MrPussInBoots
Such a strange blanket statement, this song is mediocre.
Elijah Cambry
This is not a demo. This is an outtake from the actual album sessions there’s a big difference between those two types of recordings. A demo is usually something that’s done at home very quickly and usually half assed. An outtake is some thing that was completely recorded mixed and mastered and ready for possible inclusion on the album but left off
Michael J. Jackson
@Elijah Cambry LMAO a demo is not "usually done at home" unless you somehow believe most artists had a home studio set up in the 60s, 70s, 80s, etc...even today, unlikely. A demo, simply put, is an unfinished version of a song idea and usually is unfinished as far as lyrics and/or production/engineering. Demos are meant to set the foundation for how a song should progress moving forward. The original demo of Thriller, for example, is called "Starlight," with almost entirely completely different lyrics from start to finish, however the cadence and melody is the same as what would later become Thriller; that was recorded in a professional studio, as are most demos. Occasionally, a demo may be recorded at home, similar to one of the Billie Jean demos, but that is hardly ever the case.
Lucas Altuzarra
How this gem is not on Spotify yet is a CRIME.
Yordi
It’s a unreleased song
Yordi
A artist not releasing a song because it didn’t fit isn’t a crime
Lucas Altuzarra
@Yordi you see this was released while Mike was alive, back in 2004.
Eva Nicander
xscape no.. this song is not on my ultimate Collection. I've never heard it till recent years.. though I have searched Internet regularly since -99