"They Don't Care About Us" was accompanied by two music videos directed by Lee. The first was shot in two locations in Brazil: in Pelourinho, the historic city center of Salvador; and in Santa Marta, a favela of Rio de Janeiro. State authorities tried to ban production over fears the video would damage their image, the area and prospects of Rio de Janeiro staging the 2004 Olympics. Still, the residents of the area were happy to see the singer, hoping their problems would be made visible to a wider audience. The second video was shot in a prison and contained video footage of multiple references to human rights abuses.
Jackson collaborated with 200 members of the cultural group Olodum, who "swayed to the heavy beat of Salvador's 'samba-reggae' music". The media interest surrounding the music video exposed Olodum to 140 countries around the world, bringing them worldwide fame and increased credibility in Brazil. At the beginning of the video, a Brazilian woman says, "Michael, eles não ligam pra gente" (Portuguese for "Michael, they don't care about us"), recorded by Angélica Vieira, producer of Manhattan Connection.
Commercially, "They Don't Care About Us" became a top ten hit in European countries and number one in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and Italy. In the US, the song peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"They Don't Care About Us" was performed as part of a medley with "Scream" and "In the Closet" during Jackson's third and final concert series, the HIStory World Tour, which ran from 1996 to 1997. The song was set to be performed on Jackson's This Is It comeback concert series at The O2 Arena in London from July 2009 to March 2010, but the shows were cancelled due to his sudden death in June 2009. "They Don't Care About Us" was remixed with parts of songs such as "Privacy" (from the album Invincible) and "Tabloid Junkie" (from HIStory), and released on the Immortal album, in November 2011.
The song gained renewed attention and relevance due to its use during Black Lives Matter protests in 2014 and 2015, and again in 2020.
They Don't Care About Us
Michael Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Don't worry what people say, we know the truth)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Enough is enough of this garbage)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Bang-bang, shot dead, everybody's gone mad
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Beat me, hate me, you can never break me
Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me
Jew me, sue me, everybody do me
Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Tell me, what has become of my life?
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality, now
I'm tired of being the victim of hate
You're ripping me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
I look to Heaven to fulfill this prophecy, set me free
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Black man, blackmail, throw the brother in jail
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now
I'm tired of being the victim of shame
They're throwing me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know, I really do hate to say it
The government don't want to see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation, everybody, litigation
Beat me, bash me, you can never trash me
Hit me, kick me, you can never get me
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Some things in life, they just don't want to see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, segregation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Kick me, kike me, don't you wrong or right me (we're deep in fire)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(We're deep in fire)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(I'm here to remind you)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Don't you sit back and watch the beatin')
All I want to say is that they don't really care about-
All I want to say is that they don't really care about-
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
"They Don't Care About Us" is a song by Michael Jackson, released in 1996 as part of his album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I." The song serves as an anthem for social change and highlights the problems of police brutality, racial discrimination, and societal injustice. The lyrics speak of the marginalized and oppressed standing up against an unjust and uncaring system. The man can scream all he wants about his plight, but those in power will do nothing. The lyrics are a call to arms to end the inequities in society.
The song's lyrics are broken up into four verses, with the first three verses expressing the social and racial injustices that Jackson and others have faced. The fourth verse says that, despite the injustices, people will rise and victory will be achieved. The chorus says that they don't really care about the people who are struggling.
The song's music video was filmed in various locations including Brazil and New York City, with Jackson and a large, multi-racial cast of performers dancing and singing in the streets. The video was controversial due to its political overtones and featured some violent scenes, including a riot in a prison, that were deemed inappropriate for a pop music video. Interestingly, the video was edited and released in two different versions - one with the controversial scenes and one without.
Line by Line Meaning
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Michael Jackson is speaking out about the way people, including those with power, treat those who are marginalized and in need.
Don't worry what people say, we know the truth
Despite negative opinions circulating among others, Michael Jackson is confident in the veracity of what he has said.
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Michael Jackson repeats his message from the first line, emphasizing its importance.
Enough is enough of this garbage
Michael Jackson is fed up with the current state of affairs and wants to see a change.
Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad
People from all walks of life have turned cruel and dangerous.
Situation, aggravation, everybody, allegation
People are angry and making accusations against each other.
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Even those in positions of power are being treated unfairly.
Bang, bang, shot dead, everybody's gone mad
The situation has become violent and chaotic.
Beat me, hate me, you can never break me
Michael Jackson is stating that no matter how harshly he is treated, he will never be completely broken.
Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me
Michael Jackson is saying that he will not let anyone kill his spirit or passion.
Jew me, sue me, everybody do me
Michael Jackson is describing the many ways that he has been mistreated and abused by others.
Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me
Michael Jackson highlights that discrimination can exist for people of different races and religions.
Tell me, what has become of my life?
Michael Jackson is questioning what has happened to his life.
I have a wife and two children who love me
Despite the challenges he faces, Michael Jackson has family who support him.
I am the victim of police brutality, now
Michael Jackson has been a victim of police brutality.
I'm tired of being the victim of hate
Michael Jackson is frustrated with being subjected to hateful treatment.
You're ripping me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
The way he is being treated is affecting his sense of self-worth.
I look to heaven to fulfill this prophecy, set me free
Michael Jackson hopes that he will someday find his freedom.
Black man, blackmail, throw the brother in jail
Michael Jackson highlights the injustice of a black person being held in jail as a result of blackmail.
Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Michael Jackson is concerned about the loss of his rights.
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Michael Jackson is asking why he has been ignored and dismissed.
Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now
Michael Jackson feels betrayed that the freedom he was promised has not been delivered.
I'm tired of being the victim of shame
Michael Jackson has been made to feel ashamed.
They're throwing me in a class with a bad name
Michael Jackson has been wrongly associated with a negative reputation.
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
Michael Jackson is disappointed with his homeland.
You know, I really do hate to say it
Michael Jackson is hesitant to say what's on his mind.
The government don't want to see
The government is ignoring the issue.
But if Roosevelt was livin', He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Michael Jackson thinks that if President Roosevelt were alive, he would work to address these issues.
Trepidation, speculation, everybody, allegation
People are afraid, uncertain, and making accusations.
Beat me, bash me, you can never trash me
Michael Jackson is once again asserting that he is stronger than any mistreatment he receives.
Hit me, kick me, you can never get me
Michael Jackson will not be defeated by physical violence.
Some things in life, they just don't want to see
People can deliberately choose to ignore important issues.
But if Martin Luther was livin', He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Michael Jackson contrasts the inaction of people today with the activism of Martin Luther King Jr.
Situation, segregation, everybody, allegation
The situation is bad and people are isolated and making accusations.
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Even the wealthy and those who control media messaging are subject to mistreatment.
Kick me, kike me, don't you wrong or right me
Michael Jackson is emphasizing the fact that discrimination is unacceptable, regardless of the reason for it.
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us (we're deep in fire)
Michael Jackson reiterates that people are in a dire position without support from those in power.
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us (I'm here to remind you)
Michael Jackson is raising awareness about the lack of support and calling for change.
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us (that you said that "it sucks to be them")
Michael Jackson believes that the negative attitudes conveyed about marginalized groups serve to further alienate and disadvantage them.
All I want to say is that they don't really care about
Michael Jackson concludes his song with this final statement, reiterating his point about the lack of support from those in power.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gustavocesca7241
"They Don't Care About Us" - Lyrics
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation
Everybody allegation
In the suite, on the news
Everybody dog food
Bang bang, shot dead
Everybody's gone mad
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
Jew me, sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, kike me
Don't you black or white me
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Tell me what has become of my life
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality, no
I'm tired of being the victim of hate
You're raping me of my pride
Oh, for God's sake
I look to heaven to fulfill its prophecy...
Set me free
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation
Everybody allegation
In the suite, on the news
Everybody dog food
Black man, blackmail
Throw the brother in jail
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Tell me what has become of my rights
Am I invisible because you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty, no
I'm tired of being the victim of shame
They're throwing me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know I really do hate to say it
The government don't wanna see
But if Roosevelt was living
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation
Everybody litigation
Beat me, bash me
You can never trash me
Hit me, kick me
You can never get me
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Some things in life they just don't wanna see
But if Martin Luther was living
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skin head, dead head
Everybody's gone bad
Situation, segregation
Everybody allegation
In the suite, on the news
Everybody dog food
Kick me, kike me
Don't you wrong or right me
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
@yeetplyr8445
Most influential artist in history. My dad had a MJ CD that he’d always bump in the car, he’s no longer with us unfortunately but listening to MJ just brings back memories
@PSYCHO-dz1bf
Sorry to hear about you're dad I lost my uncle
@saidakhaitar8915
Moyaiacicicavec,NEMER,OUI,1,Michael,TOP,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,TODO,VIT,todo
@saidakhaitar8915
Salmmichaeltodolove,❤,❤,TOP,❤
@DuckEatBananas
@@PSYCHO-dz1bfI think he means Micheal Jackson isn’t with us anymore
@user-qb9ox4zn9j
😊@@PSYCHO-dz1bf
@carlaa6
O único clipe gravado do Brasil que arrepia a todos até hoje, as imagens, a letra, o toque do o Oludum, a voz do Michael, uma verdadeira harmonia musical.
@Lulaa_the_human
Olodum ❤❤❤. Perdón, no sé escribir en portugués. Soy argentina, estoy aprendiendo sambareggae y hace unos días nos enseñaron esta canción. Es muy divertida de tocar. Hermosa.
@Heitzinn
Vdd meu mano
@user-hk3ep8jf8j
Бир см тллиоарт ллох