Michael Jackson

Released: July 16, 1988

Songwriter: Michael Jackson

Producer: Quincy Jones Michael Jackson

[Verse 1]
They told him, "Don't you ever come around here
Don't wanna see your face. You better disappear"
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it, huh
You better run, you better do what you can
Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you wanna be bad

[Chorus]
Beat it (Beat it), beat it (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky 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, huh)

[Verse 2]
They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man
You wanna stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it, huh
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 wanna be bad

[Chorus]
Beat it (Beat it), beat it (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Beat it (Beat it), beat it, Lord (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

[Refrain]
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

[Interlude]
Come on, baby

[Guitar solo]

[Chorus]
Beat it (Beat it), beat it, Lord (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right
(Beat it, beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Beat it (Beat it), beat it, Lord (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

[Interlude]
Ch-ch-ch, ch-ch
HO, HO, HO, HO
Hee hoo

[Chorus]
Beat it (Beat it), beat it, Lord (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Woo-hoo (Beat it, beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated) Oh Lord
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Beat it (Beat it), beat it, Lord (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated) Oh Lord
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Beat it (Beat it), beat it, yeah (Beat it)
(No one wants to be defeated)
Showin' how funky strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. Jackson began his career when he was seven years old as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, breaking into stardom in 1969 after signing into Motown. The Jackson 5’s first four singles all peaked at number one on the Billboard 100, and soon after Michael pursued a solo career.

His breakthrough fifth album, 1979’s Off The Wall produced four top ten hits (including “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”) and sold 20 million copies, establishing him as a household name. The album was followed with 1982’s Thriller, which became the best selling album of all time, and was the first album to feature seven top 10 singles, including “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”

In 1985, Michael contributed to the collaboration single “We Are The World”, which remains one of the best-selling singles of all time and raised nearly $65 million for famine relief.

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