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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This is about a girl who claimed that Jackson was the father of her child. Jackson based it on a woman who used to stalk him, writing him letters about a son she thought was his. Jackson had a hard time dealing with his stalker and became more reclusive as a result.

Quincy Jones produced this. In his autobiography Moonwalk, Jackson said that Jones wanted to change the title to "Not My Lover" because he thought it would be confused with tennis star Billie Jean King.

Michael Jackson also says about this song in Moonwalk, "A musician knows hit material. It has to feel right. Everything has to feel in place. It fulfills you and it makes you feel good. You know it when you hear it. That's how I felt about 'Billie Jean.' I knew it was going to be big while I was writing it. I was really absorbed in that song. One day during a break in a recording session I was riding down the Ventura Freeway with Nelson Hayes, who was working with me at the time. 'Billie Jean' was going around in my head and that's all I was thinking about. We were getting off the freeway when a kid on a motorcycle pulls up to us and says, 'Your car's on fire.' Suddenly we noticed the smoke and pulled over and the whole bottom of the Rolls-Royce was on fire. That kid probably saved our lives. If the car had exploded, we could have been killed. But I was so absorbed by this tune floating in my head that I didn't even focus on the awful possibilities until later."

According to Rolling Stone magazine's Top 500 songs, Jackson came up with the song's rhythm track on his home drum machine and nailed the vocals in one take.

This won the 1983 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance and Best Rhythm & Blues Song for the writer Michael Jackson. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 4)

This broke the color barrier on MTV. It was the first video by a black artist to get regular airplay on the channel, which debuted August 1, 1981. The video was also a precursor to the video game Dance Dance Revolution, as some scenes showed Jackson performing his dance moves by stepping on squares as they would light up.

This was the second of 7 US top 10 hits from the Thriller album. "The Girl Is Mine" was released before this.

The video showcased Jackson's signature dance moves that he became famous for. His talents as a dancer helped make him a huge concert draw and a star on MTV. High-energy dancing was a huge part of his act, and artists like New Kids on the Block and his sister Janet followed his lead and made dance moves as big a part of their shows as singing. This trend continued as groups like 'N Sync and The Backstreet boys followed suit. Jackson choreographed the dance moves himself.

On the 1983 TV special 25 Years Of Motown, Jackson did The Moonwalk for the first time while performing this song.

Jackson shot a Pepsi commercial in 1984 performing this with the lyrics altered to sing the praises of the soda. During the shoot, his hair caught fire from the pyrotechnics and he was rushed to the hospital. The commercial aired on the Grammy awards.

The UPC code on the album cover contained 7 digits that were rumored to be Jackson's telephone number. People with that number in many different area codes got swamped with annoying calls.

This inspired an "answer song" - Lydia Murdock's 1983 disco hit "Superstar." In "Superstar," Murdock adopts the persona of Billie Jean, telling her side of the story. No word on if Jackson ever heard it. (thanks, Adam - Dewsbury, England)

According to Q magazine, March 2008, Michael Jackson wrote this in his home studio in Encino. He worked for 3 weeks on the bass line alone.

Producer and record mogul Antonio "LA" Reid told Rolling Stone magazine April 15, 2004: "Billie Jean is the most important record he's made, not only because of its commercial success but because of the musical depth of the record. It has more hooks in it than anything I've ever heard. Everything in that song was catchy, and every instrument was playing a different hook. You could separate it into 12 different musical pieces and I think you'd have 12 different hits. Every day, I look for that kind of song." (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Former Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell recorded a stripped-down, emotional version of this song for his 2007 solo album Carry On. In March, 2008, David Cook performed a similar version on American Idol, drawing rave reviews from the judges and some criticism from viewers who felt he ripped off Cornell's version. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Quincy Jones discussed this song in a radio interview printed in Radio Times. The Thriller producer recalled: "The intro to 'Billie Jean' was so long you could shave during it. I said we had to get to the melody sooner…but Michael said that was what made him want to dance. And when Michael Jackson says something makes him want to dance, you don't argue, so he won."

In the first chart week following Jackson's death, he placed a record 21 entries on the Hot Digital Songs chart, including this song. The late singer thus overtook the mark of 14 charted titles established by David Cook on the June 7, 2008, chart. One of Cook's cuts that week was his cover of this tune.

During an interview in Thailand, Jackson was asked about the inspiration behind this song. He replied: "There is a girl named Billie Jean, but it's not about that Billie Jean. Billie Jean is kind of anonymous. It represents a lot of girls. They used to call them groupies in the '60s. They would hang around backstage doors, and any band that would come to town they would have a relationship with, and I think I wrote this out of experience with my brothers when I was little. There were a lot of Billie Jeans out there. Every girl claimed that their son was related to one of my brothers."

Quincy Jones: "According to Michael, this song was about a girl that climbed over (his) wall. He woke up one morning and she was laying out by the pool, bathing suit on. Just invaded the place, a stalker almost. And Michael says she had accused him of being the father of one of her twins." (From Q magazine August 2009).

Comments:

MJ played himself the bass on this song using a Yamaha Bass Guitar......that's cool... R.I.P. King Of Pop
- abdullaah, kuala lumpur, Malaysia

Hey Jan from Lawrenceville GA. your stupider than Heidi from the hills I just went to Grooveshark.com and listened to moondance by Morrison and it sounds nothing like Billie Jean he's good but not as good as Michael R.I.P
- sam, Seal Beach, CA

I have seen many performances of this song. And aside from the one in Bucharest, he lip synchs. Its more noticeable in this song, because there are just certain parts he can't pull off live". Nevertheless, best dancer...heck, best entertainer.
- Matt, Seminole, OK

"Billie Jean" a very good song. I remember the clip, the images stopped while Michael Jackson was dancing. I'm very sorry that since many years people talk about all things concerning Michael and forget how talented he was. Rest in peace Michael in a world without pain and tears.
- Teresa, Mechelen, Belgium

Michael was with out a doubt one of the worlds greatest entertainers.... I really would have liked to have seen him stay much much longer on this earth where he gave so much love and magic to people from his music....Michael YOU WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH.
- Dean, Miami , FL

ok, jan from lawrenceville...chill out. ok thanks for imforming that you think its a rip off..but seriously it sounds like Michael worked way hard on this song and that deserves respect. dont hate. Rest In Peace King Of Pop.
- Jackie, Katy, TX

Billy jean is one of my favorite songs of the 80,s & my fav of M.J. RIP M.J. 7/3/09
- James, yucaipa, CA

This is a cool song. Now Michael honestly had horrorable personal life, but a exetremely sucsessful professional life. Really I hated him when he was alive, but now I starting to remember he was only human. I'm not forgiveing him for horrorable things he did, but he did do more in his short 50-year life than what most men could do in three lifes. Michael Joesph Jackson 1958-2009.
- Billy, Nederland , TX

David Cook really nailed this song.
- Theresa, Murfreesboro, TN

Sean: The reason for MTV's white-only policy was allegedly demographic. MTV was founded by Les Garland and Bob Pittman. Their idea was to keep the channel "rock-oriented", which in practice meant they wanted to attract mainly college-age white men, and blacks and Hispanics need not apply. Artists like David Bowie and Rick James complained about this in interviews, and when asked to respond, Pittman said this: "We don't want to cater to fringe groups." That pretty much gave away the real reason. By 1983, both WTBS and NBC had all-night video shows which included black artists, causing further pressure on MTV. Finally, Walter Yetnikoff, the president of CBS Records, threatened to pull all their videos off MTV unless they would include a Michael Jackson video. They so did (Billie Jean), and their focus began to switch from plain rock & roll to pop, funk and R&B.
- Ekristheh, Halath, United States

Michael jacson was a musical Genius. Nobody will ever sell as many records as he has - and will continue to sell for ever. Elvis still sells records afterall, I can't believe he's dead, I grew up with his music, danced to it at school discos, done the thriller video dance with mates at parties for a laugh. So, he may have been a little weird, rumoured to be into young boys etc But his music brought and still BRINGS joy to people all over the world. I only hope he is remembered for his achievements rather than any discrepancies :( RIP MJ
- LauraLee, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Rest In Peace, Michael Jackson...
- Hetfield, Port Louis, Mauritius

awesome song, apparently, its a true story. A fan claimed that he was the father of her child, and she insisted that he take responsibility. she sent a gun, and asked him to kill himself. the fan was later sent to the hospital, and it was confirmed that she was crazy. i think it's true, at least.
- Taylor, Mountain View , CA

THIS SONG was a rip off of VAN MORRISON'S MOON DANCE, i don't know why people to this day can't figure it out. THE RIFF TO MOON DANCE AND THE BEAT ARE IDENTICAL TO BILLIE JEAN, shame on michael and shame on you people who can't figure it out. you can even sing billie jean to the moon dance riff as its playing.
- jan, lawrenceville, GA

1) MJ didn't invent the 'moonwalk' its a break dancing move that he threw into his choreography. His doing the moonwalk made breakdancing commercial which of course killed it's popularity in urban areas. 2) MTV definitely had a policy of not playing black music videos. Whether this policy was based on racism or a demographic based business model we will never know. This policy is the reason that Black Entertainment Televisions' (BET) video music slots were so successful. Other video channels as well as music video slots like Friday Night Videos played black music videos.
- Sean, Washington, DC

I remember this inspiring one of the funniest mondegreens when Letterman and Paul Shaffer used to make fun of it on "Late Night" back in the early 80s: "But the CHAIR is not my son!"
- S.D., Denver, CO

The Chris Cornell version is very different and very cool.. This version was also covered by David Cook on season 7 of American Idol, I think the theme was songs from the year the contestant was born. (Babies!)
- Mel, Riverbank, CA

A remix of this song entitled Billie Jean 2008 featuring Kanye West will be included in Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 album due out Febuary 2008. Billie Jean is one of the best songs ever created. Perfection.
- Aya, NSW, Australia, United States

Too bad the man Jackson became overshadowed the man he once was. He really was, and still is, a talented songwriter.
- Matt, New York, NY

one of my favorite all time songs. i just love that line " she told me her name was billie jean and she caused a scene"
- Caitlin, Upper Township, NJ

Has anyone heard Chris Cornell's cover of this song. It's... different.
- Matt, Uxbridge, MA

John, MTV had a policy against playing black artists on the network. CBS record execs had to threaten to pull their others artists' videos from MTV in order to force MTV to play "Billie Jean".
- Carl, San Diego, CA

This is the best song of all time it really changed the sound of music and is still played alot today
- stuart, belfast, Ireland

when he came to Australia , i was watching him perform this song on stage . seemed like he was miming ......didn't even sound like it was live...i wonder
- pete, nowra, Australia

In an interview with Michael Jackson himself, he said that when he was singing with the Jackson 5 his older brothers (especially Jermaine) had women claiming they fathered their babies. His brothers refered to them collectively by the androgynous name of Billie Jean. Fifteen years (or so) later Michael writes this song, inspired by his brothers' experiences...NOT from his own experience.
- Brandon, Peoria, IL

best song of all time
- jason, dublin, Ireland

In reply to Lala (anywhere, MT), on the Thriller special edition CD Quincy Jones says a woman jumped into his backyard and accused Michael of being the father of one of her twins...(!)
- Nelson, Melbourne

I'm with you John, and Ash... and I love this song, but I don't think anyone today would doubt little Mikey if he said he didn't father Billie Jean's son... Now if he said he didn't touch Billie Jean's son, that would be a different story entirely... Sometimes I hate living in the 21st century.
- Rachel, South Point, OH

actually on the Thriller special edition CD, Quincy Jones says that Michael said that it was about some random girl that jumped over a fence who he found laying out by his pool one day and was accusing him of being her babys daddy.
- lala, anywhere, MT

To Brian in Philadlphia: Michael Jackson was plenty old enough to have fathered a child when Billie Jean was released. Michael was born in 1958, this song was released in 1982.
- Paul, Detroit, MI

when i first heard of michael jackson i didnt know who he was until i saw a magazine. then i saw his interviews and bought all of his cds. and other stuff. i so love this song. i sing to every one of his songs
- sarah floyd, bloomingdale, IL

The moonwalk was first performed in a live concert of this song. Turns out, the night before, when he and his choreographer were practicing for the concert. Michael, just messin' around, did the moonwalk. The choreographer told him to do it again, and again, and again. The next night, when he did it during the guitar solo of "Billie Jean", the fans loved it. After that he did it in "Billie Jean" and "Smooth Criminal". I don't know if you have seen the first time he did the moonwalk, but it is amazing. Thus, the moonwalk was born! : )
- Dawson, Draper, UT

I agree with Akash. It rocks. I betcha Akasha gets straight A's in school 'cause she knows that MJ owns. Peace out 'yall.
- Dawson, Draper, UT

I think this song is awesome! Too many people underestimate Michael's talent just because he has an unusual sexual preference.
- AJ, Cleveland, GA

How could there possibly have been a color barrier for this song to break on mtv? The network was barely a year old. I think the fact that someone put that as a songfact is evidence of our country's over emphasis on race and racial tensions. Maybe there wasn't a color barrier, perhaps instead no other black artists had made videos available to MTV. Not taking anything away from the song or video, but it seems to me that saying this broke the race barrier is ignorant when the lack of black artists on MTV was probably due to the fact that it wasn't that popular yet and the few if any black artists had sent them videos. Jackie Robinson broke a color barrier. Michael Jackson did not. (all this is my opinion and i'm open to any logical arguments.)
- John, Fort Thomas, KY

It was Michael's older brothers and the groupies that were around on tour that were the inspiration for the song. He would have been a little too young for that situation. Besides, we all know its not young females that floats his boat.
- Brian, Philadelphia, PA

This song is a CLASSIC ! I never get tired of listenin to it. This song was #1 for 7 weeks making it MIchael Jackson's biggest single. Love the beat and the vocals for the song.
- Akash, Abbotsford(use to be Vancouver, United States

I wonder if the story is true.
- Jade, Chippewa Falls, WI

The greatest dance song ever made. Although lyrics are a bit depressing Written and composed by Michael Jackson Arranged by Michael Jackson Produced by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
- Jam Kemal, lindua, South Africa

michael j is the greatest singer of all time, and billie jean just tops it! personally i favour his song called 'threatened' in his invincible album!
- Alia, midlands, China

awesome song, classic, just classic
- Shana, Pembroke, Canada

Yeah! Billie Jean was the #1 black video on MTV! Michael broke barrier color! I love this music! That's Great! I agree, Michael Jackson is the King Of Pop!
- Bárbara, São Paulo, Brazil

This song inspired a parody, "Little Billy", with lyrics "Little Billy...is not my lover. He's just a boy....". A little foreboding, I think...
- Melissa, Irvine, CA

When Billie Jean reached #1, Michael became only the fifth artist to have the #1 pop song, #1 soul song,and the #1 album concurrently...the others being Ray Charles (1962), Stevie Wonder (1963), Sly & the Family Stone (1971), and Donna Summer (1979).
- cio, lithonia, GA