Earth Song

Album: HIStory (1995)
Charted: 1
Play Video
  • What about sunrise
    What about rain
    What about all the things that you said
    We were to gain
    What about killing fields
    Is there a time
    What about all the things
    That you said were yours and mine

    Did you ever stop to notice
    All the blood we've shed before
    Did you ever stop to notice
    This crying Earth, these weeping shores

    Aah, ooh

    What have we done to the world
    Look what we've done
    What about all the peace
    That you pledge your only son

    What about flowering fields
    Is there a time
    What about all the dreams
    That you said was yours and mine

    Did you ever stop to notice
    All the children dead from war
    Did you ever stop to notice
    This crying earth, these weeping shores

    Aah, ooh
    Aah, ooh

    I used to dream
    I used to glance beyond the stars
    Now I don't know where we are
    Although I know we've drifted far

    Aah, ooh
    Aah, ooh

    Aah, ooh
    Aah, ooh

    Hey, what about yesterday
    (What about us)
    What about the seas
    (What about us)
    The heavens are falling down
    (What about us)
    I can't even breathe
    (What about us)
    What about everything
    (What about us?)
    I didn't do it
    (What about us?)
    What about nature's worth?
    (Ooh)
    It's our planet's womb
    (What about us?)
    What about animals?
    (What about it?)
    Turned kingdoms to dust
    (What about us?)
    What about elephants?
    (What about us?)
    Have we lost their trust?
    (What about us?)
    What about crying whales
    (What about us?)
    Ravaging the seas?
    (What about us?)
    What about forest trails?
    (Ooh)
    Burnt, despite our pleas
    (What about us?)
    What about the holy land?
    (What about it?)
    Torn apart by creed?
    (What about us?)
    What about the common man?
    (What about us?)
    Can't we set him free?
    (What about us?)
    What about children dying?
    (What about us?)
    Can't you hear them cry?
    (What about us?)
    Where did we go wrong?
    (Ooh)
    Someone tell me why
    (What about us?)
    What about baby boy?
    (What about it?)
    What about the days?
    (What about us?)
    What about all their joy?
    (What about us?)
    What about the man?
    (What about us?)
    What about the crying man?
    (What about us?)
    What about Abraham?
    (What about us?)
    What about death again?
    (Ooh)
    Do we give a damn? Writer/s: Michael Jackson
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 30

  • Shay from Prefer Not To SayThis helps allot this is the information i needed Thank you so much
  • Lauri King from NycTo answer Sor Pagna from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I think Michael meant ALL the horrible killing atrocities that have occurred around the world, up to the point when he wrote this song, you have to remember that Michael had traveled all around this world and had probably seen the good and the bad. This is a beautiful song, and it seems to me that Michael was just writing what he felt at the time. You have to remember that God gave us free will. He wants genuine relationship with us and that can’t happen without choice. Real love and real relationship can’t be forced. Unfortunately, with the ability to choose to love and obey God, comes the ability to choose NOT to obey God, which opens up the world of brokenness, evil, and the consequences that we live with in the world today. This is what I think Michael was writing about in his own way, the good and the bad of this world. He knows the answers to all the questions in the song now, RIP Michael.
  • European Qoheleth from Cork, IrelandThere are religious references in the song (''the Holy Land torn apart by creed'' and ''What about Abraham''?) but the only line where he's addressing God is ''What about all the peace that you pledged your only son?''
  • Marlene Saraswat from DelhiIn reply to Cynthia from Savannah. Michael isn't talking to God. He's talking to us and government officials to reverse the damage we've done to the Earth.
  • Lee from OntarioI just love MJ, and I love this song. Brings me to tears every time I listen to it . Does anyone know what he says before the song starts playing ? I have the lyrics of the song but not the intro message. Thank you
  • Mark from East Coast UsDon't get me wrong, I think MJ had the best interests at heart, he really believed in what he did and wrote. But...he made it pretty clear which side he was on. He made loads of money for the music industry, and quit doing it and then got murdered for leaving.
  • Mark from East Coast UsI felt like the lyrics - as well as the video - were about those left behind after Jesus comes back.
    Michael also wrote We Are The World. In it, he wrote: "As God has shown us by turning stone to bread..." Perhaps someone flubbed that line writing it, but hmmm...I do not think so. Go check out where in the Bible the turning of stone to bread is discussed.
  • Mathews from Lusaka, ZambiaFrom Africa to the world lets take care of our planet and lets show love to one another, we are all human's in the eyes of our beloved Jesus the son of God
  • Kyle from St. Louis, IlProbably the greatest song ever written, I think. When I hear this I don't even think of Michael, just the voice of God being channeled through a human being..... And you can count songs like that on one hand.
  • Angela from Denham Springs, LaThis song realy spoke to me. Its got a great meaning. He is really hot. but his personality is evan better. he did some horrible things in life but dont we all he still has a great voice. and he is a great dancer. anyways the firs time i heard this dong i was drowning in tears because before this song i didnt think about or care about the earth that song got me thinking so much about the earth anf i could do so much to help i just didnt now i am so careful about what i do. King of pop RIP
  • Stella from London, United KingdomIn response to Cynthia.. Genesis 1:27 (King James Bible) states 'So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.'. Far from being way out of order, and just as he was when he wrote 'We are the world' for USA for Africa, Michael Jackson is actually totally spot on and accurate in his thinking, just as clear and accurate as people like John Lennon, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, and others. While it can be assumed (if you so believe) that Man is in God's image, it can also be said that morally and spiritually it seems that Man falls way short of God, despite the fact that very often Man assumes the role of God, and certainly when you look at the state of the world, society and how things are today you can be forgiven for thinking that in terms of spirituality and morality at least, Man is still as uncivilized as he ever was. Therefore who is it who is being 'way out of order' here, is it really Michael Jackson, is it God perhaps, or is it Mankind as a whole?
  • Charlie from Las Vegas, NvI don't know about the rest of you guys, but this song should've gone on the soundtrack to 'Avatar.' basically explains why i put it on my customized 'Avatar' soundtrack.
  • Sam from Warwick, AustraliaCynthia, I think you are on to something here, but the more telling line is in the second verse. "What about all the peace that you pledged your only son."
  • Mike from Santa Barbara, CaWhat a beautiful song. You don't have to be a militant environmentalist to enjoy it. The world lost an amazing talent when Jackson died.
  • Ruby from Edinburgh, United KingdomI really LOVE this song! I have been a Michael Jackson fan ever since I was 2. I remember seeing his THRILLER dance and moonwalk when I was young and trying to imitate it. BUt this song just made me cry. I started a recycling club at my church, middle school, and with a bunch of friends after I heard this song.
  • Robynn from Houston, TxI've read all of the comments and for my opinion I think this is a beautiful song. And I want to know why you people are always trying to find negatives with michael at least he is doing something to try and help us live. So don't go and say something about everything he does because i dont see you doing it. And he is sayin "do we give a damn".... Maybe you should go and read the lrics.. It might sound like he said something else but its like that in all of his songs you just have to read the lyrics and get it down to really know and understand. I love you michael!!!! R.I.P
  • Sor Pagna from Phnom Penh, Cambodia"What about killing fields" Can anyone tell me whether Michael Jackson, he was referring to Cambodia during year zero?
  • Sor Pagna from Phnom Penh, CambodiaThe first time I heard the "Ah-Ooh" chorus reminds me of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
  • Shauna from Atlatna, GaThe chorus on this song is killer. Perfect production.
  • Janay from Blythewood, Sche sounds so great singing it and his hair style matched to his song the video was awsome and i love you michael jackson r.i.p
  • Austin from Pa, PaI always think the "Ah, Ooh" chorus reminds me of something enchanting from Cirque du Soliel. What about you guys? It's just a hypnotic song.
  • Upeksha from Colombo, Sri Lanka (ceylon)Cynthia, I think u misheard lyrics - MJ is referring to the disaster done by mankind to the earth - he's saying "Do we give a damn" not "Do you give a damn". I dont find any controversy with the lyrics.
  • Fulu Thompho from Limpopo, South Africadoes michael care about the earth? if he does, he should be active in some organizations that have something to do with the environment like WWF.
  • Aisha from Vadnais Height, MnAIsha:this song made me cry beacouse of the earth and our environment. i am so happy i hear this song
  • Cynthia from Savannah, GaI thought this song was one of his best and very touching. The earth has been destroyed. However, I would like to know who Michael Jackson is addressing his verbage to. Is he talking to GOD?? If he is, he is way out of order. Especially, at the end when he states "DO YOU GIVE A DAMN", I really need to know who is he talking to in this song. Can you help me???? Thank You. CINDY
  • Danielle from Titusville, FlHe seems so charismatic in this music video and in the lyrics. lol when i saw the music video at the end i thought it said they cut down one 3ed of the forest for this music video i re wend the dvd video thinking that thats pointless to make a song about global warning if you just going to destroy the forest for the music video for that song. but it really said one 3ed of it gets destroyed everyday something like that.
  • Sarah Floyd from Bloomingdale, Ilon second thought, with his ripped raggedy clothes with the boots and dirt on his face. i think he is hot like that. but i am not saying he should live like that. but i think he is so cute. this is why i am a fan of him. he is so awesome.
  • Lala from Anywhere, Mtthe video is nice but it is so strange to see him dressed in ripped up, ragged clothes with dirt on his face and combat boots while he is digging in the dirt. just thought i'd add that
  • The Prynce from Dillon / Hamer, ScProbably one of my favorite songs by Michael Jackson. It almost brings a tear to my eye. I only remember a small amount of the video but what I do remember was great. I need to watch it again...

    -=The Prynce
  • Sarah Floyd from Bloomingdale, Ilwell the begining is so long that i get to think about stuff. a then the song starts and then i try to think of the video so i can understand it well.
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