Billie Jean – English Lyrics

• By: Michael Jackson
• Album: Michael: Songs From The Motion Picture

Lyrics & Translation

Learn the nuances of English narrative storytelling with 'Billie Jean.' By analyzing Jackson's clear, rhythmic delivery and defensive lyrics, listeners can pick up conversational phrasing and assertive vocabulary, making this an excellent study of pop-culture linguistics.

[English]

She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene

I said, "Don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one

Who will dance on the floor in the round?"

She said I am the one

Who will dance on the floor in the round

...

She told me her name was Billie Jean as she caused a scene

Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one

Who will dance on the floor in the round

People always told me, "Be careful of what you do

Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts" (hee-eeh)

And mother always told me, "Be careful of who you love

And be careful of what you do (oh, oh)

'Cause the lie becomes the truth" (oh, oh), eh-eh

Billie Jean is not my lover, uh

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one (oh, baby)

But the kid is not my son (ooh!), uh

She says I am the one (oh, baby)

But the kid is not my son

(Hee-hee-hee, hee-hee-hee, ooh!) no, no

For 40 days and for 40 nights, I was on her side

But who can stand when she's in demand? Her schemes and plans

'Cause we danced on the floor in the round (hee)

So take my strong advice

Just remember to always think twice

(Don't think twice!) Do think twice! (Ah-hoo)

She told my baby we'd danced 'til 3:00, then she looked at me

Then showed a photo of a baby crying, his eyes were like mine (oh, no)

'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby

(Ooh, hee-hee-hee)

People always told me, "Be careful of what you do

And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts" (don't break no hearts)

But she came and stood right by me

Just the smell of sweet perfume

This happened much too soon

She called me to her room, hey

Billie Jean is not my lover (hoo)

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one, uh

But the kid is not my son

No-no-no, no-no-no-no-no-no (hoo)

Billie Jean is not my lover, uh

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one (oh, baby)

But the kid is not my son (no, no)

She says I am the one (oh, baby)

But the kid is not my son

(No, hee-hee)

Hee! Hoo!

...

She says I am the one, uh

But the kid is not my son

No-no-no, hoo (oh)

Billie Jean is not my lover

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one (you know what you did to me, baby)

But the kid is not my son

No-no-no, no-no-no-no

She says I am the one (no)

But the kid is not my son (no-no-no)

She says I am the one (you know what you did)

She says he is my son (breakin' my heart, babe)

She says I am the one

Yeah, Billie Jean is not my lover, uh

Yeah, Billie Jean is not my lover, uh

Yeah, Billie Jean is not my lover, uh

Yeah, Billie Jean is not my lover, uh (don't call me Billie Jean, hoo)

Billie Jean is not my lover, uh (she's not at the scene)

Yeah, Billie Jean is not...

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
beauty /ˈbjuːti/ B1	noun - the quality of being pleasing to the eye or senses
scene /siːn/ A2	noun - a place where an event happens
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music
told /toʊld/ A2	verb - past tense of tell - to communicate information
careful /ˈkɛrfəl/ A2	adjective - taking precautions to avoid danger
lover /ˈlʌvər/ B1	noun - a person who is loved or who loves another
claims /kleɪmz/ B1	verb - to state as a fact; assert
son /sʌn/ A1	noun - a male child
demand /dɪˈmænd/ B2	noun - a forceful request
schemes /skiːmz/ B2	noun - a plan, especially a secret or underhanded one
advice /ədˈvaɪs/ A2	noun - guidance or recommendations
twice /twaɪs/ A2	adverb - two times
photo /ˈfoʊtoʊ/ A2	noun - a picture created using a camera
hearts /hɑːrts/ A1	noun - the organ that pumps blood; feelings of affection
perfume /pərˈfjuːm/ B1	noun - a fragrant liquid