Speed Demon – English Lyrics

• By: Michael Jackson
• Album: Bad

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Michael Jackson's "Speed Demon," a pulsating funk rock track that will get your heart racing! Through its energetic rhythms and dynamic lyrics, you can explore everyday expressions related to speed, control, and defiance. The song's narrative of trying to outrun the law, intertwined with Jackson's unique vocalizations and cutting-edge production, makes it a thrilling and relatable experience for language learners, offering a chance to grasp vivid action verbs and expressions of determination in English. It's a prime example of how Michael Jackson infused personal experiences into his art, creating a layered meaning that goes beyond the surface.

[English]

(air whooshing)

(heavy clanking)

(footsteps)

- Oh, oh look, look Grammy

Its, it's, it's Mmm Mmm

Uh, it's, it's, it's

- Mantovani?

- No, Michael Jackson

(crowd exclaims)

(bowling pins being knocked down)

- Excuse me.

- Land of the free

home of the weird.

- Wonder if they caught him.

Which way did they go?

Look look, Bev, there he is

- Hey buddy, how about an autograph?

- Would you autograph a tummy?

What's the matter you got no pen?

(both laughing)

- (both) Let's get him

- Come on buddy, just one little autograph.

(cameras clicking)

- Draw you tin-horned, lily livered side winding snake.

- Cut, you hairball.

I'll never finish this movie.

Who let him in? Isn't anybody in charge?

Don't you know anything about show business?

- I'm sorry.

- My producer's doing this to me, isn't he?

I ask for a bad guy and he gives me Michael Jackson.

I can't take it anymore. I quit.

- Hey, pecker wood,

you're gonna ruin my career.

I'll show you bad.

- [Director Off Screen] What's going on here?

- Sorry, I gotta go (chuckles)

- Let's get the varmint.

(women scream)

- [Woman Off Screen] Oh, Michael, I love your buckles.

- There he goes

- I've been waiting forever to get a shot of this guy.

He's tough to shoot.

- Whoa. Hey songbird.

- That's him.

- I've had about enough of you on my set.

- I think he's in there.

- [Reporter Off Screen] Wait a minute.

(voices overlapping excitedly)

- [Reporter Off Screen] I hear him. I can hear him.

- It's awful quiet in there.

I can hear him breathing.

The door's opening, set your focus.

(disappointed groans)

- It's just a stupid rabbit.

- We want Mike

- It's a stupid rabbit

(funky dance music)

(Rabbit whistles)

- [Reporter] Look over there. Look at that bunny.

(intense chase music)

- Oh it's him.

(girls screaming)

(Speed Demon music begins)

♪ I'm headed for the border ♪

♪ It's on my mind ♪

♪ And nothing really matters ♪

♪ I've got to be on time ♪

♪ Look in the view mirror ♪

♪ Is he hot on my tracks ♪

♪ Is he getting nearer ♪

♪ I feel some heat is on my back ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Speedin on the freeway ♪

♪ Gotta get a lead way ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Doin' it on the highway ♪

♪ Gotta have it my way ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Mind is like a compass ♪

♪ I'm stoppin' at nothin' ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Yeah, pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

(girls screaming)

♪ And nothin' gonna stop me ♪

♪ Ain't no stop and go ♪

♪ I'm speedin' on the midway ♪

(electricity crackles)

♪ I gotta really burn this road ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Speedin' on the freeway ♪

♪ Gotta get a lead way ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Doin' it on the highway ♪

♪ Gotta have it my way ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Mind is like a compass ♪

♪ I'm stopping at nothin' ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Yes, pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Speed demon you're the very same one ♪

♪ Who said the future's in your hand ♪

♪ The life you save could be your own ♪

♪ You're preachin' 'bout my life like you're the law ♪

♪ Gonna live each day and hour like ♪

♪ For me there's no tomorrow ♪

Go! (engine revs)

Go! (engine revs)

Go! (engine revs)

Ow!

(train signal ticking)

(train horn blaring)

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Speedin' on the freeway ♪

♪ Gotta get a lead way ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Got a fire in my pocket ♪

♪ I just lit a rocket ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Just, pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Speed demon ♪

♪ Just, pull over, boy ♪

♪ And eat your ticket ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket ♪

♪ Eat your ticket ♪

♪ Get your ticket ♪

♪ Eat yo', get yo' ♪

♪ Get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket ♪

♪ Eat your ticket ♪

♪ Get your ticket ♪

♪ Eat yo', get yo' ♪

♪ Get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ Get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket right ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ Pull over, boy ♪

♪ And get your ticket ♪

♪ Eat your ticket ♪

♪ Get your ticket ♪

♪ Eat yo', get yo' ♪

♪ Get your ticket right ♪

But, me and my friend Spike, we were just,

my friend, he was just-

Spike, he was just here and

- I need your autograph right here.

(rocks clanging)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
speed /spiːd/ A2	noun - the rate at which someone or something moves or operates verb - to move quickly
demon /ˈdɛ.mən/ B2	noun - an evil spirit or devil
highway /ˈhaɪ.weɪ/ A2	noun - a main road for fast travel between places
mirror /ˈmɪr.ə(r)/ A2	noun - a reflective surface showing images
ticket /ˈtɪk.ɪt/ A1	noun - a piece of paper or card for travel or entry
race /reɪs/ A2	noun - a competition of speed verb - to compete in a race
train /treɪn/ A2	noun - a vehicle running on tracks for transporting people or goods verb - to teach or be taught skills
focus /ˈfoʊ.kəs/ B2	noun - the center of interest or activity verb - to direct attention or effort
burn /bɜːrn/ B2	verb - to be on fire or ignite
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot verb - to manage or operate
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to change position or go in a direction

Key Grammar Structures

• It's just a stupid rabbit.

  ➔ Use of 'just' as an adverb of approximation or emphasis.

  ➔ 'just' describes something that is only or simply that, emphasizing the simplicity or immediacy.

• And nothing really matters.

  ➔ Use of 'really' as an adverb to emphasize the verb 'matters'.

  ➔ 'really' emphasizes the importance or significance of the action or statement.

• You're in charge?

  ➔ Use of 'you're' as a contraction of 'you are' in a question format.

  ➔ 'you're' is a contraction used to combine 'you' and 'are', often in questions to ask about someone's status or role.

• Gotta get a lead way.

  ➔ Use of 'Gotta' as a contraction of 'got to' indicating necessity or obligation.

  ➔ 'Gotta' is an informal contraction used to express necessity or obligation to do something.

• Get your ticket right.

  ➔ Imperative sentence using 'get' as a command, with 'your ticket' as the object.

  ➔ An imperative sentence giving a direct command or instruction to someone to do something.