“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson is a post-disco, R&B, funk, and dance-pop song from his sixth studio album, Thriller. It was released by Epic Records on January 2, 1983 as the album’s second single, after “The Girl Is Mine” and before “Beat It.” The song was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson, becoming one of the key tracks that turned Thriller into the best-selling album of all time.

The song was recorded in 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. Its original album and European single version runs 4 minutes and 57 seconds, while the US single version has an early fade-out and runs 4 minutes and 52 seconds. A longer 12-inch version runs 6 minutes and 21 seconds.

Musically, “Billie Jean” is famous for its spare, bass-driven arrangement. The main musical elements include drums, hi-hat, cabasa, a repetitive bassline, distorted synth bass, staccato synthesizer, finger snaps, electric guitar, strings, and Michael Jackson’s lead and backing vocals. The song is written in F-sharp minor, moves at around 117 beats per minute, and uses a hypnotic groove that repeats while small instrumental details build tension.

The credited personnel includes Michael Jackson on lead and backing vocals, Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, songwriting, and vocal, rhythm, synthesizer, and string arrangements. Other contributors include Greg Phillinganes on Rhodes electric piano and synthesizer, Bill Wolfer on synthesizer and synthesizer programming, David Williams on guitar, Louis Johnson on bass guitar, Leon “Ndugu” Chancler on drums, Tom Scott on Lyricon, and Jerry Hey and Jeremy Lubbock on string arrangement and conducting.

Lyrically, “Billie Jean” tells the story of a woman who claims that the narrator is the father of her child, a claim he denies. Michael Jackson said the lyrics were inspired by groupies who made similar claims about his older brothers during their years touring as members of The Jackson 5. The song turns that real-world pressure into a tense, cinematic story about fame, accusation, obsession, and denial.

One curiosity about the song is that Quincy Jones initially disliked several important parts of it. He reportedly did not care for the bassline, wanted to cut the long intro, and even suggested changing the title to “Not My Lover” because he feared people might associate “Billie Jean” with tennis player Billie Jean King. Jackson refused to change the title and insisted on keeping the long introduction because it made him want to dance.

Another famous detail is the unusual recording process. Engineer Bruce Swedien had Jackson sing vocal overdubs through a six-foot cardboard tube, and Jackson’s lead vocal was completed in one take. Swedien also created a distinctive drum sound by building a special platform for the drum kit, helping make the opening drum pattern instantly recognizable.

The final mix also has a surprising story. Bruce Swedien mixed “Billie Jean” 91 times, even though he usually mixed a song only once. After many attempts, Quincy Jones asked him to return to the second mix, which ended up becoming the final version used on the record.

“Billie Jean” became a huge international hit. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and also reached No. 1 in countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Switzerland, and Belgium. The song became one of the best-selling singles of 1983 and is certified Diamond in the United States.

The song is also closely connected to some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic visual moments. His performance of “Billie Jean” on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever introduced several of his signature images, including the moonwalk, the rhinestone glove, the black sequined jacket, and high-water pants. The music video, directed by Steve Barron, was also the first video by a Black artist to receive heavy rotation on MTV, helping make music videos central to pop music marketing.

“Billie Jean” received major recognition, including two Grammy Awards and an American Music Award. It has also been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, and Rolling Stone ranked it among the greatest songs of all time, placing it at No. 44 in the 2021 version of its 500 Greatest Songs list.

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
And don't go around breaking young girl's hearts
My mother always told me: Be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do, 'cause the lie becomes the truth

The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

For forty days and for forty nights
The law 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
So take my strong advice
Just remember to always think twice
(Don't think twice, do think twice)

She told: My baby, we danced till three
Then she looked at me
Then showed a photo: My baby cried
His eyes were like mine
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby

People always told me: Be careful of what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
But she came and stood right by me
Just to smell her sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
She called me to her room

The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son

The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

The Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
(No, she is not just my baby)
But the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one
(You know what you did)
She says he is my son
(Breaking my heart, babe)
She says I am the one

The Billie Jean is not my lover
The Billie Jean is not my lover
The Billie Jean is not my lover
The Billie Jean is not my lover
(Call me, Billie Jean)
The Billie Jean is not my lover
(She is not at the scene)

The Billie Jean is not my lover

‍