In retrospect, there are a lot of reasons to dislike Michael Jackson, but his music wasn’t one of them. And his dancing. And the two were inextricably linked in the song “Billie Jean,” which was the platform for the so-called King of Pop’s famous “moonwalk.”
It’s hard to believe that the now memorable move, in which a person appears to be gliding backwards while actually moving forward, was first performed by Jackson 38 years ago – on May 16, 1983 on a Motown anniversary TV special on NBC.
While Jackson didn’t invent the move – it had various names, including the “backslide,” and is recognized to have dated back as far as Cab Calloway in 1932, and had many other modern practitioners, including James Brown – Jackson’s version, while only lasting seconds, took the world by storm and became his signature move, along with the rhinestone glove he also wore.
(The dance was so ubiquitous that even my brother-in-law amazingly felt compelled to bust the move at his wedding at the time.)
The performance was nominated for an Emmy, and the song, released earlier in 1983 from Jackson’s massive “Thriller” album, was his biggest hit since “ABC” with The Jackson Five in 1970, reaching No. 1 worldwide, including Canada, and copping a couple of Grammys.
Here’s the performance that launched the moonwalk and got it all started.
– Mike
Lyrics
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)
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one (Oh, baby)
But the kid is not my son, hoo!
She says I am the one (Oh, baby)
But the kid is not my son
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
(Do think twice)
Do think twice (Ah-hoo)
She told my baby we’d danced ’til three, 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
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
Then the smell of sweet perfume (Oh, no)
This happened much too soon (Oh, no)
She called me to her room (Hoo)
Billie Jean is not my lover (Hoo)
She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
No-no-no, no-no-no-no-no-no, hoo
Billie Jean is not my lover
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)