They told him, "Don't you ever come around here
Don't want to see your face, you better disappear"
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it

You better run, you better do what you can
Don't want to see no blood, don't be a macho man
You want to be tough, better do what you can
So beat it, but you want to be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it (ooh)

They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man
You want to stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it (ooh)

You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they beat you
They'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you want to be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

Beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it

No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it


Lyrics submitted by Mru007

Beat It Lyrics as written by Michael Jackson

Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Beat It song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

77 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +10
    General Comment

    to me..when i read the lyrics i could see like..a lil devil and a lil angel on the shoulders of this young boy getting involved in gangs.

    These lines for example:

    Angel- They're out to get you, better leave while you can Devil- Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man Angel- You wanna stay alive, better do what you can So beat it, just beat it

    Devil- You have to show them that you're really not scared Angel- You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare They'll kick you, then they beat you, Then they'll tell you it's fair So beat it, but you wanna be bad

    nershaon July 24, 2002   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    I'd say the song meaning is about avoiding a fight before it happens or goes any further love the song nice on Michael

    Indigo567on August 13, 2013   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Really, guys? Really? For those of you who don't have common sense or have never had a conversation with someone, the CLEAN term of "beat it" means to "get out." The song is about avoiding violence before it goes too far. His songs usually have great messages with the right combo of lyrics and beat to make it a masterclass song. That's it. There's nothing more to the song than that. No sexual undertones. Get a life, jerks.

    NatashaVeeeon June 01, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I don't think "beatin' it" was even used to refer to masturbation yet when this song was written. i don't agree with anyone claiming it's about masturbation or spousal abuse, but I do think it's really funny to think of it from that perspective, lol.

    DEFINETLY not about child molestation.

    the music video sort of explains it all to me, it's about the pressure on young men to prove themselves by standing and fighting vs. the logical and probably smarter option of running for their lives. the youth getting drawn into the world of gang violence was and still is a popular issue in america, and Michael confronted it with this song. It's also loosely based on West Side Story, he said so himself. & I agree with the posiblity of 'Beat It' representing some kind of personal crisis with his identity.

    it's a work of art, either way, rip mj xo.

    ABCatherineon August 09, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I cant believe people took their time to come to this website, this artist, and this song to make pre school jokes. At least he is that important to you. great song by the way like the ending dance off.

    anima69316on February 25, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    reminds me of the fight scene from West Side Story

    rambamslamon November 12, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    oh wow, the people who are making really obvious and overused jokes about michael jackson really need to realize that they're not clever or original in the least. it's all been said before and it was never funny in the first place and it takes half a brain (obviously) to repeat it. there's no sense trying to downplay michael's incredible talent and ability...just surrender to it. he will always be the most iconic person in music.

    now, for the song... amazing... unforgettable... legendary... perfect. just like the king himself. this is one of the rare instances (not in micheal's case) where the music video is just as good, if not better than the song itself. that dance just gives me chills up and down.

    Misseveruson July 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This kinda reminds me of the rumble with all the socs and greasers in The Outsiders.

    Greaseron January 15, 2017   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    I believe the meaning of the song attempts to depict the anger that people feel in the moment and this song is telling the story of the inner dialect between the guy's ego and his own better judgement.

    The lyrical story and video point towards the guy being kicked off another gang's territory. His natural reaction to this is to just leave and no more be said of it. But he also wants to challenge this, which leads to a one-on-one fight with both gangs present. He wants to be the bigger man and take the peaceful route, while also looking tough for his gang and not allowing anyone to "shit on his parade". In a gang context, to not fight is to look weak and so, assuming he is the leader, he must fight.

    I think Michael was intending the song to address how people everyday come to these situations where they want to cause violence, but their better judgement wants peace. And the chorus coming in strong with "Beat it!" is what I assume is Michael's judgement to not incite violence, but just walk away no matter the circumstance.

    But you know what the real beautiful thing about his poetry that I find really interesting? Is how he used the words "Beat it" lyrics in both ways. One verse the words 'beat it' meant to run away. Then in the other verse 'beat it' meant to beat them up. And that's not all, depending on your perspective, you can see all the lyrics as inviting violence, or you can see all of them as inviting peace. "Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man", this shows both, that a boy would run away and a man would stand his ground, while also meaning a boy cannot control his emotions and would outburst and attack, while a better man would walk away, picking his fights. These two are opposites depending on your perspective. Listen to the song and think "Beat it" as in to walk away, and you'll get a completely different song than if you listen to it and think "Beat it" as in to whoop the guys ass. What a masterpiece!

    Talolakepaon June 20, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hamster, you are a fucking twat.if it was still relevant i would have told you to fuck off. Great song though,the riff is so damn good!

    Razormasticatoron April 22, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.