The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
They say I'm different
They don't understand
But there's a bigger problem
That's much more in demand
You got world hunger
Not enough to eat
So there's really no time
To be trippin' on me
You got school teachers
Who don't want to teach
You got grown people
Who can't write or read
You got strange diseases
Ah but there's no cure
You got many doctors
That aren't so sure
So tell me
Why you want to trip on me
Why you want to trip on me
Stop trippin'
We've got more problems
Than we'll ever need
You got gang violence
And bloodshed on the street
You got homeless people
With no food to eat
With no clothes on their back
And no shoes for their feet
We've got drug addiction
In the minds of the weak
We've got so much corruption
Police brutality
We've got streetwalkers
Walkin' into darkness
Tell me
What are we doing
To try to stop this
Why you want to trip on me [Repeat: x4]
Ooh stop trippin'
Yeah stop trippin'
Everybody just stop trippin'
Why you want to trip on me [Repeat: x4]
Stop trippin'
Why you want to trip on me [Repeat: x4]
Ooh stop trippin'
Yeah stop trippin'
Everybody just stop trippin'
Stop trippin' [Repeat: x4]
They don't understand
But there's a bigger problem
That's much more in demand
You got world hunger
Not enough to eat
So there's really no time
To be trippin' on me
You got school teachers
Who don't want to teach
You got grown people
Who can't write or read
You got strange diseases
Ah but there's no cure
You got many doctors
That aren't so sure
So tell me
Why you want to trip on me
Why you want to trip on me
Stop trippin'
We've got more problems
Than we'll ever need
You got gang violence
And bloodshed on the street
You got homeless people
With no food to eat
With no clothes on their back
And no shoes for their feet
We've got drug addiction
In the minds of the weak
We've got so much corruption
Police brutality
We've got streetwalkers
Walkin' into darkness
Tell me
What are we doing
To try to stop this
Why you want to trip on me [Repeat: x4]
Ooh stop trippin'
Yeah stop trippin'
Everybody just stop trippin'
Why you want to trip on me [Repeat: x4]
Stop trippin'
Why you want to trip on me [Repeat: x4]
Ooh stop trippin'
Yeah stop trippin'
Everybody just stop trippin'
Stop trippin' [Repeat: x4]
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This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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Michael is annoyed about why there is so much attention and focus on his life when there are so many problems in the world that need solving. He's basically saying, "Leave me alone and concentrate on what really matters".
I LOVE the rythem of this song. And the way Michael sings it is beautiful. Yet another great song!
Great song by the King of Pop.
He's saying "there are so many other things going on... why are you bothering me for?"
No brainer here.
All the problems in the world, why are you taking time to make fun of me?
This song is fantastic, and I absolutely love Michael Jackson. But the lyrics are completely wrong?!
@stephanya how come?
the song mean there are other problems in the world its affected the world. but they intend on doing nothing they keep on saying crap about him and trippin on him when there are other things that are more important
he's telling people to stop worrying about him so much when they are bigger problems in the world!