I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)

I took my baby to the doctor
With a fever, but nothing he found
By the time this hit the street
They said she had a breakdown
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', lyin'
Sayin' you just wanna be startin' somethin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)

You love to pretend that you're good
When you're always up to no good
You really can't make him hate her
So your tongue became a razor
Someone's always tryin' to keep my baby cryin'
Treacherous, cunnin', declinin'
You got my baby cryin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable
Still they hate you, you're a vegetable
You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable
They eat off of you, you're a vegetable

Billie jean is always talkin'
When nobody else is talkin'
Tellin' lies and rubbin' shoulders
So they called her mouth a motor
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', spyin'
Sayin' you just wanna be startin' somethin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable, you're a vegetable
Still they hate you, you're a vegetable
You're just a buffet, you're a vegetable
They eat off of you, you're a vegetable

If you cant feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
Then don't have a baby (yeah, yeah)
And don't think maybe (yeah, yeah)
If you can't feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
You'll be always tryin'
To stop that child from cryin'
Hustlin', stealin', lyin'
Now baby's slowly dyin'

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)

Lift your head up high
And scream out to the world
I know I am someone
And let the truth unfurl
No one can hurt you now
Because you know what's true
Yes, I believe in me
So do believe in you

Help me sing it
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it, babe)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah, sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it out loud)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it, babe)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it out loud)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' Lyrics as written by Michael Jackson

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' song meanings
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20 Comments

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  • +4
    Song Meaning

    In a broader sense it's the song about our inner child and how we can become a vegetable ("you're a vegetable"), if we don't pay attention to the child inside of us ("If you can't feed your baby - you'll be always trying to stop that child from crying").

    "Someone's always trying to keep my baby crying" - people try to hurt him, so the inner child inside of him starts to "cry" and it's a pain. So "I took my baby to the doctor" means he tries to "cure" and get rid of his inner child and it's no fun and fortunately it didn't work out :) And and in the end he's dancing ("Ma makossa") as law4on mentioned.

    Anastasiuson September 29, 2013   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    The part about the vegetable and buffet is so bizarre to me. Also does anyone know what language they're chanting at the end? It's obviously African, but I wonder if what they're saying ties into the song.

    rickyr1983on June 06, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    oh come on people. its mj... no comments? the lyrics don't touch me, but the music always gets me pumped. michael jackson is an amazing entertainer. give credit where credit is due.

    jedibiatchon May 01, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The best party song MJ has done! Such a good beat.

    He's talking about gossip, how people always wanna be startin' somethin' and it gets people hurt.

    Sireneon May 24, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    If this song doesn't get you jumping, you're dead!!! It's so underrated!

    I read somewhere that it was inspired by African music, and it does have that rotating, gyrating sound about it. I think the part about comparing the person to a vegetable is pretty funny ("they HATE you, they eat OFF you").

    As to the words at the end, they are from a song called "Soul Makossa" that was popular in the late 60s. It was recorded by an African artist. The words he used are "Mamako, mamasa, mama makoosa," which as far as I can find out, means "I'm dancing." Michael just changed a few syllables, probably to avoid being sued for copyright infringement or something.

    This song gathers so much force that by the end it practically explodes your speakers. Michael may be wack, but god damn the man can make a song!

    law4on March 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I heard this song was about his dad beating them. I took it to mean his dad was also starting fights with the kids and

    It's Too High To Get Over (Yeah, Yeah) Too Low To Get Under (Yeah, Yeah) You're Stuck In The Middle (Yeah, Yeah) And The Pain Is Thunder (Yeah, Yeah)

    might have been Michael being stuck as a middle child and not being old enough yet or young enough to escape the thunderously painful beatings.

    You're A Vegetable, You're A Vegetable Still They Hate You, You're A Vegetable You're Just A Buffet, You're A Vegetable They Eat Off Of You, You're A Vegetable

    Those lyrics could be the way the kids viewed their abusive dad, as a compassionless, inhumane psychotic who was no good for giving or receiving love from his children, only good enough to provide food on the table.

    If You Cant Feed Your Baby (Yeah, Yeah) Then Don't Have A Baby (Yeah, Yeah) And Don't Think Maybe (Yeah, Yeah) If You Can't Feed Your Baby (Yeah, Yeah) You'll Be Always Tryin' To Stop That Child From Cryin' Hustlin', Stealin', Lyin' Now Baby's Slowly Dyin'

    Just maybe shows Michael thought you shouldn't have kids if you can't take care of them.

    Lift Your Head Up High And Scream Out To The World I Know I Am Someone And Let The Truth Unfurl No One Can Hurt You Now

    Shows Michael finally escaped the physical abuse, but we all know the emotional abuse was harder to get away from.

    orangepekoeon November 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is defenitely an awesome song

    daddioon July 07, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    In LaToya's book, she says that Michael wrote this song about her, that she's "his baby" that he's talking about. The press was supposively bugging her. Who knows if it's true.

    Poserboyon July 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love michael jackson. I would be his best friend.

    fullmetalnarutogirlon July 05, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    LaToya's his "baby"? huh. the vegetable part is really funny, but I think it's relevant too since the press feeds off of his life, but I don't know why he chose a vegetable to symbolize that. at first I wondered if he was referring to someone in a coma, how they're referred to as a human vegetable--lmao.

    ABCatherineon August 09, 2009   Link

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