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

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Lyrics submitted by Mru007

Beat It Lyrics as written by Michael Jackson

Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Beat It song meanings

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76 Comments

+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

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

Reason:

nershaon July 24, 2002 Link
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@nersha

U have got the point...

ishtiaqahmedzon July 23, 2009

BUT ALSO CHECK MY OPINION....

I think song tells about a guy who ever stuck in situation where he has two options ...either runaway or fight .... and song explains the porns and corns of both options.... but suggest what ever u do , be affirm in that...see...

Situation:
They told him don't you ever come around here
Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear

OPTION#1 : RUNAWAY
You better run, you better do what you can
Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can

&

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

OPTION#2 : FIGHT
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,
Then they'll tell you it's fair

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

ishtiaqahmedzon July 23, 2009

Pros and cons?

Wexon February 22, 2010

Porns and corns .. im dead

HeeeHeeon January 22, 2019

shut up your wrong dummy shut up stupid retard

nicola1023on May 30, 2019

shut up your wrong dummy shut up stupid retard

nicola1023on May 30, 2019
+5
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.

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.

Reason:

NatashaVeeeon June 01, 2010 Link
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@NatashaVeee

Agreed. Well said. Especially the last sentence. My thoughts exactly. No sarcasm.

PhoenixSouvenir75on May 29, 2012

@NatashaVeee While it is true that you would have to lack common sense to ascertain what this song is about, it was unnecessary to insult the entirety of the viewers from all tenses. Yes the song is about anti-violence, but is there an experience Michael Jackson had? Perhaps the lines that seem to be condoning violence would be a bad friend, and the ones that condemn it could be a parent or otherwise good person? These are the questions I feel certain many viewers (including myself) would ask, and perhaps the questions you may want to consider before writing such a derogatory comment.

tanner1116on May 05, 2015

@NatashaVeee whoa whoa whoa. There is absolutely no need to immediately bash all other opinions, when in fact you could be the wrong one. The only person who will ever truly know the meaning of this song is Michael Jackson,and he's dead. If you're going to comment, comment either a compliment to the song or constructive criticism and have a polite debate in the comments , without telling people to " get a life, jerks" Also props to @tanner1116, I completely agree with your comment.

wandering_marshmallowon November 22, 2016

@wandering If they weren't allowed to comment their opinion then there wouldn't be an opinion slab. Hopefully you're smart to know what that is without Natasha having to label it as an opinion. Idk why others can comment their opinions but this girl can't.

HeeeHeeon January 22, 2019

@wandering_marshmallow If they weren't allowed to comment their opinion then there wouldn't be an opinion slab. Hopefully you're smart to know what that is without Natasha having to label it as an opinion. Idk why others can comment their opinions but this girl can't.

HeeeHeeon January 22, 2019
+5
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

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

Reason:

Indigo567on August 13, 2013 Link
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@Indigo567
+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.

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.

Reason:

ABCatherineon August 09, 2009 Link
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@ABCatherine
+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.

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.

Reason:

anima69316on February 25, 2011 Link
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@anima69316
+1
General Comment
reminds me of the fight scene from West Side Story

reminds me of the fight scene from West Side Story

Reason:

rambamslamon November 12, 2004 Link
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@rambamslam

@rambamslam It's what the music video was largely influenced by I think

LaserKiwion May 24, 2016
+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.

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.

Reason:

Misseveruson July 28, 2009 Link
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@Misseverus
+1
General Comment
This kinda reminds me of the rumble with all the socs and greasers in The Outsiders.

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

Reason:

Greaseron January 15, 2017 Link
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@Greaser
+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!

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!

Reason:

Talolakepaon June 20, 2018 Link
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@Talolakepa
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!

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!

Reason:

Razormasticatoron April 22, 2004 Link
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@Razormasticator

@Razormasticator Why is everyone talking about "hamster"?? Who is that

HeeeHeeon January 22, 2019

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Beat It

Michael Jackson

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