All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Don't worry what people say, we know the truth
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Enough is enough of this garbage
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us

Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Bang, bang, shot dead, everybody's gone mad

All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us

Beat me, hate me, you can never break me
Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me
Jew me, sue me, everybody do me
Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me

All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us

Tell me, what has become of my life?
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality, now
I'm tired of being the victim of hate
You're ripping me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
I look to heaven to fulfill this prophecy, set me free

Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Black man, blackmail, throw the brother in jail

All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us

Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now
I'm tired of being the victim of shame
They're throwing me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know, I really do hate to say it
The government don't want to see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no

Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation, everybody, litigation
Beat me, bash me, you can never trash me
Hit me, kick me, you can never get me

All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us

Some things in life, they just don't want to see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no

Skin head, dead head, everybody's gone bad
Situation, segregation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Kick me, kike me, don't you wrong or right me

All I want to say is that they don't really care about us (we're deep in fire)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us (I'm here to remind you)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us (that you said that "it sucks to be them")
All I want to say is that they don't really care about
All I want to say is that they don't really care about
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us

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They Don't Care About Us Lyrics as written by Michael Jackson

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They Don't Care About Us song meanings

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46 Comments

+5
General CommentFunnily enough, some people still say Michael isn't living in reality anymore and that he doesn't know anything about the world around him. They say he's living in his own fantasy dream world. How could they? How can they?

Michael really is politically conscious, some people just don't know it yet.
mira_loveon May 31, 2006 Link
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@mira_love You are so right! I rather think that what he noticed happening around him in the world was one of the reasons he ended up building his own world (example Neverland) to make life in this world bearable for him. And it was also one of the reasons that he stuck to his thought about metaphorically being "Peter Pan". Kids are honest and pure at heart; kids don't do wars; kids usually cherish nature, animals and people no matter of which background; through kid's eyes the world is a better place and there is lots of hope, because kids haven't yet experienced the struggle of a frustrating every-day-life, traumatizing experiences and life-events etc. It was ridiculous when media and people said stuff like "Haha, he really believes he is Peter Pan! He is so out of touch with reality!". But have they ever read between the lines? Have they ever thought he means it metaphorically? Have they ever heard his message? People can be so shallow and stupid it hurts.
I'm still sad he is gone. It's hard for me to listen to his music because it makes me miss him even more. There were times when I thought "As long as MJ is still in this world, everything is gonna be ok."... Then he disappeared. But when I see his kids, I have to smile and think it's still gonna be ok. I'm so curious what they will do artistically someday in the future. I believe in them.
Sojuson November 22, 2014
+5
General Comment"ALL I WANNA SAY IS THAT THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US." Then with the ad-libbing at the end "We're deep in fire. I'm here to remind you." How clear could the man get? The government doesn't give a shit about any of us. Look at the good Michael Jackson tried doing and with everything good he did, he was torn down, called a pedophile, said he was a Wacko, etc, etc. Has anyone read the book "The End of America" by Naomi Wolf or seen the documentary of the same name? I don't care if you like Michael Jackson or not. Wake the fuck up, people. He's trying to warn us.
portrartiston March 02, 2010 Link
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answers.yahoo.com/question/…

Read for yourself.
portrartiston March 02, 2010

I don't see how it could be more obvious. In the video he sings "Will me, Thrill me, You will never kill me" in front of an all seeing friggin eye!
laceybellissimoon May 28, 2010

hmmm... this reminds me of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'
conspiracy much?
starsafterlighton January 02, 2011

i am sooo totally agree with you
GagaSonon April 27, 2013
+3
General CommentThis song speaks out about all the people who suffer discrimination, including Michael himself, and how unneccesary it all is. I love how he doesn't have to make it too obvious and sing,"#I am upset about this situation...#" he uses these short hard phrases and allows you too think about them yourself. A very intelligent set of lyrics from MJ. It shows his anger at people being judgemental and higlights some clear issues (Segregation) (Throw the brother/In jail) (if Martin Luther was livin'/He wouldn't let this be). He addresses the issues that are clearly about him (Don't you Black or White me) - his skin colour is always questioned. (I'm tired of being the victim of hate) - if he has done anything that deserves so much hate from a lot of people, fair enough but he's a 'victim'. Everyone has thier own little Michael Jackson theory but what has he done wrong? Nothing. He's almost too good as a person and yet there are always false allegations based on untruths and people being too quick too judge.
LuluLovesYouMoreon January 23, 2009 Link
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+3
My InterpretationThis is an extremely powerful song. But the song has to be listened to with quite a hefty volume on, otherwise it just fizzles. The lyrics AND the dancing, hey, the whole outlook of Michael Jackson on the video of this song is really a great experience. But what does he want to say? I think he, like many of us people, are dead tired of hearing of violence and killings and hate actions everyday. But, more than anything, Michael wants the judging of other people's way of life and choosing of how they live, have to stop. And I agree. 100%.
dracopticonon October 09, 2010 Link
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+3
General CommentThis song really pisses me off, radio stations wouldnt play it, jews screamed that it was anti semitic, I cant believe he would change it because of the media. He should have fought harder against the media since they were tearing him apart even after the apologies. never change your artistic expression whether people are offended are not. Some of the best pieces of art are very controversial. very good song
anima69316on February 27, 2011 Link
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Right on....isn't that called "free speech?"
He is telling it like it is in his experience....noone has to agree or like it.
This song is about Michael feeling trampled on by his business handlers, the police, and the media and the government and the political leaders not giving a rat's ass not just about Michael but, all of us. He's warning us that if we find ourself in a place like he found himself, don't think there will be anyone to take up your cause in the govt. or political leaders, such as the NAACP.
I think he knew alot more....
The cause of his death is suspicious.
paularon November 26, 2011
+2
Song Meaning"THEY don't really care about us"

THEY...

How clear can Michael get with this song, seriously, listen to the song carefully, it has more of a meaning than what you believe...

THEY DONT REALLY CARE ABOUT US

This song isn't just about Michael Jackson, it's about how the people are suppressed of their liberties, and the 'leaders' apathy towards the people.
AFXC1on July 12, 2009 Link
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Thank you for trying to explain it. I get too frustrated. People need to really LISTEN more to Michael's music!!
singerjjton July 20, 2009

yeah tht's why the original mv got banned in the first place
starsafterlighton January 02, 2011

This song is clearly about how the government (note reference to Roosevelt who he thought was a good guy - NOT) and political leaders don't give a crap about american citizens, unlike MLK.

When he said "jew me" he meant "jew me" - don't engage in mental gymnastics, here. Michael meant what he said. Rappers and rockers have a pass on saying crap about women etc....no need to back track there. If Michael had berated women rather than jews, he wouldn't have had to eat crow and apologized all over himself.

Maybe, just maybe there is a basis for his sentiments, eh?

paularon November 26, 2011
+2
General CommentI think this song was MJ's way of saying like fuck you to the media and the tabloids and pretty much any one who hated him.

"Beat me
Bash me
You can never
Trash me
Hit me
Kick me
You can never
Get me"

from these lines it sounds like the song means like "do your worst to me, you can't break my spirit"
Raisedonpoi808on December 25, 2009 Link
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+1
General CommentThis song is generally about discrimination and racism. He's whining about it, sure... and then sings, "Jew me" and "kike me". Anyone familiar with the history of many Jews in disproportionate power positions in Hollywood, politics, etc, will understand his point of reference. That's 'understand,' not agree with. Folks in power have the ability to shape a culture via the media and money.
proteuson January 27, 2006 Link
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+1
General CommentThe video to this song really brings the meaning alive, he is in some dictative nation and has rallied the local people NOT to cause aggravation but to sing the song and inform the world of the large scale police state set up by their government. i am not a fan of jackson in the slightest but he like u2 and sting have used the power of music to inspire and lead change in the world. and in this case expose the truth of what our leaders are willing to overlook in order to raise their bank balances through arms trades and oil. Democracy????????
deankavanagh1234on May 31, 2006 Link
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+1
General CommentHe is using Kike and Jew as verbs for the derogatory use of those words as slander.
sbhanoton June 06, 2007 Link
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Featured Commentary Read More

This song speaks out about all the people who suffer discrimination, including Michael himself, and how unneccesary it all is. I love how he doesn't have to make it too obvious and sing,"#I am upset about this situation...#" he uses these short hard phrases and allows you too think about them yourself. A very intelligent set of lyrics from MJ. It shows his anger at people being judgemental and higlights some clear issues (Segregation) (Throw the brother/In jail) (if Martin Luther was livin'/He wouldn't let this be). He addresses the issues that are clearly about him (Don't you Black or White me) - his skin colour is always questioned. (I'm tired of being the victim of hate) - if he has done anything that deserves so much hate from a lot of people, fair enough but he's a 'victim'. Everyone has thier own little Michael Jackson theory but what has he done wrong? Nothing. He's almost too good as a person and yet there are always false allegations based on untruths and people being too quick too judge.

LuluLovesYouMore on January 23, 2009 Link

They Don't Care About Us

Michael Jackson

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