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"Bad" is a song by Michael Jackson released as the first track from his 1987 album of the same name. It was released as a single on September 7, 1987, serving as the second single from the album. It is largely considered one of the King of Pop's best songs.[1]

Background[]

The track was recorded in October, 1986. It went under different working titles, including: "Pee" and "Who's Bad".[2] During its production, Prince was invited to sing alongside Jackson on "Bad" as a duet, but declined.

"The first line of that song is 'your butt is mine.' Now I'm saying, 'Who's gonna sing that to whom? Cuz you sure ain't singing it to me, and I sure ain't singing it to you.' So right there, we got a problem."
Prince for Chris Rock, 1997[3]
""Bad" is a song about the street. It's about this kid from a bad neighborhood who gets to go away to a private school. He comes back to the old neighborhood when he's on a break from school and the kids from the neighborhood start giving him trouble. He sings, "I'm bad, you're bad, who's bad, who's the best?" He's saying when you're strong and good, then you're bad."
— Michael Jackson on the track's meaning, Moonwalk: A Memoir (1988)[4]

Short film[]

Clocking in at 18 minutes, the "Bad" video is the second longest of any of Michael's short films (behind Michael Jackson's Ghosts). Two versions were released, the full short film and a 4 minute edit. He stated in an interview that the video was influenced by a real-life story he'd read about in a magazine.

"This kid went to school upstate [...] He would leave his old friends behind and when he came back on spring break, or whatever - thanksgiving break - his friends became so jealous of him that they killed him. In the film I don't die of course - but it's a true story that was taken from Time [Magazine] or Newsweek magazine."
— Jackson on the inspiration behind the short film[5]

Live performances[]

Michael Jackson would perform "Bad" throughout the entirety of the Bad World Tour between 1987 and 1989. The song also made an appearance on the setlist for the Dangerous World Tour, however it was present only during the 1992 leg and Michael never performed it again afterwards.

AFROJACK Remix[]

On September 17, 2012, a remix of "Bad" done by AFROJACK was released as a single to promote the release of Bad 25. The remix featured Pitbull and has been largely criticized by Jackson's fans who posted lots of hateful comments and even started harassing Afrojack online over the remix. On the album, a 7 minute club mix was also featured.[6]

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
Your butt is mine, gon' tell you right, ah
Just show your face in broad daylight, ah
I'm tellin' you on who I feel, ah
Gonna hurt your mind, don't shoot to kill
Shamone, ah, shamone
Lay it on me, ah, alright
Ah, I'm givin' you on count to three, ah
Just show your stuff or let it be, ah
I'm tellin' you, just watch your mouth, ah
I know your game, what you're about

[Pre-Chorus]
Well, they say the sky's the limit
And to me, that's really true, ah
But my friend, you have seen nothin'
Just wait 'til I get through

[Chorus]
Because I'm bad, I'm bad, shamone (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad (Bad, bad)
You know it (Really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad, shamone (Bad, bad)
You know (Really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad?

[Verse 2]
The word is out, you're doin' it wrong, ah
Gon' lock you up before too long, ah
Your lyin' eyes gon' tell you right, ah
So listen up, don't make a fight, ah
Your talk is cheap, you're not a man, ah
You're throwin' stones to hide your hands

[Pre-Chorus]
Well, they say the sky's the limit
And to me, that's really true, ah
But my friend, you have seen nothin'
Just wait 'til I get through

[Chorus]
Because I'm bad, I'm bad, shamone (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad (Bad, bad)
You know it (Really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad, you know it (Bad, bad)
You know (Really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad?

[Verse 3]
We can change the world tomorrow
This could be a better place, ah
If you don't like what I'm sayin'
Then won't you slap my face?

[Chorus]
Because I'm bad, I'm bad, shamone (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad (Bad, bad)
You know it (Really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad (Bad, bad)
You know it, you know (Really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now (Hoo, hoo)
Just to tell you once again (Hoo)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad, shamone (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad (Bad, bad)
You know it, you know it (Really, really bad)
You know, you know (Bad, bad)
You know, shamone (Really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again
You know I'm smooth, I'm bad, you know it (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad, baby (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know, you know, you know it (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
Come on (Really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now (Hoo)
Just to tell you once again
You know I'm bad, I'm bad, you know it (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, you know, woo (Bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad (Bad, bad)
You know it, you know (Really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad?

[Intro]
Lo-Lo-Lo-Love it or hate it, it's Mr. Worldwide
With the world greatest
You gonna play this
Well, like a woman that's pregnant for ten months
Be the latest
Don't delay this
I'm on that, roll it
Making a toast to the king, MJ for life
I mess with good women
But you know that they bad, let's ride

[Verse 1]
Your butt is mine
Gonna tell you right
Just show your face
In broad daylight
I'm telling you
On how I feel
Gonna hurt your mind
Don't shoot to kill
Shameone
Shameone
Lay it on me
All right

[Refrain]
(Making a toast to the king
We're bad for life)

[Bridge]
I'm giving you
On count of three
To show your stuff
Or let it be
I'm telling you
Just watch your mouth
I know your game
What you're about

[Pre-Chorus]
Well they say the sky's the limit
And to me that's really true
But my friend you have seen nowhin'
Just wait 'til I get through

[Chorus]
Because I'm bad, I'm bad - shameone
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - you know it
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - shameone, you know
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
And the whole world has to
Answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad

[Refrain]
(Making a toast to the king
We're bad for life)

[Verse 2]
(Shamone
Shamone, lay on me)
The world is out
You're doin' wrong
Gonna lock you up
Before too long
Your lyin' eyes
Gonna tell you right
So listen up
Don't make a fight
Your talk is cheap
You're now a man
You're throwin' stones
To hide your hands

[Pre-Chorus]
We can change the world tomorrow
This could be a better place
If you don't like what I'm sayin'
Then won't you slap my face

[Chorus]
Because I'm bad, I'm bad - shameone
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - you know it
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - shameone, you know
(Bad bad - really, really bad)
Woo! Woo! Woo!
(And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again...)
Who's bad
Who's bad

[Refrain]
(Making a toast to the king
We're bad for life)

[Verse 3]
(Shamone
Shamone
Lay it on me)
P-I-T is B-A-D
Michael Jackson, R.I.P
Catch a chica with a P-Y-T
All off in Paris, Ooh, oui, oui
I've been around the world getting off the chain
And ain't nothing changed, Luchando
Except not a sun and a moon know me by my first name, Armando
De santo no tengo nada
Y de diablo lo tengo todo, ay de todo
Mamita, te tengo la came
Hazme el favor y prestame el mojo
I'm so out of this planet
I speak a third language
Called that moon talk
In four years catch me with a billon (Hee-Hee)
Doing that moonwalk (Woo)

[Chorus]
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - shamone
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - you know it
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - you know it
You know it - you know it - you know
You know - you know - shamone
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you
You know I'm smooth - I'm bad - you know it
You know I'm bad - I'm bad baby
You know, you know, you know it - shamone
And the whole world has to answer right now
Woo!
Who's bad
Who's bad
You know I'm bad, I'm bad - you know it
You know I'm bad - you know
Woo!
You know I'm bad - you know it
You know
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad

During the Brad Sundberg laptop theft on January 27, 2023, a sheet with unused lyrics to an extended third verse leaked online.

Gallery[]


Trivia[]

Michael_Jackson_-_Pepsi_Commercial_Bad_Era_(FULL_version!)_HQ

Michael Jackson - Pepsi Commercial Bad Era (FULL version!) HQ

"Bad" Pepsi commercial

  • "Bad" was remixed for a Pepsi commercial in late 1980's.[9]
  • In the early pressings of the Bad album, the song had a different mixing and included trumpet, removed from later versions.
  • A 2012 remaster of the song was released as part of the "Bad 25" anniversary album.
  • It is one of the five songs on Bad that had to be sped up due to the limitations on a 12" LP record, the other being "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Speed Demon", "Just Good Friends", and "Smooth Criminal".

References[]

Discography
Studio albums
Got to Be ThereBenMusic & MeForever, Michael Off the WallThrillerBadDangerousHIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book IInvincible
Other albums
Farewell My Summer LoveBlood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the MixThe Ultimate CollectionThriller 25MichaelBad 25XscapeScreamThriller 40
Singles
"Got to Be There" • "Rockin' Robin" • "I Wanna Be Where You Are" • "Ain't No Sunshine" • "Ben" • "With a Child's Heart" • "Music & Me" • "We're Almost There" • "Just a Little Bit of You" • "You Can't Win" • "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" • "Rock with You" • "Off the Wall" • "She's Out of My Life" • "Girlfriend" • "One Day in Your Life" • "The Girl is Mine" • "Billie Jean" • "Beat It" • "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" • "Human Nature" • "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" • "Thriller" • "Happy" • "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" • "Bad" • "The Way You Make Me Feel" • "Man in the Mirror" • "Dirty Diana" • "Another Part of Me" • "Smooth Criminal" • "Leave Me Alone" • "Liberian Girl" • "Black or White" • "Remember the Time" • "In the Closet" • "Jam" • "Who Is It" • "Heal the World" • "Give In to Me" • "Will You Be There" • "Gone Too Soon" • "Scream/Childhood" • "You Are Not Alone" • "Earth Song" • "They Don't Care About Us" • "Stranger in Moscow" • "Blood on the Dance Floor" • "HIStory/Ghosts" • "Smile" • "You Rock My World" • "Butterflies" • "Cry" • "What More Can I Give" • "One More Chance" • "The Girl is Mine 2008" • "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" • "Hold My Hand" • "Mind Is the Magic" • "Hollywood Tonight" • "Behind the Mask" • "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" • "Love Never Felt So Good" • "A Place with No Name" • "Blood on the Dance Floor X Dangerous (The White Panda Mash-Up)"
Promotional singles
"Speed Demon" • "Someone Put Your Hand Out" • "This Time Around" • "Is It Scary" • "Speechless" • "Unbreakable" • "Cheater" • "This Is It"
Non-single songs
"Girl Don't Take Your Love from Me" • "In Our Small Way" • "Wings of My Love" • "Maria (You Were the Only One)" • "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" • "You've Got a Friend" • "Greatest Show on Earth" • "People Make the World go Round" • "We've Got a Good Thing Going" • "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" • "My Girl" • "What Goes Around Comes Around" • "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" • "You Can Cry on My Shoulder" • "Up Again" • "All the Things You Are" • "Too Young" • "Doggin' Around" • "Euphoria" • "Morning Glow" • "Johnny Raven" • "Take Me Back" • "Cinderella Stay Awhile" • "We've Got Forever" • "You Are There" • "Dapper Dan" • "Dear Michael" • "I'll Come Home To You" • "Workin' Day and Night" • "Get on the Floor" • "I Can't Help It" • "It's The Falling In Love" • "Burn This Disco Out" • "Someone in the Dark" • "Baby Be Mine" • "The Lady In My Life" • "Just Good Friends" • "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" • "She Drives Me Wild" • "Can't Let Her Get Away" • "Keep the Faith" • "Dangerous" • "D.S." • "Money" • "Come Together" • "Tabloid Junkie" • "2 Bad" • "Little Susie / Pie Jesu" • "On the Line" • "Morphine" • "Superfly Sister" • "Carousel" • "Streetwalker" • "Fly Away" • "Heartbreaker" • "Invincible" • "Break of Dawn" • "Heaven Can Wait" • "2000 Watts" • "You Are My Life" • "Privacy" • "Don't Walk Away" • "The Lost Children" • "Whatever Happens" • "Threatened" • "Shout" • "Sunset Driver" • "Scared of the Moon" • "We Are Here to Change the World" • "Monkey Business" • "Fall Again" • "In the Back" • "Beautiful Girl" • "We've Had Enough" • "For All Time" • "Got the Hots" • "Best of Joy" • "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" • "Much Too Soon" • "Don't Be Messin' 'Round" • "I'm So Blue" • "Abortion Papers" • "Free" • "Price of Fame" • "Al Capone" • "Chicago" • "Loving You" • "Slave to the Rhythm" • "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" • "Blue Gangsta" • "Xscape" • "Starlight" • "Who Do You Know" • "The Toy" • "What a Lovely Way to Go" • "She's Trouble"
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