Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson (2024)

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'

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'

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'

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)

The lyrics of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" touch on themes of resilience, dealing with adversity, and confronting negativity from others. In the song, Jackson sings about the challenges and struggles people face when dealing with constant criticism, gossip, and attempts to bring them down. The repeated chorus "You wanna be startin' somethin'" emphasizes the idea of someone always trying to spark conflict or create problems, leading to a cycle of drama and emotional exhaustion.

The lines "It's too high to get over, too low to get under, you're stuck in the middle, and the pain is thunder" suggest the feeling of being trapped in a difficult situation with no clear way out, while emotions run high and the pain feels overwhelming. These lyrics capture the sense of being cornered and constantly bombarded with negativity from all sides, leaving one feeling helpless and drained.

The reference to taking a loved one to the doctor with a fever and discovering a breakdown reflects the idea of internal struggles and breakdowns caused by external pressures and stress. The mention of someone always trying to start the baby crying symbolizes how outside influences can lead to emotional turmoil and distress, contributing to a sense of helplessness and despair.

The later verses of the song advise on the importance of self-belief and standing strong in the face of adversity. The lyrics encourage listeners to lift their heads up high, believe in themselves, and not let external negativity bring them down. The call to "sing it to the world" and the chants at the end of the song are empowering, suggesting the power of self-affirmation and finding strength within oneself to overcome obstacles and negative influences. Overall, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" conveys a message of resilience, self-empowerment, and the importance of staying true to oneself despite external challenges.

I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
Expressing the need to confront and address ongoing challenges or issues

You got to be startin' somethin'
Emphasizing the importance of taking action and initiating change

It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Acknowledging the difficulty in overcoming obstacles or barriers

Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
Recognizing that avoiding challenges is not a viable solution

You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
Feeling trapped or in a difficult situation with no clear way out

And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
Highlighting the intensity and impact of the emotional distress

Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
Referring to external forces causing distress and emotional pain

Talkin', squealin', lyin'
Describing the harmful behavior of those causing distress

By the time this hit the street
When the information became widely known

They said she had a breakdown
Referring to the negative impact on the individual's mental health

You love to pretend that you're good
Addressing the façade of righteousness and deceit

When you're always up to no good
Revealing the true intentions behind deceptive actions

If you cant feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
Highlighting the responsibility of ensuring adequate care for dependents

You'll be always tryin'
Forcefully underlining the efforts to meet essential needs

I know I am someone
Acknowledging self-worth and personal identity

And let the truth unfurl
Encouraging honesty and authenticity in expression

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by ﻿Michael Jackson (2024)

References

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson (2024)