Billie Jean

Lyrics

She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
I said don't mind, but what do you mean, I am the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round

She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round

People always told me be careful of what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth

Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

For forty days and forty nights
The law was on her side
But who can stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and plans
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice
(Don't think twice, don't think twice)

She told my baby we'd danced till three, then she looked at me
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine (oh, no!)
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby

People always told me be careful of what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
She came and stood right by me
Just the smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
She called me to her room

Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son

Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

She says I am the one,
(You know what you did, (she says he is my son)breaking my heart babe)
She says I am the one

Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover (don't Billie Jean)
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

The narrative is consistent throughout, as Michael Jackson tries to persuade everyone that he is not the father. Followed by the paparazzi Jackson tries to flee. This is Jackson commenting on a past story where a girl claimed he got her pregnant. The claim was proven to be false.

Arguably this video is also almost voyeuristic as the audience is permitted to watch as Jackson dances, as though watching him perform live. Moreover, the billboards are seen looking down on him, further evoking a sense of ‘watching’ and ‘looking’ and not only that the lyrics themselves also refer to news/media concerns about himself being further empathising a sense of being “watched".

L.O: Identify historical, social and cultural contexts of a music video.

Context;

Themes; 

Representations of;

(Race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality

This is shown through;

Narrative Michael waking brings colour to the floor show how he's in the limelight and brings colour to the world. Billie Jean is a an Intertextual reference, "singing in the Rain" by Gene Kelly. Newspaper on the floor headlines Billie Jean  showing how the media is all up in Michael's business. The paparazzi/pursuer is taken to Jail in the end, showing how the media or the paparazzi are the real criminals.

Cinematography Black and white transition to colour on Michael's appearance shows how he lights up the place/world and also shows colour grading. Michael is always in the spot light. The zoom on the homeless man shows Michael cares for him. Shot reverse shot on Michael and his pursuer/paparazzi, shows that they're enemy's.

Editing Smooth jump shots. J cuts. L cuts.  Freeze frame.

Mise en Scene Paparazzi is more covered up (wears sunglasses and a hat to hide his face) than Michael, which shows how the media want to hid from their dirty deeds, whilst Michael's appearance shows how he's open to the world to see his innocence. Homeless persons ragged clothes go from filthy to white when Michael gives him money (helps him) showing how Michael Jackson is magical.  The billboard of two women an their bland expressions change into a smile after Michael dances in the same direction as where their image is.