Ah, 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
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
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)
Shamone, you know (really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad?
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
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
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
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad?
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?
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 (bad, bad, really, really bad)
You know, you know, you know it, come on (bad, bad, really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now (hoo)
Just to tell you once again (hoo)
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?
About This Song
"Bad" is Michael Jackson's defiant declaration of artistic and personal transformation, marking his evolution from the innocent young performer into a confident, edgy adult artist. Beneath its confrontational surface, the song explores themes of self-assertion, creative independence, and the pressure to prove oneself in the face of doubt and criticism. The lyrics present a protagonist who refuses to be underestimated or controlled, challenging anyone who questions his authenticity or toughness with aggressive posturing that masks deeper insecurities about public perception. Musically, the track represents a deliberate shift toward a harder, more rock-influenced sound, featuring Quincy Jones's innovative production that blends funk rhythms with industrial-style percussion and synthesizers. The song's distinctive staccato beat and Jackson's alternately smooth and gritty vocal delivery create a sonic tension that mirrors the internal conflict between vulnerability and bravado. "Bad" resonated with audiences because it captured the universal struggle of asserting one's identity while battling self-doubt, particularly relevant during the late 1980s era of cultural transformation. The track's success stemmed from Jackson's ability to channel genuine personal frustration-including his complex relationship with fame and his desire to shed his child-star image-into an anthem of empowerment that felt both intensely personal and broadly relatable. Its impact was amplified by the iconic Martin Scorsese-directed music video, which transformed the song into a visual statement about urban authenticity and artistic credibility.
Comments (4)