Michael Jackson - Beat It
Michael Jackson is in a bit of trouble here - indeed, he's on for a bit of a beating as Dave explains...
They told him don't you ever come around here Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear So beat it, just beat it
Well Michael has walked into the wrong end of town! Having stumbled into some local ruffians with a vendetta against him, he's been told to clear off. 
I hope he isn't too offended about the disparaging comments made about his face, it could be why he's had to resort to all the subsequent surgery. Then again could this be more of a racial or gang incident. Under the circumstances Michael's giving pretty good advice of just getting the hell out of there.
Michael also talks about seeing fire in their eyes. This is probably a metaphor but I'm going to choose to take it literally; in which case Mikey is facing down one scary bastard. Although it could just be Halloween and the thugs are out trick or treating (albeit for wallets, sat nav's and car stereos rather than sweets) and the chap in question has a killer costume (adjective killer not noun/verb, but by the sounds of it I wouldn't put it past him).
You better run, you better do what you can Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man You wanna be tough, better do what you can So beat it, but you wanna be bad
I never knew Michael Jackson was haemophobic but it would seem he is. I remember someone who had this when I had just started school, and she would pass out at the sight of blood. Phobias aside just for one second I notice that Jacko isn't a fan of the Village People or at least of the song Macho Man. Really he should just take it in fun as most of us do with the Village People, rather than treating it with such scorn.
I've just noticed at this point (really should've mentioned this earlier), but Michael keeps referring to himself in the third person even calling himself "you." This must get confusing after a while, but more to the point he seems to have a split personality (a bit like Gollum in many ways) as he muses on whether to beat it or not, the results of this are not seen.
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it No one wants to be defeated Showin' how funky and strong is your fight It doesn't matter who's wrong or right Just beat it, beat it Just beat it, beat it Just beat it, beat it Just beat it, beat it
Michael has at last made his mind up about what to do, (possibly because standing there talking to himself would have confused or enraged his aggressors) and he has decided to clear on out of there. Wise choice I say, as he muses to himself that no one likes defeat. However, that hasn't stopped people from trying in the past (after all just look at the England football team) and maybe Michael could have put in a more positive message to the listeners rather than this defeatist tripe.
They're out to get you, better leave while you can Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man You wanna stay alive, better do what you can So beat it, just beat it
I find this whole verse quite controversial given Michael's track record. I'm sure we're all familiar with the high-profile court cases where Michael has had to defend himself on child sex charges. Given that, Michael's claims of wanting to be a man and not a boy, is a little bit difficult to believe. The next line about wanting to stay alive unless doing what they can sounds like something Michael could have said (at this point I have just been served with a subpoena to cease and desist with these allegations), as I was saying the court proved that Mr Jackson was innocent and there will be no further discussion of this matter. Maybe I should just "beat-it" off the topic.
You have to show them that you're really not scared You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare They'll kick you, then they beat you, Then they'll tell you it's fair So beat it, but you wanna be bad
Michael certainly knows comparisons. He claims that this standoff isn't to a game of truth or dare. Truth or dare lets remember can be a bit brutal sometimes and is a draconian game (well it wasn't for me as I don't recognize the authority of the dares most of the time). So in a way it is like truth or dare as this whole scene may have been a dare for one of the gang members who is thinking of doing away with Michael. Yeah didn't think of that did he! Still whether truth or dare comes into it or not Michael is facing a pretty grim beating from these miscreants, and to make matters worse they're going to say it's fair. Then again that's how these cats can roll sometimes. At least Michaels not giving them the satisfaction of showing he's scared. These an element of pride to consider in these cases.
To see Tom's piece on Beat It's video, please go here!
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