Meanings Behind "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson

Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

by Michael Jackson

✨ Understanding the Deep-seated Themes in a Classic Song

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson is a classic song that many people fondly remember, but do we really understand what it's about? In essence, the song explores themes of gossip, slander and personal struggles. It encourages listeners to rise above negativity and believe in themselves.

✨ Exploring Conflict, Deceit, and Inner Turmoil Through Music

At its core, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is about dealing with individuals who cause unnecessary conflicts or drama - basically those who "want to be starting something". The phrase suggests provocation or stirring up trouble without any justifiable reason.

Through his lyrics, Jackson describes scenarios where someone continually tries to bring another person down through lies or deceitful actions. He also talks about situations where one might feel stuck between high expectations (too high to get over) and low self-belief (too low to get under), leading to frustration and inner turmoil.

Interestingly, the song was written partially for Jackson's sister LaToya as a response to negative reports about her relationship with her sisters though Michael ended up recording it himself. This further adds depth revealing that the song may have been influenced by real-life events within Jackson’s own family.

The repeated line "You're just a buffet" highlights an individual being taken advantage of or used for other's benefits – like how food on a buffet table gets eaten.

The iconic outro of the Cameroonian phrase “Mama Se, Mama Sa, Ma Makusa” remains undefined but has much argued implications towards celebrating life despite struggles based on its original use in Manu Dibango’s “Soul Makossa.”

✨ Valuable Lessons from Overcoming Gossip and Negativity

  • Overcoming Gossip: Throughout our lives we'll encounter people who want nothing more than to stir up drama and spread false rumors; ignore them. Like Michael says they are essentially creating their 'thunder', not yours.

  • Self-Belief: Whether you're soaring high or feeling low, remember to believe in yourself always. You may feel stuck often but owning your worth can give you strength.

  • Stand Up for Others: By channelling negativity addressed towards his sister into a song, Jackson showed us the importance of standing up for our loved ones when they are targeted unfairly.

  • Celebrate Life: Despite hurdles we face, we must continue to celebrate life; dance and let loose as reiterated by the lively beats combined with heartfelt lyrics.

✨ The Importance of Withstanding Adversity with Self-Belief

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is more than just a catchy tune from decades ago. It holds timeless messages about struggling against gossip and negativity while maintaining self-belief. Ultimately, it teaches that although we may be occasionally stuck in difficult situations caused by others’ actions - like being 'too high to get over' or 'too low to get under', what truly matters is how firmly we withstand adversities believing in ourselves.

Meanings of other songs by Michael Jackson: