Billie Jean

song by Jackson

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July 18, 2026

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"Billie Jean" is a hit song by Michael Jackson from his 1982 album Thriller. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is known for its distinctive bassline and Jackson's iconic "moonwalk" dance, which he debuted during a performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. The lyrics of "Billie Jean" touch on themes of suspicion and defensiveness, reportedly inspired by Jackson's experiences with obsessive fans. The song's music video, with its noir-ish setting, was groundbreaking and helped break down racial barriers on music television channels like MTV. "Billie Jean" earned Jackson a Grammy Award for best R&B song and best R&B vocal performance, male.12

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Michael Jackson
Thriller
The follow-up single, “Billie Jean,” an electrifying dance track and the vehicle for Jackson’s trademark “moonwalk” dance, topped the pop charts. In May 1983 he appeared with his brothers on the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. After a medley of Jackson 5 hits, Jackson debuted the…
Read More
The follow-up single, “Billie Jean,” an electrifying dance track and the vehicle for Jackson’s trademark “moonwalk” dance, topped the pop charts. In May 1983 he appeared with his brothers on the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. After a medley of Jackson 5 hits, Jackson debuted the…
Read More

MTV
Early 1980s: Origin and early history
Singles such as “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” from Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) not only showcased the strengths of the music video format but proved that exposure on MTV could propel artists to superstardom.
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Singles such as “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” from Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) not only showcased the strengths of the music video format but proved that exposure on MTV could propel artists to superstardom.
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Thriller
…including “Beat It” and “Billie Jean,” both of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Music videos for three of the album’s songs transformed the medium into an art form. After Thriller, Jackson rightfully became known as the “King of Pop.”
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…including “Beat It” and “Billie Jean,” both of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Music videos for three of the album’s songs transformed the medium into an art form. After Thriller, Jackson rightfully became known as the “King of Pop.”
Read More