After the pre-chorus and chorus are sung again, the lively synthesizer has an extended solo alongside the drum beat.
In the second pre-chorus, Jackson says they can change people's opinions and get rid of the tension existing in their neighborhoods. Then, Jackson encourages him to hit him if doesn't agree with him. Well, so much for the peaceful "we are the world" statement made earlier.
"We can change the world tomorrow/This could be a better place/If you don't like what I'm sayin'/Then won't you slap my face."
The chorus is sung four times to end the single, although the third time has a slight variation. Jackson says he's smooth. Then continues with the original lyrics.
In the 80s, Jackson was continually asserting himself as a tough guy and a force to be reckoned with ("Beat It," "Thriller") both in the music and videos. However, in "Bad" he is believable. It's due to his naturally cocky vocals and the unrelenting drum machine.
Edited/published:CMP
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - BH
Can you be more stupid, Pam avoledo
2 - DJRadiohead
Not a terribly helpful comment, BH although the purpose of this review eludes me.
3 - BH
Ok Pam I was bad with you, I have to agree with you in some of the things you said, but you need to express some things because they can be missunderstood.
4 - BH
the thing of my coment not being heplful is ok, but did you wanna see a fight between the girl and I, because if it eludes you what are you doing here?
5 - DJRadiohead
No, not trying to start a fight. I am loathe to explain myself for fear of starting a thing, but what the fuck...
I saw your comment in the right-hand sidebar and thought it seemed a touch harsh so I wanted to say so.
The part of why the review is here was just my 2 cents considering why there would be a review of a 20-year old single. I just combined the two things into one post.
6 - Al Barger
Good work, Pam. It's a fine thing to be reminded of why we're so invested as to continue giving a rat's ass about this guy. This was his finest hour.
DJ Radiohead, why would the age of a song preclude talking about it? Plus, an 18 year old song is actually fairly recent. They're still writing about couple of hundred year old Bach music.
BH, don't be a SCHMUCK. If this humble essay is so "stupid" then perhaps you can write a better explanation of this song and show us how it's done.
7 - DJRadiohead
Al, I understand what you are saying and I don't completely disagree with you. I listen to songs more than five minutes old myself. Having conceded that point, timeliness is not trivial in the 'news' world.
Maybe I can't make sense of this, but I will try. It seems a little random to just pull one song out of thin air from 18 years ago to 'review.' Why now? Other than the fact I have heard of the song... why is this song relevant to review and discuss now? Something as simple as... I saw the video to this song on VH1 classic this weekend and I forgot how much I love/hate it. We can all identify with that feeling- then we're off to the races.
Pam can write about whatever she wants - she doesn't need my permission. There just doesn't seem to be a hook to this. I never would have read the review had I not seen BH's harsh comment.
8 - BH
OK, I made a mistake, I'm human, and Pam , sorry if you see this, I was mad at the moment, now that I can see clearly I understand your point, sorry, girl.
9 - BH
And Al Barger, you are very right about the age of the song, plus is a masterpiece and deserves recognition.
10 - Vanessa
Pam very interesting of your part, very delicate your view, I agree with you, and what's the problem with a 18 year old song, the ones from nowadays are really empty songs, there are no artists like Michael Jackson anymore it's all about the money, not the art itself, I wish Michael Jackson making a comeback the next year.
11 - Al Barger
DJR, I don't see any need to have some particular current events hook to justify music writing. We certainly seek to keep up with news items here, but also things that are timeless. There's whatever foolishness MJ's involved with now, and then there are his classic recordings.
Perhaps some youngun who only knows MJ as a freak with inappropriate interests in young boys will happen across this little essay and get turned on to his actual MUSIC.
Also, it's cool BH. I get a bit cranky myself before I get my coffee.
12 - BH
Yes, the people forget what the real Michael Jackson is all about, I mean he's an incredible songwriter and unbelievable dancer, he's a true artsit, I mean I get to see Usher trying to be Michael Jackson and is a shame, but Vanessa I hope he does make a comeback to music.
13 - BH
Al Barger thank you, but it's something I have to correct.
14 - Al Barger
Yes BH, and good on ya for doing so.
15 - Pete
I don't get this.
16 - GET A DANM LIFE OF YOUR OWN
GO GET A DAMN LIFE OF YOUR OWN!!!
17 - Natalie Davis
Frankly, I think this is hilarious. Reminds me of hearing the late Steve Allen dissect pop songs by repeating the lyrics -- usually inane ones -- in a serious tone of voice.
"Who put the bomp in the bomp-ba-bomp-ba-bomp?
Who put the ram in the ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong?"
The only thing I missed, Ms. Avoledo, was the "shamoan-ah, shamoan-ah."
Seriously, "Bad" was bad, and by bad, I mean damned good. Thanks for an enjoyable read.
18 - DJRadiohead
Al, maybe I'm just wrong on this. Could be.
It all just reminds me of a Larry King column in USA Today (Check out the rack on Bernadette Peters... I like chocolate ice cream more in the winter than in the summer...).
Like what you like, write about what you like... whatever. Maybe the seeming randomness of it all is unimportant.
19 - Pam Avoledo
BH - it's all right.
Just some general notes about my blog, though:
Re: Style
I initially made it to be a single review blog with an ironic, sarcastic take. It focused solely on image and new songs.
It got old really quickly. And I got bored with it.
Someone suggested I review a song which required more than a neat explanation.I decided to do it a song-interpretation style and it fit.
Re: 80s song choices
I started to review more 80s song when I realized that there weren't any available. Unless it was Cyndi Lauper, Madonna or U2, I couldn't find much of anything. With Billboard, I would have to get a subscription to their site to access a couple paragraphs for the (now) forgotten singles.
I've gotten this question several times before. So it's not a big deal. I thought I would provide an explanation since it came up.
20 - BH
Pam i think i love you, just a joke.
21 - BH
It's good Pam your review as I told you before and I hope there are more to come, especially from MJ's music, which is i think amazing, I really am specting more from you.
22 - Verónica
Hi,I'm new here I'm Verónica and I just love great artists like the magnificent Michael Jackson, he's unic, and I think the review from Bad is good, I look forward more Michael Jackson's threads, bye
23 - BH
Hi Verónica and welcome to a creative world, where your thoughts would be heard.
24 - Anthony Grande
These lyrics sound like he is referring to having sexual acts with little children:
"Your butt is mine" - obvious reference
"Gonna hurt your mind" - reference on how he ruins children's souls.
"I'm giving you" - Didn't his maid say she witnessed him giving a ten year old head???
"To show your stuff" - What does he want to see???
I'm telling you/ Just watch your mouth" - Now he wants the kid to return the favor.
"Because I'm bad, I'm bad" - Yeah you would have to be bad to do what he did.
"The word is out/You're doin' wrong/Gonna lock you up/Before too long/Your lyin' eyes/Gonna tell you right/So listen up/Don't make a fight/Your talk is cheap/You're not a man/You're throwin' stones/To hide your hands."
- Now he is telling the kid, "Don't bother telling on me, it's my word against yours."
25 - Luke
They need to do more stem cell research to regrow micheal jacksons head