billie jean

Despite the fact that Jackson usually does not close his shows with the song, "Billie Jean" is generally regarded as the pinnacle of most Jackson performances and stage shows. The song has been the key feature of every concert, from the Victory tour through to the 30th Anniversary Performance at Madison Square Garden in 2001.

The structure of the live "Billie Jean" routine has remained consistent; fans have even named moves that are regularly performed. These include the "Sidewalk" (where Jackson appears to "moonwalk" sideways along the stage, by slightly raising and crossing his feet whilst sliding them sideways), the "Four-corner Moonwalk" (where Jackson rotates his heels and moonwalks in a circle), and spot spins. The most famous move that Jackson performs is his "moonwalk", which occurs always at the bridge in the song. This move is generally never performed in any other song, although slight "moonwalk" variations are also found in "Stranger in Moscow" and "Smooth Criminal". Jackson also usually displays his tapping ability during a "Billie Jean" set.[citation needed]

In concert, "Billie Jean" is almost always extended for an extra two to four minutes with just the beat and sometimes the bass line, whilst Jackson improvises an array of dance steps. Often it starts out with the beginning dance style followed by a spotwalk and a moonwalk. In most concerts, Jackson hops while pointing to each side and alternating while the back-up singers yell "hoo! hoo!" This is followed by Jackson spinning and doing the four-corner moonwalk. After some time of more dance steps, Jackson throws his fedora to the crowd while saying "Billie Jean is not my lover." In most of HIStory World Tour concerts and the first of the two 30th Anniverary concerts, Jackson also ended the song with with beatboxing or scat singing prior to singing the last line and throwing the fedora. Most fans consider this to be why "Billie Jean" rates as a favorite above other song routines, as Jackson "freestyles" the moves to an extent. Videos of "Billie Jean" performances are readily available on the internet, and on some released VHS/DVDs.

Also, upon live renditions, some of the introductions upon the song have changed. On the Dangerous World Tour, the stage has two levels: an upper and lower level. On the set list, Michael usually performed Thriller before Billie Jean. For the Thriller performance, the lower level was used. At the end of the performance, a back-up dancer appearing as Michael with a mask is put into a glass coffin, which is then covered with a white sheet. The dancers lift the coffin and march with it until the end of the song, where the sheet is pulled off, revealing the disappearance of both the coffin and "Michael." Jackson is not in the coffin but actually changing for Billie Jean. A few seconds after the end of Thriller (where Vincent Price's voice fades out), the beginning notes of Billie Jean are heard, whereas spotlights reveal Michael to be on the upper level, as it lowers onto the main platform. The last and more recent incarnation of the song (as shown on the 30th Anniversary Special) contains a sort-of reminiscing moment from Michael's standpoint: Michael is seen walking across a stage with a piece of luggage in hand, looking around as if he is conjuring up old memories of performing. He stops in the middle and places the luggage on top of a stool, opening it to remove the contents. It is unclear in what order the contents are removed, as each performance differs (Michael also opened Billie Jean this way during his HIStory World Tour); however, the articles remain the same: the trademark glove, jacket, and fedora. Michael would then move aside the stool and briefcase (which is later lowered through an elevator platform), and then snap his fingers, to which a spotlight comes on, shining onto a microphone stand.

It is important to note that the actual choreography of "Billie Jean" has not changed much since the Motown 25 performance, but has been enhanced through continual performance and improvement.

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[wendus93]

imao

[superrainbowmew]

wierdos!

[ChoppingTheBroccoli]

I guess it was funny...

[panchisco2006]

What a piece of shit...:S

[bluemasklover]

What. In the hell.

[angelito197710]

its nice babosos

[twoheads619]

i think all the ladies will be chasing u 2 after that!!!!!

[cassaleena1234]

omg that was so weird (in a good way) lol .. funny

[controltopless]

j and m are coming to florence to get down with you.

i forgot about yer moves b...

you too plaid...

mmmmmmm.

-myr