Behind The Mask

Album: Michael (2010)
Play Video
  • All along I had to talk about it
    But like a two-edged sword
    It cuts you and it stab me
    All along I knew you were a phony girl (hee, hee)
    You sit behind the mask
    And you control your world
    You sit around and I watch your face
    I try to find the truth but that's your hiding place
    You say you love me but it's hard to see
    'Cause when he's in your arms
    Your throwing rocks at me

    Who do you love? (Hee-hee-hee)
    Is it me? (Hee-hee-hee)
    With you? I don't know
    Who do you love? (Hee-hee-hee)
    I don't want you (hee-hee-hee)
    If you can't answer
    You know me, woo

    (There is nothing in your eyes)
    There is nothing in your eyes
    (But that's the way you cry)
    But that's the way you cry, girl (cry, girl)
    (All is grand, all is bright)
    All is grand, all is bright
    (You're just steady in my mind) ayy, yeah, yeah, yeah

    I walk around, I'm sufferin' in my doom
    When I come to you, you're sittin' in your room
    You sit around in the strangest place (hee, hee, hee)
    So take off the mask so I can see your face

    Who do you love? (Hee-hee-hee)
    Is it me? (Hee-hee-hee)
    With you? I don't know
    Who do you love, babe? (Hee-hee-hee)
    I don't want you (hee-hee-hee)
    If you can't answer
    I know you, woo

    (Heaven must be weary)
    Heaven must be weary
    (Your smile is scary)
    You got me scared, girl
    (Insincere, empty tears)
    That be you, just as good
    (Where's your soul? Where'd it go?)
    You got me scared, girl

    (Heaven must be weary)
    Heaven must be weary
    (Your smile is scary)
    You know where you've been
    (Insincere, empty tears)
    That be you, na-na-na
    (Where's your soul? Where did it go?) Hey, hey, hey

    (Hee-hee-hee)
    (Hee-hee-hee)
    (Hee-hee-hee)
    (Hee-hee-hee)

    I walk around, I'm sufferin' in my doom
    When I come to you, you're sittin' in your room
    You sit around in the strangest place (hee, hee, hee)
    So take off the mask so I can see your face

    Who do you love? (Hee-hee-hee)
    Is it me? (Hee-hee-hee)
    With you? I don't know
    Who do you love, babe? (Hee-hee-hee)
    I don't want you (hee-hee-hee)
    If you can't answer
    I know you

    Who do you love? (Hee-hee-hee)
    Is it me? (Hee-hee-hee)
    With you? I don't know
    Who do you love? (Hee-hee-hee)
    I don't want you (hee-hee-hee)
    I, da-nah
    I don't know

    I don't wanna talk about it (let's talk about it) (hee-hee-hee)
    I don't wanna talk about it (let's talk about it) (hee-hee-hee)
    I don't wanna talk about it (let's talk about it)
    I don't wanna talk (hee-hee-hee)
    (Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) hee-hee-hee
    I don't, don't know (hee-hee-hee, hee-hee-hee)
    (I don't, don't, don't, ohh, don't)
    I don't, don't know (hee-hee-hee, hee-hee-hee) (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
    (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) Writer/s: Chris Mosdell, Michael Jackson, Ryuichi Sakamoto
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Luke E. from Manchester, UkThe backing vocals during the intro and verse are basically the same as Do The Bartman, also written by Jackson.
  • Patrick from Atlanta, GaKaz, the original song, by Yellow Magic Orchestra, was about a woman who hides behind a figurative mask. She shows no emotion. "There is nothing in your eyes, but that's the way you cry." It was Quincy Jones who suggested Jackson cover it. The song was never released while Michael was alive because of YMO's management. Jackson's keyboardist recorded it before Clapton, and he played on Clapton's cover of it (Along with Phil Collins).
  • Robyn from Philadelphia, PaPeople always THINK that they new Michael only proving otherwise. If you really knew Michael, Kaz, you would know that that "fishbowl" started WAY before Thriller. Afterwards... well... it just got WORSE. By the time Michael was a teen, he was already dealing with the media spreading rumors about his career, his body, his voice and even his sexuality. It really wasn't easy being Michael Jackson. He was also already wearing mask & disguise out in public, probably his inspiration behind said mask.

    As for the song I am convinced that 90% of the tracks are his voice except, "Breaking News". You can tell, however, that "BTM" is indeed a song written in the late '70's by it's chorus. It really does have an electronic/disco feel to it. It really does sound like it was recorded for "Thriller". Oh... & btw: I'm not trying to be insulting, I just feel that fans (especially newer ones) just don't know Michael as well as they think.
  • Kaz from C, OhWhy is this song called behind the mask? it has nothing to do with the lyric content. and why would MJ write about being under a microscope during thriller when he wasn't under a microscope until after i dont like this "Michael" album. because i believe they got people to impersonate and clip together his vocals.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."