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

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.