BEHIND THE MUSIC:

Justin Bieber
and
Michael Jackson

Yuliana Amador
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson
(August 29th, 1958 - June
25th 2009) or better known as
the “King of Pop” was a
chart-topping American
singer/songwriter, and dancer.
He first started off as the lead
singer of his family band the
Jackson 5 and later branched
off to pursue his career as a
solo artist. He’s accomplished
great successes such as the
the best-selling album in
history, ‘Thriller’(1982).
Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber was born on
March 1st, 1994. He started off
publishing music covers on
YouTube and soon was discovered
by Scooter Braun. He was signed
right away by Scooter at the age of
thirteen. Soon, he began to release
albums and became known
worldwide as well as topped on
billboards.
Inspiration

Justin has always said that Michael was a great influence

on him in regards to dancing, music videos, and song
writing. He even wrote a song called ‘Maria’ inspired by
Jackson’s song, ‘Billie Jean’. Both songs were based off
of groupie pregnancy rumors. “Michael is my inspiration,
and I want to emulate his career as much as possible.
When he died, I couldn’t believe it. It was like, ‘Wow, he’s
gone, I didn’t even get to meet him.’ I was sad.” Explained
Bieber.
 BILLIE JEAN (Michael Jackson)
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were
like mine (oh, no)

'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby

People always told me be careful of what you do

And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts

She came and stood right by me

Just the smell of sweet perfume

This happened much too soon

She called me to her room

Billie Jean is not my lover

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one

But the kid is not my son

Song Jackson’s inspiration for Billie Jean was based on a fan who
was mentally ill and constantly accused Michael as being
Interpretation
the father of one of her twins. He ignored these allegations
because it was normal to receive letters of this kind from
fans. The fan continued to harass michael and threatened to
hurt herself as well as the baby. Soon after, she was taken
to a psychiatric hospital and here came the hit single ‘Billie
Jean’.
 I'm talking to you, Maria
MARIA
Why you wanna do me like that?
(Justin
That ain't my baby, no, that ain't my girl
Bieber) Maria, why you wanna play me like that?

She ain't my baby,no, she ain't my girl

But she talking in, and she needs to quit

But never this, all I know she's not mine

Song Interpretation
Justin’s inspiration for Maria was brought up
because of pregnancy allegations by Mariah
Yeater. She claimed to having sex with Justin
Bieber after one of his shows at the Staples Center
in LA. She demanded support for her baby and a
paternity test from Bieber. He denied all of the
allegations and focused on his music.
 BILLIE JEAN: Literary Devices
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine
(oh, no)
Soon, Room - End Rhyme
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby

People always told me be careful of what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
She came and stood right by me
Just the smell of sweet perfume
And don't go around breaking young girls'
hearts- hyperbole
Cried, eyes, like, mine- Alliteration
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes
were like mine- Imagery

This happened much too soon Just the smell of sweet perfume
She called me to her room

Billie Jean is not my lover

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one

But the kid is not my son

 MARIA: Literary Devices
She says she met me on the tour

She keeps knocking on my door, she won't leave me

Tour, Door- Slant Rhyme
Leave me alone
Stop, Cops - End Rhyme
This girl, she wouldn't stop
And she was dragging my name through the
dirt(no) - Hyperbole
Almost had to call the cops
And she was dragging my name through the
She was scheming, ooh, she was wrong
dirt(no) - Metaphor
Cause she wanted all my attention
She keeps knocking on my door, she won't
leave me- Imagery
And she was dragging my name through the dirt(no)

She was dying for my affection

And she keep making up and give it to 'em

I'm talking to you!

Allegations (Found Poem)

She says she met me on the tour

She keeps knocking on my door, she won't leave me

Leave me alone

Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were

like mine

This happened much too soon

She called me to her room

But she talking in, and she needs to quit

But never this, all I know she's not mine

WORK CITED
"Michael Jackson." Biography.com. N. p., 2017. Web. 23 Oct. 2017.

"Justin Bieber Story - Bio, Facts, Networth, Family, Auto, Home | Famous Singers |
Successstory." Successstory.com. N. p., 2017. Web. 23 Oct. 2017.

"Justin Bieber On Michael Jackson: 'He's My Inspiration'." Wcbsfm.cbslocal.com. N. p.,

2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2017.

"Justin Bieber: Choice Quotes." Rolling Stone. N. p., 2011. Web. 24 Oct. 2017.

"Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Lyrics | Songmeanings." SongMeanings. N. p., 2009.

Web. 24 Oct. 2017.

"Justin Bieber - Maria Lyrics | Songmeanings." SongMeanings. N. p., 2017. Web. 24

Oct. 2017.

"'He Told Me It Was His First Time', Says Mariah Yeater, Mother Of Justin Bieber's
'Lovechild', After Their 'Brief' Encounter." Mail Online. N. p., 2011. Web. 24 Oct. 2017.