Billie Jean Music Video
Year Released: 1983
Directed by: Steve Barron
Starring: Michael Jackson

Talk to Michael Jackson fans and you’ll find a host that “discovered” Michael when this video was released. That’s no surprise. This song is most often the one credited with triggering Michael’s success as a solo artist. Dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and red tie, Michael dances on flashing lights on pavement (which was quite revolutionary at the time) and sings about a fan who tells him that the child she bore was his.

The video was the first by a black artist to be shown on MTV. Indeed the song is widely thought of as one of Michael’s best, and most critically acclaimed, songs.

Little known fact: Michael has said the song came to him as he rode in a car on Ventura Avenue in Los Angeles.

Billie Jean Lyrics (in a new window).