About The Song
(watch the video below)
Whitney Houston's live performance of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" at the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special was a historic moment in music history. The event, held on September 7, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, brought together some of the biggest names in the industry to celebrate the King of Pop's remarkable career.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted into cheers, anticipation filled the air as Whitney Houston took the stage. Dressed in a stunning ensemble that exuded glamour and sophistication, she exuded confidence and poise as she prepared to deliver a show-stopping performance.
The opening notes of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" filled the arena, and Houston's powerful vocals immediately captivated the audience. Her rendition of the song was electrifying, as she effortlessly navigated the song's complex melodies and intricate vocal runs with precision and ease.
Houston's stage presence was undeniable as she commanded the stage with her dynamic performance. Her emotive delivery and soulful interpretation of the song brought a new dimension to the iconic track, showcasing her remarkable talent and artistry.
As the performance reached its climax, Houston's energy was infectious, and the audience was completely enraptured by her electrifying presence. The crowd danced and sang along to every word, fully immersed in the magic of the moment.
Throughout the performance, Houston's vocal prowess was on full display as she effortlessly hit every note and delivered each lyric with passion and conviction. Her powerful voice soared above the instrumentation, filling the arena with an undeniable sense of energy and excitement.
As the final notes of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" echoed through the venue, Houston received a thunderous ovation from the audience, a testament to her incredible talent and the enduring legacy of Michael Jackson's music. Her live performance at the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special was a fitting tribute to the King of Pop and a shining example of her status as one of the greatest vocalists of all time.
Video
Lyrics
Let’s sing along with the lyrics!
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
I took my baby to the doctor
With a fever, but nothin' he found
By the time this hit the street
They said she had a breakdown
Someone's always tryin'
To start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', lyin'
Sayin' you just want to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You love to pretend that you're good
When you're always up to no good
You really can't make him hate her
So your tongue became a razor
Someone's always tryin'
To keep my baby cryin'
Treacherous, cunnin', declinin'
You got my baby cryin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin' (hee!)
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
Still they hate you (still they hate you)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
You're just a buffet (you're just a buffet, you're a vegetable)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
They eat off of you (they eat off of you, you're a vegetable)
You're a vegetable, ow!
Billie Jean is always talkin'
When nobody else is talkin'
Tellin' lies and rubbin' shoulders
So they called her mouth a motor
Someone's always tryin'
To start my baby cryin'
Talkin', squealin', spyin'
Sayin' you just want to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
Still they hate you (still they hate you)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
You're just a buffet (you're just a buffet, you're a vegetable)
You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)
They eat off of you (they eat off of you, you're a vegetable)
You're a vegetable, ow!
Ow!
Hee hee, ha-ha, ooh!
If you can't feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
Then don't have a baby (yeah, yeah)
And don't think maybe (yeah, yeah)
If you can't feed your baby (yeah, yeah)
You'll be always tryin'
To stop that child from cryin'
Hustlin', stealin', lyin'
Now baby's slowly dyin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
It's too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
It's too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
Lift your head up high
And scream out to the world
"I know I am someone"
And let the truth unfurl
No one can hurt you now
Because you know what's true
Yes, I believe in me
So you believe in you
Help me sing it
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it babe)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah, sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it out loud)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (help me sing it, babe)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hee-hee-hee)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (yeah)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it to the world)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (sing it out loud)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa (hoo-hoo)
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa
Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa...