Who Is It by Michael Jackson Lyrics Meaning – The Echo of a Shattered Heart
Lyrics
I gave her time
I gave her everything
Inside one heart could find
I gave her passion
My very soul
I gave her promises
And secrets so untold
And she promised me forever
And a day we’d live as one
We made our vows
We’d live a life anew
And she promised me in secret
That she’d love me for all the time
It’s a promise so untrue
Tell me what will I do ?
And it doesn’t seem to matter
And it doesn’t seem right
‘Cause the will has brought
No fortune
Still I cry alone at night
Don’t you judge of my composure
‘Cause I’m lying to myself
And the reason why she left me
Did she find someone else ?
(Who is it ?)
It is a friend of mine
(Who is it ?)
Is it my brother ?
(Who is it ?)
Somebody hurt my soul
(Who is it ?)
I can’t take this stuff no more
I am the damned
I am the dead
I am the agony inside
The dying head
This is injustice
Woe unto thee
I pray this punishment
Would have mercy on me
And she promised me forever
That we’d live our life as one
We made our vows
We’d live a love so true
It seems that she has left me
For such reasons unexplained
I need to find the truth
But see what will I do ?
And it doesn’t seem to matter
And it doesn’t seem right
‘Cause the will has brought
No fortune
Still I cry alone at night
Don’t you judge of my composure
‘Cause I’m bothered everyday
And she didn’t leave a letter
She just up and ran away
(Who is it ?)
It is a friend of mine
(Who is it ?)
Is it my brother ?
(Who is it ?)
Somebody hurt my soul
(Who is it ?)
I can’t take it ’cause I’m lonely
(Who is it ?)
It is a friend of mine
(Who is it ?)
To me I’m bothered
(Who is it ?)
Somebody hurt my soul
(Who is it ?)
I can’t take it ’cause I’m lonely
And it doesn’t seem to matter
And it doesn’t seem right
‘Cause the will has brought
No fortune
Still I cry alone at night
Don’t you judge of my composure
Cause I’m lying to myself
And the reason why she left me
Did she find someone else ?
And it doesn’t seem to matter
And it doesn’t seem right
‘Cause the will has brought
No fortune
Still I cry alone at night
Don’t you judge of my composure
‘Cause I’m bothered everyday
And she didn’t leave a letter
She just up and ran away
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was no stranger to producing hits that not only climbed the charts but also pierced the soul with profound meanings. Among his illustrious catalog is ‘Who Is It,’ a track that delves deep into the human psyche, elucidating the torment of betrayal and the relentless pursuit for truth in the face of abandonment.
At its surface, ‘Who Is It’ might appear as a lament of a lost love, but a closer listen reveals layers of emotional complexity that Jackson masterfully unfurls. This song, somber and rich in its narrative structure, beckons listeners into the darker corners of Jackson’s artistic mind.
A Chronicle of Betrayal – Unraveling the Soul’s Cry
Through ‘Who Is It,’ Michael Jackson embodies the despondence of a soul ravaged by the unfathomable pain of betrayal. Jackson’s vivid storytelling captures the quintessence of a heart that has been not only broken but uprooted from its place of comfort and security. The gift of total surrender in love which, in turn, has been met with deceit.
The lyrics paint a picture of a giver, a lover who has extended beyond the material to infuse his very essence into a relationship that turned out to be built on falsehoods. Each line serves as an epitaph for the promises unkept, the passion disregarded, and a future that will never come to pass.
The Emptiness of Material Offerings – An Introspective Look
Jackson underscores the futility of lavish materialistic offerings within the realm of love, propounding the idea that emotional investment trumps all. By enumerating the money, time, and very soul he has given, he underlines that no tangible offering can equate to the purity of true emotional connection.
Herein lies a critique of societal notions that equate wealth or grand gestures with genuine love. Jackson intrinsically communicates the somber truth that in the absence of loyalty and sincerity, even the grandest of gifts are rendered meaningless.
A Search for Resolution – The Quest for the Hidden Alibi
The compelling repetition of ‘Who is it?’ is not merely a query but a haunting refrain that amplifies the anguish of the unknown. Jackson’s desperate search for the reason behind his lover’s departure—the ‘hidden meaning’—drives a narrative of the heartache that comes from being left in the dark.
This continual questioning represents a broader human quest for closure and understanding, which often remains elusive. The agony of the mysterious and unforeseen departure serves as a compelling motif that resonates with anyone who has ever sought answers to a pain untold.
I Can’t Take It ‘Cause I’m Lonely – The Universal Lament
The power of Michael Jackson’s music lay in his ability to create anthems that speak to the collective human condition. Repeatedly, the line ‘I can’t take it ’cause I’m lonely’ reverberates the universal sentiment of isolation that accompanies loss. It’s a mournful acknowledgment that at our lowest, the need for human connection is the greatest.
Jackson’s vocal delivery of this line conveys a raw vulnerability, a cry for help that echoes in the emptiness. It’s a reminder that beneath the icon and the fame, there lies the heart of a man who feels as deeply as any other.
The Judgement of Composure – The Mask of the Stoic
Throughout ‘Who Is It,’ Michael Jackson appeals to the humanity in all of us by asking for empathy amidst sorrow. ‘Don’t you judge of my composure’ speaks volumes of the societal pressure to remain stoic, to lie to ourselves in the wake of emotional turmoil, rather than openly expressing our devastation.
The King of Pop exposes the paradox of composure, illustrating that even the mightiest can be brought low by heartbreak. In these lines, we see not just the superstar but a man wrestling with the facade that often accompanies public scrutiny—a solemn reminder that authenticity of emotion is often shielded from judgmental eyes.
