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Phish have had a long history with Michael Jackson's Thriller. Their first gig was cut off by a DJ playing this album. They used it as a misdirection on Halloween 1995 and it was one of the 99 albums on the wall for Festival 8. Some people noticed that the backing XML for that game said, "Michael Jackson is Alive," for Thriller and wondered if that was some sort of clue.

Watch Billie Jean on YouTube Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean”

On 6/25/10 in Camden – one year after Jackson's death – the band finally officially played homage. In a "Also Sprach Zarathustra" that also had "Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’" and "Thriller" teases, Phish played on the "Billie Jean" theme for two minutes. Trey sang the first verse - sans any of the backing vocals - near but not into the microphone. Is this a jam or a tease? We’ll go with a “jam” for now, but it remains as much of an open question as what happened between the protagonist and Billie Jean.

Watch Billie Jean on YouTube Phish, “2001” – 6/25/10, Camden, NJ

(Jackson)
© MIJAC MUSIC (BMI)

She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene
I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round

She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round

People always told me be careful of what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth

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
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

For forty days and for forty nights
The law was on her side
But who can stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and plans
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice
(Do think twice)

She told my baby we'd danced till three, then she looked at me
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
Then 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

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
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
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
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
She says I am the one

Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is

Not my lover
Not my lover
Not my lover
Not my lover

Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)
Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)
Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)
Billie Jean is not my lover (she is just a girl)

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is

Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is

Billie Jean is not my lover
Billie Jean is not my lover

Billie Jean is
Billie Jean is