June 9, 2025: The Missing Beat

I didn’t realize this song’s true meaning for years.

Back in the early 80s, Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” ruled the airwaves. But it exploded into legend during a 1983 live performance, when he debuted the moonwalk on national TV.

I studied the move for weeks until I finally nailed it. And yes, I can still pull it off today. Give me socks and a slick floor and... Hey, Hey. (add in sequined glove here)

For a long time, though, I missed the song’s real message. MJ slurs and stylizes his lyrics so much I thought it was only a dance track with a killer groove.

Turns out, it’s about a false paternity accusation. Well, okay.

This week I learned something new about another classic: “Yesterday” by The Beatles.

Artists around the world have covered the tune over 2,000 times, making it one of the most recorded hits of all time. Everyone from Elvis to Boyz II Men has sung it.

But that’s not what surprised me. I never realized… there are no drums. Just Paul McCartney’s acoustic guitar, alongside gentle piano and a string quartet. I hadn’t noticed before.

An incredibly popular record and not a single beat. Which explains why Paul never moonwalked.

I guess some songs must be felt before they’re fully understood.