"Cheater" is a previously unreleased song written and produced by Michael Jackson released as the thirty-seventh track on The Ultimate Collection. It was released as a promotional single on September 14, 2004. The song isn't currently available on streaming services but can be purchased through iTunes. (
listen)
Background[]
The song was written with Greg Phillinganes and recorded in the Summer of 1985 during the Bad sessions. "Cheater" was planned to be released on the Bad album, although it didn't make the final selection.
After being picked up for The Ultimate Collection, "Cheater" was initially going to receive a proper commercial release, however, these plans were unknowningly canceled, and it eventually became only a promotional single.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Oooh
What? Ho!
Get back on me
Ho!
[Verse 1]
You know I work too hard for this kind of play (Ho!)
I wrote a letter for the ghetto of the CIA (Ho!)
I don't care a jack bone about what cha' do (Ho!)
Just put your dime on the line, 'cause I own you (Ho!)
[Pre-Chorus]
Somebody said, "Give up instead on how you feel" (Ah-uh)
One blow to the head is all you need
I ain't takin' it ya
[Chorus]
Cheater (Oooooh!)
Do it!, What! (Ya Got)
Do it!, What!
Get back on me…
[Verse 2]
Now you better go and get yourself some attitude (Ho!)
I know your name and the game ends in I.O.U (Ho!)
You're telling me that you're coming to a compromise (Ho!)
You're smiling at me while you're stealing right before my eyes (Doggone it; Ho!)
[Pre-Chorus]
Somebody said, "Give up instead on how you feel" (Ah-uh)
One blow to the head is all you need
I ain't takin' it ya
[Chorus]
Cheater (Oooooh!)
Do it!, What! (Doggone it)
Do it!, What! (What!)
Get back on me…
I can't, huh!
Jack, oh-oh
[Bridge]
I hurt my backbone, baby
I start to give it up
Life is an aggravator
Sometimes I part it up
I broke my radiator
I am indestructible
I pray to leave my body
Do not you ever call
[Verse 3]
I don't care a jack bone about what cha' do (Ho!)
Just sign your name on the line, baby, I own you (Doggone it)
(Ho!)
(You are a…)
[Chorus]
(Cheater) Ooooh!
Give it to me, what!
What!, get jack on me…
[Pre-Chorus]
Somebody said, give up instead on how you feel (Ah-uh)
One blow to the head is all you need
I ain't takin' it ya
[Chorus / Outro]
Cheater
(Doggone it)
(Jack) (Give it to me)
Cheating, baby (Doggone)
(Huh!)
(Huh!) (Doggone it)
Ooh-ooh
Cheater
Ooh-ooh (ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh) Cheating, baby
(Oh-oh) Cheating, baby
Oh-oh
Cheating, baby
You are a cheater (Hee-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
(Hoo-hoo!)
Gallery[]
![Info on "Cheater" (The Ultimate Collection booklet)[1]](/wiki/File:Cheater_TUC_Booklet.png "Cheater TUC Booklet.png (84 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The song is rumored to have been reworked in the early 2000s for Invincible with the rapper, Fats as a feature. However, this has never been officially confirmed and is only speculation.
Checksums[]
By comparing the provided checksums with your own it ensures you have the correct and unaltered file versions of the song circulating within the community:
| File name | File format | SHA-256 | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheater (Radio Edit) | .flac | 02835fa212213095ef21c3d2f915990879827438e730c5b611e0ce0ee251675a | 03:59 |