"Speed Demon" is a song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the third track from the Bad album. It was released as a promotional single on September 4, 1989.
Background[]
Jackson wrote "Speed Demon" after receiving a traffic ticket, which caused him to arrive late to Westlake. Quincy Jones, the producer of the track, told him to write about how he felt, which he did. "Speed Demon" started production as a demo on May 19, 1986, at Hayvenhurst. In 1987, the track continued production at Studio D of Westlake and was ultimately completed in the same year.
Music video[]
The music video for "Speed Demon" (directed by Will Vinton and Jerry Kramer and filmed in March 1988 at Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank) starts with Jackson trying to escape from the overzealous fans and interviewers. He disguises himself as a rabbit named Spike, though as his alter ego, he goads the fans into chasing him. After finally losing the mob, he removes the costume, which comes to life and challenges him to a dance-off.
As the two finish dancing, a police officer (portrayed by Clancy Brown) approaches and indicates a "No Dancing" sign. Jackson tries to explain the situation, but Spike has vanished. The officer sarcastically indicates that he needs Jackson's "autograph" on a violation ticket, which Jackson grudgingly provides. The officer departs and, as Jackson prepares to do the same, a rocky crag in the distance morphs into Spike's head; Jackson and the rock formation smile at each other.
Nero Remix[]
On September 18, 2012, a remix of "Speed Demon" done by Nero was released as a part of the Bad 25 anniversary album. It has been mostly criticized by Jackson's fans, though not a lot of them acknowledge the remix either.
Audio[]
On January 27, 2023, a video of Brad Sundberg and Matt Forger playing a 1986 demo of "Speed Demon" and explaining its creation during an In the Studio with MJ seminar surfaced online.
- Demo - (
listen)
Lyrics[]
[Refrain]
Cho! Cho!
Cho! Oh!
Cho! Cho!
Cho!
[Verse 1]
I'm headed for the border, it's on my mind
And nothing really matters, I've got to be on time
Look in the view mirror, is he hot on my tracks?
Is he getting nearer?, I feel some heat is on my back
[Chorus]
(Speed demon) Speedin' on the freeway, gotta get a leadway
(Speed demon) Doing it on the highway, gotta have it my way
(Speed demon) Mind is like a compass, I'm stopping at nothing
(Speed demon, he say) Pull over, boy, and get your ticket right
[Refrain]
Cho!
[Verse 2]
Ain't nothing gonna stop me, ain't no stop and go
I'm speeding on the midway, I gotta really burn this road
[Chorus]
(Speed demon) Speedin' on the freeway, gotta get a leadway
(Speed demon) Doing it on the highway, gotta have it my way
(Speed demon) Mind is like a compass, I'm stopping at nothing
(Speed demon, he say) Pull over, boy, and get your ticket right
[Refrain]
Cho!
[Bridge]
Speed demon, you're the very same one
Who said the future's in your hands, the life you save could be your own
You're preaching 'bout my life like you're the law
Gonna live each day and hour like for me there's no tomorrow
Go! Go!
Go! Ow!
[Refrain]
Cho! Oh!
Cho! Cho!
Cho!
[Chorus]
(Speed demon) Speedin' on the freeway, gotta get a leadway
(Speed demon) Got fire in my pocket, I just lit a rocket
(Speed demon) Just pull over, boy, and get your ticket right
(Speed demon) Pull over, boy, and get your ticket right
(Speed demon) Just pull over, boy, and eat your ticket
Pull over, boy, pull over, boy, and get your ticket right (Ooh!)
[Outro]
Uh! Ah!
C'mon! Hoo!
Get your ticket right, ah
Pull over, boy
Get your ticket right
Pull over, boy
Pull over, boy, and get your ticket
Eat your ticket, get your ticket
Eat your, get your
Hoo! Aah!
Ooh!
Get your ticket right, ah
Hoo!
Ooh!
[Verse 1]
I'm heading for the [?]
It's in my soul!
I got to find a mirror
Got to be around the clock
I'm searching for a preacher
It's deep in my mind!
I got to find a way out
I got to be your time
[Chorus]
(Speed demon) Got to find a way out, got to find a mirror
(Speed demon) Got to find a way out, got to find a mirror
(Speed demon) [?]
(Speed demon) Just, pull over boy and get your ticket right
[Bridge]
Speed demon you're di da da da
(Put the chord and keyboard, that's fine)
Da na da da da
Da nan da da da da da
Da, da da da da da da da da da da
Speed
[Verse 2]
And nothing is gonna stop me
It's in my soul!
I'm heading for the mirror
Got to be around the clock
[Chorus]
(Speed demon) Got to find a way out, got to find a mirror
(Speed demon) It's in the blood, got to find a way out
(Speed demon) Pull over boy and get your ticket right
(Speed demon) Pull over boy and get your seat
Pull over boy
Pull over boy and get your ticket right
[Outro]
(Pull over boy)
(Get your ticket right)
(Pull over boy)
(And get your ticket right)
(Pull over boy)
(Pull over boy and get your ticket)
(Speed demon, speed demon, speed demon, speed demon)
[Intro]
Ho!
Aaow!
[Verse 1]
I'm heading for the border
It's on my mind
And nothing really matter
I've got to be on time
And nothing going to stop
Aren’t no stop and go
I'm speeding on the midway
I got to really burn this road
Because
[Chorus]
(Speed demon)
Speeding on the freeway, got to get a lead way
(Speed demon)
Doing it on the highway, got to have it my way
(Speed demon)
Mind is like a compass, I'm stopping at nothing
Just pull over boy and get your ticket right
Aaow!
Just pull over boy and get your ticket right
(Speed demon)
(Speed demon)
Go!
Aaow!
Ho!
Just pull over boy and get your ticket right
[Verse 2]
I'm heading for the border
It's on my mind
And nothing really matter
I've got to be on time
Gallery[]
|
"Look deep within yourself, and you'll find something amazing." To view the Speed Demon gallery, click here. |
Trivia[]
- It is one of the five songs on Bad that had to be sped up due to the limitations of a 12" LP record. Other songs were "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", "Just Good Friends", and "Smooth Criminal".
- Similarly to "Leave Me Alone", "Speed Demon" was supposedly planned to be released as a single, due to it becoming popular for its appearance in the Moonwalker movie. For the release, a 7" version was made to serve as the official version. However, unlike "Leave Me Alone", the single release of "Speed Demon" was subsequently canceled, eventually becoming a promotional single only.[1]
- Two remixes were also planned for the single release. One was a techno-house remix by Omar Santana, while the other was an electro-funk remix by Mann Parish. In both cases, they were scrapped after receiving divided reactions from Jackson and Jones. Neither of these remixes has seen the light of day since.