This article is about the song. You may have been looking for the album.
"Xscape" is a previously unreleased song performed by Michael Jackson released as the eighth and final track on Jackson's second and final posthumous album of the same name. Its demo was released on the deluxe edition of the LP.
Background[]
The track was recorded in September 1999 during the Invincible sessions with Rodney Jerkins behind the production. The song was worked on until early 2001 but unfortunately didn't make the cut.[1]
In 2002, an early mix of "Xscape" from 1999 leaked online. Jackson's team threatened online users that if the song doesn't stop from being spread around, Jackson will never release it.
In 2013, Darkchild returned to working on the track to completely rework it for the Xscape album. The song was now more upbeat and featured a much more modern-pop production. This version initially included a sampled rap verse from Tupac Shakur, specifically from his 1998 song "Changes", and similarly to what can be heard on e.g. "Unbreakable". That track of itself revolved around themes of war, racism or property, themes which Jackson had previously referenced in his music as well. This version was confirmed to not be featured on the album prior to its release, and it is unknown if it will ever come out.[2]
Meanwhile, a 2001 demo of "Xscape" was put out on the deluxe edition of the album, which is known to be the most recent mix of the song available.
Audio[]
- Demo (leaked version) - (
listen)
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Darkchild
Xscape (Ow!)
Xscape (Ow!)
Xscape
[Verse 1]
Everywhere I turn, no matter where I look
The system's in control, it's all ran by the book
I've got to get away, so I can free my mind
Xscape is what I need, away from electric eyes
[Pre-Chorus]
No matter where I am, I see my face around
They pin lies on my name, then push them town to town
Don't have a place to run, but there's no need to hide
I've got to find a place, but I won't hide away
[Chorus]
Xscape (Xscape)
I gotta get away from a system
Loose in the world today
Xscape (Xscape)
The pressure that I face from relationships
Had to go away
Xscape (Xscape)
The man with the pen that writes the lies that hassle this man
Xscape (Xscape)
I do what I wanna 'cause I gotta face nobody but me
Xscape
[Verse 2]
I tried to share my life with someone I could love
But games and money is all she ever thought of
How could that be my fault when she gambled and lost?
I'm tired of silly games, it's time to make a change
[Pre-Chorus]
Why is it I can't do whatever I want to? (Oh)
When it's my personal life and I don't live for you (You)
So don't you try to tell me what is right for me
To be concerned about you, I can't do what I want to
[Chorus]
Xscape
I gotta get away from a system
Loose in the world today
Xscape (I got to get away)
The pressure that I face from relationships
Had to go away (Don't you know I need it)
Xscape
The man with the pen
That writes the lies that hassle this man (I got to get away)
Xscape
I do what I wanna 'cause I got to face nobody but me
Xscape (Get away)
Xscape
I got to get away from a system (Don't you try it)
Loose in the world today
Xscape
The pressure that I face from relationships
(Pressure that I'm facing every day)
Had to go away
Xscape
The man with the pen
That writes the lies that hassle this man (Come on now)
Xscape
I do what I wanna 'cause (Come on now)
I got to face nobody, but me
Xscape
[Bridge]
When I go
This problem world won't bother me
This problem world won't bother me
Yeah, oh, yeah (Ooh)
[Chorus]
Xscape
I gotta get away from a system
Loose in the world today (I will fly away)
Xscape
The pressure that I face from relationships
Had to go away (Pressure that I'm facin')
Xscape
The man with the pen
That writes the lies that hassle this man (Writin' all those lies)
Xscape
I do what I wanna (Escapin', 'cause I do just what I wanna)
'Cause I got to face nobody but me
Xscape (Yeah, yeah)
I gotta get away from a system
Loose in the world today (Away)
The pressure that I face from relationships
See, I got to get away
Xscape (Yeah, yeah)
The man with the pen
That writes the lies that hassle this man
Xscape
I do what I wanna (Do just what)
'Cause I gonna face nobody but me
[Outro]
I got to feed my mother
Oh, feed my mother
I gotta get away (Xscape)
The pressure that I face from relationships
Had to go away (Take it no more)
Xscape
The man with the pen
I can't take this garbage here no more (Xscape)
I do what I wanna ('Cause you're a liar)
'Cause I got to face nobody but me
Xscape
Xscape
[Intro]
"Open up six"
"He's gone!"
[Verse 1]
Everywhere I turn, no matter where I look
The system's in control, it's all run by the book
I gotta get away so I can free my mind
Xscape is (what I need) from the (electric eyes)
No matter where I am, I see my face around
They pin lies on my name then push from town to town
Don't have a place to run but there's no need to hide
I gotta, find a place, but I won't, hide away
[Chorus]
Xscape
Gotta get away from the system rules in the world today
Xscape
The pressure that I face from relationships has to go away
Xscape
(The man with the pen that writes the lies that have no end)
Xscape
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
[Interlude]
Sometimes I feel like
I've gotta get away
[Verse 2]
I tried to share my life with someone I can love
But games and money is all she ever thought of
How could that be my fault when she gambled and lost?
I'm tired of silly games, it's time to make a change
Why is it I can't do whatever I want to
When it's my personal life and I don't live for you
So don't you try to tell me what is right for me
You be concerned about you, I can do what I want to
[Chorus]
Xscape (Hoo-hoo!)
Gotta get away from the system rules in the world today (I've gotta get away)
Xscape
The pressure that I face from relationships has to go away
Xscape
The man with the pen that writes the lies that have no end (I've gotta get away)
Xscape
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me (I've gotta get away)
Xscape
Gotta get away from the system rules in the world today
Xscape (Yeah)
The pressure that I face from relationships has to go away
Xscape
The man with the pen that writes the lies that have no end (Hoo-hoo!) (C'mon, now)
Xscape
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me (Hoooooo-hoo-hoo!) (C'mon, now)
[Bridge]
When I go
This problem world won't bother me
This problem world
This problem world, won't bother me, won't bother me, no more
Yeah! Oh! Yeah! Hooo!
[Breakdown]
Xscape
Xscape
Xscape
Xscape
[Chorus]
Xscape
Gotta get away from the system rules in the world today
Xscape
The pressure that I face from relationships has to go away
Xscape
The man with the pen that writes the lies that have no end
Xscape
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
Xscape
Gotta get away from the system rules in the world today
Xscape
The pressure that I face from relationships has to go away
Xscape
The man with the pen that writes the lies that have no end
Xscape
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
Xscape
Gotta get away
Xscape
The pressure that I face
Xscape
The man with the pen
Xscape
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
Xscape
Gotta get away
Xscape
The pressure that I face
Xscape
The man with the pen
Xscape
I do what I wanna
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
(ad-libs)
Xscape
Gallery[]
