This article is about the song. You may have been looking for the album.
"Xscape" is a previously unreleased song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the eighth and final track from his second posthumous album of the same name. The demo was released on the deluxe edition.
Background[]
On "Xscape", Jackson speaks of wanting freedom from the media's criticism over his personal life in recent years, while condemning the system that the society is built on. In the song's bridge, Jackson adds that only when he passes, he'll be at peace. Ironically, Xscape was confirmed by Sony Music as the final "full-fledged" album released under Jackson's name, and "Xscape" being the final track seems to further comment on his statement.[1]
In the second verse, Jackson mentions having been taken advantage of by a partner of his, though it is undisclosed who's the topic of this verse. Jackson was previously married to Lisa Marie Presley in 1994-1996, and later to Debbie Rowe in 1996-2000, but the lyrics could refer to a past partner of his.
Jackson has previously spoken of similar themes in songs like "Leave Me Alone", "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" or "Tabloid Junkie", and later "Privacy".
Production & release[]
"Xscape" was recorded in 1999 during the Invincible sessions, with Rodney Jerkins and his team behind the production. In the end, it wasn't included on the final track listing.
On July 7, 2002, an early mix of "Xscape" from 1999 leaked online as part of a mass-leak that featured many other unreleased songs by Jackson. Jackson's team was dissatisfied to the point of warning users online that if they didn't stop spreading the leaked track further, Jackson would never release it. In 2004, "Xscape" became a contender for The Ultimate Collection box-set, but it didn't make the cut.
In 2013, Jerkins continued working on the track for the posthumous Xscape album. It was modernized, and featured upbeat pop production with trap elements. This version initially featured Lil Wayne, and another sampled a rap verse from Tupac Shakur, specifically from his 1998 song "Changes", similarly to The Notorious B.I.G.'s feature on Jackson's 2001 song "Unbreakable".[2] The 2001 demo of "Xscape" was released on the deluxe edition of the album, which is known to be the most recent mix available.
Audio[]
Leaks[]
The 2002 leak features minor mixing changes, and a different kick. On November 24, 2025, a snippet of the unreleased verse by Lil Wayne was leaked online. Judging by the leaked snippet, Wayne's verse would've been placed after the bridge.
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
[Verse]
I’ll be home in a minute
Imma hold it down like a nail stuck in it
Coach locked up but the team still winning
Weezy F baby, but the ‘F’ ain’t for finished
Xscape one day, I will
Play my cards right, but today I deal
Deal with the madness but don’t get mad
Take all they give and give all I have
Run to get away? We do try
Will I Xscape, when I get high?
“Hello, how ya’ doin?”
‘I’m just fine, but can you show me to the exit sign?’
Well they can’t lock up my time
Can’t lock up my heart
Can’t lock up my mind
Yeah (Ye-Yea-Yeah)
MJ Free Weezy
Till I
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- "He's gone!" in the track's intro is spoken by Jean-Marie Horvat, who worked on recording Jackson's vocals for Dangerous, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Invincible, and Michael.[3]