Folk Processed Forms Of The Name "Billie Jean" In Some Examples Of Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" Rhymes (complete reprint)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents comments about and text examples of versions of the rhyme "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" that mention Pop star Michael Jackson and mention the name "Billie Jean" or folk etymology forms of the name "Billie Jean".  

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, and recreational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Michael Jackson for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those whose examples of this rhyme are included in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-

This is a complete reprint with only minor changes of the 2014 pancocojams post with the same title.https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/forms-of-name-billie-jean-in-down-by.html. That post has 25 comments as of May 4, 2026 and is still open for comments.

Most of those comments are examples of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" that don't include any folk process forms of the name "Billie Jean".    

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/12/hey-mr-willy-and-other-folk-processed.html for the related pancocojams post "Hey Mr. Willy" And Other Folk Processed Forms Of "Frog Missed The Lily Pad" In "Down ByThe Banks Of The Hanky Panky Rhymes (with geographical locations)"

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GENERAL OVERVIEW
"Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" (or similar names) is a very large family of playground (recreational) rhymes) that are very widely known in the United States. These rhymes are either played as a (usually two person) hand clap game or as a mildly competitive, group hand slapping game. The hand clapping game is usually played by children while the hand slapping version of this rhyme is often played by adults as well as children.

I refer to as "Michael Jackson" versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" as those examples that include a reference to pop singer Michael Jackson or a reference to another celebrity (such as "Michael Jordan") whose name probably inadvertently substitutes for Michael Jackson in "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes. Read an example of one of those rhymes in the comment section below.

Since the death of Michael Jackson in June 2009 some examples of these long forms of "Down By The Banks of the Hanky Panky" no longer refer to Michael Jackson but instead refer to another singer who some fans aren't fond of such as Lady Gaga & Miley Cyrus. Read two examples of those rhymes in the comment section below. Also, some examples of this rhyme that refer to Michael Jackson include "RIP" meaning "Rest In Peace" in parenthesis after that deceased Pop singer's name.

A number of "Michael Jackson" versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" allude to the incident in 1984 when Michael Jackson's hair accidently caught on fire during the filming of a Pepsi Cola commercial. However, my sense is that few children who recite those rhymes are aware that those rhymes are based on an actual historical event. Furthermore, most of these "long versions" of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" document the 1980s cola wars between Pepsi Cola and Coca Cola products. Click http://www.businessinsider.com/soda-wars-coca-cola-pepsi-history-infographic-2011-11?op=1 to read about what is known as "the cola wars".

WARNING: Some examples of "Michael Jackson versions" of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" include homophobic language or homophobic references. However, the examples featured in this post don't contain such language.

To date (December 2023) , I've not found any examples of Michael Jackson versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" in any books of children's playground rhymes.

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OVERVIEW ABOUT THESE RHYMES WITH THE NAME "BILLIE JEAN" OR WITH A FOLK PROCESSED FORM OF THAT NAME
Some "Michael Jackson" versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" are long form versions of that hand clapping or hand slapping rhyme* that include a reference to "Billie Jean" or a folk processed form of that female name. However, "Michael Jackson" versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" don't always include a reference to "Billie Jean" or a folk processed form of that female name.

* "Hand slapping games" is my term for recreational elimination games that are performed in a circle. The people forming the circle slap the hands with each word and the last person whose hand is slapped in an iteration of a chant is out. This process continues until there are only two people left from that circle. Those people hand slap each other or play rock, paper, scissor until one person misses or is out which means the other person is the winner.

Here's an example of a Michael Jackson version of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" which doesn't include any reference to "Billie Jean":

Down by the river with the hanky bankys
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky
say an
epp
opp
epp
bop
bop
Skittle dittle curly pop
I pledge allegence to the flag
That Micheal jackson makes me gag
Diet Pepsi came to town
Coca-Cola pushed him down
Orange soda picked him up
Now I'm drinking 7 up
7up caught the flu
Now I'm drinking Moutain Dew
Moutain Dew fell off the moutain
Now I'm drinking from a fountian
Foutain Broke
Now I'm drinking plain old Coke
-Guest; http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=940347/15/2007 "Origins: Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky", July 15, 2007

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THE NAME "BILLIE JEAN" 
In Michael Jackson's record "Billie Jean", the name "Billie Jean" is a female's first name. That first name is made up of two personal names- "Billie" and "Jean".  A personal name that is made up of two independent names is called a "double name". 

In the United States, most people have one first name. However, it's not completely out of the ordinary for females or for males to have a first name that is a double name.

The names "Billy Ray" and "Billy Bob" are examples of male double names. These male names are type casted (negatively perceived) as Southern (country i.e. poor or working class) male names. 

In contrast, the custom of giving double names to females is largely associated with the Catholic religion, particularly when the first name in that  double name is "Mary". Some common examples in the United States (particularly pre 1980s) are "Mary Ann", "Mary Jane" and "Mary Beth".

Similar to the male "Billie" double names, the female double name "Billie Jean" is mostly associated with the American South with probably the same negative connotations of the male "Billie" double names. 

The name "Billie" is rarely used for females. A famous woman with the name "Billie" was the African American jazz singer "Billie Holliday". However, probably very few children in 1982 when Michael Jackson wrote and recorded his record were familiar with Billie Holliday and unfortunately, even fewer children in the 2020s are familiar with Billie Holliday.

It's possible that a female who has the birth name (i.e. "government name"- the name on a person's official birth certificate) "Billie Jean" was named after their father whose name was "William" and whose nickname was "Billie", and also was named after their mother whose name was "Jean".

A female named "Wilhelmina" may have the nickname "Willie" which is almost always perceived as a male name.  I suppose it's possible that a female named "Wilhelmina" could have the nickname "Billie". 

(A Black woman who was a friend of my mothers when I was growing up in New Jersey was sometimes called "Willie". However, her name was "Willa Mae" (which is another female double name.) 

In the United States, the name "Jean" is almost always considered to be a female name, but the name "Eugene" and its shortened form "Gene" are always masculine names. 

When Michael Jackson wrote the song "Billie Jean" some Americans were familiar with the professional tennis star named Billie Jean King.In spite of that example, the name "Billie Jean" wasn't a common first name for females then and isn't a common name for females now. And that's the main reason why the name "Billie Jean" has been transformed into so many different words in examples of the "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes.

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FOLK PROCESSING THE NAME "BILLIE JEAN" IN "DOWN BY THE BANKS OF THE HANKY PANKY" RHYMES 

Folk processing (also known as "folk etymology") is a process in which the spelling or pronunciation of a word or phrase is changed or an unfamiliar word or phrase is replaced with  a more familiar word phrase or sound. Folk processing occurs because of mishearing, misremembering, or a mistaken assumption about that unfamiliar word or phrase.

One of the most common example of folk processing the name "Billie Jean" in "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes is writing "jeans" or "gene" instead of writing the name "Jean". 

Because the name "Billie Jean" is so rarely used in the United States, children who hear that name may mistake it for the word "jean" (meaning a very commonly worn type of pants ("blue jeans") .

Another common folk processed version of the name "Billie Jean" is "jelly bean". Since jelly bean candies are so familiar in the United States and the female name "Billie Jean" is so unfamiliar, it's not surprising that some children unknowingly substituted that name for "jelly beans".

I've expanded the category of "folk processing forms of the name "Billie Jean" in these "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes to not only include words such as "levi jeans" or a word such as "jelly bean" but to also include the use of the words "Billie Jean" in ways that suggest that the person doesn't know that "Billie Jean" is a name (let alone a female's name).  Two examples from this pancocojams compilation are "bilajean has no caffeine" and "jellybean is outa sight" 

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SHOWCASE VIDEO OF MICHAEL JACKSON'S SONG "BILLIE JEAN"

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean



michaeljacksonVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 2, 2009

Music video by Michael Jackson performing Billie Jean. © 1982 MJJ Productions Inc.

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SELECTED RHYME EXAMPLES
These ten examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting dates with the oldest examples given first. The line that includes the name "Billie Jean" or a folk processed form of "Billie Jean" is given in italics to highlight it and not because that line is emphasized when that rhyme is chanted.

Example #1
Down by the river near the hankey pank
where the bullfrogs jump from bank, to bank,
and they say E I O U,
your momma stinks and so do you
so ping pong ding dong
your daddy smells like king kong.
Ask your teacher what she wears,
polka dotted underwear.
Not too big and not too small,
just the size of city hall.
Michael Jackson went to town,
coca-cola brought him down.
Coca-cola brought him up,
now he's drinking 7up.
7up with no cafiene, now he's seein' belgain (pronounced beligene).
Belgain is outta sight,
now we're talking dynamite.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BAM!
-Veggie; cocojams.com [website no longer active] August 21, 2006

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Example #2
I learned this and forgot most of it (not complete! but it goes sort of like this....

Down by the bay in beverly hills
where the bull frog jumps from bank to banky
and the heeps hops, coffee shops,
we all drink mochas and we wear flip flops
(faster)
I pledge allegence to the flag
Michal jackson makes me gag
coca cola has cafeine and now we're talking billy jean
billy jean when out of style now lets sit and talk a while
diddy diddy donkey
daddy had a donkey
donkey died, daddy cried
diddy diddy donkey!
theres a party round the corner wont you please please come
bring your own cappuchinos and your own chewing gum
what is your boy friends name?______ (whoever the clap lands on has to come up with a name)

_______ will be there blowing kisses in the air saying I love ______ (who ever came up with the name) saying I love_____ saying O U T spells you are out!
OR
______will be there blowing kissed in the air singin' I... Love...Ma..Ma...Mia, singin' I love ma...ma...mia singin' O U T spells you are out!
-Guest,mooseormeece?, http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=94034 [hereafter given as Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky, May 21, 2008]

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Example #3
down by the river side hanky panky
were the bullfrogs jump from bank
saying a-e-i-o-u bamboo
a-e-i-o-u bamboo
michel jakson came to town
coca cola shot hem down
dr.pepper fixed him
up now were talking 7-up
7-up has no cafene
now were talking bilajean
bilajean has no caffeine
no caffene no caffeine
1234 shut the door enless u ant to here more
-Guest, maeson A., Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky, June 27, 2008

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Example #4
Down by the river with the hank to pank
where the bullfrog jumped from bank to bank
saying eeps ipes opes oops
chilly willy ding dong
i pledge allegiance to the flag
michael jackson sings so bad
coca cola roots me up
now we're talkin 7Up
7Up has no caffine
now we're talkin billy gene
billy gene whent outta sight
now we're talkin bobby white
bobby white went out of town
riding on a rocket
stuck a feather in his hat
and called it hershey's chocolate"
-Guest, Deana Ashley :); http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=81350 "I’m Rubber; You’re Glue", August 24, 2008
-snip-
"out of sight" = a 1960s African American originated vernacular phrase that meant "exceptional". However, in these "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes "out of sight" is almost always given its literal meaning of "someone or something that people are unable to see".

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Example #5
Down by the bank by the hanky pank
where the bullfrog jumped from bank to bank
singing eeeps ops ohps ooops
listen to the rythym of the ding dang dong
michael jackson went to town
pepsi cola shot him down
dr. pepper fixed him up
now we're talking 7up
7up has no caffiene
now we're billie jean
billie jean went down the street singing
dooo waaah diddy didy dum diddy dooo
-Guest; Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky Rhymes; November 6, 2009

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Example #6
Down by the bank of the hanky panky,
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky,
To the Hip Hop Shirley Pop,
I pledge allegience to the flag,
of Michael Jackson makes me gag,
Coca-Cola burnt his butt,
Now he's drinking Seven-Up
Seven-Up has no caffeine,
So Now he's drinking Jelly Bean
Jelly Bean is out of sight,
So Now he's drinking Sprite
Spell it!
S-P-R-I-T-E!
-Guest, Madison from Metro Detroit, Michigan; Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky Rhymes; March 31, 2010

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Example #7
mine goes like:down by the banks of hanky tank
were the bullfrogs jump from bank to bank
saying eeps ipes opes ums
skiddle diddle dong
my brother smells like king kong
pledge allegiance to the flag
micheal jackson is a rat
coca cola blew up
now im drinking 7up
7up has got caffeine
no im drinking billy jean
billy jean is out of sigh
now im drinking sunny light
say 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
your out
-MegaGirlzation, http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=O2CSWmfiNKM; 2010
-snip-
"no" is probably a typo for the word "now".
"out of sigh" is a folk etymology form of the phrase "out of sight".
"your" = "you are"

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Example #8
down by the banks of the hanky panks
fe fi fo fom me say ding dang dong
i pledge allegiance to the flag
Michel Jackson makes me gag
cocola fizes up
now i am talking 7up
7up has no caffeine now
i am talking jelly bean
jellybean is outa sight
now i im talking dynamite
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 boom
and who ever boom land on is out
-Kissyxblythe; http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=iqhvCN0Uvfk, 2011

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Example #9
Down by the banks of the hanky pank,
where the bullfrogs jump from bank 2 bank,
sayin eeps, ipes, opes, oops,
listen to the rhythm of the ding dang dong.
Micheal Jackson went to town,
pepsi cola shot im down
Dr Pepper fixed im up,
now were talkin 7up
7up has no caffine,
now were talkin billy jean.
billy jean was walking down the street singin,
Ooh, I diddy diddy dum diddy doo.
Lincoln, Lincoln I been thinkin.
what on earth have you been drinkin
is it whiskey is it wine
OMG its turpentine 123...9
-MufinCat123, http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=ZC8INeM0w5A, 2011

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Example #10
Its this:

Down by the banks of the hanky panky.
Oops i said yo booty stanky.
Oooh Ahh Skit Skat,
big fat dirty rat.
I pledge alegence to the flag.
Michael jackson is my dad.
Coca cola burning up,
now its time for 7-up.
7-up had no cafine,
now its time for Billy jean.
Billy jean went out of town riding on a pony,
stuck a feather in his head
and called it macaroni.
-uallnomecuz; http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=ZC8INeM0w5A, January 2012

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Comments About The Similarities In The Beginning Of The Dazz Band's "Let It Whip" And Michael Jackson's "Beat It"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of a three part pancocojams series that showcases the 1982 Funk song "Let It Whip" by The Dazz Band.

Part III showcases The Dazz Band's "Let It Whip" and Michael Jackson's "Beat It" and includes comments about how the beginning of each record sounds the same.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-dazz-band-let-it-whip-information.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I provides information about The Dazz Band and showcases a YouTube video of The Dazz Band performing their hit song "Let It Whip".

Lyrics for this song are also included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/youtube-video-of-soul-train-line.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II provides information about the television show Soul Train and showcases a YouTube video of the Soul Train line dancing to "Let It Whip". Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to The Dazz Band for their musical legacy and thanks to Michael Jackson for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of theses video on YouTube.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
The Daz Band's song "Let It Whip" came to my mind as a result of United States' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripping up her copy of Donald Trump's State Of The Union address. https://www.vox.com/2020/2/5/21124293/nancy-pelosi-gif-trump-speech-papers-state-of-the-union. Yes, I know- the word "whip" doesn't have the same pronunciation and meaning as the word "rip". But the two words sound almost the same and are spelled almost the same.

That said, sharing information about and examples of The Dazz Band's now iconic 1982 Funk song "Let It Whip", the television series Soul Train & the Soul Train line, and Michael Jackson's 1982 Beat It song, is one way of honoring Black history in the month of February that United States annually designates as "Black history month". (As for me, I celebrate Black history and Black culture all year long.)

Too often people think that the only way of celebrating Black history is to talk about slavery, famous African American inventors, and the civil rights movement in the United States. Our history is waaay more than that, and we are making history every day.

Peace and stay woke!

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
[These videos are given in chronological order with the earliest released record presented first.]

Video #1: The Dazz Band "Let It Whip"



Petr Wab, Jul 28, 2007

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Video #2: Michael Jackson - Beat It (Official Video)




Michael Jackson, Apr 11, 2011

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SELECTED COMMENTS AND/INFORMATION ABOUT THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE BEGINNING OF "LET'S WHIP IT" AND "BEAT IT"
(These comments are given in no particular order and are given with hyperlinks, letters, and numbers after each link for referencing purposes only)

A. From https://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=41&threadid=17005
1. RFI: the funk song which has the exact same beat as Michael Jackson's "Beat It"?
i've heard this on the radio a couple times lately and the similiarity of the drum intro to "Beat It" is so striking that I'm certain MJ/Quincy bit it (it sounds pre-82, at least). took a few guesses at the title (the refrain says "rip___(tide?)") but so far I haven't found any clues."
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, 8 May 2003

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2. "Let it Whip" by the Dazz Band?
― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Thursday, 8 May 2003

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3. "whip it right" = your "rip tide" i'm thinking
― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Thursday, 8 May 2003

**
4. ...both "Let It Whip" and "Beat It" were released in 1982, but i can't find any info about at what point in the year either came out. anyone have any idea which came out first? I know "Beat It" was the 3rd single off Thriller, though, so it probably wasn't on the charts 'til '83. hmmmmm.....

there really isn't any similiarity in the melody, btw, just the beat, which, I again stress, is EXACTLY THE SAME. some googling has turned up not a single remark anywhere online about this similiarity, which really surprises me - pretty much all the results just list them both among many other dance hits from '82."
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, 8 May 2003

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5. "yeah, I kind of had a feeling that, if there was in fact any conscious borrowing going on, it would be MJ from DB, and not the other way around...it just makes more sense that Jacko would bite beats from a run-of-the-mill funk outlet, than that they would do so from one of the biggest hits off the biggest album of all time."
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, 8 May 2003

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6. Oh my god! I must have subconsciously made this connection too, 'cause the last mixtape I made with a beat-mixing program had "Billie Jean" blending directly into "Whip It". Actually, maybe it's not such a coincidence; that was my 1982 theme tape."
― Dan I., Thursday, 8 May 2003

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7. "I just realized last week what a great beat that is. Does the Dazz Band version sound as good? (the synth drums really make it for me)"
― Adam A. (Keiko), Thursday, 8 May 2003

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8. "I just realized last week what a great beat that is. Does the Dazz Band version sound as good? (the synth drums really make it for me)"

it's pretty much the exact same snare/kick/hi-hat pattern, slightly different drum sounds.
― Al (sitcom), Friday, 9 May 2003

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B. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Whip
"Let It Whip"

[...]

"Released: February 12, 1982
Format 12"
Recorded: July 1981
Genre: Post-disco, funk
Label: Motown"

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C. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(album)
" “Beat It”
Single Released: February 14, 1983
Thriller Studio album: Released November 30, 1982
Recorded: April 14 – November 8, 1982
Studio: Westlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California)
Genre: Pop, post-disco, rock, funk
Length: 42:19
Label: Epic"

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D. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE7-tWEEejU
"The Dazz Band "Let It Whip"

[These are only a few of the comments from this "Let It Whip" video's discussion thread that mentioned Michael Jackson's "Beat It".]

1. vmi3301, 2010
"I love that Michael Jackson used the beginning for Beat It..."

**
2. Ramon LeBlanc Harts, 2012
"I STILL believe that this song is the inspiration for Michael Jackson's BEAT IT!!!"

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3. holidayrap, 2013
"The beat does sound VERY similar. Quincy must have had this playing in his mind when he produced Beat it."

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REPLY
4. ght4012, 2015
"Sounds alot like "Beat it"...but we all know this was first"

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5. TheLizardKing1967, 2012
"Now I know where the front end of the song "Beat it" MJ comes from."

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6. Ramon LeBlanc Harts, 2013
"Great song! Just change the lyrics, add Eddie Van Halen on electric guitar, and a WestSide Story video and what do you have - you've guessed it - BEAT IT. This is one reason why R&B/Soul lovers enjoyed BEAT IT so much. Even as a teenager growing up in L.A. I thought BEAT IT sounded familiar!"


**
7. Duke Creole, 2015
"I love Michael Jackson but I still believe that BEAT IT was a direct rip off of The Dazz Band LET IT WHIP - LISTEN VERY, VERY, VERY CAREFULLY to the CHORD PROGRESSION and remember MJ was being ostracized by MTV which only played white rock music at that time ( Eddie Van Halen's guitar virtuoso was added to appeal to the Hard Rock genre )!"

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REPLY
8. veela lynne, 2015
"I totally agree"

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REPLY
9. Harley Weedwax, 2016
"+Duke Creole true!! ,plus if I remember correctly, this was one of the first "Black" records to get spin on "white" video music programs.. MJ may have been paying attentionto what would cross him over- he was a pretty smart guy"

**
10. B.I.S.O.N.: BRISTOL SCREENWRITER NONSTUDENT, 2016
"I keep telling everybody Michael Jackson's BEAT IT is a rip off of the Dazz Band's LET IT WHIP"

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E. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVTZ4akhLA4
"Let it Whip - Soul Train Line 1982"
1. Cletus Beauregard, 2016
"every time I hear the beginning of MJ's "Beat It", I keep hoping it's this song instead."

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This concludes Part III of this three part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Article Excerpts And Videos About The Dance Now Known As "The Moonwalk"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents some online excerpts about the history of "the Moonwalk" dance.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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EXCERPTS ABOUT THE MOONWALK DANCE
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes.
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonwalk_(dance)
"The moonwalk is a dance move in which the dancer moves backwards while seemingly walking forwards.[1] A popping move, the moonwalk became popular around the world after Michael Jackson performed it during a performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, broadcast May 16, 1983.[2] It became his signature move.[3][4]

Technique
An illusion is involved in creating the appearance of the dancer gliding backwards. Initially, the front foot is held flat on the ground, while the back foot is in a tiptoe position. The flat front foot remains on the ground but is slid lightly and smoothly backward past the tip-toe back foot. What is now the front foot is lowered flat, while the back foot is raised into the tiptoe position. These steps are repeated over and over creating the illusion that the dancer is being pulled backwards by an unseen force while trying to walk forward. Variations of this move allow moonwalking to appear to glide forward, sideways, or even in a circle.

History

There are many recorded instances of the moonwalk; similar steps are reported as far back as 1932, used by Cab Calloway.[5] In 1985, Calloway said that the move was called "The Buzz" when he and others performed it in the 1930s.[6][7]

In 1944, Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien featured something like the move in their performance of "Under the Bamboo Tree" in Meet Me in St. Louis, though their performance lacks the illusion created by the genuine moonwalk.[8]

In the 1950s, Dick Van Dyke performed a similar variation of the moonwalk and camel walk in his comedy routine called "Mailing A Letter On A Windy Corner".

In 1955, it was recorded in a performance by tap dancer Bill Bailey. He performs a tap routine, and at the end, backslides into the wings.[9] The French mime artist Marcel Marceau used it throughout his career (from the 1940s through the 1980s), as part of the drama of his mime routines. In Marceau's "Walking Against the Wind" routine, he pretends to be pushed backwards by a gust of wind.[10]

In 1958, Mexican dancer-comedian Adalberto Martinez "Resortes" also performed the moonwalk in the film Colegio de Verano (Summer School).

[...]

Michael Jackson popularized and named the moonwalk in 1983."...

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Excerpt #2:
From https://blackamericaweb.com/2015/07/20/little-known-black-history-fact-the-first-moonwalk/ Little Known Black History Fact: The First Moonwalk by D.L. Chandler [no publishing date given]

"The late Michael Jackson immortalized the “Moonwalk” during his performance at Motown 25 in 1983, with breakdancing and pop locking-influenced dance moves that dazzled the world. However, the moonwalk might have been a later incarnation of a dance move allegedly invented by tap dancer Bill Bailey.

[...]

As a singer, dancer and entertainer, Bailey performed with his sister, Blanche Calloway, sister of Cab Calloway, and was a fixture at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. Bailey also acted in a handful of films, including Cabin In The Sky, the first recorded version of the moonwalk move. Recently, a 1955 video of Bailey performing at the Apollo and executing what he reportedly called the “Backslide” has surfaced.

Other tap dancers emulated the move in their own fashion, with some writers saying that Calloway himself did a version of the move in the ’30’s, then known as “The Buzz.” Actresses Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien performed the dance in the movie, Meet Me In St. Louis and it showed up in other places throughout the years.

As breakdancing and pop-locking became more advanced in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s, the dance took on the form of the smooth and graceful style that Jackson used. After Motown 25 The Moonwalk became Jackson’s best known dance maneuvers and was associated with the superstar from that point forward."

****
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AMoonwalk_%28dance%29 Talk:Moonwalk (dance)
"Michael Jackson did not invent the moonwalk, it was being done way before he did it and was generally called the back slide. However it probably should be noted that MJ did perfect the move and increased its popularity immensely." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.107.235.182 (talk) 20:04, 4 July 2009 (UTC)

"Not only did Michael Jackson not invent the backslide, I don't even agree that he first popularised it worldwide. Jeffrey Daniels was widely seen and imitated performing the move as part of his pop-locking routines while touring with Shalamar at the peak of their fame. This was from 1980 onwards. Similarly, he did not 'perfect' the move. I witnessed youths in Nigeria performing sophisticated versions of the backslide in 1981 (before Michael Jackson first publically performed it). As opined above, MJ increased its popularity immensely. To see convincing argument that backsliding was popular as a streetdance in urban California and New York even further back, see section below:
#The_Missing_History_of_the_Moonwalk" Centrepull (talk) 07:16, 26 January 2010 (UTC)

"Thank You for referencing my material #The_Missing_History_of_the_Moonwalk stating that Micheal Jackson did not invent the Moonwalk because I know this because i was a pop locker and was doing the moonwalk years before that and many other African American kids were doing it years before me. This is not something that i read from a book it's what I have lived and I was just one of the thousands of contributors to the dances original popularity because upon returning to the east coast coming from the west coast in 1980-81 I exposed it to lots of people who had never seen it nor Pop Locking before at that time. Keep in mind that at that time the dance was not even nationally known let alone globally. Video evidence also confirms that before that it was indeed called the Backslide and was done first as far as we know by tap dances of the 20's and 30's I believe which was new information for me upon watching a Spike Lee Joint where he included a clip during the closing credits. I also agree that there were semi popular moonwalkers before MJ who had achieved a level of popularity that never existed in urban America before.

However, I disagree that MJ was not the one who popularized it and exposed it to the nation and to the world. Having been a Pop Locker and Moonwalker I was quite in tune with what was going on in the urban dance world at that time and I lived through MJ exposing it to the world although a lot of people were already familiar with it expecially in inner city African American urban America. In fact the dance was all but a passing fad beginning to die out by the time MJ revived it in 1983. He did in fact perfect and popularized the dance nationally eventually globally although in the general urban environment it was already popular there and was no need for his influence for it to be popular there. And I believe so even though I had seen with my own eyes much better moonwalkers than the king of Pop that were NOT caught on tape in the streets of L.A.. But the urban environment has its own (usually ignored by mainstream media) market of talent, innovators and fans that usually don't make into mainstream media until they are close to dying out and urban innovators have begun to move on to bigger and better things in their world. This is where the term "Ghetto Superstar" comes from. MJ by NO MEANS invented, pioneered nor co-invented or even modified the dance, but he does get the credit from this old school Pop-Locker/Moonwalker for perfecting and "Popularizing" it nationally and Globally. (J.Parham Old School Pop Locker/Moonwalker (1978-1984)) Please don't misunderstand my comments because I have great admiration of Micheal Jackson and Like all of us grew up with him as part of my life. I don't remember a time without MJ. I also admired his ability and desire to stay in touch with the urban environment and incorporated those dances into his dance style. They say immitation is the highest form of flattery and I believe the was Mikes way of showing how much he admired unrecognized urban talent through imitation. This is a part of MJ's phylosopy and legacy that has been forgotten but growing up I heard him say many times how he studied and admired street dancers and other talents.

P.S. I quit Pop Locking and Moonwalking at the ripe old age of 18 in 1984 because I felt I was "TOO OLD" for it and it was time to move on to bigger and better things which for me was music and college. Besides except for Micheal Jackson doing it the Pop-Lock/Moonwalk trend had actually died out in mainstream urban America and unbenounced to me had gone deep underground after that only to resurface in the 90's although still not to its original popularity even till now in 2010"(J.P) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.211.16.50 (talk) 00:25, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated video given first.

Video #1: Origins of the Moonwalk



broallen25, Published on Jul 2, 2009

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Video #2: The First Moonwalk - Bill Bailey - The Apollo Theatre - New York - 1955



SuperGold 70, Published on Dec 12, 2010

This is one of the first ever moonwalks on film

Bill Bailey tapping to a rather quiet instrumental version of the Larks' hit "The World is Waiting for Sunrise" performed by the Paul Williams Quartet.

He's the brother of singer Pearl Bailey, but he has nothing to do with her signature song "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" which is a very old standard dating back to 1902.

Bill's frequently credited with "inventing" the "moonwalk" because of a tapdancing move called "backslide" which he does in this filmed performance.
-snip-
Note that some people say that the earliest documented dance that is like "the moonwalk" was in 1932 (Cab Calloway's "The Buzz").

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Video #3: michael jackson - billie jean live first time moonwalk



Dennis Lau, Published on Feb 13, 2011

Michael Jackson first time singing and dancing to Billie jean live plus a the moonwalk

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Video #4: Michael Jackson STOLE The Moonwalk?



CooleyJaxsonFan, Published on Jan 7, 2012

Why did Michael Jackson never give any credit to the people who taught him to moonwalk? Why did Michael never thank Cooley publicly and why did he refuse to name-check Cooley in his Moonwalk biography? Instead, Michael says in his book that "3 kids" taught him to Moonwalk.
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:

profwaldo, 2013
"He never said he invented it. And as a matter of fact it's been around at least since the 30's... check out some of Cabb Calloway's stuff and other early artists... way before CooCoo Cooley."

**
REPLY
Jordan Wilson, 2015
"1. Michael never said he invented the moonwalk, he just commercialized it.
2. The back slide/ moonwalk was a dance everyone was doing, where is it in the entertainment rule book that says just because he was MJ, that he couldn't do the dance that everyone was doing too. he did it the best I ever seen and gave it a cooler name"
-snip-
The dance name "moonwalk" references astronauts landing and walking on the moon (although these dance steps aren't really how astronauts walked on the moon.)

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Bahian (Afro-Brazilian) Percussion Group Olodum Performing In Michael Jackson Video "They Don't Care About Us" & Paul Simon Video "The Obvious Child".

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the Brazilian percussion group Olodum.

Part II showcases a video of Michael Jackson performing his song "They Don't Care About Us" and a video of Paul Simon performing his song "The Obvious Child". Both of these videos feature Olodum.

Information about these songs along with their lyrics are also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-afro-brazilian-bahia-percussive.html for Part I of this series.

Part I provides information about Olodum and showcases five YouTube videos of that group.

Selected comments from the discussion threads for two of these videos are also included in this post.

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The contents of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, and Olodum for these videos. Thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Michael Jackson - They Don't Care About Us



Uploaded by michaeljacksonVEVO on Oct 2, 2009
-snip-
Released -June 16, 1995

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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Don%27t_Care_About_Us
"They Don't Care About Us" is the fifth single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, released on March 31, 1996. The song remains one of the most controversial pieces Jackson ever composed. In the US, media scrutiny surrounding allegations of antisemitic lyrics were the catalyst for Jackson issuing multiple apologies and re-recording the song with altered lyrics. The singer countered allegations of antisemitism, arguing that reviews had misinterpreted the context of the song, either unintentionally or deliberately.

The song was accompanied by two music videos directed by Spike Lee. The first was shot in two locations in Brazil, in Pelourinho, the historic city center of Salvador, and in a favela of Rio de Janeiro called Dona Marta,[1][2] where the state authorities had tried to ban all production over fears the video would damage their image, the area and prospects of Rio de Janeiro staging the 2004 Olympics. Still, the residents of the area were happy to see the singer, hoping their problems would be made visible to a wider audience.[2] The second video was shot in a prison and contained video footage of multiple references to human rights abuses.

Commercially, the song became a top ten hit in all European countries and number one in Germany for three weeks. In the US, radio stations were reluctant to play the controversial composition; it, however, managed to peak at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was remixed with parts of songs such as "Privacy" (from the album Invincible) and "Tabloid Junkie", and released on the Immortal album, in November, 2011.

The song was performed during Jackson's third and final concert series, the HIStory World Tour which ran from 1996 to 1997 as part of a medley with "Scream" and "In the Closet". The song was set to be performed on Jackson's This Is It comeback concert series at The O2 Arena in London from July 2009 to March 2010 but the shows were cancelled due to his sudden death on June 25, 2009."...

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LYRICS: THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US
(Michael Jackson)

[Intro (chanting)]
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
Don't worry what people say, we know the truth
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
Enough is enough of this garbage
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
(Overlapping voices)

[Verse 1]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Bang bang, shot dead
Everybody gone mad

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Verse 2]
Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
Jew me, sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, kike me
Don't you black or white me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Bridge 1]
Tell me, what has become of my life?
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of hate
You're rippin' me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
I look to heaven to fulfill its prophecy, set me free

[Verse 3]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Black male, blackmail
Throw your brother in jail

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Bridge 2]
Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame
They're throwin' me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know, I do really hate to say it
The government don't wanna see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no

[Verse 4]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation
Everybody litigation
Beat me, bash me
You can never trash me
Hit me, kick me
You can never get me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Verse 5]
Some things in life
They just don't wanna see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be
Skin head, dead head
Everybody's gone bad
Situation, segregation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Kick me, strike me
Don't you wrong or right me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

Source: https://genius.com/Michael-jackson-they-dont-care-about-us-lyrics

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Example #2: Paul Simon - Obvious Child



PaulSimonVEVO, Published on Jun 16, 2011

Lyrics:

I'm accustomed to a smooth ride
Or maybe I'm a dog who's lost its bite
I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more
I don't expect to sleep through the night
Some people say a lie's a lie's a lie
But I say why
Why deny the obvious child?
Why deny the obvious child?

And in remembering a road sign
I am remembering a girl when I was young
And we said These songs are true
These days are ours
These tears are free
And hey
The cross is in the ballpark
The cross is in the ballpark

We had a lot of fun
We had a lot of money
We had a little son and we thought we'd call him Sonny
Sonny gets married and moves away
Sonny has a baby and bills to pay
Sonny gets sunnier
Day by day by day by day

-snip-
This video shows the Afro-Brazilian group Olodum and also shows scenes of the Afro-Brazilian martial arts, Capoeira.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/paranaue-videos-lyrics-meaning.html for a 2012 pancocojams post about the Capoeira song "Paranaue" which was featured in the movie "Only The Strong Survive".

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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Obvious_Child
" "The Obvious Child" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his eighth studio album, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), released by Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon, its lyrics explore mortality and aging. The song is accompanied by a performance from Brazilian drumming collective Olodum in a live recording.

The single, released in September 1990, was commercially successful, performing well on charts worldwide. In the United States, it was mainly successful on the Album Rock Tracks chart, where it peaked at number 21. Outside the US, "The Obvious Child" was a top 15 hit in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The song received highly positive reviews upon its release. Simon promoted the song alongside Olodum in a performance on Saturday Night Live. The song also influenced popular culture; it is the namesake of the 2014 film Obvious Child."...

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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams post about the Afro-Brazilian percussion group Olodum.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Dionne Warwick's 1966 R&B song "Message To Michael", and Michael Jackson's 1975 R&B song "Dear Michael" (information, lyrics, and YouTube examples)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part IV of a five part pancocojams series about the name "Michael".

Part IV showcases Dionne Warwick's 1966 R&B song "Message To Michael", and Michael Jackson's 1975 R&B song "Dear Michael".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/information-about-name-michael-and.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents etymological information about the name "Michael" as well as information about that name's declining popularity.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/african-american-spiritual-work-song.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases the African American Spiritual/work song "Michael Row The Boat Ashore" (also given as "Michael Rowed The Boat Ashore").

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/19651966-r-song-michael-lover-by-cod.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases C.O.D.'s 1965 R&B song "Michael The Lover" and The Mad Lads' 1966 cover of that song.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/be-like-mike-song-and-commercials.html for Part V of this pancocojams series. Part V showcases the 1991 song "Be Like Mike" and the original Gatorade "Be like Mike" commercial. That song and commercial refers to professional basketball player Michael Jordan.

It's my positions that these songs and that commercial reinforced the popularity of the name "Michael".

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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

Thanks to the composers of these songs and thanks to Dionne Warwick and Michael Jackson for their musical legacies. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Dionne Warwick Message To Michael 1966 Stereo



Edward Kemp, Published on Oct 8, 2013

****
INFORMATION ABOUT DIONNE WARWICK'S VERSION OF "MESSAGE TO MICHAEL"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_to_Michael
"Message to Michael" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, that has been a hit for several different artists under several different titles. The song was first recorded as "Message to Martha" by Jerry Butler in 1962. In 1964, singer Lou Johnson had a minor US hit with the song, with the title "Kentucky Bluebird". UK singer Adam Faith also recorded the song as "Kentucky Bluebird" in 1965, and had a substantial hit with it in the UK, reaching #12. Exactly the same recording was issued in Australia as "Message to Martha", where it was a #15 hit for Faith. Americans are probably most familiar with the 1966 Top Ten version by Dionne Warwick, which was titled "Message To Michael".

In all versions of the song, the lyrics are addressed to a bluebird by the singer. The singer is in Kentucky, and his/her sweetheart is vainly pursuing musical stardom in New Orleans. The singer asks the bluebird to take a message to Martha/Michael, asking for the sweetheart to return.

[...]

Dionne Warwick version
Background
Warwick's association with the song began when she recommended it as a concert number to Sacha Distel, with whom she was headlining at the Paris Olympia Theatre in 1966. Jacques Denjean prepped a backing track to which Distel was to sing the song in concert; when Distel decided against performing the song, Warwick considered availing herself of the prepped instrumental track to record the song herself. Both Burt Bacharach and Hal David, when contacted by Warwick, were opposed to her singing what they maintained (in its English version) was a man's song. David also mentioned to Warwick that the only male name that could be subbed for "Martha" was "Michael", a name David disliked. Warwick took David's comment as a suggestion, recorded "Message to Michael" in a Paris recording studio, and added her vocals to the track prepped for Distel. Warwick would say that the most difficult part of the recording session was getting the French background vocalists to pronounce 'Michael' correctly.[1]

Scepter Records a&r man Steve Tyrell recalls "getting in [a Brill Building] elevator with Burt and Hal and following them down into Times Square, begging them to let me put ["Message to Michael"] out. The next day they called [Scepter Records owner] Florence Greenberg and said 'Look, Steve is so into this tune – tell him he can put it on the B-side but he shouldn't promote it'". When "Message to Michael" was issued on a single backed with "Here Where There Is Love" Tyrell states "I got right on a plane [for] New Orleans and I went to WTIX [Radio]" and played "Message to Michael" for disc jockey Buzz Bennett who then "walked right into the control room and put it on the radio. Because it opened, 'Fly Away to New Orleans...' And in one week it was a smash!" In fact even prior to the single's release Warwick had performed "Message to Michael" on the NBC Pop music TV program Hullabaloo in an episode broadcast 9 March 1966.

Impact
In May 1966 "Message to Michael" became Warwick's first Top 20 hit since "Reach Out for Me" 16 months previously; also in May 1966 "Message to Michael" became a Top Ten hit, Warwick's third after "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "Walk on By". The Billboard Hot 100 peak of "Message to Michael" was #8 and Easy Listening #12; Billboard's R&B chart would afford "Message to Michael" a #5 peak, which remains Dionne Warwick's alltime best R&B chart showing for a solo recording: she'd previously hit #5 R&B with her first release "Don't Make Me Over" and after "Message to Michael" would reach #5 R&B as a soloist with both "Alfie" and "Once You Hit the Road".

As Burt Bacharach and Hal David were not involved in the recording of "Message to Michael" – the team being in fact opposed to Dionne Warwick recording their song – the producers' credit on the track reads "a Blue Jac Production", Blue Jac Productions being the name Bacharach/David and Warwick had incorporated under in 1962 (officially Blue Jac Productions, rather than Warwick personally, were signed to Scepter Records; the same production credit would be employed for Warwick's 1970 single "Make It Easy on Yourself", which was a recording from a live performance.)

In his 1968 book: What the World Needs Now and Other Love Lyrics, Hal David emphatically admitted his misgivings over Warwick recording "Message to Michael" proved ill-founded, indeed stating "Dionne's vocal was so brilliant that it was obvious we had subconsciously written the song for her even while we thought we were writing it for a man".[1]"...

****
LYRICS - MESSAGE TO MICHAEL
(written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Dionne Warwick version)

Spread your wings for New Orleans
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael
Message to Michael
He sings each night in some cafe
In his search to find wealth and fame
I hear Michael has gone and changed his name

It's a year since he wasn't here
Kentucky blue bird, fly away
And take a message to Michael
Message to Michael
Tell him I miss him more each day
As his train pulled out down the track
Michael promised he'd soon be coming back

Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
Since he journeyed far
And even though his dream of fame
Fell through
To me he will always be a star

Spread your wings for New Orleans
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael
Message to Michael
Ask him to start for home today
When you find him please let him know
Rich or poor
I will always love him so

Source: https://genius.com/Burt-bacharach-message-to-michael-lyrics

Album "Forever, Michael" (1975)
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INFORMATION ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON'S "DEAR MICHAEL"

SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Michael Jackson - Dear Michael


orlandomagic654, Published on Feb 6, 2008

From the album "Forever Michael"
-snip-
Here are two comments from this sound file's discussion thread, with numbers assigned for referencing purposes only:
1. Michael, 2012
"Hello to all the Michael's like me out there"

**
2. HardyGirl66, 2016
"This is one of my favorite solo albums from Michael. And I had the 45 of "Dear Michael" before I had the album. I played this song endlessly, 'cos every word of it was true. From 1978 to 1981 I wrote to Michael once a month, every month, using the fan club address on the Destiny album. I knew he got a ton of mail, but I figured he had to get one of them. I don't know if he ever did, but you know what? I know that he now knows every word of every letter I ever sent to him back then. He knows all of the messages his fans send here on YouTube, and he is happy. His physical presence may no longer be with us, but his spirit lives on, and he knows how much we all love him. I miss you Michael!"

****
LYRICS: DEAR MICHAEL
(written by Hal Davis, Elliot Willensky, performed by Michael Jackson)

She wrote "Dear Michael
You'll probably never get this letter
Michael, I wrote you a hundred times before
Knowing how I feel
I'll write a hundred more"

"Dear Michael, every time your record's on
(Michael Michael)
Michael, I close my eyes and sing along
Dreaming you're singing to me."

(Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh)

And then she wrote:
(Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh)
"Michael, I love you
I held the tears back long as I can
(Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh)
I'm sealing my feelings in this envelope
(Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh)
'Cause I wanna be more than just your number one fan"

I'm gonna answer your letter
(Michael Michael)
I'll start beginning with the ABC's of loving you
(I love ya)
(She wrote)
(Michael Michael)
(I love ya)
Your letter really touched my heart
(She wrote)
I've been dreaming of meeting the picture
That you send along, signed with all your love
(Michael Michael)
(I wrote ya)
(She wrote)

I'm gonna write you back, ouuh, i promess you that
(Won't you write me back?, please write me back)

Girl, i think i love you
(Michael Michael)
Hurry, hurry mister postman, take my letter, tell her i love her
(She wrote)
(Won't you write me back, please write me back)
(Michael Michael)
(She wrote)

Hurry, hurry mister postman, take my letter tell her i love her
(Won't you write me back, please write me back)

(Michael Michael)
Yeah,
(I wrote you)
(She wrote)
I'm gonna write you back
I promess [sic] you that...

From https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/michaeljackson/dearmichael.html

****
This concludes Part IV of this series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Jackson 5 - ABC & Two 2015 Ads That Feature A Cover Of That Song

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the 1970 Jackson 5 record "ABC" as well as two 2015 ads that feature a cover of that record.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Jackson 5 for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE JACKSON 5'S "ABC" RECORD
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_(The_Jackson_5_song)
""ABC" is a 1970 number-one hit song by the Jackson 5. It was first heard on American Bandstand (on the ABC network) on February 21, 1970[2] just before it was released on February 24.[3] "ABC" knocked the Beatles' song Let It Be off the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970, and was also number one on the soul singles chart for four weeks.[4] It was written with the same design as their first 1970 hit I Want You Back.

"ABC" was the first single from the Jackson 5's second album ABC which was released on May 8, 1970,[5] and is considered to be one of the band's signature songs. It is one of the shortest titles to hit #1and is the first song alphabetically in the list of #1 hits of the Billboard Hot 100...

Lead vocals by Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Tito Jackson, and Jackie Jackson.

Background vocals by Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson, and Marlon Jackson.

Written and produced by The Corporation: Berry Gordy, Jr., Alphonzo Mizell, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards"...
-snip-
Click http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jackson5/abc.html for lyrics to the Jackson 5's ABC.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
With the exception of Example #1, these videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated video given first.

Example #1: JACKSON 5 "ABC" on The Ed Sullivan Show



The Ed Sullivan Show, Uploaded on May 12, 2010

Performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on May 10, 1970...


The Ed Sullivan Show

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Example #2: Target Jeans Jam tv commercial ad 2015 HD • Back to School



Aban Commercials, Published on Jul 21, 2015

****
Example #3: (Full-length Music Video) "A-B-C, Easy as 1-2-3!" by ABCmouse.com



ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy, Published on Sep 9, 2015
Learning can truly be as easy as ABC, 1-2-3, and Do-Re-Mi!

This full-length version of the classic song “ABC” features more than 100 of the country’s best young dancers and was choreographed by Nappytabs, the renowned choreographers known for their work with such TV shows as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

Watch these energetic young children sing and dance as they welcome a new student to her first day of school. And as they dance their way through this classic song, they show their new friend that learning and fun can be one and the same!

...ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy is the leading and most comprehensive online learning program for children ages 2–7...
-snip-
.54-1.01 in this video features steppin movements that have been popularized by historically African American fraternity and sorority Greek letter organizations. That part of steppin is based on the 19th century and probably earlier African American percussive art called "pattin juba". The African American/Caribbean originated dance styles of b-boying, locking, and popping are also featured in this video.

Isaiah Morgan is the name of the lead boy who is wearing green. The names of other dancers are given in some of the comments in the video's discussion thread.

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Michael Jackson's "Beat It" Performed During Baltimore Freddie Gray Protests

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two videos of Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves dancing to "Beat It" and to other Michael Jackson songs during the April 27, 2015 Freddie Gray protests in Baltimore, Maryland. This post also includes a long excerpt from an article about Dimitri Reeves' dancing that includes an interview with Reeves in which he shares why he did those performances during that protest. Selected comments from two other discussion threads about Reeves' performances are also included in this post.

The Addendum of this post includes the slang meaning of "beat it" tht applies to this song. The Addendum also includes the official Michael Jackson video of "Beat It" and the lyrics to this hit record.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, motivational, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Michael Jackson for composing and performing these songs, and thanks to Dimitri Reeves for his dance performances during those protests. Thanks also to all those who are protesting non-violently in Baltimore & elsewhere for justice. And thanks also to NBC reporter Shomari Stone (and possibly others) for filming these performances. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to all publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PERFORMANCES
From http://kfor.com/2015/04/28/man-dances-to-michael-jacksons-beat-it-during-baltimore-riots/ "Man dances to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ during Baltimore riots", Posted 2:56 pm, April 28, 2015, by Dallas Franklin & KFOR-TV
"While buildings and cars across Baltimore were engulfed in flames, one man took to the streets to “spread love and peace” while dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”

NBC reporter Shomari Stone recently captured footage of Dimitri Reeves dancing in the street to the hit song, according to Mashable.

Hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died of a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody, about a dozen businesses were looted or damaged and at least 15 officers were wounded.

While others were rioting, Dimitri was seen channeling his inner Michael Jackson on top of a truck...

[Dimitri said]... they heard the music. I did “Will You Be There,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Beat It.” Most people thought I was trying be funny, but I wasn’t trying to be funny at all. That wasn’t my mindset at all,” Dimitri said. “I just wanted to take people’s minds off of what was going on in that area. We were right in the middle of it. On one side there was a fire. On the other side was a police force with riot shields and every thing.”

Dimitri says his message is simple.

“Think. It’s as simple as that. My message to people is just to think before you react. We’re just so quick to react that — just think about what we’re doing here. That’s the only thing I can say: just think,” he told Mediaite."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: BALTIMORE PROTESTER DANCING MICHAEL JACKSON's BEAT IT



OMGtv Published on Apr 28, 2015

Baltimore Michael Jackson's Beat It

Protester Dancing Baltimore

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Example #2: Michael Jackson’ dancing protester rocks Baltimore rally



RT Published on Apr 28, 2015

As protests continue to sweep Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray, Michael Jackson impersonator Dimitri Reeves was spotted entertaining the crowds atop of a parked truck on Tuesday.
-snip-
It should be noted that the protests in Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, April 27, 2015 turned violent with some stores and other buildings burned and looted. However, the next day the protests were peaceful and included planned or impromptu performances by a brass band, marching bands, drill teams, and roller skating dancers, among others with the intent to change the dynamics and return to peaceful protests. A number of reporters indicated that the atmosphere was somewhat festive "like a block party". Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphTbMEYPgA for a short video of a marching band at the Baltimore protests (April 28, 2015).

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM TWO OTHER VIDEOS DIMITRI REEVES DANCING TO "BEAT IT" DURING THE BALTIMIRE FREDDY GRAY PROTESTS
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVaDWeMg1AM
John Rusindo, April 28, 2015
"He's obviously telling everyone to Beat it, he's the peace maker in all of this."

**
RickXTN, April 28, 2015
"+John Rusindo You got it! He spreading the message of the song. "It doesn't matter who's wrong or right just beat it!" The fact that this is starting to go viral means the message is getting across. :-)

**
aj619aj, April 28, 2015
"He's actually symbolic by dancing this dude spreading a message..."

**
jackie sanders, 2015
"LOL...Just listen to the words! It looks like he is dancing in front of the police"

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From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRmN4a-GX4 "Beat it, as performed during the Baltimore riots"
Ghetto Lisa, April 29, 2015
"Some people may be laughing but the song Beat It has a message and it speaks everything the people should just do. I applaud him for doing positive rather than negative."...

**
Kalib Shapiro, April 29, 2015
"+Ghetto Lisa Your playing with your life this ain't no truth or dare. they'll beat you, they'll kick you, and they'll tell you it's fair. so beat it."

**
Twilight Angel, April 29, 2015
"Now that's how you make a statement."

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ADDENDUM
WHAT "BEAT IT" MEANS (in the context of Michael Jackson's record)
One slang meaning of "beat it" is "to leave"; to "get out of here"(probably from the phrase "to beat a path of retreat".)

In the official video for Michael Jackson's 1982 record "Beat It", he said those words and gave other advive to two rival gangs who were preparing to fight.

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MICHAEL JACKSON'S "BEAT IT" VIDEO
Michael Jackson - Beat It (Digitally Restored Version)



michaeljacksonVEVO Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011

Music video by Michael Jackson performing Beat It. © 1982 MJJ Productions Inc.

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LYRICS - BEAT IT
(written by Michael Jackson)

They told him don't you ever come around here
Don't want to see your face, you better disappear
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it

You better run, you better do what you can
Don't want to see no blood, don't be a macho man
You want to be tough, better do what you can

So beat it, but you want to be bad
Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it
Just beat it, beat it

They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't want to be a boy, you want to be a man
You want to stay alive, better do what you can

So beat it, just beat it
You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they beat you,
Then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you want to be bad

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or who's right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right

Just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it, beat it
Beat it, beat it, beat it

Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/beat-it-lyrics-michael-jackson.html

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Folk Processed Forms Of The Name "Billie Jean" In "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" Rhymes

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision - May 3, 2026

This pancocojams post presents comments about and text examples of versions of the rhyme "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" that mention Pop star Michael Jackson and mention the name "Billie Jean" or folk etymology forms of the name "Billie Jean".  

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, and recreational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Michael Jackson for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those whose examples of this rhyme are included in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/12/hey-mr-willy-and-other-folk-processed.html for the related pancocojams post "Hey Mr. Willy" And Other Folk Processed Forms Of "Frog Missed The Lily Pad" In "Down ByThe Banks Of The Hanky Panky Rhymes (with geographical locations)"

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GENERAL OVERVIEW
"Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" (or similar names) is a very large family of playground (recreational) rhymes that are very widely known in the United States. These rhymes are either played as a (usually two person) hand clap game or as a mildly competitive, group hand slapping game. The hand clapping game is usually played by children while the hand slapping version of this rhyme is often played by adults as well as children.

 I refer to as "Michael Jackson" versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" as those examples that include a reference to pop singer Michael Jackson or a reference to another celebrity (such as "Michael Jordan") whose name probably inadvertently substitutes for Michael Jackson in "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes. Read an example of one of those rhymes in the comment section below.

Since the death of Michael Jackson in June 2009 some examples of these long forms of "Down By The Banks of the Hanky Panky" no longer refer to Michael Jackson but instead refer to another singer who some fans aren't fond of such as Lady Gaga & Miley Cyrus. Read two examples of those rhymes in the comment section below. Also, some examples of this rhyme that refer to Michael Jackson include "RIP" meaning "Rest In Peace" in parenthesis after that deceased Pop singer's name.

A number of "Michael Jackson" versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" allude to the incident in 1984 when Michael Jackson's hair accidently caught on fire during the filming of a Pepsi Cola commercial. However, my sense is that few children who recite those rhymes are aware that those rhymes are based on an actual historical event. Furthermore, most of these "long versions" of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" document the 1980s cola wars between Pepsi Cola and Coca Cola products. Click http://www.businessinsider.com/soda-wars-coca-cola-pepsi-history-infographic-2011-11?op=1 to read about what is known as "the cola wars".

WARNING: Some examples of "Michael Jackson versions" of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" include homophobic language or homophobic references. However, the examples featured in this post don't contain such language.

To date (December 2023) , I've not found any examples of Michael Jackson versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" in any books of children's playground rhymes.

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OVERVIEW ABOUT THESE RHYMES WITH THE NAME "BILLIE JEAN" OR WITH A FOLK PROCESSED FORM OF THAT NAME
Some "Michael Jackson" versions of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" include a reference to "Billie Jean" or a folk etymology form of that female name. Others examples do not.

Here's an example of a Michael Jackson version of "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" which doesn't include any reference to "Billie Jean":

Down by the river with the hanky bankys
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky
say an
epp
opp
epp
bop
bop
Skittle dittle curly pop
I pledge allegence to the flag
That Micheal jackson makes me gag
Diet Pepsi came to town
Coca-Cola pushed him down
Orange soda picked him up
Now I'm drinking 7 up
7up caught the flu
Now I'm drinking Moutain Dew
Moutain Dew fell off the moutain
Now I'm drinking from a fountian
Foutain Broke
Now I'm drinking plain old Coke
-Guest; http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=940347/15/2007 "Origins: Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky", July 15, 2007

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THE NAME "BILLIE JEAN' 
In Michael Jackson's record "Billie Jean", the name "Billie Jean" is a female's first name. That first name is made up of two personal names- "Billie" and "Jean".  A personal name that is made up of two independent names is called a "double name". 

In the United States, most people have one first name. However, it's not completely out of the ordinary for females or for males to have a first name that is a double name.

The names "Billy Ray" and "Billy Bob" are examples of male double names. These male names are type casted (negatively perceived) as Southern (country i.e. poor or working class) male names. 

In contrast, the custom of giving double names to females is largely associated with the Catholic religion, particularly when the first name in that  double name is "Mary". Some common examples in the United States (particularly pre 1980s) are "Mary Ann", "Mary Jane" and "Mary Beth".

Similar to the male "Billie" double names, the female double name "Billie Jean" is mostly associated with the American South with probably the same negative connotations of the male "Billie" double names. 

The name "Billie" is rarely used for females. A famous woman with the name "Billie" was the African American jazz singer "Billie Holliday". However, probably very few children in 1982 when Michael Jackson wrote and recorded his record were familiar with Billie Holliday and unfortunately, even fewer children in the 2020s are familiar with Billie Holliday.

It's possible that a female who has the birth name (i.e. "government name"- the name on a person's official birth certificate) "Billie Jean" was named after their father whose name was "William" and whose nickname was "Billie", and also was named after their mother whose name was "Jean".

A female named "Wilhelmina" may have the nickname "Willie" which is almost always perceived as a male name.  I suppose it's possible that a female named "Wilhelmina" could have the nickname "Billie". 

(A Black woman who was a friend of my mothers when I was growing up in New Jersey was sometimes called "Willie". However, her name was "Willa Mae" (which is another female double name.) 

In the United States, the name "Jean" is almost always considered to be a female name, but the name "Eugene" and its shortened form "Gene" are always masculine names. 

When Michael Jackson wrote the song "Billie Jean" , the professional tennis star Billie Jean King was a famous American woman with that name. In spite of that example, the name "Billie Jean" wasn't a common first name for females then and isn't a common name for females now. And that's the main reason why the name "Billie Jean" has been transformed into so many different words in examples of the "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes.

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FOLK PROCESSING THE NAME "BILLIE JEAN" IN "DOWN BY THE BANKS OF THE HANKY PANKY" RHYMES 

Folk etymology is "a change in the spelling or pronunciation of a word or phrase or the replacement of an unfamiliar word or phrase with a more familiar word phrase or sound. Folk etymology occurs because of mishearing, misremembering, or a mistaken assumption about that word or phrase."

One of the most common example of folk processing the name "Billie Jean" in "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes is writing "jeans" or "gene" instead of the name "Jean". 

Because the name "Billie Jean" is so rarely used in this country, children who hear that name may mistake it for the word "jean" (meaning a very commonly worn type of pants) or other words that they are more familiar with. "Jeans" (i.e. "blue jeans" and "levi jeans") are worn by females and males. 

The name "Jean" is spelled with an upper case "J" and the word "jean" meaning "a style of pants" is spelled with a lower case "j". however, prior to the internet, most examples of playground rhymes that children actually chant weren't written down. Since the name "Jean" and the type of clothing "jeans" are pronounced the same except for the "s" at the end of the word "jeans",  they can easily be misunderstood, particularly if those rhymes are heard and not read.

I believe that a major reason why the name "Billie Jean" is so often "folk processed" in "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes is because that name is rarely if ever found in the United States.  

I also believe that another major reason why the name "Billie Jean" is misspelled and/or folk processed in children's rhymes is that a lot of children nowadays don't know that 1982 record. 

Also, it appears to me that a number of children nowadays aren't familiar with Pop star Michael Jackson (which results in lines such as "I pledge allegiance to the flag/Michael Jackson is my dad". 

Another common folk processed version of the name "Billie Jean" is "jelly bean". Since jelly bean candies are so familiar in the United States and the female name "Billie Jean" is so unfamiliar, it's not surprising that some children unknowingly substituted that name for "jelly beans".

I've expanded the category of "folk processing forms of the name "Billie Jean" in these "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes to not only include words such as "levi jeans" or a word such as "jelly bean" but to also include the use of the words "Billie Jean" in ways that suggest that the person doesn't know that "Billie Jean" is a name (let alone a female's name).  Two examples from this pancocojams compilation are "bilajean has no caffeine" and "jellybean is outa sight" 

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SHOWCASE VIDEO OF MICHAEL JACKSON'S SONG "BILLIE JEAN"

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean



michaeljacksonVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 2, 2009

Music video by Michael Jackson performing Billie Jean. © 1982 MJJ Productions Inc.

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SELECTED RHYME EXAMPLES
These ten examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting dates with the oldest examples given first. The line that includes the name "Billie Jean" or a folk etymology form of "Billie Jean" is given in italics to highlight it and not because that line is emphasized during the chant.

Example #1
Down by the river near the hankey pank
where the bullfrogs jump from bank, to bank,
and they say E I O U,
your momma stinks and so do you
so ping pong ding dong
your daddy smells like king kong.
Ask your teacher what she wears,
polka dotted underwear.
Not too big and not too small,
just the size of city hall.
Michael Jackson went to town,
coca-cola brought him down.
Coca-cola brought him up,
now he's drinking 7up.
7up with no cafiene, now he's seein' belgain (pronounced beligene).
Belgain is outta sight,
now we're talking dynamite.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BAM!
-Veggie; cocojams.com [website no longer active] August 21, 2006

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Example #2
I learned this and forgot most of it (not complete! but it goes sort of like this....

Down by the bay in beverly hills
where the bull frog jumps from bank to banky
and the heeps hops, coffee shops,
we all drink mochas and we wear flip flops
(faster)
I pledge allegence to the flag
Michal jackson makes me gag
coca cola has cafeine and now we're talking billy jean
billy jean when out of style now lets sit and talk a while
diddy diddy donkey
daddy had a donkey
donkey died, daddy cried
diddy diddy donkey!
theres a party round the corner wont you please please come
bring your own cappuchinos and your own chewing gum
what is your boy friends name?______ (whoever the clap lands on has to come up with a name)

_______ will be there blowing kisses in the air saying I love ______ (who ever came up with the name) saying I love_____ saying O U T spells you are out!
OR
______will be there blowing kissed in the air singin' I... Love...Ma..Ma...Mia, singin' I love ma...ma...mia singin' O U T spells you are out!
-Guest,mooseormeece?, http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=94034 [hereafter given as Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky, May 21, 2008]

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Example #3
down by the river side hanky panky
were the bullfrogs jump from bank
saying a-e-i-o-u bamboo
a-e-i-o-u bamboo
michel jakson came to town
coca cola shot hem down
dr.pepper fixed him
up now were talking 7-up
7-up has no cafene
now were talking bilajean
bilajean has no caffeine
no caffene no caffeine
1234 shut the door enless u ant to here more
-Guest, maeson A., Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky, June 27, 2008

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Example #4
Down by the river with the hank to pank
where the bullfrog jumped from bank to bank
saying eeps ipes opes oops
chilly willy ding dong
i pledge allegiance to the flag
michael jackson sings so bad
coca cola roots me up
now we're talkin 7Up
7Up has no caffine
now we're talkin billy gene
billy gene whent outta sight
now we're talkin bobby white
bobby white went out of town
riding on a rocket
stuck a feather in his hat
and called it hershey's chocolate"
-Guest, Deana Ashley :); http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=81350 "I’m Rubber; You’re Glue", August 24, 2008
-snip-
"out of sight" = a 1960s African American originated vernacular phrase that meant "exceptional". However, in these "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky" rhymes "out of sight" is almost always given its literal meaning of "someone or something that people are unable to see".

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Example #5
Down by the bank by the hanky pank
where the bullfrog jumped from bank to bank
singing eeeps ops ohps ooops
listen to the rythym of the ding dang dong
michael jackson went to town
pepsi cola shot him down
dr. pepper fixed him up
now we're talking 7up
7up has no caffiene
now we're billie jean
billie jean went down the street singing
dooo waaah diddy didy dum diddy dooo
-Guest; Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky Rhymes; November 6, 2009

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Example #6
Down by the bank of the hanky panky,
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky,
To the Hip Hop Shirley Pop,
I pledge allegience to the flag,
of Michael Jackson makes me gag,
Coca-Cola burnt his butt,
Now he's drinking Seven-Up
Seven-Up has no caffeine,
So Now he's drinking Jelly Bean
Jelly Bean is out of sight,
So Now he's drinking Sprite
Spell it!
S-P-R-I-T-E!
-Guest, Madison from Metro Detroit, Michigan; Mudcat: Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky Rhymes; March 31, 2010

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Example #7
mine goes like:down by the banks of hanky tank
were the bullfrogs jump from bank to bank
saying eeps ipes opes ums
skiddle diddle dong
my brother smells like king kong
pledge allegiance to the flag
micheal jackson is a rat
coca cola blew up
now im drinking 7up
7up has got caffeine
no im drinking billy jean
billy jean is out of sigh
now im drinking sunny light
say 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
your out
-MegaGirlzation, http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=O2CSWmfiNKM; 2010
-snip-
"no" is probably a typo for the word "now".
"out of sigh" is a folk etymology form of the phrase "out of sight".
"your" = "you are"

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Example #8
down by the banks of the hanky panks
fe fi fo fom me say ding dang dong
i pledge allegiance to the flag
Michel Jackson makes me gag
cocola fizes up
now i am talking 7up
7up has no caffeine now
i am talking jelly bean
jellybean is outa sight
now i im talking dynamite
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 boom
and who ever boom land on is out
-Kissyxblythe; http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=iqhvCN0Uvfk, 2011

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Example #9
Down by the banks of the hanky pank,
where the bullfrogs jump from bank 2 bank,
sayin eeps, ipes, opes, oops,
listen to the rhythm of the ding dang dong.
Micheal Jackson went to town,
pepsi cola shot im down
Dr Pepper fixed im up,
now were talkin 7up
7up has no caffine,
now were talkin billy jean.
billy jean was walking down the street singin,
Ooh, I diddy diddy dum diddy doo.
Lincoln, Lincoln I been thinkin.
what on earth have you been drinkin
is it whiskey is it wine
OMG its turpentine 123...9
-MufinCat123, http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=ZC8INeM0w5A, 2011

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Example #10
Its this:

Down by the banks of the hanky panky.
Oops i said yo booty stanky.
Oooh Ahh Skit Skat,
big fat dirty rat.
I pledge alegence to the flag.
Michael jackson is my dad.
Coca cola burning up,
now its time for 7-up.
7-up had no cafine,
now its time for Billy jean.
Billy jean went out of town riding on a pony,
stuck a feather in his head
and called it macaroni.
-uallnomecuz; http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=ZC8INeM0w5A, January 2012

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