Beat It foi escrita por Michael Jackson para seu álbum Thriller de 1982. A música foi inspirada pelo desejo de Jackson de criar uma canção de rock que tivesse um apelo crossover. Quincy Jones, produtor do álbum, sugeriu a inclusão de um solo de guitarra, o qual foi tocado por Eddie Van Halen. A letra da música fala sobre evitar violência e fugir de brigas, refletindo preocupações sobre juventude e violência na época.
They told him, Don't you ever come around here. Don't wanna see your face, You better disappear The fires 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 wanna see no blood Don't be a macho man You wanna be tough Better do what you can So beat it But you wanna be bad
Just beat (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 Just beat it Just beat it Just beat it
They're out to get you Better leave while you can Don't wanna be a boy You wanna be a man You wanna 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 its fair So beat it But you wanna be bad
Just beat (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 Just beat it Just beat it Just beat it