The Meaning Behind The Song: That’s What You Get (For Being Polite) by The Jacksons
The Jacksons, formerly known as The Jackson 5, is a renowned American family music group that rose to fame in the 1960s. One of their popular songs, “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite),” was released in 1978 under their album “Destiny.” The song was written by the group’s lead singer, Michael Jackson, along with his brothers Marlon and Randy Jackson. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)” by The Jacksons.
The Story Behind The Song
“That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)” is a funky, upbeat dance song that tells a cautionary tale about being too nice to people who take advantage of you. In the song, Michael Jackson sings about a guy who’s always been polite to a girl he’s interested in. However, she has never shown any interest in him and instead prefers to hang out with guys who treat her badly.
The song’s lyrics reveal that the guy has finally had enough of being treated badly and decides to move on. As the chorus goes, “You’ve been living in a fantasy, you can’t believe that I am not gonna be your man. I guess that’s what you get for being polite.”
The Message
The message behind “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)” is pretty clear. It’s a warning to people who are too nice and accommodating to others, even when they’re not being treated fairly. The song suggests that sometimes being too polite can result in getting taken advantage of and being left with nothing.
The song’s message can be applied to various situations, such as relationships, friendships, and even in professional settings. It’s a reminder that being too nice and accommodating can sometimes be detrimental to our well-being, and it’s important to draw boundaries and stand up for ourselves when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who wrote “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)”?
The song was written by Michael Jackson, along with his brothers Marlon and Randy Jackson.
2. What album is “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)” in?
The song is in The Jacksons’ album “Destiny,” released in 1978.
3. What’s the message behind “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)”?
The song warns about the danger of being too nice to people who take advantage of one’s kindness and politeness.
4. What genre is “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)”?
The song is a funky, upbeat dance tune.
5. Who is the lead singer in “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)”?
The lead singer is Michael Jackson.
6. What is the song’s chorus?
The chorus goes, “You’ve been living in a fantasy, you can’t believe that I am not gonna be your man. I guess that’s what you get for being polite.”
7. What’s the story behind the song?
“That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)” is a cautionary tale about a guy being too nice to a girl he likes, but she prefers to hang out with guys who treat her badly.
8. What’s the significance of the song’s title?
The title suggests that being too polite can sometimes result in negative consequences, as the song’s message warns.
9. What’s the song’s tempo?
The song’s tempo is relatively fast-paced, with a beat suitable for dancing.
10. What’s the instrumentation of “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)”?
The song features a blend of guitars, drums, bass, and various percussion instruments that create a funky dance vibe.
11. What’s the song’s legacy?
“That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)” is regarded as a classic tune from The Jacksons, and it still resonates with people today due to its relevance.
12. What’s Michael Jackson’s contribution to the song?
Michael Jackson not only wrote the song but also sang the lead vocals in the track, contributing significantly to its success.
