LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE #34. Why You Wanna Trip On Me?

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LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE

Do you take delight in watching films or listening to pop music? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.


 

#34.  Michael Jackson’s Song : “Why You Wanna Trip On Me?”

 

“They say I'm different, they don't understand

But there's a bigger problem that's much more in demand

You got world hunger, not enough to eat

So there's really no time to be trippin' on me

So tell me (why)

Why you wanna trip on me”

 

=> The slang “trip on someone” goes back to the 1990s urban expression that means “to overreact/ to make an issue out of something/ to get upset, to make trouble/ to act irrationally, or to create obstacles”.  In this song, Michael Jackson is criticizing people who pay unnecessary or bothersome attention/ unfair treat on him or undermine the singer all the time. It refers to the mixed feelings of bewilderment and reproach: “Why are you making trouble for me?” / “Why are you acting like that toward me?”

 


 

** Jean’s small thoughts:

Do you think you are somewhat infomaniac? How confident are you with all the information that you gain day in and day out? We live in an information-driven era that is frequently flooded with misinformation and disinformation. As a result, anyone can easily fall prey to fabricated or manipulated rumors. Amid constant gossip and false narratives, people—especially prominent public figures and influential leaders—can become targets of media overexposure and sensationalism. They even take their own lives in the uncontrollable swamp of cancel culture.

I share Michael Jackson’s view in this song that we should not attack or mistreat innocent individuals when there are far more important issues deserving our focus. Instead, we should stop turning against one another.

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