Don't Be Messin' 'Round is a song performed by Michael Jackson that originated during the recording sessions for his 1987 album Bad. Although it was not included on the original Bad track list, the song surfaced decades later on the 2012 anniversary compilation Bad 25 as one of several previously unreleased tracks drawn from the creative vault of that era.

Composition and style

The track is broadly described as an uptempo R&B and funk-infused number, built around a driving rhythmic groove and spirited vocal performance. Jackson delivers playful, insistent lyrics that fit the flirtatious warning implied by the title. Arrangement elements associated with the Bad period—tight rhythm work, punchy accents, and energetic backing parts—help place the song sonically within the late-1980s pop-R&B context.

Recording and history

Recorded during the sessions for Bad, the song is one of several outtakes that did not make the final 1987 album. Like many artists, Jackson recorded more material than could be accommodated on a single release; these tracks sometimes remain in archives until revisited for retrospective projects. The Bad sessions were overseen by Jackson with collaborators active at the time, and the rediscovery of this song offers a window into that creative process.

Release and reception

Its appearance on Bad 25 in 2012 attracted attention from fans and commentators interested in previously unheard material from a peak period of Jackson's career. While not released as a major single, the song was valued for its historical interest and for expanding public knowledge of the musical directions explored during the Bad era.

Notable points

  • Was recorded during the Bad album sessions but omitted from the 1987 release.
  • Issued officially as part of the Bad 25 anniversary compilation in 2012.
  • Serves as an example of how anniversary editions can reveal studio outtakes and the breadth of an artist's work.

For listeners exploring Jackson's catalog, the track provides context about the breadth of material recorded around Bad and illustrates how archival releases can reshape appreciation of a well-known album era.