This outtake is from the Invincible recording sessions which(you guessed it) was cut at the last minute. It may have also been originally meant for the "History" Album. "Escape" is not so much about physical bars as it relates to how the media throws Michael Jackson into a prison of superficiality. All Michael wants to do is get away from it all and be himself!
Around 2003, it was reported that someone(who shouldn't have been trusted) illegally leaked this outtake onto the world wide web. Mr. Jackson's layers quickly filed suit against this guy(mainly for personal reasons). But eventually, Michael allowed it to resurface on the internet along with a handful of others(most of which were meant to be included on his special edition albums which came out around the same time as "Invincible").
In my opinion, I think "Escape"("Xscape") was supposed to be released on "History". Theme of protesting is intermingled throughout. You see, within each era Michael likes to bring on a new image for the world to ponder(just when you thought you knew all about Michael Jackson).
"Escape" Lyrics
Everywhere I turn, no matter where I look,
The systems in control, it's all run by the book,
I've got to get away so I can clear my mind,
Xscape is what I need, away from these electric eyes
No matter where I am, I've seen my face around,
They pin lies to my name, and push them from town to town,
Don't have a place to run, but there's a place to hide,
I've got to, find a place,
So I'll hide away
Xscape, got to get away from a system lose in the world today
Xscape, the pressure that I face from relationships that go away
Xscape, the man with the pen that writes the lies that hassle me
Xscape, I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
(Little Girl)
Sometimes I feel like
I've gotta get away
I tried to share my life with someone I could love
But games and money is all she ever thought about
How could that be my fault when she gambled and lost?
I'm tired of silly games, its time to make a change
Why is it I can't do whatever I want to? (oh)
Went in my personal life and I don't live for you (you)
So don't you try to tell me what is right for me (try it)
You be concerned about you, I can do whatever I want
Xscape, (hoo-hoo) (oh, no)
got to get away from a system loose in the world today
(I've got to get away)
Xscape,
the pressure that I face from relationships that go away
(don't you know I need it?)
Xscape,
the man with the pen that writes the lies that hassle me
(I've got to get away)
Xscape,
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
(get away)
Xscape,
(don't you try it)
got to get away from a system lose in the world today
Xscape,
the pressure that I face from relationships that go away
(pressure that I'm facing every day)
Xscape,
(hoo-hoo)
the man with the pen that writes the lies that hassle me
(come on, now)
Xscape,
(come on, now)
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
(hoo-hoo)
Bridge
When-I-go,(oh, go) this-world-won't-bother me-no-more
(This world won't bother me no more)
(world, bother me, yeah, oh, yeah, hoo)
Xscape(4X)
Xscape, got to get away from a system lose in the world today
(I've got to find a way)
Xscape, the pressure that I face from relationships that go away
(pressure that I'm facing)
Xscape, the man with the pen that writes the lies that hassle me
(why I wanna fly)
Xscape, I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
(I do what I wanna, hoo-hoo)
Xscape, got to get away from a system lose in the world today
Xscape, the pressure that I face from relationships that go away
Xscape, the man with the pen that writes the lies that hassle me
Xscape, I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me (hoo-hoo)
Xscape, got to get away
(I've got find a way)
Xscape, the pressure that I face
(can't take this stuff no more)
Xscape, the man with the pen
(I can't take this stuff no more)
Xscape, I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me
Xscape (auow!)
(You ain't my mother)
Xscape
Got to get away
Xscape
The pressure that I face
Xscape
The man with the pen (get away)
Xscape
I do what I wanna
I do what I wanna cause I gotta face nobody but me (hee-hee-hee)
(Hoo)
Xscape
(what for? I can't take this kind of stuff no more!)
Xscape till fade
You Want me? Come and get me.
