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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Michael Jackson moonwalk” is a common card of the Memes World series 77, number 22933 of the collection, and the 64th best-known meme of its 141 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Michael Jackson moonwalk” meme mean?
The meme turns a famous dance into a visual reaction. Jackson seems to move backward while remaining composed, making the clip a neat way to signal withdrawal, avoidance, or a graceful exit. It also suits moments that call for an exaggerated response rather than an ordinary departure. The humor comes from the contrast between retreating and looking completely in control.
Where does the “Michael Jackson moonwalk” meme come from?
The footage comes from Michael Jackson performing “Billie Jean” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 25, 1983. The performance was part of NBC’s television special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever,” broadcast on May 16, 1983. Its first showing was on television, not an online platform. The move, also known as the “backslide,” predates Jackson’s performance: Jeffrey Daniel had performed it on “Soul Train” in 1979. Jackson did not invent the step, but his performance helped make it famous worldwide. Later, images and clips of the dance circulated online as memes, often suggesting a stylish retreat or a dramatic reaction. The available sources do not identify when the online meme began or where its first version appeared.
- 1979Jeffrey Daniel performs the move on “Soul Train.”
- March 25, 1983Michael Jackson performs “Billie Jean” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
- May 16, 1983NBC broadcasts the performance in its special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.”
How to use the “Michael Jackson moonwalk” meme
- Leave an awkward conversation by sharing Jackson’s moonwalk.
- React to bad news with a clip that signals a stylish retreat.
- Show a character making a theatrical exit after an unexpected announcement.
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The “Michael Jackson moonwalk” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22933 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | Memes World series 77 |
| Fame | 50/100 · #64 of 141 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
| Suggested by | @grimshal |
How to get the “Michael Jackson moonwalk” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Michael Jackson moonwalk comes out of the Memes World series 77 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Michael Jackson moonwalk”
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Michael Jackson moonwalk meme mean?
It often represents backing away or leaving with style. It can also be used as a dramatic reaction to a situation.
Who invented the moonwalk?
Michael Jackson did not invent it. Jeffrey Daniel had performed the move on “Soul Train” in 1979, before Jackson helped popularize it.
Where is the Michael Jackson moonwalk clip from?
The familiar footage comes from his “Billie Jean” performance for NBC’s “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.” It was recorded on March 25, 1983, and broadcast on May 16.
Was the Michael Jackson moonwalk originally an internet meme?
No. It began as a televised performance that became a cultural reference, then was reused online as an image or video meme.
How do I get the Michael Jackson moonwalk meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Michael Jackson moonwalk” is a common card of the Memes World series 77. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Michael Jackson moonwalk card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Michael Jackson · Turn 360 Degrees and Walk Away - Know Your Meme · Michael Jackson Meme: The Day The Internet Broke (2009) · checked on November 4, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.