Today (yesterday) I learned the correct way to play the song under discussion. Turns out I've had it wrong for the past year, and have been accenting the wrong notes (the first note of every 4 beats) instead of the first and fourth of the first bar.

Billie Jean's bass-line goes: ONE two three FOUR one two three four ONE two three FOUR one two three four

The song's funkiness comes from that misplaced beat. I guess since it comes "early" it subliminally effects you. Just makes you wanna dance or at least move something. It's really quite genius.