Off the Wall (Michael Jackson song)
1979 single by Michael Jackson
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"Off the Wall" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, from his fifth album of the same name (1979). It was written by English songwriter Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones, and released by Epic Records as the album's second single in the UK on November 16, 1979[1] and as the third single in the US on January 31, 1980. The song was first offered to Karen Carpenter, while she was working on her first solo album, but she turned it down.[3] Lyrically, the song is about getting over troubles.
| "Off the Wall" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Artwork for German and Dutch vinyl releases | ||||
| Single by Michael Jackson | ||||
| from the album Off the Wall | ||||
| B-side | "Get on the Floor" | |||
| Released | ||||
| Recorded | December 1978 – April 1979 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | ||||
| Songwriter | Rod Temperton | |||
| Producer | Quincy Jones | |||
| Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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| Alternative release(s) | ||||
 Side A of the US vinyl single | ||||
| Licensed audio | ||||
| "Off the Wall" on YouTube | ||||
The song was well received by music critics, and became Jackson's third top 10 single from Off the Wall, which eventually spawned four top 10 singles; Jackson was the first solo artist to accomplish this. It was performed by Jackson in five of his concert tours.
Reception
AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine highlighted the song on its studio album.[4] The song became Jackson's third top 10 single from Off the Wall. It peaked at number ten on the Pop Singles Chart and at number five on the Billboard Soul Singles Chart.
Cash Box called it "another killer" after "Rock with You" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", saying that "a fluid, sashaying dance beat rocks the cut."[5]
Other versions and samples
Mariah Carey interpolated "Off the Wall" on her song "I'm That Chick", which is included in her 2008 album E=MC².[6]
Vaporwave producer Saint Pepsi sampled "Off the Wall" in the song "Enjoy Yourself", a line featured in the original song's chorus.
PinkPantheress sampled "Off the Wall" in her 2021 single "Just a Waste".[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Off the Wall" (remix[a]) | 4:01 |
| 2. | "Workin' Day and Night" | 5:10 |
| Total length: | 9:10 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Off the Wall" (7" remix[a]) | 3:47 |
| 2. | "Get on the Floor" | 4:38 |
| Total length: | 8:26 | |
Official versions
- Album version – 4:05
- Remix – 4:01
- 7" remix – 3:47
- Edit – 3:46 – Featured on the Essential Collection is an early fade of the album version.
- Junior Vasquez mix – 5:13 – Featured on the Stranger in Moscow single.
- Live – 4:00 – Featured on The Jacksons Live!.
US and Japanese singles feature the remix running 3:47, while the UK and the rest of the world got the other remix running 4:01.
Personnel
- Written and composed by Rod Temperton
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
- Michael Jackson: Lead and background vocals
- Louis Johnson: Bass
- John Robinson: Drums
- David Williams, Marlo Henderson: Guitars
- Greg Phillinganes: Rhodes piano, synthesizer
- Michael Boddicker: Synthesizer programming
- George Duke: Synthesizer, synthesizer programming
- Paulinho da Costa: Percussion
- Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns:
- Jerry Hey: Trumpet, flugelhorn
- Larry Williams: Tenor and alto saxophones, flute
- Kim Hutchcroft: Baritone and tenor saxophones, flute
- William Reichenbach: Trombone
- Gary Grant: Trumpet
- Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Rod Temperton
- Sound effects by George Duke
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Notes
- No version description listed on the actual single.