Off the Wall

"Off the Wall"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Off the Wall
B-side	"Working Day and Night" "Get on the Floor" (USA)
Released	February 2, 1980
Format	7" single
Recorded	1979
Genre	Disco, Funk
Length	4:06 (Album Version) 4:01 (Remix) 3:47 (7" Remix)
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	Rod Temperton
Producer	Quincy Jones
Certification	Gold (USA)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Rock with You" (1979) "Off the Wall" (1980) "She's Out of My Life" (1980)
Off the Wall track listing "Get on the Floor" (4) "Off the Wall" (5) "Girlfriend" (6)

"Off the Wall" is the third single released from singer Michael Jackson's album of the same name.

Released on February 2, 1980,^[1] the Rod Temperton-composed number became Jackson's third top 10 single from Off the Wall, which eventually spawned four top 10 singles; Jackson was the first person to accomplish this. The song is about getting over troubles: "leave that nine-to-five upon the shelf / and just enjoy yourself". The song peaked at number ten on the Pop Singles Chart and at number five on the Billboard Soul Singles Chart.

Michael Jackson performed the song on the Jacksons' Destiny Tour's second leg, as well as the Triumph Tour, Victory Tour. He performed the song on his first solo tour the Bad World Tour. He also performed it during the HIStory World Tour, but only a part of the Off the Wall medley on certain concerts.

Mariah Carey sampled "Off the Wall" on her song "I'm That Chick", which is included in her 2008 album E=MC².

Track listing

Official versions

1. Album Version – 4:05
2. Remix – 4:01
3. 7" Remix – 3:47
4. Edit – 3:46 – Featured on the Essential Collection is an early fade of the album version.
5. Junior Vasquez Mix – 5:13 – Featured on the Stranger in Moscow single.

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.

Charts

Personnel

• Written and composed by Rod Temperton
• Produced by Quincy Jones
• Michael Jackson: Lead and background vocals
• Louis Johnson: Bass
• John Robinson: Drums
• David Williams, Marlo Henderson: Guitars
• Greg Phillinganes: Electric 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 and flugelhorn
  • Larry Williams: Tenor, alto saxophones and flute
  • Kim Hutchcroft: Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute
  • William Reichenbach: Trombone
  • Gary Grant: Trumpet
• Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Rod Temperton

References