Off the Wall

"Off the Wall" is the fifth solo studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released on August 10, 1979, by Epic Records. It was his first album released through Epic Records and his first collaboration with producer Quincy Jones, whom he had previously worked with during the production of the 1978 film "The Wiz". The album incorporates elements of disco, pop, funk, R&B, soft rock, and Broadway-style ballads. Its lyrical themes include escapism, freedom, hedonism, and romance. Songwriting contributions came from artists including Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Rod Temperton, Tom Bahler, and David Foster, alongside three songs written by Jackson himself. Prior to recording the album, Jackson sought greater creative autonomy compared to his earlier work. "Off the Wall" followed his solo releases with Motown Records, which he made between 1972 and 1975: "Got to Be There", "Ben", "Music & Me", and "Forever, Michael". These albums were released while he was also performing with the Jackson 5, later renamed the Jacksons after leaving Motown and signing with CBS Records in 1975. During this period, Jackson increasingly contributed as a songwriter for the group, including on songs such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "This Place Hotel". In 1978, Jackson appeared in the film "The Wiz" as the Scarecrow. The film’s musical arrangements were handled by Quincy Jones, who began collaborating with Jackson during production and later agreed to produce "Off the Wall". The album was recorded between December 4, 1978, and June 3, 1979, in several Los Angeles studios. Production involved multiple recording and mixing engineers, including Bruce Swedien. Jackson also contributed co-production input on his self-written songs. The album includes contributions from Rod Temperton, who wrote multiple tracks, as well as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. "Girlfriend" is a cover of a song originally recorded by Wings. Songs such as "She's Out of My Life" were selected from previously written material, while others were composed specifically for Jackson during the recording process. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was written by Jackson based on a melody he developed. The album’s musical style includes disco and funk-oriented tracks such as "Workin' Day and Night", mid-tempo songs like "Rock with You", and ballads such as "She's Out of My Life". At the time of its release, "Off the Wall" reached number three on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and number one on the Billboard R&B Albums chart, where it remained for 16 weeks. It stayed in the top 10 of the pop albums chart for several months. The album produced five singles, including "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You", both of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Off the Wall" and "She's Out of My Life" also reached the top 10. It was the first album by a solo artist to generate four top 10 singles in the United States from a single release. It was among the best-selling albums in the United States in 1980 and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. In 2025, it was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America for 10 million units sold in the United States. Critical reception at the time of release was generally positive, with reviewers noting Jackson’s vocal performance and the album’s production. Some critics highlighted its stylistic range and its blend of disco, funk, and pop influences. Jackson’s vocal delivery, including his use of falsetto, was frequently discussed in reviews. Retrospective assessments have also described the album as an important release in Jackson’s career development and in late 1970s popular music. The album was nominated for two Grammy Awards, with Jackson winning Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". It also received recognition at the American Music Awards, including awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Album and related categories across 1980 and 1981. In later years, "Off the Wall" was included in several retrospective rankings of albums and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. It was reissued in 2001 and again in 2016, with the latter release accompanied by a documentary titled "Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall". Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.