Off the Wall (Michael Jackson song)

"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 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. Lyrically, the song is about getting over troubles.

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 person 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. 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."

Live performances
Jackson performed the song on the Jacksons' Destiny World Tour's (1979) second leg, as well as the Triumph Tour (1981) and the Victory Tour (1984). He performed the song only on the first leg of his Bad tour (1987), his first solo tour. During the HIStory World Tour (1996), the song was included on the Off the Wall medley (also featuring the songs "Rock with You" and "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough") on some concert playlists. A live performance of the song can be seen in One Night in Japan, a bootleg live album and DVD release of Jackson's 1987 concert in Yokohama, Japan, during the Bad tour.

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

Vaporwave producer Saint Pepsi sampled "Off the Wall" in the song "Enjoy Yourself", a line featured in the original song's chorus. The music video featured scenes from a McDonald's commercial with the character Mac Tonight.

PinkPantheress sampled "Off the Wall" in her 2021 single "Just a Waste".

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.
 * 6) 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 and Michael Jackson
 * 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: 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, 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