Off the Wall is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on August 10, 1979 by Epic Records following Jackson’s critically well-received film performance in the The Wiz. While working on that project, Jackson and Quincy Jones had become friends, and Jones agreed to work with Jackson on his next studio album. Recording sessions took place between December 1978 and June 1979 at Allen Zentz Recording, Westlake Recording Studios, and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California. Jackson collaborated with a number of other writers and performers such as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Rod Temperton. Five singles were released from the album. Three of the singles had music videos released. Jackson wrote three of the songs himself, including the number-one Grammy-winning single “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. It was his first solo release under Epic Records, the label he would record on until his death roughly 30 years later.
The record was a departure from Jackson’s previous work for Motown. The lyrical themes on the record relate to escapism, liberation, loneliness, hedonism and romance. Several critics observed that Off the Wall was crafted from funk, disco, soft rock, jazz and pop ballads. Jackson received positive reviews for his vocal performance on the record. The record gained critical acclaim and recognition and won the singer his first Grammy Award. With Off the Wall, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album peak inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album was an enormous commercial success; as of 2014 it is certified eight times platinum in the United States and has reportedly sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling albums of all time.
On October 16, 2001, a special edition reissue of Off the Wall was released by Sony Records. Recent reviews by AllMusic and Blender have continued to praise Off the Wall for its appeal in the 21st century. In 2003, the album was ranked number 68 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The National Association of Recording Merchandisers listed it at number 80 of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time. In 2008, Off the Wall was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Tracks
1 Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson) 6:05 2 Rock With You (Rod Tempterton) 3:40 3 Workin’ Day And Night (Michael Jackson) 5:13 4 Get On The Floor (Michael Jackson, Louis Johnson) 4:39 5 Off The Wall (Rod Tempterton) 4:06 6 Girlfriend (Paul McCartney) 3:05 7 She’s Out Of My Life (Tom Bahler) 3:38 8 I Can’t Help It (Stevie Wonder, Susaye Greene) 4:29 9 It’s The Falling In Love (Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster) 3:48 10 Burn This Disco Out (Rod Tempterton) 3:44
Musicians
1 Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - David Williams Guitar - Marlo Henderson Piano - Greg Phillinganes Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Jerry Hey Trumpet - Gary Grant Percussion - Paulinho Da Costa Percussion - Randy Jackson Percussion - Rick Heath Background Vocals - Augie Johnson Background Vocals - Jim Gilstrap Background Vocals - Paulette McWilliams Background Vocals - Zedric Williams Background Vocals - Mortonette Jenkins
2 Rock With You Bass - Bobby Watson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - David Williams Guitar - Marlo Henderson Piano - David Wolinski Synthesizer - Greg Phillinganes Synthesizer - Michael Boddicker Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trumpet - Jerry Hey Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant
3 Workin’ Day And Night Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - Wah Wah Watson Guitar - Phil Upchurch Piano - Greg Phillinganes Trumpet - Jerry Hey Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant Percussion - Paulinho Da Costa
4 Get On The Floor Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - Wah Wah Watson Clavinet - Greg Phillinganes Trumpet - Jerry Hey Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant Percussion - Paulinho Da Costa Background Vocals - Augie Johnson Background Vocals - Jim Gilstrap Background Vocals - Mortonette Jenkins Background Vocals - Paulette McWilliams Background Vocals - Zedric Williams
5 Off The Wall Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - David Williams Guitar - Marlo Henderson Piano - Greg Phillinganes Synthesizer - George Duke Synthesizer - Greg Phillinganes Programming - Michael Boddicker Trumpet - Jerry Hey Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant Percussion - Paulinho Da Costa
6 Girlfriend Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - Marlo Henderson Guitar - Wah Wah Watson Piano - Greg Phillinganes Programming - Steve Porcaro Synthesizer - George Duke Synthesizer - David Foster Trumpet - Jerry Hey Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant
7 She’s Out Of My Life Bass - Louis Johnson Guitar - Larry Carlton Piano - Greg Phillinganes
8 I Can’t Help It Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Piano - Greg Phillinganes Synthesizer - Greg Phillinganes Trumpet - Jerry Hey Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant Percussion - Paulinho Da Costa
9 It’s The Falling In Love Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - Marlo Henderson Guitar - WahWah Watson Piano - Greg Phillinganes Programming - Steve Porcaro Synthesizer - David Foster Trumpet - Jerry Hey Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant Background Vocals - Patti Austin
10 Burn This Disco Out Bass - Louis Johnson Drums - JR Robinson Guitar - David Williams Guitar - Marlo Henderson Piano - Greg Phillinganes Trumpet - Jerry Hey Sax - Larry Williams Sax - Kim Hutchcroft Trombone - Bill Reichenbach Trumpet - Gary Grant Percussion - Paulinho Da Costa
Liner Notes
Producer – Quincy Jones Co-producer – Michael Jackson (Tracks 1, 3) Arranged By (Horns) – Jerry Hey (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) Arranged By (Percussion, Rhythm, Vocals) – Michael Jackson (Tracks 1, 3) Arranged By (Rhythm)- Greg Phillinganes (Tracks 1, 3, 6, 8) Arranged By (Rhythm) – Quincy Jones (Track 4) Arranged By (Rhythm) – Louis Johnson (Track 4) Arranged By (Rhythm) – Tom Bahler (Track 6) Arranged By (Rhythm) – David Foster (Track 9) Arranged By (Rhythm, Vocals) – Rod Temperton (Track 2, 5, 10) Arranged By (Rhythm, Vocals) – Quincy Jones (Tracks 6, 9) Arranged By (Strings) – Benjamin Wright (Tracks 1, 2, 4) Arranged By (Strings) – Johnny Mandel (Tracks 7, 8) Arranged By (Vocals) – Michael Jackson (Track 6) Arranged By (Vocals) – Tom Bahler (Track 9) Concertmaster – Gerald Vinci (Tracks 2, 7, 8) Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Bruce Swedien Recorded By – Bruce Swedien Recorded By (Assistant) – Ed Cherney, Erik Zobler, Frank D’Amico, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mitch Gibson, Rick Ash, Steve Conger Design – Mike Salisbury Photography – Stephen Harvey Mixed At Westlake Audio Recorded At Allen Zentz Recording Recorded At Westlake Audio Recorded At Cherokee Studios Mastered At A&M Studios Phonographic Copyright CBS Inc
