<!--The FFD discussion on the images was closed as "no consensus", defaulting to keeping both. Please do not remove those images. You may re-nominate them for discussion if you wish.-->

"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 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 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.

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."

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.

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".

Track listing

Official versions

  1. Album version – 4:05
  2. Remix – 4:01
  3. 7" remix – 3:47
  4. Edit – 3:46 <small> – Featured on the Essential Collection is an early fade of the album version.</small>
  5. Junior Vasquez mix – 5:13 <small> – Featured on the Stranger in Moscow single.</small>
  6. Live – 4:00 <small> – Featured on The Jacksons Live!.</small>

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

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+1979–1980 weekly chart performance for "Off the Wall"

!scope="col"|Chart (1979–1980)

!scope="col"|Peak<br />position

|-

!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)

|94

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

!scope="row"|South Africa (Springbok Radio)

|20

|-

|-

|-

!scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100

|10

|-

!scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)

|5

|-

!scope="row"|US Cash Box Top 100

|11

|-

!scope="row"|US Radio & Records CHR/Pop Airplay Chart

|9

|}

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2009 weekly chart performance for "Off the Wall"

!scope="col"|Chart (2009)

!scope="col"|Peak<br />position

|-

|-

|-

|-

!scope="row"|US Digital Songs (Billboard)

|51

|}

Year-end charts

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Year-end chart performance for "Off the Wall"

!scope="col"|Chart (1980)

!scope="col"|Position

|-

|-

!scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100

|79

|-

!scope="row"|US Cash Box Top 100

|84

|}

Certifications

Notes

References