Off the Wall
Off the Wall | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 10, 1979 | |||
Recorded | December 4, 1978 – June 3, 1979[1] | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:24 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Michael Jackson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Off the Wall | ||||
|
Off the Wall is the fifth
Between 1972 and 1975, Jackson released a total of four solo studio albums with Motown as part of The Jackson 5 franchise: Got to Be There (1972), Ben (1972), Music & Me (1973) and Forever, Michael (1975). Before recording his next album, which came to be Off the Wall, Jackson desired to create a record not sounding like a Jacksons record, but rather showcasing creative freedom and individualism. Off the Wall peaked at number three on the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart and number one on the Top Black Albums chart, staying at number one on the latter for 16 weeks, and was an enormous critical success. Five singles were released from the album. Jackson wrote three songs, including the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", his first solo number-one single in the United States since "Ben" seven years prior. The second single, "Rock with You", also topped the chart. With following singles "Off the Wall" and "She's Out of My Life" also reaching the US top 10, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Off the Wall was a significant departure from Jackson's previous work for Motown and was hailed as a major breakthrough for him. In retrospect, writers have hailed it a landmark release of the disco era and, along with his next album Thriller (1982), among the greatest albums in history. Off the Wall has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. On February 2, 2021, it was certified 9× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the US. At the 1980 Grammy Awards, it was nominated for two Grammy Awards, with Jackson winning Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". In 2008, Off the Wall was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Background
Between 1972 and 1975, Jackson released a total of four solo studio albums with Motown:
In 1978, Jackson starred as
Production
When Jackson began the Off the Wall project he was not sure what he wanted as the final result; however, he did not want another record that sounded like The Jacksons, but rather he wanted more creative freedom, something he had not been allowed on prior albums.
Jones produced "Off the Wall", with co-production credit given to Jackson on the songs he wrote for the album. Songwriters included Jackson,
"She's Out of My Life" had been written for Jones by Tom Bahler three years earlier. Jackson heard and enjoyed it, and Jones allowed him to use it on the record.[16] Jones called in Heatwave's keyboardist Rod Temperton to write three songs. The intention was for Jackson and Jones to select one of his songs, but Jackson, liking them all, included all of them in the final cut.[16] Jackson stayed up all night to learn the lyrics to these songs instead of singing from a sheet. He finished the vocals to these three Temperton songs in two recording sessions.[16] Temperton took a different approach to his songwriting after spending some time researching the background to Jackson's music style. Temperton mixed his traditional harmony segments with the idea of adding shorter note melodies to suit Jackson's aggressive style.[16] Jackson wrote "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" after humming a melody in his kitchen.[19] After listening to hundreds of songs, Jackson and Jones decided upon a batch to record.[19] In hindsight, Jones believed they took a lot of risks in the production of Off the Wall and the final choice of album tracks.[16] Attention was also paid to the album cover, which shows Jackson smiling, wearing a tuxedo and trademark socks. John Branca, Jackson's manager stated, "The tuxedo was the overall plan for the Off the Wall project and package. The tuxedo was our idea, the socks were Michael'".[20]
Music and vocals
Music critics
With the arrival of Off the Wall in the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded; AllMusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine described him as a "blindingly gifted vocalist".[22] At the time, Rolling Stone compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbered tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling falsetto that's used very daringly".[24] Writer, journalist and biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli expressed the opinion that Jackson sings with "sexy falsetto" vocals in "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".[19] Taraborrelli also stated, "Fans and industry peers alike were left with their mouths agape when Off the Wall was issued to the public. Fans proclaimed that they hadn't heard him sing with such joy and abandon since the early Jackson 5 days".[20]
Release and commercial reception
Off the Wall was released on August 10, 1979. It peaked at number three on the
On October 16, 2001, a special edition reissue of Off the Wall was released by Sony Records.[22] It was re-released again on February 26, 2016. The material found strong praise from critics more than 20 years after the original release. On January 7, 2016, Sony Music and The Estate of Michael Jackson announced that Off the Wall would be reissued and packaged with a new documentary directed by Spike Lee titled Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall. The reissue and documentary were both released on February 26, 2016.[31]
Singles
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was released on July 10, 1979, under
"Rock with You" also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Jackson's third number-one single of his career and it also reached the top spot on R&B charts. It spent four consecutive weeks at number one starting January 19, 1980, and was the fourth-biggest single of 1980.[35]
In February the album's title track was released as a single, and went to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a top 10 hit in four countries.[36] "She's Out of My Life" was released after that, also reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June.[37] The song was also one of Jackson's slowest songs, with a tempo of 66 beats per minute.[38] Off the Wall became the first album by a solo artist to generate four US top 10 hits.[39]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [42] |
Entertainment Weekly | A−[43] |
Pitchfork | 10/10[44] |
Q | [45] |
Rolling Stone | [46] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [47] |
Sounds | [48] |
Off the Wall was hailed as a major breakthrough for Jackson, while receiving widespread critical recognition, along with praises, from major music publications. In a 1979 review of the album, Rolling Stone magazine contributor Stephen Holden praised Jackson's maturity and transition from his early Motown material, stating that the album "represents discofied post-Motown glamour at its classiest." Holden went on to compare Jackson to Stevie Wonder, another Motown performer who began recording at a young age and gained critical acclaim for his transition.[21]
In The Village Voice, critic Robert Christgau credited Jackson and Quincy Jones with "fashion[ing] the dance groove of the year" and stated that "Michael's vocabulary of grunts, squeals, hiccups, moans, and asides is a vivid reminder that he's grown up."[49] In a review for Melody Maker Phil McNeill expressed the opinion that in Off the Wall Jackson sounded comfortable, confident and in control. He believed "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" had a "classy" introduction and that it was the best song on the album. He also praised "Rock with You", describing it as "masterful". The reviewer concurred with a colleague that Jackson was "probably the best singer in the world right now in terms of style and technique".[50] Giving the album a favorable review in Smash Hits, David Hepworth said that Jackson "sings like an angel".[51] Sounds shared the same point of view, qualifying Jackson's voice as "astonishingly agile".[48]
In 1980, Jackson won three awards at the
Legacy and influence
Impact
"...the album that established him (Jackson) as an artist of astonishing talent and a bright star in his own right. This was a visionary album, a record that found a way to break disco wide open into a new world where the beat was undeniable."
Off the Wall is widely considered by critics and publications as one of the greatest albums of all time. Although it was not as commercially successful as Bad, Dangerous and HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, the album is often debated by critics between itself and Thriller as Jackson's best.[52][53] According to some music journalists, it epitomized the peak of the disco era, being part of a group of landmark disco albums including Donna Summer's Bad Girls (1979) and Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever (1977).[54][55][56]
James Wilson-Taylor of
During
According to the same writer,
"Off The Wall transcended music and entertainment altogether [to Black America]. The success of the album marked a level of national and international achievement that conjured pride in a culture that as late as the end of the 1970s was still fighting for the kind of social acceptance that Jackson's album received. Because of Off the Wall's indelible influence, 21st century artists as disparate as Beyonce, Pharrell, Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd all have a blueprint they turned to for creating their superstardom."
Reappraisal
Recent reviews have continued to praise Off the Wall for its appeal in the 21st century. Blender gave the record a full five star review stating that it was, "A blockbuster party LP that looked beyond funk to the future of dance music, and beyond soul ballads to the future of heart-tuggers—in fact, beyond R&B to color-blind pop. Hence, the forgivable Wings cover".[40] AllMusic gave the record a five star review, praising the record's disco-tinged funk and mainstream pop blend, along with Jackson's songwriting and Jones' crafty production.[22] The publication believed, "[Off the Wall] is an enormously fresh record, one that remains vibrant and giddily exciting years after its release".[22]
A writer for Rolling Stone wrote "the unstoppable dance tracks on Off the Wall – sculpted by Jackson and producer Quincy Jones – remain more or less perfect examples of why disco didn't suck. 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', 'Rock With You' and 'Burn This Disco Out' still get the party started today."[63] David O'Donnell, writing for the BBC, described Off the Wall as "one of the finest pop albums ever made" and showcasing Jackson as a "gifted and versatile vocalist, comfortable performing on ballads as well as upbeat disco tracks."[64] Tom Ewing of The Guardian regarded Off the Wall as superior to Thriller: "... we can say with more certainty that Thriller will keep its position as the highest-selling LP ever – but it's Off the Wall that critics routinely hail as Jackson's masterpiece." and also wrote "... with [Off the Wall] Jackson and his mentor Jones made pop's great coming-of-age album."[65] In August 2018, on the occasion of what would have been Jackson's 60th birthday, Entertainment Weekly reevaluated the album, giving it a score of A−, saying that the album was Jackson's first musical statement as an adult, that it was "a featherweight rapture of disco-flecked R&B" containing dance-floor favorites and some lesser songs.[66] Wilson-Taylor also claimed that Off the Wall is "arguably, the greatest pop album of all time" and credited it for being the pathway of Jackson becoming a "genuine musical phenomenon".
Rankings
In 2003, Off the Wall was ranked number 68 on Rolling Stone's list of
In 2008, Off the Wall was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was ranked number 56 in The Guardian's list of the 100 Best Albums Ever.[74] Additionally, The Guardian's list of the 50 Key Events in the History of Pop Music ranked 'Michael Jackson starts work on Off the Wall' at number 23.[65] The album was ranked at number 85 on Consequence of Sound's list of The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time.[67] In 2015, Billboard ranked Off the Wall at number 149 on its list of the Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums.[75] It was also ranked third in their list of the Greatest of All Time Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, out of 100 albums.[76] Uncut ranked Off the Wall at number 46 on its list of the 200 Greatest Albums Of All Time.[77] In 2019, The Independent included it in its list of The 40 Best Albums to Listen to Before You Die.[78]
Accolades
Organization | Country | Accolade | Year | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grammy Awards
|
United States | Grammy Hall of Fame | 2008 | [79] |
American Music Awards | United States | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | 1980 | [80] |
American Music Awards | United States | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | 1981 | [80] |
Billboard Music Awards
|
United States | Top Black Album | 1980 | [81] |
Billboard | United States | Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums (Ranked #149) | 2015 | [75] |
National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) / Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
|
United States | Definitive 200 Albums of All Time (Ranked #80) | 2007 | [82] |
Quintessence Editions | United Kingdom | 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die | 2003 | [71] |
Rolling Stone | United States | 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (Ranked #68) | 2012 | [69] |
Rolling Stone | United States | 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (Ranked #36) | 2020 | [70] |
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" | Michael Jackson |
| 6:05 |
2. | "Rock with You" | Rod Temperton | Jones | 3:40 |
3. | "Workin' Day and Night" | Jackson |
| 5:14 |
4. | "Get on the Floor" |
|
| 4:50 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
5. | "Off the Wall" | Temperton | Jones | 4:06 |
6. | "Girlfriend" | Paul McCartney | Jones | 3:04 |
7. | "She's Out of My Life" | Tom Bahler | Jones | 3:38 |
8. | "I Can't Help It" | Jones | 4:30 | |
9. | "It's the Falling in Love" (feat. Patti Austin) | Jones | 3:48 | |
10. | "Burn This Disco Out" | Temperton | Jones | 3:42 |
Notes
- The original LP, cassette pressings and some early CD issues pressed in Japan contain the original mixes of "Rock with You" and "Get on the Floor".
- Every song on the album is available either as A or B sides of single releases both in 7 or 12 inch format. Seven of the songs out of ten saw US release either as A or B sides and the UK had the remaining three songs available also as A or B sides of singles. As of 2000 the singles are available in both 7 and 12 inch formats and few different mixes, even though some releases have been more targeted to a UK/Europe audience. The original album mix of the title track is not available as a single and the original mix was kept for future reissues of the album, unlike the two songs mentioned in the upper note, the single mix did not replace the title track on all future reissues.
Personnel
Personnel as listed in the album's booklet.[83]
- vocals(all tracks), background vocals (1-6, 9, 10), co-producer (1, 3, 4), percussion (1, 3), vocal arrangements (1, 3, 4, 6), rhythm and percussion arrangements (1, 3)
- vocals(track 9)
- Tom Bahler – rhythm arrangement (track 6), vocal arrangement (9)
- Michael Boddicker – synthesizer (track 2), programming (5, 8)
- Larry Carlton – guitar (track 7)
- percussion(tracks 1, 3-5, 8, 10)
- George Duke – synthesizer and synthesizer programming (tracks 5, 6)
- David Foster – synthesizer (tracks 6, 9), rhythm arrangement (9)
- Jim Gilstrap – background vocals (tracks 1, 4)
- Gary Grant – trumpet (tracks 1-6, 8-10)
- Richard Heath – percussion (track 1)
- Marlo Henderson – guitar (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10)
- Jerry Hey – horn arrangements, trumpet, and flugelhorn (tracks 1-6, 8-10)
- Kim Hutchcroft – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, and flute (tracks 1-6, 8-10)
- Randy Jackson– percussion (track 1)
- Mortonette Jenkins – background vocals (tracks 1, 4)
- Augie Johnson – background vocals (tracks 1, 4)
- Louis Johnson – bass guitar (tracks 1, 3-10), rhythm arrangement (4)
- Quincy Jones – producer (all tracks), rhythm arrangements (4, 6, 9), vocal arrangements (6, 9)
- Johnny Mandel – strings arrangement (tracks 7, 8)
- Paulette McWilliams – background vocals (tracks 1, 4)
- Greg Phillinganes – electric piano (tracks 1, 3, 5-10), synthesizer (1, 2, 5, 8), clavinet (4), rhythm arrangements (1, 3, 6, 8)
- Steve Porcaro – synthesizer programming (tracks 6, 9)
- Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone (tracks 1-6, 8-10)
- drums(tracks 1-6, 8-10), percussion (3)
- Bruce Swedien – recording engineer and audio mixer (all tracks)
- Rod Temperton – rhythm and vocal arrangements (tracks 2, 5, 10)
- Phil Upchurch – guitar (track 3)
- Gerald Vinci – concertmaster (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 8)
- Bobby Watson – bass guitar (track 2)
- Wah Wah Watson – guitar (tracks 4, 6, 9)
- David Williams – guitar (tracks 1-3, 5, 10)
- Larry Williams – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, and flute (tracks 1-6, 8-10), alto saxophone solo (6)
- Zedrick Williams – background vocals (tracks 1, 4)
- Fender Rhodes(track 2)
- Stevie Wonder – rhythm arrangement (track 8)
- Ben Wright – strings arrangements (tracks 1, 2, 4)
Charts
Weekly charts
|
|
Year-end charts
|
|
Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[111] | 5× Platinum | 350,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[113] | Platinum | 300,000[112] |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[114] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
France ( SNEP)[116]
|
Platinum | 1,000,000[115] |
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[117] | Gold | 10,000* |
Italy (FIMI)[118] sales since 2009 |
Gold | 30,000* |
Japan | — | 500,000[119][120] |
Netherlands (NVPI)[121] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[122] | 6× Platinum | 90,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[123] | 6× Platinum | 1,800,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[124] | 9× Platinum | 9,000,000‡ |
Summaries | ||
Europe (IFPI)[125] re released edition |
Platinum | 1,000,000* |
Worldwide | — | 20,000,000[27] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ ISBN 9781788401234. Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ "Music Week" (PDF). wordradiohistory.com. November 11, 1979. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 12, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c George, p. 22
- ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 138–144
- ^ "The Jackson Five". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2007.
- ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 163–169
- ^ a b c George, p. 23
- ^ ISBN 0-7679-0510-5.
- ISBN 0-7867-1220-1.
- ISBN 0-375-50062-6.
- ^ Campbell (1993), p. 41
- ^ ISBN 0-7119-3216-6.
- ISBN 0-88882-219-7.
- ^ a b Taraborrelli, p. 183
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 181
- ^ a b c d e f Jackson, Michael. Off the Wall Special Edition Audio.
- ^ a b "Discogs.com – Off the Wall (1979 LP)". Discogs. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 185
- ^ a b c d e Taraborrelli, p. 186
- ^ a b c d Taraborrelli, p. 187
- ^ a b Holden, Stephen."Michael Jackson: Off The Wall : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) . Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 15, 2008. - ^ a b c d e f g h Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Off the Wall – Michael Jackson". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 20, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
- ISBN 1-85909-447-3
- ^ "Michael Jackson: Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 9, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2008.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7552-0091-7.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Off The Wall Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall – Classic albums – Music – Virgin media". Virgin Media. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
- ^ "Gold and Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
- ^ Taraborrelli, pp. 610–612
- ^ "The 25 Best-Selling Albums of All-Time | Cover Story | Music | Entertainment Weekly | 1" Archived October 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
- ^ "MICHAEL JACKSON 'OFF THE WALL' CD & DOCUMENTARY COMING FEBRUARY 26". MichaelJackson.com. Sony Music. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Taraborrelli, pp. 183–187
- ^ George, p. 37–43
- ^ "The Hot 100 - 1979 Archive". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
- ^ "Billboard.com - Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. May 20, 2009. Archived from the original on May 20, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ Billboard.com – Search Results – Off the Wall (Singles chart). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on August 15, 2008.
- ^ Billboard.com – Search Results – She's Out of My Life (Singles chart). Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
- ISBN 1859094473, p77
- ^ George, pp. 37–38
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall". Blender. New York. April 2007. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- ISBN 089919026X. Archivedfrom the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- ^ Greenblatt, Leah (July 3, 2009). "Michael Jackson's albums". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
- ^ Dombal, Ryan (February 24, 2016). "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^ "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall". Q (156). London: 128. September 1999.
- ^ "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall". Rolling Stone. New York. February 1, 2001. p. 59.
- ISBN 0-679-73729-4.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall". Sounds. London: 45. September 15, 1979.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (December 3, 1979). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Melody Maker (1980). "Off the Wall Review". Uncut Presents NME Originals 80's (2005): 67.
- ^ Hepworth, David. "Albums". Smash Hits (October 4–17, 1979): 29.
- ^ Charlamagne & Vlad Debate MJ's Best Album: "Thriller" vs "Off The Wall", archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved December 1, 2019
- ^ Lord Jamar Debates Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall' is Better Than 'Thriller', archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved December 1, 2019
- ^ "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- ^ O'Donnell, David. "BBC - Music - Review of Michael Jackson - Off The Wall". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- ^ "How Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" Taught Your Faves To Be A Popstar". PopBuzz. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ Mallenbaum, Carly. "The Weeknd explains how he found his falsetto". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ Danielle, Britni (July 22, 2016). "[EXCLUSIVE] Introducing the 'New' Chris Brown?". EBONY. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Jackson: Off the Wall". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs: 'Hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys'". Los Angeles Times. January 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Recordings, Legacy. "Off The Wall: Michael Jackson's Original Album And The Documentary "Michael Jackson's Journey From Motown To Off The Wall" Set For Release As A CD/DVD Bundle On February 26, 2016". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "500 Greatest Albums of All Time Rolling Stone's definitive list of the 500 greatest albums of all time". Rolling Stone. 2012. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ^ O'Donnell, David. "BBC - Music - Review of Michael Jackson - Off The Wall". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "Michael Jackson's best (And worst) albums". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ a b c "The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time". Consequence of Sound. September 15, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "[BLENDER: Articles]". April 19, 2002. Archived from the original on April 19, 2002. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "The RS 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
- ^ a b "Off The Wall Michael Jackson RS 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" Archived February 22, 2022, at the Wayback Machine.Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ a b "Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...1001 Albums." www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "Rocklist.net..Colin Larkin 1000 Albums - 2000". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Definitive 200". The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
- ^ "Rocklist.net...The Guardian Best Albums Lists..." www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ a b "Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums : Page 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "Greatest of All Time Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums : Page 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Rocklist.net..Rocklist.net... Uncut Lists ." www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "The 40 best albums to listen to before you die". The Independent. October 18, 2019. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall' | For The Record". GRAMMY.com. July 12, 2018. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ a b "Winners Database". American Music Awards. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ISBN 978-0-9749779-0-4.
- ^ "Top 100 of the Definitive 200". TimePieces. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ Off The Wall (booklet). Epic Records. 1979.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0168". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Michael Jackson". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 113. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History: Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Michael Jackson – Off The Wall". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1979". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0275". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- Recorded Music New Zealand. Archivedfrom the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ "Chart File". Record Mirror. April 4, 1981. p. 38.
- ^ Billboard [1] Archived March 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine | Retrieved on January 2, 2018.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1980". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ISBN 9780828319577. Archivedfrom the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Michael Jackson – Off the Wall". Music Canada.
- ^ "Danish album certifications – Michael Jackson – Off the Wall". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ à 00h00, Par Le 29 octobre 2001 (October 28, 2001). "REPÃ?RES". leparisien.fr. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
- ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1983". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Italian album certifications – Michael Jackson – Off the Wall" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 9, 2019. Select "2011" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Off the Wall" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Number Ones". Sony Music Japan. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
- ^ https://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1907367,00.html
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Michael Jackson – Off the Wall" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved April 8, 2019. Enter Off the Wall in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "British album certifications – Michael Jackson – Off the Wall". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American album certifications – Michael Jackson – Off the Wall". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2009". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Bibliography
- Campbell, Lisa (1993). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop. Branden. ISBN 0-8283-1957-X.
- Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection liner notes. Sony BMG.
- ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
External links
- Off the Wall at Discogs (list of releases)
- History of the album; recording, production, conception, aftermath etc. at AllMichaelJackson.com