# Off the Wall

> 1979 studio album by Michael Jackson

**Wikidata**: [Q44289](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44289)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off_the_Wall)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/off-the-wall

## Summary

Off the Wall is a 1979 studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released on August 10, 1979. It marked Jackson's first solo album recorded under Epic Records, the American record label founded in 1953 and owned by Sony Music. The album is part of Michael Jackson's chronological discography and features several notable songs including "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," "She's Out of My Life," "Off the Wall," "Girlfriend," and "Rock with You."

## Key Facts

- **Album Title**: Off the Wall
- **Artist**: Michael Jackson
- **Release Date**: August 10, 1979
- **Record Label**: Epic Records
- **Label Ownership**: Sony Music
- **Label Founded**: 1953
- **Label Headquarters**: Los Angeles, United States
- **Genre Categories**: Disco, Rhythm and Blues, Pop Music, Soul
- **Genre Inceptions**: Disco (1972), Rhythm and Blues (1938), Pop Music (1950), Soul (1955)
- **Notable Songs on Album**: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (written, composed, and performed by Michael Jackson), "She's Out of My Life" (written and composed by Tom Bahler), "Off the Wall" (written and composed by Rod Temperton), "Girlfriend" (written and composed by Paul McCartney, originally recorded by Wings, covered by Michael Jackson), "Rock with You" (written and composed by Rod Temperton)
- **Part of**: Michael Jackson's albums in chronological order
- **Wikipedia Title**: Off the Wall
- **Sitelink Count**: 43

## FAQs

- **What record label released Off the Wall?**
  Off the Wall was released by Epic Records, an American record label founded in 1953 and owned by Sony Music, headquartered in Los Angeles, United States.

- **What genres does Off the Wall encompass?**
  The album spans multiple genres including disco, rhythm and blues, pop music, and soul, reflecting the musical diversity of the late 1970s.

- **Who wrote the songs on Off the Wall?**
  The album features songs written by Michael Jackson ("Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"), Tom Bahler ("She's Out of My Life"), Rod Temperton ("Off the Wall" and "Rock with You"), and Paul McCartney ("Girlfriend," originally recorded by Wings).

- **How does Off the Wall fit into Michael Jackson's discography?**
  Off the Wall is part of Michael Jackson's albums in chronological order, representing his first solo album with Epic Records and a pivotal transition in his career.

- **What is Epic Records' role in the music industry?**
  Epic Records is known for signing and promoting a diverse range of artists across various genres, including rock, pop, and hip-hop, and has played a significant role in launching numerous successful careers.

## Why It Matters

Off the Wall matters as Michael Jackson's breakthrough solo album that established him as a major force in the music industry beyond his work with the Jackson 5. The album's release through Epic Records connected Jackson with one of the most prominent record labels in the industry, providing him with the platform and resources to develop his distinctive sound. The collaboration with renowned songwriters like Rod Temperton, Paul McCartney, and Tom Bahler demonstrated Jackson's ability to interpret and perform material from diverse musical backgrounds. The album's fusion of disco, rhythm and blues, pop, and soul reflected the evolving musical landscape of the late 1970s and set the stage for Jackson's subsequent monumental success. The record label relationship with Epic Records, owned by Sony Music, positioned Jackson within a major multinational music infrastructure that would support his global reach and influence.

## Notable For

- Michael Jackson's first solo album with Epic Records
- Featuring the hit single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," written and performed by Michael Jackson
- Including "Rock with You," written by Rod Temperton who also wrote "Off the Wall"
- Covering Paul McCartney's "Girlfriend," originally recorded by Wings
- Marking a pivotal point in Michael Jackson's transition from child star to adult solo artist
- Released through Epic Records, a label with a rich history of promoting diverse artists across multiple genres

## Body

### Release and Label Background

Off the Wall was released on August 10, 1979, through Epic Records, an American record label founded in 1953 and owned by Sony Music. The label, headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, has played a significant role in the music industry, launching the careers of numerous successful artists across various genres including rock, pop, and hip-hop. Epic Records' diverse artist roster includes notable names such as Lostprophets, Avril Lavigne, Shakira, Michael Jackson, and Jennifer Lopez. The label's ownership by Sony Music, a multinational music recording company, provided Epic Records with global reach and credibility in the phonographic industry.

### Musical Composition and Songwriting

The album features a collection of songs written and composed by several prominent musicians. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was written, composed, and performed by Michael Jackson himself, showcasing his songwriting abilities alongside his vocal performance. "She's Out of My Life" was written and composed by Tom Bahler and first recorded by Michael Jackson. The title track "Off the Wall" was written and composed by Rod Temperton, who also penned "Rock with You" for the album. Additionally, the album includes a cover of "Girlfriend," originally written and composed by Paul McCartney for Wings, demonstrating Jackson's ability to interpret work from other major artists.

### Genre Classification

Off the Wall encompasses multiple musical genres, reflecting the eclectic nature of late 1970s popular music. The album draws from disco, a genre of dance music and subculture that emerged in 1972 from the United States' urban nightlife scene. It also incorporates elements of rhythm and blues, a genre of popular music that originated within African-American communities in the 1940s. The pop music elements represent the broader genre of popular music that emerged around 1950, while the soul influences connect to the genre that developed in 1955. This genre diversity allowed the album to appeal to a wide audience during a period of significant musical evolution.

### Position in Michael Jackson's Career

The album represents a crucial milestone in Michael Jackson's discography as part of his albums in chronological order. It marked his transition from performing as a member of the Jackson 5 to establishing himself as a solo artist with a distinct musical identity. The collaboration with Epic Records provided Jackson with a new platform to showcase his mature artistic vision, moving beyond his early Motown work. The success of Off the Wall would ultimately pave the way for his subsequent albums, including the groundbreaking Thriller.

### Industry Context

The release of Off the Wall occurred during a transformative period in the music industry. Epic Records, as part of Sony Music's portfolio, represented the corporate infrastructure that dominated popular music production and distribution. The label's focus on diverse genres aligned with the album's multi-genre approach, positioning it within a commercial framework that valued artistic versatility. The late 1970s saw the height of disco's popularity, and Jackson's album capitalized on the era's musical trends while maintaining his unique artistic voice.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. AllMusic
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Discogs
5. Spotify
6. [AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000190332)