"Off the Wall" was the third single released from singer Michael Jackson's album Off the Wall.

Released on February 2, 1980,[1] the Rod Temperton-composed number 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. The song is about getting over troubles: "leave that nine-to-five upon the shelf / and just enjoy yourself". The song peaked at number ten on the Pop Singles Chart and at number five on the Billboard Soul Singles Chart.

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

Charts

Chart (1980) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 7
US Billboard Hot 100 10
US Hot R&B Singles 5
Chart (2009) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 73
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs 51[2]

[edit] Credits

  • Written and composed by Rod Temperton
  • Produced by Quincy Jones
  • Lead and background vocals: Michael Jackson
  • Bass: Louis Johnson
  • Drums: John Robinson
  • Guitar: David Williams and Marlo Henderson
  • Electric piano and synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
  • Synthesizer programming: Michael Boddicker
  • Synthesizer and synthesizer programming: George Duke
  • Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
  • Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns:
    • Trumpet and flugelhorn: Jerry Hey
    • Tenor, alto saxophones and flute: Larry Williams
    • Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute: Kim Hutchcroft
    • Trombone: William Reichenbach
    • Trumpet: Gary Grant
  • Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Rod Temperton

Lyrics

When the world is on your shoulder
Gotta straighten up your act and boogie down
If you can't hang with the feeling
Then there ain't no room for you this part of town
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
Groove, let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)

You can shout out all you want to
'Cause there ain't no sin in folks all getting loud
If you take the chance and do it
Then there ain't no one who's gonna put you down
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
C'mon and groove, and let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)


Do what you want to do
There ain't no rules it's up to you (ain't no rules it's all up to you)
It's time to come alive
And party on right through the night (all right)

Gotta hide your inhibitions
Gotta let that fool loose deep inside your soul
Want to see an exhibition
Better do it now before you get to old
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way


So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
C'mon and groove (yeah) let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)


So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
C'mon and groove (yeah) let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)

source : wikipedia

to watch the live performance in 1979 goto the link below :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S11eGmzM-4E&feature=fvw