Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough is a song by American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson, released in 1979 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Off the Wall, produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. The song was written by Michael Jackson and features a distinctive Bassline played by Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson. The song's production involved several notable musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and Rod Temperton, who all contributed to the album's overall sound.

Background

The creation of Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough was a collaborative effort between Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, who had previously worked together on Michael Jackson's album Destiny with The Jacksons. The song's concept was inspired by Michael Jackson's experiences with The Jackson 5 and his desire to create a more mature sound, influenced by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and James Brown. The song's development involved input from several notable songwriters, including Rod Temperton, who wrote several tracks for the Off the Wall album, and Paul Anka, who had previously collaborated with Michael Jackson on the song Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough's demo.

Composition

The composition of Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough features a unique blend of Funk, Soul, and Pop music elements, with a distinctive Bassline and Drum machine rhythm. The song's melody was written by Michael Jackson and features a soaring vocal performance, with backing vocals provided by The Jacksons and Janet Jackson. The song's instrumental arrangement was handled by Quincy Jones and features contributions from several notable musicians, including Louis Johnson, John Robinson, and Greg Phillinganes, who all played a key role in shaping the song's sound. The song's production also involved input from several notable engineers, including Bruce Swedien and Bernie Grundman, who worked on the song's mixing and mastering.

Release and Reception

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough was released in 1979 as the lead single from Michael Jackson's album Off the Wall, and it quickly became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning Michael Jackson his first Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The song received widespread critical acclaim, with praise from critics such as Rolling Stone's Robert Christgau and The New York Times' John Rockwell. The song's success helped establish Michael Jackson as a solo artist and paved the way for his future success with albums such as Thriller and Bad. The song has since been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and has been named one of the greatest songs of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone and NME.

Music Video

The music video for Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough was directed by Nick Saxton and features Michael Jackson performing the song in a Disco-style setting, complete with flashing lights and a dance floor. The video was one of the first music videos by a black artist to receive heavy rotation on MTV, and it helped establish Michael Jackson as a major star. The video has since been named one of the greatest music videos of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone and VH1. The video's choreography was handled by Vincent Paterson, who worked with Michael Jackson on several other projects, including the Bad World Tour and the Black or White music video.

Live Performances

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough has been performed live by Michael Jackson on several occasions, including the Off the Wall Tour, the Thriller Tour, and the Bad World Tour. The song was also performed at several high-profile events, including the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever concert and the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration. The song's live performances featured a high-energy dance routine, complete with Moonwalk and Robot dance moves, and were widely praised by critics and fans alike. The song has also been covered by several other artists, including Weird Al Yankovic, Justin Timberlake, and Usher, who have all performed the song in their own live shows.

Impact and Legacy

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough has had a significant impact on popular music, influencing a wide range of artists, including Prince, George Michael, and Justin Timberlake. The song's innovative production and distinctive melody have made it a classic of the Disco and Funk genres, and it continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest songs of all time. The song has been named one of the greatest songs of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone, NME, and The Guardian, and it has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The song's legacy can be heard in the music of countless other artists, including The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar, who have all cited Michael Jackson as a major influence. Category:Michael Jackson songs