Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough

"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
A adult African American male with a black afro. He is making hand gestures with both his hands and is wearing a black bow tie with black and white tuxedo. Behind him there is a brown brick wall and to the side of him there is a blue square with the writing "Michael Jackson" in black and white and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" in black writing.
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Off the Wall
B-side "I Can't Help It"
Released July 28, 1979
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1979
Genre Disco, funk, pop
Length 6:05 (Album version)
4:11 (Video edit)
3:55 (7" edit)
Label Epic Records
Writer(s) Michael Jackson
Producer Quincy Jones
Co-Produced by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"A Brand New Day"
(1979)		 "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
(1979)		 "Rock with You"
(1979)

"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" is a single by American recording artist Michael Jackson. Released under Epic Records on July 28, 1979, the song is the first single from Jackson's fifth studio album, entitled Off the Wall. Written by Jackson, it is in the key of B major and in common time signature, the song was the first solo recording over which Jackson had creative control. Jackson said that the song's lyrics were not a reference to sex, but could be about whatever people wanted them to be about.

"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" was Jackson's first single to peak at number one on the United States Billboards Hot 100 chart in seven years, and his first number one song on the soul singles chart.[1] The song charted within the top ten on worldwide charts. Within a few months of release, the song was certified gold, and eventually certified platinum.

"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" was generally well-received by contemporary music critics. An accompanying music video for the song was released in October 1979. The video shows Jackson dancing, as well as being shown in a triplicate, in different color backgrounds. The song also won Jackson his first solo Grammy and American Music Awards. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" is considered to be the first song to showcase Jackson's talent as a solo artist, both as a singer and songwriter. Since the song's release, it has been covered by numerous musicians.

Contents

Background and production

In 1978, Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, an urbanized retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. After the filming, Jackson, who was still a member of The Jacksons, approached the film's musical director, Quincy Jones, to ask if he knew of any producers to help with Jackson's future solo endeavors.[2] Jones suggested himself, and the two began work on Off the Wall.[2] After listening to hundreds of demos, the two decided upon the ones to record. These included "Workin' Day and Night", "Get on the Floor" and "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough".[3] The song was recorded in Los Angeles recording studios.[4] Jackson claimed that when the melody of "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" came to him, he couldn't shake it off. He found himself humming and singing it while walking through the Jacksons' Encino home. As Michael could not play, he had his brother Randy perform the melody on a piano in the family's recording studio.[3] When Jackson's mother, a devout Jehovah's Witness, heard the song, she was shocked by the lyrical content. Katherine pointed out that the title could be misconstrued as pertaining to sexual activity.[5] Jackson reassured her that the song was not a reference to sex, but could mean whatever people wanted it to.[5] Upon playing the recording to Jones, it was agreed that the song would be featured on Off the Wall.[3]

Composition

Musically "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" is credited as a disco/pop/funk song. The song's full length on Off The Wall is just over 6 minutes. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" introduced Jackson's falsetto voice and vocal hiccups, which would become one of Jackson's signature vocals. Along with Jackson's vocal hiccups, Jackson voice in the song was described as having vocal tics—from the hiccups, a "grunt", and "the 'oho!'".[2] "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" is played in the key of B major and in common time signature. In the song, Jackson's voice range is from F#4 to D#5. Instruments for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" include a piano and guitar. The song's tempo is upbeat and its metronome is 112 beats per minute. "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" begins with Jackson speaking, before singing the songs lyrics'.[6]

Critical reception

"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" was well received by contemporary critics. Stephen Holden, of Rolling Stone, described the song as "one of a handful of recent disco releases that works both as a dance track and as an aural extravaganza comparable to Earth, Wind and Fire's 'Boogie Wonderland'".[7] William Ruhlmann, author of The All-Music Guide to Rock, praised "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" as an "irresistible dance track".[8] John Lewis, author of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, noted that the "jittery, frenetic opening track" is the centerpiece of Off the Wall.[8] He concluded that "Jackson's falsetto hollers and frisky yelps serve as an obbligato to the lead line, punctuating Ben Wright's thrilling string arrangement and Jerry Hey's tight horn charts".[8] Jason Elias, a writer for Allmusic, noted that "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" presents a "new Michael Jackson" that was "sexual, [an] adult, and aggressive.[2] Elias commented that "Like the best of Jones' late-'70s, early-'80s work, this [song] wasn't quite disco, couldn't be hardcore funk - it was an amalgam of styles with the all-important pop accessibility."[2]

Jackson's biographers also praised the song. J. Randy Taraborrelli described Jackson's unveiling of a "sexy, playful falsetto" that "no one had ever heard from him before".[3] Nelson George stated that the argument for Jackson's greatness began with the arrangements of "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough". He noted that the percussion and backing vocals were "artfully choreographed" to "create drama and ecstasy on the dance floor". He concluded, "It's one thing to make a dance record-it is another to instill that track with an epic, celebratory quality as Michael does here".[9] James Montgomery, of MTV, noted that Off The Wall contained a "masterful mixture of fiery disco tracks", specifying "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Workin' Day and Night".[4] "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" won Jackson his first American Music Award, the song received the award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single. Jackson also won his first solo Grammy Award, taking home the award for Best Male Vocal Performance in the genre of R&B.[4][10]

Chart performance

"Don’t Stop 'til You Get Enough" was released on July 28, 1979, under Epic Records; Jackson's first solo album away from Motown Records.[3] Within three months of its release, the song was at the top of the charts and had been certified gold.[3][11] Reaching number one on Billboard's Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts in the United States; it was Jackson's first solo number one single since "Ben", seven years prior.[11] Reaching the top of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway and South Africa, the song peaked within the top ten, charting at number three, in the United Kingdom.[5] "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"s least successful charting countries was in Switzerland, placing at number four.[5] "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" charted within the top ten in all major countries. Following the single being certified gold ten years previously, the song was awarded platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1989.[11]

In 2006, "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" reached number seventeen in the United Kingdom, following the Visionary campaign, whereby twenty of Jackson's hit singles were reissued in several European countries.[5] Following Jackson's death in June 2009, his music saw an increase in popularity.[12] "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" peaked at number seven on Billboard's "Hot Digital Songs Chart, peaking at number seven on the charts issue date July 11, 2009.[13] "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" charted within the top ten, placing at number nine, in France,[14] and charted within the top twenty in Portugal and Switzerland, placing at number eighteen and twenty.[15] The song also charted at number twenty-one in Australia, thirty-seven in the United Kingdom,[16] and fifty in Swedish, respectively.[15] "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"s least successful country was Japan, peaking at number seventy-seven.[15] "Don’t Stop 'til You Get Enough" was certified gold in Australia by Australian Recording Industry Association in 2009 for the shipments of 35,000 units.[17]

Music video

A adult African American male with short black hair. He is pointing forward with his right hand and is making a facial expression and he is wearing a black bow tie with a black and white tuxedo. Behind him, there is a pink background.
Jackson in the music video for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".

The music video for "Don’t Stop 'til You Get Enough" was directed and produced by Nick Saxton and made its world premiere in October 1979.[5] It was Jackson's first music video as a solo artist. The music video features a smiling Jackson floating over a background of abstract geometric figures and performing dance techniques while singing "Don't Stop 'til You get Enough" in a black and white tuxedo with a black bow tie. At one stage, Jackson is seen dancing in triplicate, which was considered innovative at the time.[3]

The music video begins with Jackson speaking the opening lyrics of "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough", he then begins singing the lyrics while standing in front of a purple background while wearing a black and white tuxedo, with a bow tie. Shortly after, Jackson begins dancing while the background changes to orange and blue, while objects, which appear to be ice cubes and bubbles, are floating behind Jackson. The background then briefly changes to pyramids made out of bricks and then changes to a reddish background with objects made out of glass, which shows Jackson dancing in triplicate. The video ends with Jackson dancing in a background, that continuously changes colors, with large marbles.

Cover versions

"Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" has been covered by multiple artists since its release in 1979. The American pop—rock band Shivaree covered "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" on their 2007 album of cover versions, entitled, Tainted Love: Mating Calls and Fight Songs.[18] The song was covered by Rod Hanna, on his album of covers entitled, Rod Hanna Live: Discofesta 70's Superhits - Rod Hanna,[19] and the hit was covered by BB Band in 1999 on their album entitled, The Detroit Sound.[20] The track was also covered by James Chance on his 2005 album, which included both a recorded and live version of "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough".[21] "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was covered by Melissa Forbes on her 2005 album entitled, No More Mondays.[22]

Following Jackson's death in June 2009, the band U2 began their world tour, entitled U2 360° Tour, with renditions of two of Jackson's songs, "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" and "Man In The Mirror" (from Jackson's 1987 album Bad) on June 30, 2009.[23][24] Cookin Soul did a remix cover of the track, entitled, "Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough feat. Jay-Z".[25][26] The remixed version was performed during Cookin Souls Shade45 show, and the track was made available as a digital download track.[26] Amos Barshad and Nick Catucci, of NYMag.com, commented that the remix version was a "surprisingly great meeting of music and lyrics, connecting MJ and rap without overstating the shared DNA".[25]

Legacy

James Montgomery, of MTV, noted that "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough", along with Off The Walls other three singles, "showcased (or, more specifically, unleashed) Jackson's talents as a entertainer, a vocalist, a writer and, most importantly, as a leading man."[4] After Jackson's death, AOL's Radio Blog released a list, entitled "10 Best Michael Jackson Songs", which placed "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" at number-ten on the list.[27] Jason Elias, a writer for Allmusic said of the song,

When Michael Jackson asked Quincy Jones if he knew a producer who would be behind the boards for his next solo effort, the answer was simple: Quincy Jones -- and why not? Together they made the so-so soundtrack to The Wiz livable with key tracks "You Can't Win" and "Ease on Down the Road." The songs were good but not worth looking into. The same certainly can't be said for "Don't Stop til' You Get Enough." Gone from Motown close to five years, this is the first single from the influential Off the Wall album, his first solo for Epic. Despite the great work on it, Jackson needed something different to create the right impression [...] Jones did something very precise. He all but exacted the childishness of his persona and voice and replaced it with a libidinous tone as Jackson did his trademark vocal tics, from the hiccups, the grunt, and the "oho!".[2]

Track listing

  1. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Short Version)" - 3:58
  2. "I Can't Help It" - 4:29
  1. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (12" Edit)" - 5:53
  2. "I Can't Help It" - 4:29
  • DualDisc-Single:[28]
  1. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Short Version)" - 3:59
  2. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Original 12" Edit)" - 5:53
  3. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (Video) - 4:11

Personnel

  • Written and composed by Michael Jackson
  • Produced by Quincy Jones
  • Co-Produced by Michael Jackson
  • Michael Jackson: Lead and background vocals
  • Additional background vocals by Jim Gilstrap, Augie Johnson, Mortonette Jenkins, Paulette McWilliams and Zedric Wiliams
  • Louis Johnson: Bass
  • John Robinson: Drums
  • Greg Phillinganes: Electric piano
  • David Williams, Marlo Henderson: Guitars
  • Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, Richard Heath, Paulinho Da Costa: Percussion
  • Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns:
    • Jerry Hey: Trumpet and flugelhorn
    • Larry Williams: Tenor, alto saxophones and flute
    • Kim Hutchcroft: Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute
    • William Reichenbach: Trombone
    • Gary Grant: Trumpet
  • Rhythm arrangement by Greg Phillinganes and Michael Jackson
  • String arrangement by Ben Wright
  • Concert master: Gerald Vinci

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (1979) Peak
Position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 1[5]
Belgian Singles Chart 1[5]
Danish Singles Chart 1[5]
Holland Singles Chart 2[5]
Swedish Singles Chart 2[5]
Swiss Singles Chart 4[29]
Norwegian Singles Chart 1[5]
UK Singles Chart 3[5]
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1[5]
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 21[15]
French Singles Chart 9[14]
Japan Singles Top 100 Chart 77[15]
Portugal Singles Top 50 Chart 18[15]
Swedish Singles Chart 50[15]
Swiss Singles Chart 20[29]
UK Singles Chart 37[16]
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs Chart 9[13]

Certifications

Country Provider Certification Sales/shipments
United States RIAA Platinum[11] 1,000,000+
Australia ARIA Gold[17] 35,000+

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 284. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Jason Elias. "Song Review". Allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:jcfixxtjldje. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Taraborrelli, pp. 183–187
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 James Montgomery (2009-07-06). "Michael Jackson's Life & Legacy: Don't Stop (1979-81)". MTV.com. Viacom. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615224/20090702/jackson_michael.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 Halstead, pp. 92–93
  6. ↑ "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download)". MusicNotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0015811. Retrieved 2010-02-12. 
  7. ↑ Holden, Stephen (1979-11-01). "Off the Wall album review - Rolling Stone". RollingStone.com. Wenner Media LLC. http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/259585/review/6067502/off_the_wall. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Off the Wall album reviews". SuperSeventies.com. Super Seventies. http://www.superseventies.com/spjacksonmichael.html. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  9. ↑ George, p. 23
  10. ↑ "Grammy Awards 1980". RockOnTheNet.com. Rock On The Net. http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1980/grammys.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-12. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 George, p. 37–43
  12. ↑ Ed Christman, Antony Bruno, (2009-07-02). "Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months". Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/#/news/michael-jackson-music-sales-surge-could-1003990445.story?page=1. Retrieved 2010-01-23. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Billboard Hot Digital Songs: Week of July 11, 2009". Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. http://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-songs#/charts/digital-songs?chartDate=2009-07-15. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Week Of July 11, 2009". Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080430093903/http://www.billboard.com/charts#/charts/france-songs?chartDate=2009-07-13. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 "Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough". ACharts,us. aCharts.us. http://acharts.us/song/7887. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Top 40 Downloads Archive:: Week: 05/07/2009 - 11/07/2009". TheOfficialCharts.com. The Official Charts Company. http://theofficialcharts.com/top40_downloads_last.php?week=29&end=05/07/2009%20-%2011/07/2009. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "2009 Single Accreditatios". ARIA.com. Australian Recording Industry Association. 2009-03-31. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accr.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  18. ↑ "Tainted Love: Mating Calls And Fight Songs". Last.fm. Last.fm Limited. http://www.last.fm/music/Shivaree/Tainted+Love%3A+Mating+Calls+And+Fight+Songs. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  19. ↑ "Rod Hanna Live: Discofesta 70's Superhits - Rod Hanna". Spinner.com. AOL Inc. 2009-07-01. http://music.aol.com/album/rod-hanna-live-discofesta-70s-superhits/995413. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  20. ↑ "The Detroit Sound - BB Band". Spinner.com. AOL Inc. 2009-07-01. http://music.aol.com/album/the-detroit-sound/393964. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  21. ↑ "James White & The Blacks / James Chance & The Contortions / James White (2) - The Chance / White Box Set". Discogs.com. Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/artist/James+Chance+%26+The+Contortions. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  22. ↑ "No More Mondays - Melissa Forbes". Spinner.com. AOL Inc. 2009-07-01. http://music.aol.com/album/no-more-mondays/1013901. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  23. ↑ "U2 cover Michael Jackson as they kick off world tour - video". NME.com. IPC Media. 2009-07-01. http://www.nme.com/news/u2/45792. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  24. ↑ Zabby Currie (2009-07-01). "U2 Pay Homage to Michael Jackson + More". Spinner.com. AOL Inc. http://www.spinner.com/2009/07/01/u2-pays-homage-to-michael-jackson-more/. Retrieved 2010-01-29. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Amos Barshad, Nick Catucci (2009-07-10). "Song of the Summer: Michael Jackson Rarities, Remixes, Covers and More!". NYMag.com. New York Media LLC. http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2009/07/song_of_the_summer_takes_a_dee.html#ixzz0dUHkHtwO. Retrieved 2010-01-23. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Cookin’ Soul Presents Michael Jackson (Tribute to the King of Pop)". NahRight.com. Complex Media Network. 2009-06-27. http://nahright.com/news/2009/06/27/cookin-soul-presents-michael-jackson-tribute-to-the-king-of-pop/. Retrieved 2010-01-30. 
  27. ↑ AOL Radio Staff (2009-06-26). "10 Best Michael Jackson Songs". AOLRadioBlog.com. AOL Inc. http://www.aolradioblog.com/2009/06/26/10-best-michael-jackson-songs/. Retrieved 2010-01-24. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Ril You get Enough (Chanson)". LesCharts.com. Hung Medien. http://www.lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Don%27t+Stop+%27Til+You+Get+Enough&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Swiss Singles Chart Archives". HitParade.ch. Hung Medien. http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Don%27t+Stop+%27Til+You+Get+Enough&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 

Further reading

External links