Author: Fred Colby

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

Goin’ Places (1977-1978)

RECORDING DATE

Recorded with The Jacksons from December 1976 to August 1977.

STUDIO(S)

Sigma Sound Studios
(Philadelphia)

SONGWRITER(S)

Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

The Jacksons, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff

RELEASE DATE :

October 18, 1977 (Goin’ Places).

LABEL

Epic CBS Records

LENGTH

4:10

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No alternate version known to exist

MUSICIANS
Charles Collins – drums
David Cruse, Larry Washington – bongos, congas
Roland Chambers, Michael “Sugar Bear” Forman, Dennis Harris – guitars
Leon Huff, Dexter Wansel – keyboards, piano
Dexter Wansel, Jack Faith – arrangements

Technical
Leon Huff, Kenneth Gamble – executive producers
Jay Mark, Joe Tarsia – engineers
Ed Lee, John Berg – design
Reid Miles – photography

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single in the US

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

In 1978, Michael performed Different Kind Of Lady and Greatest Love Of All during Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen International at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles. Harrisonburg High School English teacher Melody Wilson : “‘Michael was actually a judge when I competed and Jermaine was the host […] I never really got to meet Michael until the year that I gave up my crown”. TheTalented Teen’s International Scholarship competition would “allow minority young women an opportunity to display their talents before the world, an opportunity denied them”.

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

The last recordings (2005-2009)

RECORDING DATE

Written by Michael Jackson, Michael Prince, Theron Feemster III (Neff-U). Originates from either 2008 or 2009, as the U.S. Copyright Office registration lists Neff-U as the producer. Sources say the title is an acronym for “Dancing is Entertainment” but this isn’t confirmed. Found in 2009 on one of his lists in his bedroom where he wrote songs that he wants to finish. Worked between 2008 and 2009. Two versions of the song were registered with the United States Copyright Office (On the first Michael Prince is not credited).

Damien Shields : “And the version of D.I.E. I heard had no vocals. Just instrumental. But epic. Hard hitting drums and bass with really strong strings. It also has these moments where the music stops and a haunting choir type thing comes in creating an ominous build, then the beat drops again.”

In November 2008, Rod Temperton has a meeting with MJ at his hotel suite during which MJ plays Rod several songs. Some of the songs already had lyrics, which MJ wanted to improve. Others were instrumentals without any lyrics at all. The songs MJ plays for Rod are Best of Joy, Hollywood Tonight, The Loser, The Way Your Love Me, Beautiful Girl, Dark Lady, DIE, and Can’t Stop Loving You.

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson, Michael Prince, Theron Feemster III (Neff-U)

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson, Michael Prince, Theron Feemster III (Neff-U)

RELEASE DATE :

Unreleased.

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Never released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

1969-1975 : Motown era

RECORDING DATE

“Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” is a song co-written by record producer Thom Bell and William Hart, lead singer of the American R&B/Soul vocal group the Delfonics. It was released by the group in 1969 on the Philly Groove record label and is regarded as a classic, winning a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

The song was recorded in 1973 by Jackie Jackson for his solo album with background vocals by The Jackson 5 including MJ.

STUDIO(S)

Motown Studios in California

SONGWRITER(S)

Thom Bell & William Hart

PRODUCER(S)

Thom Bell

RELEASE DATE :

October 1973 (Jackie Jackson).

LABEL

Motown

LENGTH

2:54

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Never released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON CONCERTS

Never performed on concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

1978 : Destiny era

RECORDING DATE

In January-July 1978 with The Jacksons

STUDIO(S)

Hayvenhurst home Studio in Encino, California

Total EXperience Recording Studios (Hollywood, California)
Record Plant
(Los Angeles, California)
Cherokee Studios
(Hollywood, California)
Dawnbreaker Studios
(San Fernando, California)

SONGWRITER(S)

The Jacksons

PRODUCER(S)

The Jacksons

RELEASE DATE :

December 18, 1978 (Destiny).

Released as a single only in the UK

LABEL

Epic CBS Records

LENGTH

4:55

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No alternate version known to exist.

MUSICIANS

Ricky Lawson – drums
Rick Marotta – drums, percussion
Paulinho da Costa – percussion
Laudir de Oliveira – congas
Claudio Slon – congas
Seawind Horns – trumpet, saxophone, flute

Roland Bautista – guitar
Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar, guitar solo
Michael Sembello – guitar, bass
Michael Boddicker – synthesizers
Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, synthesizers , rhythm arrangements
Gary King – bass
Nathan Watts – bass
Ed Greene – drums

Produced by The Jacksons
Bobby Colomby, Mike Atkinson – executive producers
Don Murray, Peter Granet – engineer
Clare Fischer – string arrangement
Tom Tom 84 – horn arrangements, string arrangements
Jerry Hey – horn arrangements

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single in the US

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

January 28+29+30, 1979 : While in Madrid, The Jacksons tape a performance of “Destiny”, “Blame It On The Boogie”, “Goin Places” and “Shake Your Body” on Spanish TV show Aplauso (which airs RTVE on February 3, 1979).

February 6+7+8+9, 1979 : While in London, The Jacksons tape performances of “Shake Your Body”, “Blame It On The Boogie” & “Destiny” on Top Of The Pops. They also perform “Shake Your Body”, “Things I Do For You” & “Destiny” on Midnight Special. Jermaine joins them on stage for the last song.

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Destiny World Tour 1979 (first leg)

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

RECORDING DATE

Recorded in July 1990 with Bryan Loren. Song listed by MJ on a handwritten note during the Dangerous album sessions in 1989-1991.

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

Bryan Loren

RELEASE DATE :

A low quality recording of the song from Brad Sundberg’s seminars leaked on October 15, 2018. On January 27, 2023, the same version was leaked in HQ after Brad’s laptop was stolen. The song remains unreleased.

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

???

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Remains unreleased

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

Forever Michael (1975)

RECORDING DATE

In October–December 1974.

STUDIO(S)

Motown Recording Studios, Hollywood, California

SONGWRITER(S)

Hal Davis

Willensky

PRODUCER(S)

Hal Davis

RELEASE DATE :

January 16, 1975 (Forever Michael).

LABEL

Motown

LENGTH

2:37

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

The last recordings (2005-2009)

RECORDING DATE

The song was written and recorded (at Neverland) by Michael Jackson, Michael Prince and Brad Buxer in 2004, which Buxer called the best year for him and MJ in studio. According to him, the song was written about what was going on in his life at the time. It was featured on a 2009 note with titles of songs Jackson wanted to finish, this under the title Gloucestershire.

STUDIO(S)

Neverland Valley Ranch, California.

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson

Michael Prince

Brad Buxer

RELEASE DATE :

On March 4, 2014, the track leaked online. It remains unreleased.

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Never released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

The last recordings (2005-2009)

RECORDING DATE

Recorded in 2008. Its registration on the U.S. Copyright Office lists Neff-U as the producer. One of the songs listed by MJ on a handwritten note of songs he wanted to finish in June 2009. A short snippet leaked online in August 2025 but the song remains unreleased.

Damien Shields : “H2O is Dark Lady – same song. Excellent demo from 2008. One of the rare tracks with a FULL scratch vocal. MJ sings the vocal melody in one continuous take. No stops or breaks. There are barely any sensical lyrics in the entire song, but the vocal melody is very fleshed out. Yes, I’d say the bass line is somewhat similar to Queen’s “Under Pressure” – but beyond the bass line, the songs themselves sound absolutely nothing alike. The vocals are not complete. The lead vocal was done in one single rough take, ALL the way through. 2 verses, 2 choruses, then more repeat choruses and adlibs at the end. There are SOME stacked background vocals in SOME parts, but just to get the feel. Lyrics aren’t done at all. Verse (low): Dark lady will get what she wants every time. Dark lady don’t know what she is [mumbling lots of gibberish] + da da da Pre-chorus: She get the right one (repeated countless times) Chorus (falsetto): And you should save me from heaven, save me from [gibberish]. The words “dark lady” are the first words MJ sings in the Dark Lady verses. He sings it twice in both the 1st and 2nd verse. So unlike Rocker, Dark Lady’s title directly relates to the limited lyrical content of the song. […] It’s far from what I consider complete. It has a one-take vocal melody. He vocalises the melody, but JUST the melody – basically no coherent lyrics at all. It couldn’t be released as anything more than a demo – as it is – in my opinion. But I believe fans would love it.”

In November 2008, Rod Temperton has a meeting with MJ at his hotel suite during which MJ plays Rod several songs. Some of the songs already had lyrics, which MJ wanted to improve. Others were instrumentals without any lyrics at all. The songs MJ plays for Rod are Best of Joy, Hollywood Tonight, The Loser, The Way Your Love Me, Beautiful Girl, Dark Lady, DIE, and Can’t Stop Loving You.

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson

RELEASE DATE :

Unreleased

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Never released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

Forever Michael (1975)

RECORDING DATE

October–December 1974.

STUDIO(S)

Motown Recording Studios, Hollywood, California

SONGWRITER(S)

Hal Davis

Willensky

PRODUCER(S)

Hal Davis

RELEASE DATE :

January 16, 1975 (Forever Michael).

LABEL

Motown

LENGTH

3:08

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

ERA

G.I.T.: Get It Together (1973)

Dancing Machine (1974)

RECORDING DATE

Recorded with The Jackson 5 in November 1972 – July 1973.

STUDIO(S)

Hitsville West, Los Angeles, California

SONGWRITER(S)

Hal Davis

Don Fletcher

Dean Parks

PRODUCER(S)

Hal Davis

RELEASE DATE :

September 12, 1973 (album version Get It Together)

February 19, 1974 (single version)

September 5, 1974 (album version Dancing Machine)

LABEL

Motown

LENGTH

3:30 (Get It Together version)
2:43 (Dancing Machine version)
3:50 (1987 Remix)
4:25 (alternate version)

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

Dancing Machine (1974 version) : New mix of the song recorded with The Jackson 5 in November 1972 – July 1973. Released on September 15, 1974 (Dancing Machine).

Dancing Machine (alternate version from the Get It Together recording sessions in 1973) : Recorded in 1969 and released posthumously on November 10, 2009 (I Want You Back, Unreleased Masters).

MUSICIANS

Lead vocals by Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson
Background vocals by Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Marlon Jackson
Instrumentation by Los Angeles area session musicians
Bass by William Salter
Guitars by Dean Parks, David T. Walker and Arthur Wright
Drums by James Gadson
Percussion by Bobbye Hall
Keyboards by Joe Sample
Produced by Hal Davis
Arranged by Arthur Wright

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

2

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

September 26, 1973 : The Jackson 5 perform Get It Together & Dancing Machine at the Bob Hope Special.

November 17, 1973 : The Jackson 5 are special guests at the Soul Train Show where they perform Get It Together,  Dancing Machine, You’re in Good Hands (by Jermaine), With A child’s Heart (by Michael) & Don’t Say Goodbye Again.

January 19, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform “Dancing Machine” at the 7th Annual Image Awards at Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

January 30, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform Dancing Machine at the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

March 16, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform Dancing Machine & This Old Man/ABC at the Carol Burnett Show. Janet makes her TV debut and performs with Randy a Sonny & Cher skit.

April 3, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform It’s Too Late To Change the Time & Dancing Machine at the Mike Douglas Show.

April 4, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform Let It Be, Never Can Say Goodbye & Dancing Machine at the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

April 9, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform It’s Too Late To Change The Time & Dancing Machine at the Merv Griffin Show.

August 19, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform Dancing Machine & a medley of Killing Me Softly with his song/By The Time I Get To Phoenix/Danny Boy at the Tonight Show with Bill Cosby.

September 1, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform Dancing Machine at the Jerry Lewis Telethon.

September 3, 1974 : The Jackson 5 perform Dancing Machine at the Merv Griffin Show. Janet & Randy perform their Vegas skit.

March 16, 1975 : The Jackson 5 appear on the Cher TV show.They are introduced by Janet and they perform I Am Love + a skit called The World Is a Mess and finally Cher joins the group to perform a medley of I Want You Back/I’ll Be There/Never Can Say Goodbye/The Love You Save/Dancing Machine.

June 28, 1975 : The Jackson 5 perform Dancing Machine, Moving Violation & Just A Little Bit Of You (by Michael) at American Bandstand.

June 16, 1976 : CBS airs the first episode of The Jacksons Variety Show. The show based on their Las Vegas set features The Jacksons + The Jackson Sisters (Rebbie, LaToya & Janet). Special guest star : Sonny Bono. Songs performed :”Forever Came Today”, “Love Will Keep Us Together”, “More Than You Know”/”Am I Blue?”/”For Once in My Life”/ “Try a Little Tenderness”, “Steppin’ Out with My Baby”, “Dancing Machine”.

March 9, 1977 : CBS airs the 12th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest stars : Tim Conway/David Letterman. Songs performed : “Dancing Machine”, “On the Wall” “Behind Closed Doors”, “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”, “I’m Going To Jackson”, “Flat Foot Floogie”,”World of Sunshine”,”Body Language.

November 13, 2001 : Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special in September 2001

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON CONCERTS

The Jackson 5 World Tour (March 2, 1973 – Late December 1975)
The Jackson 5 Final Tour (February 2–14, 1976)
The Jacksons Tour (May 19 – 24, 1977)
Goin’ Places Tour (January 22 – May 13, 1978)
Destiny World Tour (January 22, 1979 – January 13, 1980)
Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special (September 7+ 10, 2001)