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

Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

RECORDING DATE

“Chained” is a 1968 single released by soul singer Marvin Gaye. The song peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Top 100 on November 1, 1968

Cover recorded in August 1969 with the Jackson 5.

STUDIO(S)

Motown Studios in California

SONGWRITER(S)

Frank Wilson

PRODUCER(S)

Bobby Taylor

RELEASE DATE :

December 12, 1969 (Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5).

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

1983-1984 : Victory era

RECORDING DATE

The song was written and produced by MJ in the spring 1984 for his sister Rebbie Jackson’s debut album . He and The Weather Girls also sang backing vocals on the song. It’s one of the first collaborations between MJ & John Barnes.

STUDIO(S)

Yamaha International Recording (Glendale, California)
Widetrack Recording Studio (Los Angeles, California)

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson

RELEASE DATE :

September 10, 1984 (Centipede single)

October 10, 1984 (Centipede album)

LABEL

Columbia

LENGTH

4:13 (single version)
4:25 (album version)

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

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

Lead vocals: Rebbie Jackson
Background vocals: Michael Jackson, The Weather Girls (Izora Rhodes, Martha Wash)
Arranger: Michael Jackson
John Barnes: Synthesizers and Drum Programming
David Williams: Guitar
Jerry Hey: Flugelhorn

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

24

SHORT FILM (filmed by MJ during his lifetime)

MJ does not appear in the music video filmed by Rebbie Jackson.

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

MJ never performed this song on a TV show

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

MJ never performed this song 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

1983-1984 : Victory era

RECORDING DATE

Recorded from November 1983 to May 1984.

Marlon Jackson (who wrote and produced the track) sang the song’s main verses while the rest of the group (excluding Jermaine Jackson) sang the chorus. Jermaine Jackson did not participate in the recording in any capacity.

STUDIO(S)

Los Angeles (California)

SONGWRITER(S)

Marlon Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

Marlon Jackson

RELEASE DATE :

July 2, 1984 (Victory)

October 1984 (Body)

LABEL

CBS Epic Records

LENGTH

5:36

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

No other version known to exist

MUSICIANS

Marlon Jackson – lead and background vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, Linn programming, arranging
Jackie, Michael, Randy and Tito Jackson – background vocals
John Barnes – arranging, Fairlight computerized keyboard, additional synthesizers
David Ervin – additional synthesizers
David Williams – guitar
Greg Wright – guitar solo
Jonathan Moffett – Simmons drums
Bill Bottrell – engineer, mixing
Paul Erickson, Mitch Gibson, Bino Espinoza – assistant engineers
Nelson Hayes – project coordinator

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

47

SHORT FILM (filmed by MJ during his lifetime)

Neither Michael Jackson nor Jermaine appear in the music video. The video does feature the rest of The Jacksons: Marlon, Tito, Jackie and Randy.

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on a TV show

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

Thriller (1981-1983)

RECORDING DATE

Recorded in 1982 during the “Thriller” album sessions. The song almost made the final cut, until deciding it should be replaced by Human Nature. Rod Temperton during an interview on Thriller: Special Edition: “One of them was Carousel, which is a great song, that slow-ish song from Michael Sembello, which was beautiful. But lyrically, and at that point in time, it didn’t seem, that that was were the album was heading to […]”

STUDIO(S)

Westlake (Los Angeles, California)

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Sembello and Don Freeman

PRODUCER(S)

Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson

RELEASE DATE :

The song leaked in the 2000’s. A short edit of the song was finally released on October 16, 2001 on “Thriller: Special Edition” and later rereleased on Thriller 25. The longer version was released on August 22, 2008 (Italian & French versions of King Of Pop).

LABEL

Sony Music

LENGTH

3:39

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

No alternate version known to exist

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Not released as a single

SHORT FILM (filmed by MJ during his lifetime)

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on a TV show

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

Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

RECORDING DATE

Recorded on July 10th & 15th 1969 with the Jackson 5.

STUDIO(S)

Motown Studios in California

SONGWRITER(S)

Thom Bell & William Hart

PRODUCER(S)

Bobby Taylor

RELEASE DATE :

December 12, 1969 (Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5).

LABEL

Motown

LENGTH

3:10

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

October 18, 1969 : Diana Ross & The Supremes introduce the Jackson 5 on ABC’s Hollywood Palace Special where they perform Sing A Simple Song, Can You Remember, I Want You Back and There Was A Time (with Diana Ross & Sammy Davis Jr)

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

Invincible (1998-2004)

RECORDING DATE

Written by Sisqó and Teddy Riley during the “Invincible” album sessions in 1999-2001 but unknown if MJ recorded it.

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

Sisqó and Teddy Riley

PRODUCER(S)

Sisqó and Teddy Riley

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 :

Not released as a single in the US

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on a TV show

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

Triumph (1980)

RECORDING DATE

In March 1980 with The Jacksons

STUDIO(S)

Capitol

Hollywood Sound

Davien Sound

Sound City

Devonshire Sound

Westlake (Hollywood, California)

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson & Jackie Jackson

PRODUCER(S)

The Jacksons & Greg Phillinganes (co–producer)

RELEASE DATE :

October 18, 1980 (Triumph album)

March 5, 1981 (Can You Feel It single)

LABEL

Epic CBS Records

LENGTH

5:58 (album version)
3:50 (U.S. 7-inch edit)
3:59 (European 7-inch edit)

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

Can You Feel It (Guide Vocal Demo) : Full demo leaked online in 2020 but remains unreleased.

Can You Feel It (Scratch Vocals) : Leaked in 2025 but remains unrelased.

Can You Feel It (short film soundtrack version) : Mix done in 1980/1981 for the Triumph short film. Remains unreleased.

MUSICIANS

Written and composed by Michael Jackson and Jackie Jackson
Produced by the Jacksons
Lead vocals: Michael & Randy Jackson
Arrangement by Michael & Jackie Jackson
String arrangement by Tom Tom 84
Instrumentation:
Keyboards: Greg Phillinganes, Ronnie Foster, Bill Wolfer (uncredited)
Guitars: Tito Jackson, David Williams
Bass: Nathan Watts
Drums: Ollie E. Brown
Vibes: Gary L. Coleman
Background vocal coordinator and choir director: Stephanie Spruill
The Children’s Choir: Yolanda Kenerly, Brigette Bush, Audra Tillman, Lita Aubrey, Rhonda Gentry, Roger Kenerly II, Soloman Daniels, Brian Stilwell, Gerry Gruberth, Peter Wade
The Adults’ Choir: Stephanie Spruill, Paulette McWilliams, Bunny Hull, Carolyn Dennis, Venetta Fields, Josie James, Paulette Brown, Carmen Twillie, Lisa Roberts, Phyllis St. James, Roger Kenerly-Saint, Ronald Vann, Louis Price, Gregory Wright, Arnold McCuller, Roy Galloway, Jim Gilstrap, Gerry Garrett, Bob Mack, Tyrell (Rock) Deadrick

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

77

SHORT FILM

Date of shooting : January 1981

Date of premiere : March 1981

Directed by : Robert Abel, Bruce Gowers

Official release : On DVD in 2010 (Vision, long version) but NOT on The Jacksons’ You Tube official page.

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Triumph Tour (July 8 – September 26, 1981)
Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special (September 7+ 10, 2001)

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, will.i.am and worked on in early 2007.

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson & will.i.am

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson & will.i.am

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

The last recordings (2005-2009)

RECORDING DATE

One of the songs listed by MJ on a handwritten note of songs he wanted to finish in June 2009.

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

1989-1993 : Dangerous era

RECORDING DATE

Recorded in 1990-1991.

STUDIO(S)

Westlake, Los Angeles
Record One, Los Angeles
Larrabee, Hollywood

SONGWRITER(S)

Michael Jackson & Teddy Riley

PRODUCER(S)

Michael Jackson & Teddy Riley

RELEASE DATE :

November 26, 1991 (Dangerous).

LABEL

Sony Music

LENGTH

4:59 (album version)

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

Can’t Let Her Get Away (Extended Mix with rap by MJ and new adlibs) : A snipper from a different mix featuring a rap by MJ leaked online in 2020 in bad quality and remains unreleased. This mix leaked on January 07, 2026 (unreleased take of the rap verse, alternate overall mix with new ad-libs).

MUSICIANS

Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley, Dave Way and Jean-Marie Horvat
Solo and background vocals by Michael Jackson
Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
Rhythm arrangement by Teddy Riley
Synthesizer arrangement by Teddy Riley
Keyboards and synthesizers by Teddy Riley
Sequencing and programming by Wayne Cobham

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