1 Hidden Gem From Every Michael Jackson Album
8. Off The Wall - Girlfriend
In the early 1980s, Michael Jackson briefly enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with Paul McCartney, resulting in the hits The Girl Is Mine and Say Say Say. The pair later fell out when Jackson bought the publishing rights to The Beatles’ back catalogue but before the duets and the acrimony, there was Girlfriend.
The sweet, McCartney-penned track originally appeared on Wing’s 1978 album London Town, where it featured Macca’s lilting falsetto. McCartney is no slouch as a singer but Michael’s smooth, soulful voice fits the song perfectly.
While most of Off The Wall features sparkly disco and soul sounds, Girlfriend is a glistening slice of pure pop. That’s nothing new for a Paul McCartney composition but the lyrics are a little more unusual.
Happily married to Linda McCartney at this point, his music for Wings tended to reflect that domestic bliss. Moody Beatles classics like You Won’t See Me or I’m Looking Through You had been exchanged for sentimental love songs like My Love and Let Me Roll It.
Perhaps writing with for a younger star inspired Paul to think differently. The lyric sees Michael gently insisting a girl leaves her boyfriend so she can become his girlfriend, adding some spice to this sweet song.