Music Business Zine: Michael Jackson: Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

Don't Stop Till You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

Written by Joe Viglione

Wednesday, 26 August 2009 20:21

"Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" is an amazing record, and it isn't one of my favorites by a long shot, but one must tip their hat to brilliance, even if it isn't their cup of tea. And that's as honest an opinion/statement as I can make about a melody that has been forced on the populace by the unbridled popularity of Michael Jackson's pre-THRILLER episode. This platinum single, which hit #1 on the Billboard charts on September 1, 1979 is probably getting more airplay today than any time since its heyday, the 30th anniversary of the record's ascent to the top of the pops now establishing it as a monster download due to the passing of its singer.

"Keep on with the force/don't stop till you get enough" is a true Lady Mondegreen, misheard lyric. Many or some thought he was singing "Keep up, with the fun stuff, don't stop till you get enough" but that's less important than the style employed by Jackson and the stunning production by Quincy Jones. The bubbling bass that opens the song, the trepidation...and then Quincy's overwhelming collage of sound, strings, rhythms, percussion, and a video that mirrors the feeling of the song. Super dance moves by Michael in his pre-moonwalk era. He actually looks happy and maybe this should have been the frozen moment in time...maybe it is. Thriller brought him to new heights, and too much temptation with so much money and power. This is sterling stuff, the video is exquisite and the production top notch. The song is also extraordinary in that it is a complete departure from "I'll Be There" and "Ben", a complete jump into a new and exciting world. I was immersed in the underground rock scene when this song was saturating the airwaves, and it was an annoyance. It is appreciated now as an incredible juncture between the frosty pop of the Jackson Five and the dance dominance that Michael and his sister Janet would explore, enjoy and conquer with.

The song is worthy of study, it was a door opener to a new world for Michael Jackson, and this is a tribute to it on the cusp of its 30th anniversary

joe v. 12:39 AM Thursday August 27, 2009.

Watch the video of DON'T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH

You can find copies of Michael Jackson's OFF THE WALL album on GEMM.com - just click on the photo to find 'em: