Michael Jackson - Got to Be There (1972)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Side one

1. "Ain't No Sunshine" (recorded July – November 1971) 4:09

2. "I Wanna Be Where You Are" (recorded July – November 1971) 3:00

3. "Girl Don't Take Your Love from Me" (recorded July – November 1971) 3:46

4. "In Our Small Way" (recorded July – November 1971) 3:34

5. "Got to Be There" (recorded June 1971) 3:23

Side two

6. "Rockin' Robin" (recorded July – November 1971) 2:30

7. "Wings of My Love" (recorded July – November 1971) 3:32

8. "Maria (You Were the Only One)" (recorded June – July 1971) 3:41

9. "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" (recorded July – November 1971) 2:51

10. "You've Got a Friend" (recorded July – November 1971) 4:45

Got to Be There is the debut solo studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Motown on January 24, 1972, four weeks after the Jackson 5's Greatest Hits (1971). It includes the song of the same name, which was released on October 7, 1971, as Jackson's debut solo single.

On August 2, 2013, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies. The album was later remastered and reissued in 2009 as part of the 3-disc compilation Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection.

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture. Jackson influenced artists across many music genres; through stage and video performances, he popularized complicated dance moves such as the moonwalk, to which he gave the name, as well as the robot. He is the most awarded individual music artist in history.

The eighth child of the Jackson family, Jackson made his professional debut in 1964 with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 (later known as the Jacksons). Jackson began his solo career in 1971 while at Motown Records. He became a solo star with his 1979 album Off the Wall. His music videos, including those for "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into an artform and promotional tool. He helped propel the success of MTV and continued to innovate with videos for the albums Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995). Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, while Bad was the first album to produce five U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.

From the late 1980s, Jackson became a figure of controversy and speculation due to his changing appearance, relationships, behavior, and lifestyle. In 1993, he was accused of sexually abusing the child of a family friend. The lawsuit was settled out of civil court; Jackson was not indicted due to lack of evidence. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges. The FBI found no evidence of criminal conduct on Jackson's behalf in either case. In 2009, while preparing for a series of comeback concerts, This Is It, Jackson died from an overdose of propofol administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray, who was convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter.

Jackson is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales of over 400 million records worldwide. He had 13 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era) and was the first artist to have a top-ten single in the Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades. He is regarded by the RIAA as the highest-selling individual music artist of all time worldwide. His honors include 15 Grammy Awards, 6 Brit Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and 39 Guinness World Records, including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time". Jackson's inductions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice), the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Dance Hall of Fame (the only recording artist to be inducted), and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. In 2016, his estate earned $825 million, the highest yearly amount for a celebrity ever recorded by Forbes.

Michael Jackson Discography Full

1972 Got to Be There

1972 Ben

1973 Music & Me

1975 Forever, Michael

1979 Off the Wall

1982 Thriller

1987 Bad

1991 Dangerous

1995 HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I

2001 Invincibl

Filmography

1978 The Wiz

1986 Captain EO

1988 Moonwalker

1997 Michael Jackson's Ghosts

2002 Men in Black II

2004 Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls

2009 Michael Jackson's This Is It

2012 Bad 25

2016 Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall

Michael Jackson – Got to Be There (1972): The Solo Debut of a Pop Icon

Introduction

Released in 1972, Got to Be There is the debut solo album by Michael Jackson, marking a pivotal moment in the career of an artist who would later become the King of Pop. Issued while Jackson was still a member of The Jackson 5, the album introduced him as a standalone vocalist with emotional depth, maturity, and remarkable musical instincts well beyond his years.

Blending soul, R&B, pop, and Motown ballads, Got to Be There laid the foundation for Michael Jackson’s legendary solo career.

Focus Keywords: Michael Jackson Got to Be There, Michael Jackson debut album, 1972 Motown albums, Michael Jackson early career, Motown soul classics

Michael Jackson: Early Career and Rise to Stardom

From Child Prodigy to Solo Artist

Born in 1958 in Gary, Indiana, Michael Jackson began performing professionally at a very young age as the lead singer of The Jackson 5. Signed to Motown Records, the group achieved massive success with hits like “I Want You Back” and “ABC.”

By the early 1970s, Motown recognized Michael’s exceptional vocal talent and star potential, leading to the release of his first solo album, Got to Be There.

A Voice Beyond His Years

Despite being only 13 years old, Jackson displayed extraordinary vocal control, emotional expression, and phrasing, qualities that immediately set him apart from other young performers of the era.

About Got to Be There (1972)

Album Overview

Released on January 24, 1972, Got to Be There features a mix of original songs and carefully selected covers, highlighting Michael Jackson’s versatility as a singer.

Key tracks include:

“Got to Be There” – Soulful title track and breakout solo hit
“Rockin’ Robin” – Upbeat pop cover that became a major chart success
“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers cover showcasing emotional maturity
“I Wanna Be Where You Are” – Smooth soul ballad
“You’ve Got a Friend” – Warm, heartfelt performance

The album balances youthful energy with emotional sophistication, foreshadowing Jackson’s evolution as a mature artist.

Musical Style and Themes

Genres: Soul, R&B, pop, Motown
Themes: Love, longing, hope, and emotional expression
Production: Polished Motown sound with lush arrangements and backing vocals

Got to Be There reflects Motown’s classic production values while allowing Jackson’s unique vocal personality to shine through.

Fun Facts & Trivia

Interesting Details About the Album

Michael Jackson was just 13 years old when the album was released.
Got to Be There became the first solo album by a Jackson family member.
“Rockin’ Robin” reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The album helped prove that Michael could succeed outside of The Jackson 5.
Quincy Jones would later cite Michael’s early solo work as evidence of his exceptional musical instincts.
The Bill Withers cover “Ain’t No Sunshine” was praised for its emotional depth, unusual for such a young singer.

Commercial Performance and Legacy

US Billboard 200: Top 20
Singles Success: Multiple Top 10 hits
Certifications: Gold in the United States

Got to Be There was both a commercial and critical success, solidifying Michael Jackson’s position as a solo star in the making. It paved the way for future solo albums such as Ben (1972), Music & Me (1973), and eventually the groundbreaking Off the Wall (1979).

Top Tracks

Got to Be There – Emotional Motown ballad
Rockin’ Robin – Energetic pop classic
Ain’t No Sunshine – Soulful, mature cover
I Wanna Be Where You Are – Smooth R&B groove
You’ve Got a Friend – Warm and heartfelt

These songs highlight Jackson’s range, control, and emotional expression.

Why Got to Be There Still Matters

The Birth of a Solo Legend

This album marks the beginning of Michael Jackson’s solo journey, proving he could command attention as an individual artist.

Vocal Maturity

Jackson’s ability to convey complex emotions at such a young age remains unmatched and continues to impress new generations of listeners.

Motown Legacy

Got to Be There stands as an important entry in Motown’s golden-era catalog, blending youthful charm with professional polish.

Final Thoughts

Got to Be There (1972) is more than a debut album—it is a historic milestone that introduced the world to Michael Jackson as a solo artist. With its blend of soul, pop, and emotional storytelling, the album remains a timeless classic and an essential chapter in the story of one of music’s greatest icons.

Meta Description

Explore Michael Jackson’s debut solo album Got to Be There (1972). Discover top tracks, fun facts, and how it launched the King of Pop’s legendary career.

Keywords

Michael Jackson Got to Be There
Michael Jackson debut album
1972 Motown albums
Michael Jackson early career
Motown soul classics

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