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{{Short description|1980 single by Michael Jackson}}
{{Refimprove|date=May 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = She's Out of My Life
| name = She's Out of My Life
| cover = She's Out of My Life by Michael Jackson US vinyl.jpg
| cover = She's Out of My Life by Michael Jackson US vinyl.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Side-A label of U.S. vinyl single
| caption = Side A label of US vinyl single
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[Michael Jackson]]
| artist = [[Michael Jackson]]
| album = [[Off the Wall]]
| album = [[Off the Wall]]
| B-side =
| B-side = {{ubl|"Push Me Away" {{small|(with [[The Jackson 5|The Jacksons]], [[United Kingdom|UK]])}}|"Get on the Floor" {{small|([[United States|U.S.]])}}}}
* "[[Destiny (The Jacksons album)|Push Me Away]]" (with [[The Jackson 5|the Jacksons]], UK)
| released = April 18, 1980
* "Get on the Floor" (US)
| format = [[Gramophone record|7" single]]
| released = April 1, 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=out+of+my+life#search_section|title=RIAA|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] }}</ref>
| recorded = December 1978{{snd}}June 1979
| recorded = December 1978{{snd}}June 1979
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| venue =
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| genre =
*[[Soul music|Soul]]
*[[soft rock]]
*[[adult contemporary]]
| length = 3:37
| length = 3:37
| label = {{flatlist|
| label = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[Columbia Records|CBS]]
}}
| writer = [[Tom Bahler]]
| writer = [[Tom Bahler]]
| producer = [[Quincy Jones]]
| producer = [[Quincy Jones]]
| prev_title = [[Off the Wall (Michael Jackson song)|Off the Wall]]
| prev_title = [[Off the Wall (Michael Jackson song)|Off the Wall]]
| prev_year = 1980
| prev_year = 1979
| next_title = [[Girlfriend (Paul McCartney song)#Micheal Jackson version|Girlfriend]]
| next_title = [[Girlfriend (Paul McCartney song)#Michael Jackson version|Girlfriend]]
| next_year = 1980
| next_year = 1980
| misc = {{External music video|1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DQJPL9Yuq0 "She's Out of My Life"] on YouTube}}
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|6DQJPL9Yuq0|"She's Out of My Life"}}}}
}}
}}


"'''She's Out of My Life'''" is a song written by American songwriter [[Tom Bahler]] and performed by American singer [[Michael Jackson]]. The song was released as the fourth [[Single (music)|single]] from Jackson's [[1979 in music|1979]] album ''[[Off the Wall]]''. In 2004, the song appeared in ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Michael Jackson album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''. It peaked at number 10 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], marking the first time any solo artist had ever achieved four Top 10 hits from one album. In America, it earned a million-selling [[Gold certification|Gold]] 45. Unlike the album's previous singles, which were all uptempo [[Dance music|dance]]-oriented [[funk]] and [[disco]] songs, "She's Out of My Life" was an emotional ballad. The song has a tempo of 66 beats per minute, making it one of Jackson's slowest songs.<ref>''The Complete Michael Jackson'', International Music Publications Ltd, 1997, {{ISBN|1859094473}}, p77</ref>
"'''She's Out of My Life'''" is a song written by American songwriter [[Tom Bahler]] and performed by American singer [[Michael Jackson]]. The song was released April 1, 1980 as the fourth [[Single (music)|single]] from Jackson's 1979 album ''[[Off the Wall]]''. In 2004, the song appeared in ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Michael Jackson album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''. It peaked at No. 10 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], marking the first time any solo artist had ever achieved four Top 10 hits from one album. In America, it earned a million-selling [[Gold certification|Platinum]] certification.

The demo version of the song, which features Jackson singing with a guitar, was released on the second disc of the 2009 album ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It (album)|Michael Jackson's This Is It]]''. The song has also been covered by a variety of artists, including [[Patti LaBelle]], [[Shirley Bassey]], [[Ginuwine]], [[98 Degrees|98°]], [[S Club 7]], [[Barbara Mandrell]], [[Daniel Evans (singer)|Daniel Evans]], [[Nina Girado|Nina]], [[Willie Nelson]], [[Josh Groban]], [[Gloria Lynne]], and [[Karel Gott]].


==Background==
The song is about a painful breakup. It has been claimed that Bahler wrote the song about [[Karen Carpenter]], whom Bahler had briefly dated. However, he has stated, "The fact is, I had already written that song by the time Karen and I became romantic. That song was written more about [[John Davidson (entertainer)|Rhonda Rivera]]... Rhonda and I had been together for two years, and it was after we broke up that I started dating Karen."<ref>{{cite book|title=Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter|author=Randy Schmidt|isbn=978-1780381497|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|date=2012}}</ref>
Unlike the album's previous singles, which are all uptempo [[Dance music|dance]]-oriented [[funk]] and [[disco]] songs, "She's Out of My Life" is an emotional ballad. The song has a tempo of 66 beats per minute, making it one of Jackson's slowest songs.<ref>''The Complete Michael Jackson'', International Music Publications Ltd, 1997, {{ISBN|1859094473}}, p77</ref>


The song is about a painful breakup. It has been claimed{{By whom|date=January 2024}} that Bahler wrote the song about [[Karen Carpenter]], whom Bahler had briefly dated. However, he has stated, "The fact is, I had already written that song by the time Karen and I became romantic. That song was written more about [[John Davidson (entertainer)#Personal life|Rhonda Rivera]]... Rhonda and I had been together for two years, and it was after we broke up that I started dating Karen."<ref>{{cite book|title=Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter|author=Randy Schmidt|isbn=978-1780381497|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|date=2012}}</ref>
The demo version of the song, which features Jackson singing with a guitar, was released on the second disc of the 2009 album ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It (album)|Michael Jackson's This Is It]]''. The song has also been covered by a variety of artists, including [[Patti LaBelle]], [[Shirley Bassey]], [[Ginuwine]], [[98 Degrees|98°]], [[S Club 7]], [[Barbara Mandrell]], [[Daniel Evans (singer)|Daniel Evans]], [[Nina Girado|Nina]], [[Willie Nelson]], [[Josh Groban]], and [[Karel Gott]].


==Production==
==Production==
Jones had originally intended to save the song for [[Frank Sinatra]]. However, he wanted Jackson to record material with more mature themes and "feel the full range of his voice," so he decided to bring the song to Jackson's attention.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Special Commemorative Edition:Michael Jackson 1958-2009|publisher=[[TIME Magazine]]|date=July 2009|page=32}}</ref>
Producer [[Quincy Jones]] originally intended to save the song for [[Frank Sinatra]]. However, he wanted Jackson to record material with more mature themes and "feel the full range of his voice," so he decided to bring the song to Jackson's attention.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Special Commemorative Edition:Michael Jackson 1958-2009|magazine=[[TIME Magazine]]|date=July 2009|page=32}}</ref>


A poignant moment in the song occurs near the end when Jackson begins to break down in tears as he sings the word "life". Although he had attempted to record the song's last few moments with emotional restraint, after numerous tries he continued to end the rendition the same - by breaking down in tears. Producer [[Quincy Jones]] subsequently let Jackson's tearful recording stand:
A poignant moment in the song occurs near the end when Jackson begins to break down in tears as he sings the final line. Although he had attempted to record the song's last few moments with emotional restraint, after numerous tries he continued to end the rendition the same—by breaking down in tears. Jones subsequently let Jackson's tearful recording stand:


<blockquote>
{{blockquote|
''She's Out of My Life'', I'd been carrying around for about three years—you can feel the pain in it, you know. And I held on to it and finally something said 'this is the right moment to give it to Michael'.
"She's Out of My Life", I'd been carrying around for about three years—you can feel the pain in it, you know. And I held on to it and finally something said 'this is the right moment to give it to Michael'.


And when we recorded it with Michael, I know it was an experience he'd never even thought about to sing in a song, 'cause it's a very mature emotion. And he cried at the end of every take, you know. We recorded about—I don't know—8-11 takes, and every one at the end, he just cried, and I said 'hey - that's supposed to be, leave it on there.'
And when we recorded it with Michael, I know it was an experience he'd never even thought about to sing in a song, 'cause it's a very mature emotion. And he cried at the end of every take, you know. We recorded about—I don't know—8–11 takes, and every one at the end, he just cried, and I said 'hey—that's supposed to be, leave it on there.'


—[[Quincy Jones]], ''[[Off the Wall (album)|Off the Wall]]'' 2001 Special Edition, ''Quincy Jones Interview 3''
—Quincy Jones, ''Off the Wall'' 2001 Special Edition, ''Quincy Jones Interview 3''
}}
</blockquote>
Jackson apologized to Jones and [[Bruce Swedien]] following the emotional recording, but they said that there was "no need to".<ref name="mj mw" />


In Jackson's autobiography, ''[[Moonwalk (book)|Moonwalk]]'', he wrote that the song is about knowing that barriers separating him from others are seemingly easy to overcome, yet they cause him to miss out on what he really desires.<ref name="mj mw">{{cite book |title=[[Moonwalk (book)|Moonwalk]] | first=Michael |last=Jackson|authorlink=Michael Jackson |year=2009 |origyear=First published 1988|publisher=Random House|isbn=0-307-71698-8|pages=163–164}}</ref> He said that he cried from the sudden effect of the words because "I had been letting so much build up inside me."<ref name="mj mw" /> Particularly it reminded him of his feeling of being "so rich in some experiences while being poor in moments of true joy."<ref name="mj mw" /> He worried about this feeling showing up on the song, but also felt "if it touched people's heartstrings, knowing that would make me feel less lonely."<ref name="mj mw" /> He described making ''Off the Wall'' as "one of the most difficult periods of my life...I had very few close friends at the time and felt very isolated."<ref name="mj mw" /> He would walk through his neighborhood, hoping to meet people who didn't know who he was, so he could meet "somebody who would be my friend because they liked me and needed a friend too, not because I was who I am."<ref name="mj mw" />
In Jackson's autobiography, ''[[Moonwalk (book)|Moonwalk]]'', he wrote that the song is about knowing that barriers separating him from others are seemingly easy to overcome, yet they cause him to miss out on what he really desires.<ref name="mj mw">{{cite book |title=[[Moonwalk (book)|Moonwalk]] | first=Michael |last=Jackson|author-link=Michael Jackson |year=2009 |orig-year=First published 1988|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-0-307-71698-9|pages=163–164}}</ref> He said that he cried from the sudden effect of the words because "I had been letting so much build up inside me."<ref name="mj mw" /> Particularly it reminded him of his feeling of being "so rich in some experiences while being poor in moments of true joy."<ref name="mj mw" /> He worried about this feeling showing up on the song, but also felt "if it touched people's heartstrings, knowing that would make me feel less lonely."<ref name="mj mw" /> He described making ''Off the Wall'' as "one of the most difficult periods of my life... I had very few close friends at the time and felt very isolated."<ref name="mj mw" /> He would walk through his neighborhood, hoping to meet people who didn't know who he was, so he could meet "somebody who would be my friend because they liked me and needed a friend too, not because I was who I am."<ref name="mj mw" />


==Release and reception==
==Release and reception==
The song peaked at #10 in the [[United States]] on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=She%27s+Out+of+My+Life+Michael+Jackson&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=37&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE|0 Billboard.com - Search Results - She's out of My Life (Singles chart)]. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on 2008-08-15.</ref> The single was even more successful in the [[UK]] and peaked at number 3 on the charts (the equivalent position reached by ''Off the Wall's'' debut single "[[Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough]]").
The song peaked at #10 in the United States on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=She%27s+Out+of+My+Life+Michael+Jackson&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=37&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE |0 Billboard.com - Search Results - She's out of My Life (Singles chart)]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on 2008-08-15.</ref> The single was even more successful in the UK and peaked at number 3 on the charts (the equivalent position reached by ''Off the Wall''{{'}}s debut single "[[Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough]]").


Given the popular response to his emotional rendition, the song remained in Jackson's live set for many years.
Given the popular response to his emotional rendition, the song remained in Jackson's live set for many years.


===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
[[AllMusic]] editor [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] called the song an "overwrought ballad" but praised Jackson's "blindingly gifted" singing on the track.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/off-the-wall-mw0000190332 |title=Off the Wall - Michael Jackson &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date= |accessdate=2015-05-31}}</ref> Rolling Stone editor Stephen Holden praised: "The singer's ultradramatic phrasing, which takes huge emotional risks and wins every time, wrings the last drop of pathos from Tom Bahler's tear-jerker, "She's Out of My Life."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/259585/review/6067502/off_the_wall |title=Michael Jackson: Off The Wall : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=1979-11-01 |accessdate=2015-05-31 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629055907/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/259585/review/6067502/off_the_wall |archivedate=June 29, 2009 }}</ref>
[[AllMusic]] editor [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] called the song an "overwrought ballad" but praised Jackson's "blindingly gifted" singing on the track.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/off-the-wall-mw0000190332 |title=Off the Wall - Michael Jackson &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2015-05-31}}</ref> Rolling Stone editor Stephen Holden praised: "The singer's ultradramatic phrasing, which takes huge emotional risks and wins every time, wrings the last drop of pathos from Tom Bahler's tear-jerker, "She's Out of My Life."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/259585/review/6067502/off_the_wall |title=Michael Jackson: Off The Wall : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=1979-11-01 |access-date=2015-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629055907/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/michaeljackson/albums/album/259585/review/6067502/off_the_wall |archive-date=June 29, 2009 }}</ref> ''[[Cash Box]]'' said it has a "feathery, symphonic opening, muted keyboard work and tearful vocal reading."<ref name=cb>{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=April 12, 1980|page=11|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2022-01-01|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1980/CB-1980-04-12.pdf}}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
A music video was produced to promote the song, which showed Michael in a blue-green shirt, dark pants, and sitting on a barstool with a spotlight shining behind him.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Jackson - She's Out of My Life|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DQJPL9Yuq0|work=michaeljacksonVEVO|accessdate=2011-01-18|format=Youtube video|date=2009-10-02}}</ref> The video uses a [[Split screen (filmmaking)|split screen]] technique to simultaneously show Jackson from two different angles during the second and third verses. It was directed by [[Bruce Gowers]], who also directed a similar video for Jackson's previous single "[[Rock with You]]." The video is shown far less frequently than Jackson's later videos, but it is included on the DVD box set ''[[Michael Jackson's Vision]]'', marking its first DVD release. It was parodied in the [[Dr. PC Man]] video ''[[Three Minutes Hour Life]]''.
A music video was produced to promote the song, which showed Michael in a blue-green shirt, dark pants, and sitting on a barstool with a spotlight shining behind him.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Jackson - She's Out of My Life|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DQJPL9Yuq0|work=michaeljacksonVEVO|access-date=2011-01-18|format=Youtube video|date=2009-10-02}}</ref> The video uses a [[Split screen (filmmaking)|split screen]] technique to simultaneously show Jackson from two different angles during the second and third verses. It was directed by [[Bruce Gowers]], who also directed a similar video for Jackson's previous single "[[Rock with You]]". The video is shown far less frequently than Jackson's later videos, but it is included on the DVD box set ''[[Michael Jackson's Vision]]'', marking its first DVD release.


==Live performances==
==Live performances==
The song was performed during [[The Jacksons]]' [[Triumph Tour]] and [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons tour)|Victory Tour]]. It was also performed on Jackson's [[Bad World Tour]], the [[Dangerous World Tour]], and the Royal Brunei concert, which also turned out to be the final live performance of the song, as whilst it was rehearsed for the [[History World Tour]], it was removed from the setlist just before the tour began<ref>https://mjbeats.com.br/a-in%C3%A9dita-lista-de-michael-jackson-e-o-show-history-tour-1c142ee4dd9b</ref>. The song was also rehearsed as a duet with a female backup vocalist for the first "Michael Jackson & Friends" charity concert in [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]], but cancelled for the final performance, which took place ten years to the day before Jackson's death.
The song was performed during [[the Jacksons]]' [[Triumph Tour]] and [[Victory Tour (The Jacksons)|Victory Tour]]. It was also performed on Jackson's ''[[Bad (tour)|Bad]]'' tour, the [[Dangerous World Tour]], and the Royal Brunei concert, which also turned out to be the final live performance of the song, as whilst it was rehearsed for the [[HIStory World Tour]], it was removed from the setlist just before the tour began.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mjbeats.com.br/a-in%C3%A9dita-lista-de-michael-jackson-e-o-show-history-tour-1c142ee4dd9b|title=A inédita lista de músicas Michael Jackson e o show HIStory Tour|first=M. J.|last=Beats|date=20 June 2018|website=Mjbeats.com.br|access-date=23 April 2021}}</ref> The song was also rehearsed as a duet with a female backup vocalist for the first "Michael Jackson & Friends" charity concert in [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]], but cancelled for the final performance, which took place ten years to the day before Jackson's death.


Usually during these performances, Jackson would bring a female audience member up on stage with him while performing the song.
Usually during these performances, Jackson would replace the line "it's out of my hands" with "it's...can I come down there?" He would then bring a female audience member up on stage with him while performing the song. Before concluding the song by singing the final word "life", he would often pause briefly to physically display distress, which he amplified by shielding his face and acting as if he were crying. He would also do that gesture near the end of [[I'll Be There (Jackson 5 song)|I'll Be There]] during The Jackson 5 Medley.


The live performances of the song were featured on the ''[[Michael Jackson: Live at Wembley July 16, 1988|Live at Wembley July 16, 1988]]'', ''[[Michael Jackson: Live In Bucharest - The Dangerous Tour|Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour]]'', and ''[[Michael Jackson: Live at Wembley July 16, 1988]]'' DVDs. Live audio is available in the ''Live at Wembley July 16, 1988'' CD, included as a bonus on ''[[Bad 25]]'', and the 1981 live album, ''[[The Jacksons Live!]]''
The live performances of the song were featured on the ''[[Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour]]'' and ''[[Live at Wembley July 16, 1988]]'' DVDs. Live audio is available in the ''Live at Wembley July 16, 1988'' CD, included as a bonus on ''[[Bad 25]]'', and the 1981 live album, ''[[The Jacksons Live!]]''


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
===US single===

# "She's Out of My Life Official Video

===U.S. single===
# "She's Out of My Life" – 3:38
# "She's Out of My Life" – 3:38
# "Get on the Floor" – 4:40
# "Get on the Floor" – 4:40


==Personnel==
==Chart performance==
*Written and composed by [[Tom Bahler]]
===Weekly charts===
*Produced by [[Quincy Jones]]
*Recorded and mixed by [[Bruce Swedien]]
*Lead vocal by [[Michael Jackson]]
*Bass: [[Louis Johnson (bassist)|Louis Johnson]]
*Guitar: [[Larry Carlton]]
*Rhodes piano: [[Greg Phillinganes]]
*String arrangement by [[Johnny Mandel]]
*Concert master: Gerald Vinci

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+1980 weekly chart performance for "She's Out of My Life"
!scope="col"|Chart (1980)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989|website=Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien|url= http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=26517&pages=|access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>
!style="width: 200pt;"|Chart (1980)
|17
!style="width: 40pt;"|Peak<br/>Position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|15|chartid=0209a|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016}}
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989|website=Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien|url= http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=26517&pages=|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|17
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|15|chartid=0209a|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|4|song=She's Out of My Life|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|4|song=She's Out of My Life|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|13|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|13|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|19|artist=Michael Jackson|year=1980|week=36|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch40|19|artist=Michael Jackson|year=1980|week=36|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|6|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|6|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{single chart|UK|3|date=1980-05-24|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016|refname=UK-1980}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/michael-jackson/chart-history/hsi/|publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=30 September 2021|title=Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)|language=en|date=30 September 2021}}</ref>
{{singlechart|UK|3|date=1980-05-24|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|accessdate=22 June 2016|refname=UK-1980}}
|10
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=118}}</ref>
|US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/310778/michael-jackson/chart?page=2&f=379|title=Michael Jackson - Chart History|website=[[Billboard Hot 100]]|id=for Michael Jackson|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
|4
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19800628.html |title=CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JUNE 28, 1980 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box magazine]] |access-date=2016-06-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913113251/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19800628.html |archive-date=13 September 2012 }}</ref>
|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |authorlink= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=118}}</ref>
|14
|align="center"|4
|-
|-
|US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19800628.html |title=CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JUNE 28, 1980 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'' magazine]] |accessdate=2016-06-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913113251/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19800628.html |archivedate=13 September 2012 |df= }}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''[[Radio & Records]]'' [[Contemporary Hit Radio|CHR/Pop]] Airplay Chart<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gghunt.utasites.cloud/charts/mjackson.html|title=Michael Jackson|website=Gghunt.utasites.cloud|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=12 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412010247/https://gghunt.utasites.cloud/charts/mjackson.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|10
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{{col-2}}
|+2009 weekly chart performance for "She's Out of My Life"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!scope="col"|Chart (2009)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|57|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016}}
!style="width: 200pt;"|Chart (2009)
!style="width: 40pt;"|Peak<br/>Position
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|57|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|97|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Switzerland|97|artist=Michael Jackson|song=She's Out of My Life|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{single chart|UK|88|date=2009-07-11|artist=Michael Jackson|song=Rock With You|rowheader=true|access-date=22 June 2016|refname=UK-2009}}
|-
{{singlechart|UK|88|date=2009-07-11|artist=Michael Jackson|song=Rock With You|accessdate=22 June 2016|refname=UK-2009}}
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for "She's Out of My Life"
!scope="col"|Chart (1980)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s|website=Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40275&pages=|access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>
!style="width: 200pt;"|Chart (1980)
|162
!style="width: 40pt;"|Rank
|-
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1980-12-31|title=Official New Zealand Music Chart - End of Year Charts 1980|access-date=22 June 2016|website=[[Recorded Music NZ]]}}</ref>
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s|website=Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40275&pages=|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
|48
| style="text-align:center;"|162
|-
|-
|New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3869|title=Official New Zealand Music Chart - End of Year Charts 1980|accessdate=22 June 2016|website=[[Recorded Music NZ]]}}</ref>
!scope="row"|UK ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1980.shtml|title=Top 100 1980 - UK Music Charts|website=Uk-charts.top-source.info|access-date=23 April 2021}}</ref>
|61
| style="text-align:center;"|48
|-
|-
|US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1980|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1980|website=longboredsurfer.com|accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1980|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1980|website=longboredsurfer.com|access-date=22 June 2016}}</ref>
|65
| style="text-align:center;"|65
|-
|-
|US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html |title=The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980 |accessdate=2013-12-13 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'' magazine]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915071244/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html |archivedate=September 15, 2012 |df= }}</ref>
!scope="row"|US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html |title=The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980 |access-date=2013-12-13 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box magazine]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915071244/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 }}</ref>
|94
| style="text-align:center;"|94
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "She's Out of My Life"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=She's Out of My Life|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1980|certyear=1989|accessdate=22 June 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=She's Out of My Life|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1980|certyear=2022|access-date=19 May 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|nounspecified=true}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}


==Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke version==
==Personnel==
{{Infobox song
*Written and composed by [[Tom Bahler]]
| name = He's Out of My Life
*Produced by [[Quincy Jones]]
| type = single
*Lead vocal by [[Michael Jackson]]
| artist = [[Johnny Duncan (country singer)|Johnny Duncan]] and [[Janie Fricke]]
*Bass: [[Louis Johnson (bassist)|Louis Johnson]]
| album = [[Nice 'n' Easy (Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke album)|Nice 'n' Easy]]
*Guitar: [[Larry Carlton]]
| B-side = [[Loving Arms]]
*Electric piano: [[Greg Phillinganes]]
| released = {{Start date|1980|08}}
*String arrangement by [[Johnny Mandel]]
| recorded = {{Start date|1980|05}}
*Concert master: Gerald Vinci
| studio = Columbia Studio
| genre = [[Country music|Country]]
| length = 3:14
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = Tom Bahler
| producer = [[Billy Sherrill]]
| chronology = [[Johnny Duncan (country singer)|Johnny Duncan]]
| prev_title = I'm Gonna Love You Tonight (In My Dreams)
| prev_year = 1980
| next_title = Acapulco
| next_year = 1980
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Janie Fricke]]
| type = single
| prev_title = [[Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)]]
| prev_year = 1980
| title = He's Out of My Life
| year = 1980
| next_title = [[Down to My Last Broken Heart]]
| next_year = 1980
}}
}}
===Background and recording===
"She's Out of My Life" was notably covered as a duet by American [[country music]] artists [[Johnny Duncan (country singer)|Johnny Duncan]] and [[Janie Fricke]]. For the duet, the song was re-titled to "He's Out of My Life".<ref name="Liner Notes">{{cite journal |last1=Duncan |first1=Johnny |last2=Fricke |first2=Janie |title="He's Out of My Life"/"Loving Arms" (7" vinyl single sleeve insert) |journal=[[Columbia Records]] |date=August 1980 |id=1-11312}}</ref> The pair began recording together when Fricke appeared as a background vocalist on several of Duncan's late 1970s country hits. Her uncredited background vocals led to her own contract with Duncan's label ([[Columbia Records]]).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Deming |first1=Mark |title=Janie Fricke Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/janie-fricke-mn0000210512/biography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=30 December 2021}}</ref> In 1980, Duncan and Fricke went into the studio to record their first studio album as a duet pair. Their sessions that year also included "He's Out of My Life". It was recorded at the Columbia Studio, located in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. The session took place in May 1980 and was produced by [[Billy Sherrill]].<ref name="Liner Notes 2">{{cite journal |last1=Duncan |first1=Johnny |last2=Fricke |first2=Janie |title=''Nice 'n' Easy'' (LP Liner Notes and Album Information) |journal=[[Columbia Records]] |date=October 1980 |id=JC-36780/PCT-36780}}</ref>


===Release and chart performance===
==Covers==
In August 1980, "She's My Out of My Life" was released as a [[Single (music)|single]] on Columbia Records, crediting both Duncan and Fricke.<ref name="Liner Notes"/> The single spent 14 weeks on the American ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Country Songs]] chart, peaking at number 17 in September 1980.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=112}}</ref> The track also reached Canada's ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Country Songs chart where it also reached the top 20, peaking at number 20 in 1980.<ref name="RPM Country Singles">{{cite magazine|title=Search results for "Janie Fricke" under Country Singles|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=qu73jvk5erc3h34qrupr5cjee6&q1=Janie+Fricke&q2=Country+Singles&interval=20|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|accessdate=26 November 2012}}</ref> "He's Out of My Life" was later released on Duncan and Fricke's album ''[[Nice 'n' Easy (Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke album)|Nice 'n' Easy]]''. The album was released in October 1980.<ref name="Liner Notes 2"/>
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2015}}


===Charting covers===
===Track listing===
'''7" vinyl single'''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>
[[Johnny Duncan (country singer)|Johnny Duncan]] and [[Janie Fricke]] recorded a duet version reworked as "He's Out Of My Life", and in 1980 their version reached the top 20 of the Billboard [[Hot Country Songs|Hot Country Singles]] chart.
* "He's Out of My Life" – 3:14
* "[[Loving Arms]]" – 3:03

===Charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "He's Out of My Life"
!Chart (1980)
!Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Canada [[RPM (magazine)|Country Songs]] (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref name="RPM Country Singles"/>
|20
|-
{{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|17|artist=Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke|rowheader=true|access-date=December 31, 2021}}
|}


===Other recorded covers===
==Other recorded covers==
*[[Barbara Mandrell]] covered the song, retitled "He's Out of My Life", on her 1980 album, ''[[Love Is Fair]]''.
*[[Barbara Mandrell]] covered the song, retitled "He's Out of My Life", on her 1980 album, ''[[Love Is Fair]]''.
*[[Shirley Bassey]] covered the song, retitled "He's Out of My Life", on her 1982 album ''[[All by Myself (Shirley Bassey album)|All by Myself]]''.
*[[Shirley Bassey]] covered the song, retitled "He's Out of My Life", on her 1982 album ''[[All by Myself (Shirley Bassey album)|All by Myself]]''.
*[[Gloria Lynne]] covered the song, retitled "He's Out of My Life", on her 1989 album, A Time for Love.
*[[Willie Nelson]] covered the song on his 1984 album ''[[City of New Orleans (album)|City of New Orleans]]''.
*[[Willie Nelson]] covered the song on his 1984 album ''[[City of New Orleans (album)|City of New Orleans]]''.
*[[Elaine Paige]] recorded the song (as "He's Out of My Life") for her 1991 album, ''[[Love Can Do That]]''.
*[[Elaine Paige]] recorded the song (as "He's Out of My Life") for her 1991 album, ''[[Love Can Do That]]''.
* [[98 Degrees]] included an [[a cappella]] cover on their 1998 album ''[[98 Degrees and Rising]]''.
*[[98 Degrees]] included an [[a cappella]] cover on their 1998 album ''[[98 Degrees and Rising]]''.
* [[Ginuwine]] included a cover as the final track on his 1999 album ''[[100% Ginuwine]]''.
*[[Ginuwine]] included a cover as the final track on his 1999 album ''[[100% Ginuwine]]''.
*[[Josh Groban]] covered this song as a bonus track on his album ''[[Closer (Josh Groban album)|Closer]]'' in 2003.
*[[Josh Groban]] covered this song as a bonus track on his album ''[[Closer (Josh Groban album)|Closer]]'' in 2003.
*[[Patti LaBelle]] recorded the song (as "He's Out of My Life") for her 2005 album, ''[[Classic Moments]]''.
*[[Patti LaBelle]] recorded the song (as "He's Out of My Life") for her 2005 album, ''[[Classic Moments]]''.
*[[Nina Girado]] recorded the song on her 2009 album, ''[[Renditions of the Soul]]''. Although the title was unchanged, Girado sang the title line as "He's out of my life."
*[[Nina Girado]] recorded the song on her 2009 album, ''[[Renditions of the Soul]]''. Although the title was unchanged, Girado sang the title line as "He's out of my life."
*[[Daniel Evans (singer)|Daniel Evans]] released a version on his debut album, ''[[No Easy Way]]'', in 2010.
*[[Daniel Evans (singer)|Daniel Evans]] released a version on his debut album, ''[[No Easy Way]]'', in 2010.
*UK vocalist [[Tony_Momrelle]] rehearsed a version with [[RTÉ]] Irish TV in Dublin, on 17 April 2024 as shown on his instagram.


===Live covers===
==Live covers==
*[[Jon Lee (singer)|Jon Lee]] from [[S Club 7]] performed the song on their S Club Party Live Tour in 2001.
*[[Jon Lee (singer)|Jon Lee]] from [[S Club 7]] performed the song on their S Club Party Live Tour in 2001.
*[[Scott Bruton]] performed the song on ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'' during the Michael Jackson theme week in 2008, as well as [[Joe McElderry]] who performed it in 2009.
*[[Scott Bruton]] performed the song on ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'' during the Michael Jackson theme week in 2008, as well as [[Joe McElderry]] who performed it in 2009.
*[[Ringmasters (quartet)|Ringmasters]], a Nordic Barbershop Quartet, performed a David Harrington arrangement as part of their 2010 [[Barbershop Harmony Society|BHS]] International competition show.
*[[Ringmasters (quartet)|Ringmasters]], a Nordic Barbershop Quartet, performed a David Harrington arrangement as part of their 2010 [[Barbershop Harmony Society|BHS]] International competition show.
*[[Miguel (singer)|Miguel]] performed a tribute at the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.spin.com/2016/02/miguel-michael-jackson-shes-out-of-my-life-watch-grammys-2016/ |title=Miguel Covers Michael Jackson’s ‘She’s Out Of My Life’ At The Grammy Awards |website=SPIN.com |date=2016-02-15 |accessdate=2016-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Joe Lynch |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6875297/grammys-2016-miguel-michael-jackson-shes-out-of-my-life |title=2016 Grammys: Miguel Sings 'She's Out of My Life' in Honor of Michael Jackson |publisher=Billboard |date=2016-02-15 |accessdate=2016-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=C. G. Matera |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/63519-grammys-2016-miguel-sings-michael-jacksons-shes-out-of-my-life/ |title=Grammys 2016: Miguel Sings Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life" |publisher=Pitchfork |date=2016-02-15 |accessdate=2016-10-17}}</ref>
*[[Miguel (singer)|Miguel]] performed a tribute at the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/02/miguel-michael-jackson-shes-out-of-my-life-watch-grammys-2016/ |title=Miguel Covers Michael Jackson's 'She's Out Of My Life' At The Grammy Awards |website=SPIN.com |date=2016-02-15 |access-date=2016-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Joe Lynch |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6875297/grammys-2016-miguel-michael-jackson-shes-out-of-my-life |title=2016 Grammys: Miguel Sings 'She's Out of My Life' in Honor of Michael Jackson |magazine=Billboard |date=2016-02-15 |access-date=2016-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=C. G. Matera |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/63519-grammys-2016-miguel-sings-michael-jacksons-shes-out-of-my-life/ |title=Grammys 2016: Miguel Sings Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life" |website=Pitchfork |date=2016-02-15 |access-date=2016-10-17}}</ref>


==Parodies and references==
==Parodies and references==
* Comedian [[Eddie Murphy]] sang a few bars from "She's Out of My Life" while imitating Jackson during his ''[[Eddie Murphy Delirious|Delirious]]'' concert. After the mock tears, he closed it by saying "[[Tito Jackson|Tito]], give me some tissue....[[Jermaine Jackson|Jermaine]], stop teasing."
* Comedian [[Eddie Murphy]] sang a few bars from "She's Out of My Life" while imitating Jackson during his 1983 [[stand-up comedy]] special ''[[Eddie Murphy Delirious|Delirious]]''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wright|first=Joshua K.|date=2022|title="Wake Up, Mr. West": Kanye West and the Double Consciousness of Black Celebrity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zj1ZEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA72|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|page=72|isbn=978-1476686486}}</ref> After the mock tears, he closed it by saying "[[Tito Jackson|Tito]], get me some tissue..." "[[Jermaine Jackson|Jermaine]], stop teasing".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-journey-from-motown-to-off-the-wall-review-sundance-spike-lee-6851739/|title='Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall': Sundance Review|last=Rooney|first=David|date=January 24, 2016|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 20, 2022}}</ref>
* Comedian [[Richard Jeni]] sang part of the song when imitating an all [[love song]] [[radio station]] during his stand-up show, "Platypus Man".
* Comedian [[Richard Jeni]] sang part of the song when imitating an all [[love song]] [[radio station]] during his stand-up show, "Platypus Man".
*[[Dave Lister]] ([[Craig Charles]]) sang the first few bars as a lament to [[Kristine Kochanski]] during the ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' episode "Marooned". He claims it to be the first song he learnt how to play on the guitar.
*[[Dave Lister]] ([[Craig Charles]]) sang the first few bars as a lament to [[Kristine Kochanski]] during the ''[[Red Dwarf]]'' episode "Marooned". He claims it to be the first song he learned how to play on the guitar.
* In the end credits of the 2001 film ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'', [[Mike Wazowski]] parodies the song as "She's Out Of Your Hair", sitting atop a stool during a play about the events of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/monsters-inc-meme/|title=This 'Monsters, Inc.' meme has people digging deep for their favorite songs|last=Vincent|first=Brittany|date=August 13, 2018|website=[[The Daily Dot]]|access-date=December 20, 2022}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MetroLyrics song|michael-jackson|shes-out-of-my-life}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Off the Wall}}
{{Off the Wall}}
{{Michael Jackson singles}}
{{Michael Jackson songs}}
{{Johnny Duncan}}
{{Janie Fricke singles}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1979 songs]]
[[Category:1979 songs]]
[[Category:1980 singles]]
[[Category:1980 singles]]
[[Category:1980s ballads]]
[[Category:Michael Jackson songs]]
[[Category:Michael Jackson songs]]
[[Category:Johnny Duncan (country singer) songs]]
[[Category:Janie Fricke songs]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers]]
[[Category:Songs about loneliness]]
[[Category:Songs about loneliness]]
[[Category:Songs based on actual events]]
[[Category:Songs based on actual events]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Billy Sherrill]]
[[Category:Epic Records singles]]
[[Category:Epic Records singles]]
[[Category:Soul ballads]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:1970s ballads]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]

Latest revision as of 19:55, 1 January 2025

"She's Out of My Life"
Side A label of US vinyl single
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Off the Wall
B-side
ReleasedApril 1, 1980[1]
RecordedDecember 1978 – June 1979
Genre
Length3:37
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Tom Bahler
Producer(s)Quincy Jones
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Off the Wall"
(1979) 		"She's Out of My Life"
(1980) 		"Girlfriend"
(1980)
Music video
"She's Out of My Life" on YouTube

"She's Out of My Life" is a song written by American songwriter Tom Bahler and performed by American singer Michael Jackson. The song was released April 1, 1980 as the fourth single from Jackson's 1979 album Off the Wall. In 2004, the song appeared in The Ultimate Collection. It peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the first time any solo artist had ever achieved four Top 10 hits from one album. In America, it earned a million-selling Platinum certification.

The demo version of the song, which features Jackson singing with a guitar, was released on the second disc of the 2009 album Michael Jackson's This Is It. The song has also been covered by a variety of artists, including Patti LaBelle, Shirley Bassey, Ginuwine, 98°, S Club 7, Barbara Mandrell, Daniel Evans, Nina, Willie Nelson, Josh Groban, Gloria Lynne, and Karel Gott.

Background

[edit]

Unlike the album's previous singles, which are all uptempo dance-oriented funk and disco songs, "She's Out of My Life" is an emotional ballad. The song has a tempo of 66 beats per minute, making it one of Jackson's slowest songs.[2]

The song is about a painful breakup. It has been claimed[by whom?] that Bahler wrote the song about Karen Carpenter, whom Bahler had briefly dated. However, he has stated, "The fact is, I had already written that song by the time Karen and I became romantic. That song was written more about Rhonda Rivera... Rhonda and I had been together for two years, and it was after we broke up that I started dating Karen."[3]

Production

[edit]

Producer Quincy Jones originally intended to save the song for Frank Sinatra. However, he wanted Jackson to record material with more mature themes and "feel the full range of his voice," so he decided to bring the song to Jackson's attention.[4]

A poignant moment in the song occurs near the end when Jackson begins to break down in tears as he sings the final line. Although he had attempted to record the song's last few moments with emotional restraint, after numerous tries he continued to end the rendition the same—by breaking down in tears. Jones subsequently let Jackson's tearful recording stand:

"She's Out of My Life", I'd been carrying around for about three years—you can feel the pain in it, you know. And I held on to it and finally something said 'this is the right moment to give it to Michael'.

And when we recorded it with Michael, I know it was an experience he'd never even thought about to sing in a song, 'cause it's a very mature emotion. And he cried at the end of every take, you know. We recorded about—I don't know—8–11 takes, and every one at the end, he just cried, and I said 'hey—that's supposed to be, leave it on there.'

—Quincy Jones, Off the Wall 2001 Special Edition, Quincy Jones Interview 3

Jackson apologized to Jones and Bruce Swedien following the emotional recording, but they said that there was "no need to".[5]

In Jackson's autobiography, Moonwalk, he wrote that the song is about knowing that barriers separating him from others are seemingly easy to overcome, yet they cause him to miss out on what he really desires.[5] He said that he cried from the sudden effect of the words because "I had been letting so much build up inside me."[5] Particularly it reminded him of his feeling of being "so rich in some experiences while being poor in moments of true joy."[5] He worried about this feeling showing up on the song, but also felt "if it touched people's heartstrings, knowing that would make me feel less lonely."[5] He described making Off the Wall as "one of the most difficult periods of my life... I had very few close friends at the time and felt very isolated."[5] He would walk through his neighborhood, hoping to meet people who didn't know who he was, so he could meet "somebody who would be my friend because they liked me and needed a friend too, not because I was who I am."[5]

Release and reception

[edit]

The song peaked at #10 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] The single was even more successful in the UK and peaked at number 3 on the charts (the equivalent position reached by Off the Wall's debut single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough").

Given the popular response to his emotional rendition, the song remained in Jackson's live set for many years.

Critical reception

[edit]

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the song an "overwrought ballad" but praised Jackson's "blindingly gifted" singing on the track.[7] Rolling Stone editor Stephen Holden praised: "The singer's ultradramatic phrasing, which takes huge emotional risks and wins every time, wrings the last drop of pathos from Tom Bahler's tear-jerker, "She's Out of My Life."[8] Cash Box said it has a "feathery, symphonic opening, muted keyboard work and tearful vocal reading."[9]

Music video

[edit]

A music video was produced to promote the song, which showed Michael in a blue-green shirt, dark pants, and sitting on a barstool with a spotlight shining behind him.[10] The video uses a split screen technique to simultaneously show Jackson from two different angles during the second and third verses. It was directed by Bruce Gowers, who also directed a similar video for Jackson's previous single "Rock with You". The video is shown far less frequently than Jackson's later videos, but it is included on the DVD box set Michael Jackson's Vision, marking its first DVD release.

Live performances

[edit]

The song was performed during the Jacksons' Triumph Tour and Victory Tour. It was also performed on Jackson's Bad tour, the Dangerous World Tour, and the Royal Brunei concert, which also turned out to be the final live performance of the song, as whilst it was rehearsed for the HIStory World Tour, it was removed from the setlist just before the tour began.[11] The song was also rehearsed as a duet with a female backup vocalist for the first "Michael Jackson & Friends" charity concert in Seoul, South Korea, but cancelled for the final performance, which took place ten years to the day before Jackson's death.

Usually during these performances, Jackson would replace the line "it's out of my hands" with "it's...can I come down there?" He would then bring a female audience member up on stage with him while performing the song. Before concluding the song by singing the final word "life", he would often pause briefly to physically display distress, which he amplified by shielding his face and acting as if he were crying. He would also do that gesture near the end of I'll Be There during The Jackson 5 Medley.

The live performances of the song were featured on the Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour and Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 DVDs. Live audio is available in the Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 CD, included as a bonus on Bad 25, and the 1981 live album, The Jacksons Live!

Track listing

[edit]

US single

[edit]
  1. "She's Out of My Life" – 3:38
  2. "Get on the Floor" – 4:40

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "She's Out of My Life"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[30] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke version

[edit]
"He's Out of My Life"
Single by Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke
from the album Nice 'n' Easy
B-side"Loving Arms"
ReleasedAugust 1980 (1980-08)
RecordedMay 1980 (1980-05)
StudioColumbia Studio
GenreCountry
Length3:14
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Tom Bahler
Producer(s)Billy Sherrill
Johnny Duncan singles chronology
"I'm Gonna Love You Tonight (In My Dreams)"
(1980) 		"He's Out of My Life"
(1980) 		"Acapulco"
(1980)
Janie Fricke singles chronology
"Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)"
(1980) 		"He's Out of My Life"
(1980) 		"Down to My Last Broken Heart"
(1980)

Background and recording

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"She's Out of My Life" was notably covered as a duet by American country music artists Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke. For the duet, the song was re-titled to "He's Out of My Life".[31] The pair began recording together when Fricke appeared as a background vocalist on several of Duncan's late 1970s country hits. Her uncredited background vocals led to her own contract with Duncan's label (Columbia Records).[32] In 1980, Duncan and Fricke went into the studio to record their first studio album as a duet pair. Their sessions that year also included "He's Out of My Life". It was recorded at the Columbia Studio, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The session took place in May 1980 and was produced by Billy Sherrill.[33]

Release and chart performance

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In August 1980, "She's My Out of My Life" was released as a single on Columbia Records, crediting both Duncan and Fricke.[31] The single spent 14 weeks on the American Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number 17 in September 1980.[34] The track also reached Canada's RPM Country Songs chart where it also reached the top 20, peaking at number 20 in 1980.[35] "He's Out of My Life" was later released on Duncan and Fricke's album Nice 'n' Easy. The album was released in October 1980.[33]

Track listing

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7" vinyl single[31]

Charts

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Chart performance for "He's Out of My Life"
Chart (1980) Peak
position
Canada Country Songs (RPM)[35] 20
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[36] 17

Other recorded covers

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Live covers

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Parodies and references

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References

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  1. ^ "RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America.
  2. ^ The Complete Michael Jackson, International Music Publications Ltd, 1997, ISBN 1859094473, p77
  3. ^ Randy Schmidt (2012). Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1780381497.
  4. ^ "Special Commemorative Edition:Michael Jackson 1958-2009". TIME Magazine. July 2009. p. 32.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Jackson, Michael (2009) [First published 1988]. Moonwalk. Random House. pp. 163–164. ISBN 978-0-307-71698-9.
  6. ^ |0 Billboard.com - Search Results - She's out of My Life (Singles chart)[dead link‍]. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on 2008-08-15.
  7. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Off the Wall - Michael Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  8. ^ "Michael Jackson: Off The Wall : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 1979-11-01. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  9. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 12, 1980. p. 11. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  10. ^ "Michael Jackson - She's Out of My Life" (Youtube video). michaeljacksonVEVO. 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  11. ^ Beats, M. J. (20 June 2018). "A inédita lista de músicas Michael Jackson e o show HIStory Tour". Mjbeats.com.br. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  13. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0209a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  14. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – She's Out of My Life". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – She's Out of My Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  16. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  17. ^ "Michael Jackson – She's Out of My Life". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  19. ^ "Michael Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  20. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 118.
  21. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JUNE 28, 1980". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 2016-06-22.
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  23. ^ "Michael Jackson – She's Out of My Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  25. ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  26. ^ "Official New Zealand Music Chart - End of Year Charts 1980". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  27. ^ "Top 100 1980 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1980". longboredsurfer.com. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  29. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  30. ^ "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – She's Out of My Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  31. ^ a b c Duncan, Johnny; Fricke, Janie (August 1980). ""He's Out of My Life"/"Loving Arms" (7" vinyl single sleeve insert)". Columbia Records. 1-11312.
  32. ^ Deming, Mark. "Janie Fricke Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  33. ^ a b Duncan, Johnny; Fricke, Janie (October 1980). "Nice 'n' Easy (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". Columbia Records. JC-36780/PCT-36780.
  34. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 112.
  35. ^ a b "Search results for "Janie Fricke" under Country Singles". RPM. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  36. ^ "Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  37. ^ "Miguel Covers Michael Jackson's 'She's Out Of My Life' At The Grammy Awards". SPIN.com. 2016-02-15. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  38. ^ Joe Lynch (2016-02-15). "2016 Grammys: Miguel Sings 'She's Out of My Life' in Honor of Michael Jackson". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  39. ^ C. G. Matera (2016-02-15). "Grammys 2016: Miguel Sings Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  40. ^ Wright, Joshua K. (2022). "Wake Up, Mr. West": Kanye West and the Double Consciousness of Black Celebrity. McFarland & Company. p. 72. ISBN 978-1476686486.
  41. ^ Rooney, David (January 24, 2016). "'Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall': Sundance Review". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  42. ^ Vincent, Brittany (August 13, 2018). "This 'Monsters, Inc.' meme has people digging deep for their favorite songs". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
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