MJ's work ethic

[Hot_Street]

We know he worked very hard in his youth. He wrote Working Day and Night for Off the Wall. He said to Oprah, he was married to his work.
What else do we know about Michael and his work?

 

[mj_frenzy]

Michael Jackson also used to describe himself as workaholic (i.e., obsessed with working to an unhealthy degree).

According to his own words, he also wanted to work like there was no tomorrow in order to cultivate his talent to the highest degree.

 

[xam]

He was obsessed with beating all records (album sales, concert attendance, ratings, etc.). He was completely dedicated to that end. The handwritten note he wrote when he was in his youth:

"MJ will be my new name. No more Michael Jackson. I want a whole new character, a whole new look. I should be a tottally [sic] different person. People should never think of me as the kid who sang "ABC," [or] "I Want You Back." I should be a new, incredible actor/singer/dancer that will shock the world. I will do no interviews. I will be magic. I will be a perfectionist, a researcher, a trainer, a masterer [sic]. I will be better than every great actor roped into one."

 

[Michael Afton]

He stressed himself too much, he obviously was too strict to himself. In my opinion that wasn't really good

 

[Michael Afton]

obsessed with working to an unhealthy degree)

Exactly!

 

[Hot_Street]

Rodney Jerkins talking about Michael Jackson's work ethic​

 

[Moviefan2k4]

I don't think the word "obsessed" even begins to describe Michael's nearly-insane devotion to his craft. I mean, when you write 300 songs for one album, and only 10 or 12 make the final cut...you are seriously pushing yourself way too much. There's working hard, being dedicated, and then needing professional intervention. In some cases, I think Michael definitely fell into that third category.

 

[Hot_Street]

after the TII rehearsals Michael worked on music late at night

 

[Billyjeanplxiv]

What Prince Jackson had to say about whats in the vault is interesting. A lot of whats there is layers of snippets and beatboxing of him layering songs.

 

[Hot_Street]

Michael Jackson’s Show Business Wisdom In 1976
May 30, 2024
A young Michael in 1976 shared the show business wisdom he had already acquired: “One of the most important things to being successful, is listening. It’s listening and watching. And being a good person to work with, easy to work with.”

Michael Jackson’s Show Business Wisdom In 1976

A young Michael in 1976 shared the show business wisdom he had already acquired: “One of the most important things to being successful, is listening. It’s listening and watching. And being a good person to work with, easy to work with.”

www.michaeljackson.com

 

[Hot_Street]

 

[Hot_Street]

Michael Jackson on The Key to Making a #1 Hit Single
October 08, 2024
Michael discusses the intention he put towards making number #1 hit songs, of which he had 13 of on the Billboard Hot 100: “If it’s not right, you throw it away and do it over. You work that thing till it’s just right. When it’s as perfect as you can make it, you put it out there. Really, you’ve got to get it to where it’s just right; that’s the secret. That’s the difference between a number thirty record and a record that stays number one for weeks. It’s got to be good. If it is, it stays up there and the whole wonders when it will come down.”

Michael Jackson on The Key to Making a #1 Hit Single

Michael discusses the intention he put towards making number #1 hit songs, of which he had 13 of on the Billboard Hot 100: “If it’s not right, you throw it away and do it over. You work that thing till it’s just right. When it’s as perfect as you can make it, you put it out there. Really, you’ve...

www.michaeljackson.com

 

[Maxym]

We know he worked very hard in his youth. He wrote Working Day and Night for Off the Wall.

I find difficult to associate MJ's work with Working Day And Night and Off The Wall (the song). Because, in Off The Wall he mentions a nine-to-five... I guess he's never in such a job in his life... certainly worked more but not necessarily at fixed hours...
In Working Day And Night he's singing to a woman who makes the character working day and night? Did that ever actually happen to him?
I do not think he's the main character of both songs in that way.

 

[@mjfanatic777]

His work ethic was awesome.

 

[dethorro]

I don't think the word "obsessed" even begins to describe Michael's nearly-insane devotion to his craft. I mean, when you write 300 songs for one album, and only 10 or 12 make the final cut...you are seriously pushing yourself way too much. There's working hard, being dedicated, and then needing professional intervention. In some cases, I think Michael definitely fell into that third category.

How many???

 

[Maxym]

How many???

I think it's a number that grows up every time someone uses it.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

I think it's a number that grows up every time someone uses it.

It's gone down actually. It used to be 900 songs for Thriller or whatever.

 

[zinniabooklover]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1846219489941094466

 

[Mariah :)]

if you love what you do then it doesn’t feel like work I’m not sure if that’s how he felt about his career but possibly

 

[Hot_Street]

Why Michael Jackson Refused to Rest After the Success of
“Thriller”
December 19, 2024
In 1983, Michael was asked if he would take some time off given the success of “Thriller”: “If I take a week off, I feel I’m loafing, and I feel like I’m getting behind. I like being active, I like to create. I am constantly coming up with different songs and different ideas and looking and prying into the future, the sound of tomorrow – and this music is constantly changing minute by minute. It’s important not to become ‘old hat’, which is an old expression.”

Why Michael Jackson Refused to Rest After the Success of
“Thriller”

In 1983, Michael was asked if he would take some time off given the success of “Thriller”: “If I take a week off, I feel I’m loafing, and I feel like I’m getting behind. I like being active, I like to create. I am constantly coming up with different songs and different ideas and looking and...

www.michaeljackson.com

 

[R1chard]

I find difficult to associate MJ's work with Working Day And Night and Off The Wall (the song). Because, in Off The Wall he mentions a nine-to-five... I guess he's never in such a job in his life...

I think you're right. He's just using phrases he's heard other people say.

Also, Rod Temperton wrote Off The Wall.

 

[Maxym]

Also, Rod Temperton wrote Off The Wall.

Thanks. I forgot about that.

 

[Hot_Street]

Michael Jackson’s Approach to Filming His Short Films
January 06, 2025
Michael applied his attention to detail not only with his music making but in his production of his short films. He told ABC News in 1995: “I get in there and make sure shots are correct, choreography is right, you know? Because once it’s done – it’s immortal. You can’t go back.”

Michael Jackson’s Approach to Filming His Short Films

Michael applied his attention to detail not only with his music making but in his production of his short films. He told ABC News in 1995: “I get in there and make sure shots are correct, choreography is right, you know? Because once it’s done – it’s immortal. You can’t go back.”

www.michaeljackson.com

 

[Hot_Street]

Michael Jackson Speaks About The Joy of Performing and Recording
February 17, 2025
Michael on the joy of performing and recording: “I know what I want to do from the moment I step out there and I love every minute of it. I’m actually relaxed onstage. Totally relaxed. It’s nice. I feel relaxed in the studio too. I know whether something feels right. If it doesn’t, I know how to fix it. Everything has to be in place and if it is you feel good, you feel fulfilled.”

Michael Jackson Speaks About The Joy of Performing and Recording

Michael on the joy of performing and recording: “I know what I want to do from the moment I step out there and I love every minute of it. I’m actually relaxed onstage. Totally relaxed. It’s nice. I feel relaxed in the studio too. I know whether something feels right. If it doesn’t, I know how to...

www.michaeljackson.com

 

[Hot_Street]

Michael Jackson’s Single 1980 Grammy Win Lit a Fire in His Soul
February 27, 2025
On this date in 1980, Michael won his first of 13 Grammys, for “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” which earned the award for Best R&B Vocal Performance. Despite the award, Michael was disappointed and felt his “Off The Wall” album was overlooked by his peers: “That experience lit a fire in my soul. All I could think of was the next album and what I would do with it. I wanted it to be truly great.”

Michael Jackson’s Single 1980 Grammy Win Lit a Fire in His Soul

On this date in 1980, Michael won his first of 13 Grammys, for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" which earned the award for Best R&B Vocal Performance. Despite the award, Michael was disappointed and felt his “Off The Wall” album was overlooked by his peers: “That experience lit a fire in my...

www.michaeljackson.com