SoulAlive said:

I wouldn't say it's better per say but it's definitely my favorite of the two!
[Edited 10/14/08 10:41am]

I never really read or heard someone say they dislike "I Can't Help It" and my first response was "Are they on crack" but as with everything we all have different taste and opinions.

I think there's a lot of melody in "I Can't Help It" and it is accompanied by the crazy 13 or 11 jazzy chords that Stevie always puts in his songs. I've played it before on Piano and it really makes unexpected twists and turns. On top of that it features one of Michael's finest vocal performances and It's smooth, with a lot of feeling displayed. I've heard Stevie's original and that has a more Latin feel to it. Even though Stevie is my favorite artist and Michael is my second favorite I like Michael vocal over Stevie's.

"Off The Wall" isn't my favorite Michael album, to me it's "Dangerous" but Michael's vocal performances on "Off The Wall" are crazy good.

I prefer Triumph if only for Walk Right Now.

NMusiqNSoul said:

IMO there's nothing really complicated about I Can't Help It. The song obviously has a melody but it's just not memorable.
The song just coasts. There's no interesting change in rhythm, there's no bridge, no rousing buildups and it has cheesy sounding music. The verse and chorsus alternate and and there's no exciting changes within them.
The song had such a lack of ideas MJ was singing'dadada'.
The only thing I really like about that song is how MJ said baby. That was funny.

Before this thread I thought it was generally considered one of the worst 3 songs on Off The Wall.
Musically, Girlfriend and It's The Falling In Love smokes it.
What's so amazing about the vocal? To my ears there's a distinct lack of passion compared with other songs on the album.

curioso said:

"Generally considered" my black ass.

As they say whatever floats.

Timmy84 said:

I really did. The Stevie love is clouding your judgement.

I think you're the minority here curioso, considering that song at least. Well... at least you stand your ground.

NMusiqNSoul said:

On this site it seems that way. Thanks anyway.

curioso said:

It ain't just the Wonderlove... I generally do love this song.

It ain't clouding my judgment.

Maybe you need to get that Beatle off your back.

Timmy84 said:

Agreed! Even if Stevie Wonder wasn't associated with this song, I would still love it. It's rare to hear Michael sing such a lovely jazz-like song, and his vocals are fantastic.

WaterInYourBath said:

I agree. The Supremes' Susaye Greene co-wrote "I Can't Help It".

so 'I can't help it' makes a recovery on this thread, bout time too, one of MJ's underrated classics, love the jazz feel to it. This always makes my ipod playlist.

'Girlfriend' sucks!

the only song i skip on otw.

yeah,"I Can't Help It" has a jazzy feel to it.Although never released as a single,it has become a Quiet Storm favorite.It's a smooth,mesmerizing song.One of Michael's best!

WaterInYourBath said:

I used to HATE the song. I didn't get it- I thought the lyrics were stupid and I thought it was repetitive. Now it's one of my fav songs of Michael's ever- it's so unique and his vocal performance is outstanding. I still like Get on the Floor better though- it's my fav song from the album.

Timmy84 said:

damn! how many members did the Supreme have?

bboy87 said:

Florence Ballard
Mary Wilson
Diana Ross
Barbara Martin (a fourth member during the group's early years)
Cindy Birdsong (Flo's replacement)
Jean Terrell (Diana's replacement)
Lynda Laurence (Cindy's replacement)
Scherrie Payne (Jean's replacement)
Susaye Greene (Cindy's replacement after Cindy rejoined the group for a brief period)

Nine.

Marrk said:

Why does everyone hate "Girlfriend"? I don't get it.I think it's a nice song.

Cloudbuster said:

In my first post I clearly stated that the Off The Wall days was when "MOST" of Michael's songs had soul(especially on that album). So yes, I do take the soulful sound on a song by song basis.

Cloudbuster said:

Like what? Speechless? Butterflies? You Rock My World? I don't think so.

dseann said:

I think songs like Butterflies, Don´t Walk Away, Whatever Happens do have soul.

dag said:

Not only that but I think Prince didn´t wrote or delivered a vocal performance that can stand next to songs like Butterflies or Whatever Happens.
Man if you compare Whatever Happens to Chelsea Rodgers. It´s like Mozart compared to Lenny Kravitz.Whatever Happens or Butterflies beat the shit out of
songs like Chelsea Rodgers,Planet Earth,Mr. Goodnight

curioso said:

If ever I wanted to define the word "ignorant", I'd use this post as an illustration.

monk76 said:

Maybe you should start comparing slow jams instead. IMHO i think the song''Somewhere here In Earth'' is as good if not better(especially musically) than ''Butterflies'' but i have a feeling that you may prefer MJ whatever song i mention. Am I wrong???

SoulAlive said:

I think the hate for "Girlfriend" stems from Paul McCartney's slightly old fashioned melody. You could easily imagine him singing it in 1964 with John and the gang. Personally I have no problem with that, especially when you've got a band as cool as the one Quincy assembled to accompany it. I love the bounciness of "Girlfriend". I also think it's one of Mike's best vocal performances. His tone is just gorgeous. It's easily one of my favourite tracks on the album. I'd take that over a thousand "Burn This Disco Out"s
[Edited 10/15/08 8:56am]

kanamit said:

Somewhere here on Earth?? His voice is awful on this track.Maybe when Prince was in his "20s voice".. he would make this song a smash(the song is not bad but a power fantastic-prince would sing this so much better!!) but not with his voice right now. So many songs on his recent albums just Fade-Out .....
[Edited 10/15/08 9:12am]

dag said:

"Heaven Can Wait" and "Break of Dawn" as well.

SoulAlive said:

It's an OK song. I think what turns me off from it is that it's so Paul McCartneyish.

monk76 said:

You prove my point, no debate is possible with someone as blindly dedicated to MJ.Prince's voice is awful??? WTF???

Wow, we're comparing Prince to MJ gain.