| "Got to Be There" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Solid centre variant of the UK single | ||||
| Single byMichael Jackson | ||||
| from the albumGot to Be There | ||||
| B-side | "Maria (You Were the Only One)" | |||
| Released | October 7, 1971 (1971-10-07) | |||
| Recorded | June–July 1971[1] | |||
| Studio | Motown Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California)[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:22 | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Songwriter | Elliot Willensky | |||
| Producer | Hal Davis | |||
| Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio | ||||
| "Got To Be There" onYouTube | ||||
"Got to Be There" is the debut solo single by the American singerMichael Jackson, written byElliot Willensky and released as a single on October 7, 1971, onMotown Records. The song was produced byHal Davis and recorded at Motown's Hitsville West studios inHollywood.
The single became an immediate success, reaching number one onCashbox's pop and R&B singles charts, while reaching number four onBillboard's pop and R&B singles charts.[2] Released to select European countries, it also found success, reaching number five in theUK.[3] The song was composed as a pop ballad with soul and soft rock elements. The song was musically arranged by Dave Blumberg whileWillie Hutch produced its vocal arrangements.
Motown label matesthe Miracles released their version on their 1972 albumFlying High Together, whileDiana Ross recorded a version of the song for her unreleased 1973 albumTo the Baby which was eventually issued as part of the 2010 Expanded edition of herTouch Me in the Morning album. R&B groupBlack Ivory recorded a version on their 1972 debut album entitled, "Don't Turn Around", which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard's R&B chart.
A cover version of the song byChaka Khan from hereponymous fourth solo album reached #5 on the R&B Charts in 1983.
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Platinum | 2,500,000[12] |
