| Off the Wall | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Original 1979 cover | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 10, 1979 | |||
| Recorded | December 4, 1978 – June 3, 1979[1] | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 42:24 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Michael Jackson chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Off the Wall | ||||
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| Alternate cover | ||||
 Special Edition 2001 cover; remained in prints/distribution until 2016 | ||||
Off the Wall is the fifthstudio album by the American singerMichael Jackson, released on August 10, 1979, byEpic Records. It was Jackson's first album released through Epic Records, and the first produced byQuincy Jones, whom he previously collaborated with while working on the 1978 filmThe Wiz.Off the Wall was crafted fromdisco,pop,funk,R&B,soft rock andBroadway ballads. Its lyrical themes includeescapism,liberty,hedonism andromance. The album features songwriting contributions fromStevie Wonder,Paul McCartney,Rod Temperton,Tom Bahler, andDavid Foster, alongside three tracks penned by Jackson himself.
Before recording his next album, Jackson desired to create a record showcasing creative freedom and individualism for the first time—Off the Wall was widely branded as a reintroduction for him. Despite it being released shortly after the infamousDisco Demolition Night, it became Jackson's highest charting on theBillboard Top LPs & Tape chart, staying in the Top 10 for over 8 months. It was also number 1 on theTop Black Albums chart for 16 weeks and was the best-selling album of 1980 in the US. In retrospect, the album has been hailed as a landmark release of thedisco era.
Five singles were released fromOff the Wall, two of which wereBillboard Hot 100 number-one singles: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You". Another two, "Off the Wall" and "She's Out of My Life", were Top 10 hits; this made Jackson the first solo artist to have four Top 10 hits on the Hot 100 from one album. The album was controversially nominated for just twoGrammy Awards, with Jackson winningBest R&B Vocal Performance, Male for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". It wonFavorite Soul/R&B Album at both the1980 and1981 American Music Awards.
Off the Wall received widespread critical acclaim, with it being credited as a significant departure from Jackson's previous work for Motown and hailed as a major breakthrough for him. It has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of thebest-selling albums of all time. In 2025, it was certifiedDiamond by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album continues to be lauded as one of the greatest albums inpopular music, with some critics praising it as Jackson's best album. In 2008, it was inducted into theGrammy Hall of Fame.
Between 1972 and 1975, Michael Jackson released a total of four solo studio albums with Motown:Got to Be There,Ben,Music & Me, andForever, Michael. These were released as part ofthe Jackson 5 franchise, and produced successful singles such as "Got to Be There", "Ben" and a remake ofBobby Day's "Rockin' Robin". The Jackson 5's sales, however, began declining in 1973, and the band members chafed under Motown's strict refusal to allow them creative control or input.[3] Although the group scored several top 40 hits, including the top fivedisco single "Dancing Machine" and the top 20 hit "I Am Love", the Jackson 5 (minusJermaine Jackson) left Motown in 1975.[3] The Jackson 5 signed a new contract withCBS Records in June 1975, first joining thePhiladelphia International Records division and thenEpic Records.[3] As a result of legal proceedings, the group was renamed the Jacksons.[4] After the name change, the band continued to tour internationally, releasing five more studio albums between 1976 and 1984:their self-titled eleventh album,Goin' Places,Destiny,Triumph, andVictory, as well asa live concert album in 1981. During that period, Michael was not only the lead singer, but also the chief songwriter for the group, writing or co-writing such hits as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "This Place Hotel" and "Can You Feel It".[5]
In 1978, Jackson starred asScarecrow in the film musicalThe Wiz.[6] The musical scores were arranged byQuincy Jones, who formed a partnership with Jackson during the film's production and agreed to produce the singer's solo albumOff the Wall.[7] Jackson was dedicated to the role, and watched videotapes ofgazelles,cheetahs andpanthers in order to learn graceful movements for his part in the movie.[8] Jones recalled working with Jackson as one of his favorite experiences fromThe Wiz, and spoke of Jackson's dedication to his role, comparing his acting style toSammy Davis Jr.[8] Critics pannedThe Wiz upon its October 1978 release,[9][10] but Jackson's performance as the Scarecrow was one of the only positively reviewed elements of the film, with critics noting that Jackson possessed "genuine acting talent" and "provided the only genuinely memorable moments."[11][12] Of the results of the film, Jackson stated: "I don't think it could have been any better, I really don't".[13] In 1980, Jackson stated that his time working onThe Wiz was "my greatest experience so far...I'll never forget that".[12]
Attention was paid to the album cover, which shows Jackson smiling, wearing a tuxedo and trademark socks.John Branca, Jackson's manager stated, "The tuxedo was the overall plan for theOff the Wall project and package. The tuxedo was our idea, the socks were Michael'".[14] WhileOff the Wall was a reintroduction for Jackson,[15] the album was released shortly after the infamousDisco Demolition Night, which increased the growing backlash against disco music's domination of the charts.[16]
When Jackson began theOff the Wall project he was not sure what he wanted as the final result; however, he did not want another record that sounded like the Jacksons, but rather he wanted more creative freedom, something he had not been allowed on prior albums.[17] Jackson's fatherJoseph also approved of the project and allowed him to record it on the condition that it did not interfere with group business. Despite his brothers' desire to work with him, Jackson wanted to make the album independently of his family.[17][18] Nevertheless, his brotherRandy still contributed percussion to "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".
Jones produced "Off the Wall", with co-production credit given to Jackson on the songs he wrote for the album. Songwriters included Jackson,Heatwave'sRod Temperton,Stevie Wonder andPaul McCartney.[19] All sessions took place atLos Angeles County-based recording studios, with recording taking place between December 4, 1978, and June 3, 1979.[1] Rhythm tracks and vocals were recorded at Allen Zentz Recording, the horn section's contributions took place atWestlake Audio, andstring instrumentation was recorded atCherokee Studios inWest Hollywood. Following the initial sessions,audio mixing was handled byGrammy-winningengineerBruce Swedien at Westlake Audio, after which the original tapes went to theA&M Recording Studio, also located in L.A., formastering.[20] Swedien would later mix the recording sessions for Jackson's next album and his most well-known work, 1982'sThriller.[20] Jones recalled that, at first, he found Jackson to be very introverted, shy and non-assertive.[21]
"She's Out of My Life" had been written for Jones byTom Bahler three years earlier. Jackson heard and enjoyed it, and Jones allowed him to use it on the record.[19] Jones called inHeatwave's keyboardistRod Temperton to write three songs. The intention was for Jackson and Jones to select one of his songs, but Jackson, liking them all, included all of them in the final cut.[19] Jackson stayed up all night to learn the lyrics to these songs instead of singing from a sheet. He finished the vocals to these three Temperton songs in two recording sessions.[19] Temperton took a different approach to his songwriting after spending some time researching the background to Jackson's music style. Temperton mixed his traditional harmony segments with the idea of adding shorter note melodies to suit Jackson's aggressive style.[19] Jackson wrote "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" after humming a melody in his kitchen.[22] After listening to hundreds of songs, Jackson and Jones decided upon a batch to record.[22] In hindsight, Jones believed they took a lot of risks in the production ofOff the Wall and the final choice of album tracks.[19]
Music criticsStephen Thomas Erlewine andStephen Holden ofAllMusic observed thatOff the Wall was crafted fromR&B,funk,disco-pop,soul,soft rock, andBroadwayballads.[23][24] Prominent examples include the ballad "She's Out of My Life", the funk tune "Workin' Day and Night", and the disco song "Get on the Floor".[24] "I Can't Help It" is ajazz piece.[14] Quincy Jones in his autobiography compares Jackson to other jazz singers, noting that Jackson "has some of the same qualities as the great jazz singers I'd worked with:Ella,Sinatra,Sassy,Aretha,Ray Charles,Dinah. Each of them had that purity, that strong signature sound and that open wound that pushed them to greatness." "She's Out of My Life" is a melodic pop ballad.[22] The end of the former song showed an "emotional" Jackson crying as the track concluded.[14] Of the song,rhythm and blues writerNelson George proclaimed, "[It] became a Jackson signature similar to the way "My Way" servedFrank Sinatra. The vulnerability, verging on fragility that would become embedded in Michael's persona found, perhaps, its richest expression in this wistful ballad".[7] "Rock with You" is a romantic, mid-tempo song.[22] The album's songs have a tempo ranging from 66 beats per minute on "She's Out of My Life", to 128 on "Workin' Day and Night".[25]
With the arrival ofOff the Wall in the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded; Erlewine described him as a "blindingly gifted vocalist".[24] At the time,Rolling Stone compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" ofStevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbered tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startlingfalsetto that's used very daringly".[26] Writer, journalist and biographerJ. Randy Taraborrelli expressed the opinion that Jackson sings with "sexy falsetto" vocals in "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".[22] Taraborrelli also stated, "Fans and industry peers alike were left with their mouths agape whenOff the Wall was issued to the public. Fans proclaimed that they hadn't heard him sing with such joy and abandon since the early Jackson 5 days".[14]
Off the Wall was released on August 10, 1979. It peaked at number three on theBillboard Top LPs & Tape chart and number one on theBillboard R&B Albums chart, staying at number one on the latter chart for 16 weeks.[27] It remained in the top 10 of the Top LPs & Tape chart for nearly 9 months.[28] It sold three million copies in the United States before the end of 1979, while the Jacksons were still on tour.[27] According toRolling Stone andThe National Leader, it was the best-selling album of 1980 in the US.[29][30] The album's success led to the start of a nine-year partnership between Jackson and Jones; their next collaboration would beThriller, which is the best-selling album of all time.[31] By the timeThriller was released in 1982,Off the Wall had sold 7 million copies worldwide.[32] In 2025, it was certifiedDiamond in the US for sales of 10 million copies. Globally, its sales stand at over 20 million copies worldwide.[33][34][35] It has also gained Platinum certifications in eleven other countries.
On October 16, 2001, aspecial editionreissue ofOff the Wall was released bySony Records to promote his upcoming albumInvincible, with the album cover using the original back cover instead (only showcasing the bottom half of his legs).[24] It was re-released again on February 26, 2016, in its original album cover. The material found strong praise from critics more than 20 years after the original release. On January 7, 2016, Sony Music and The Estate of Michael Jackson announced thatOff the Wall would be reissued and packaged with a new documentary directed bySpike Lee titledMichael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall. The reissue and documentary were both released on February 26, 2016.[36]
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was released on July 10, 1979, underEpic Records which was Jackson's first solo single not released underMotown Records.[37] The song topped theBillboardHot 100 on October 10, making it Jackson's first solo number one single since "Ben", seven years prior.[38][37][39]
"Rock with You" also reached number one on theBillboard Hot 100, becoming Jackson's third number-one single of his career and it also reached the top spot onR&B charts. It spent four consecutive weeks at number one starting January 19, 1980, and was the fourth-biggest single of 1980.[40]
In February the album'stitle track was released as a single, and went to number 10 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart and became a top 10 hit in four countries.[41] "She's Out of My Life" was released after that, also reaching number 10 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart in June.[42] The song was also one of Jackson's slowest songs, with a tempo of 66 beats per minute.[43]Off the Wall became the first album by a solo artist to generate four US top 10 hits.[44]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Christgau's Record Guide | A[45] |
| Melody Maker |  [46] |
| Record Mirror |  [47] |
| Rolling Stone | [48] |
| Sounds |  [49] |
Off the Wall received widespread critical acclaim and was hailed as a major artistic breakthrough for Jackson. In a review of the album,Rolling Stone magazine contributorStephen Holden praised Jackson's maturity and transition from his early Motown material, stating that the album "represents discofied post-Motown glamour at its classiest." Holden went on to compare Jackson toStevie Wonder, another Motown performer who began recording at a young age and gained critical acclaim for his transition.[23] Dennis Hunt ofLos Angeles Times calledOff the Wall "one of the year’s best R&B albums" and particularly praises the influence of Jones' production on Jackson.[50]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [24] |
| Blender | [51] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [52] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[53] |
| MusicHound Rock | [54] |
| Pitchfork | 10/10[55] |
| Q | [56] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [57] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | A[58] |
| Uncut | [59] |
Bill William laudedOff the Wall inKingsport Times, declaring the album as "the finest example we have heard of the sheer power and potency" of Jackson as a soloist up to that point.[60] In a review forMelody Maker, Phil McNeill expressed the opinion that inOff the Wall Jackson sounded comfortable, confident and in control. He believed "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" had a "classy" introduction and that it was the best song on the album. He also praised "Rock with You", describing it as "masterful".[61] McNeill concurred with a colleague that Jackson was "probably the best singer in the world right now in terms of style and technique".[61]
Several critics particularly noted the improvement in Jackson's vocal ability. InThe Village Voice, criticRobert Christgau credited Jackson and Jones with "fashion[ing] the dance groove of the year" and stated that "Michael's vocabulary of grunts, squeals, hiccups, moans, and asides is a vivid reminder that he's grown up."[62] Giving the album a favorable review inSmash Hits,David Hepworth said that Jackson "sings like an angel".[63] Hepworth also wrote forSounds, sharing the view thatOff the Wall is a "gem" and highlighting "She’s Out Of My Life" as a "hauntingly beautiful ballad".[49]Record Mirror writer, Paul Sexton, was praiseful of album's slower songs, such as "She's Out of My Life" and "I Can't Help It".[64] Pat Stevens ofEvening Post praised the album for illustrating Jackson's "flexibility".[65]
Off the Wall was ranked amongst the best albums of the year in both 1979 and 1980 in its respectivePazz & Jop polls byThe Village Voice.[66][67] In1980, Jackson won the Grammy Award forBest Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. In the same year, Jackson won three awards at theAmerican Music Awards:Favorite Soul/R&B Album,Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist andFavorite Soul/R&B Single. In1981,Off the Wall won Favorite Soul/R&B Album again.[68]
Despite its commercial and critical success, Jackson feltOff the Wall should have made a much bigger impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. In particular, Jackson was disappointed that he had only won a single Grammy Award at the 1980 Grammy Awards. The album also did not get nominated forAlbum of the Year, which was viewed as a surprise.[69] Jackson stated that "It was totally unfair that it didn't get Album of the Year and it can never happen again".
In 2003,Off the Wall was ranked number 68 onRolling Stone's list ofThe 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, maintaining the ranking in a 2012 revised list until the current revision of 2020 which has been ranked at number 36.[70][71] InBlender's 100 Greatest American Albums of All Time list, it was ranked number 13.[72] The album was included in the1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[73] InColin Larkin's third edition of theAll Time Top 1000 Albums (2000), it was ranked at number 235. It was also ranked number seven in theSoul/R&B – All Time Top 50 albums.[74] TheNational Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), in conjunction with theRock and Roll Hall of Fame, ranked the album at number 80 of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time.[75] In 2008,Off the Wall was inducted into theGrammy Hall of Fame. It was ranked number 56 inThe Guardian's list of the 100 Best Albums Ever.[76] Additionally,The Guardian's list of the 50 Key Events in the History of Pop Music ranked 'Michael Jackson starts work onOff the Wall' at number 23.[77] The album was ranked at number 85 onConsequence of Sound's list of The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time.[78] In 2015,Billboard rankedOff the Wall at number 149 on its list of the Greatest of All TimeBillboard 200 Albums.[79] It was also ranked third in their list of the Greatest of All Time Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, out of 100 albums.[80]Uncut rankedOff the Wall at number 46 on its list of the 200 Greatest Albums Of All Time.[81] In 2019,The Independent included it in its list of The 40 Best Albums to Listen to Before You Die.[82] In 2025,Spin ranked it as Jackson's best album.[16]
| Organization | Country | Accolade | Year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | United States | Grammy Hall of Fame | 2008 | [83] |
| American Music Awards | United States | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | 1980 | [84] |
| American Music Awards | United States | Favorite Soul/R&B Album | 1981 | [84] |
| Billboard Music Awards | United States | Top Black Album | 1980 | [85] |
| Billboard | United States | Greatest of All TimeBillboard 200 Albums (Ranked #149) | 2015 | [79] |
| National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) /Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | United States | Definitive 200 Albums of All Time (Ranked #80) | 2007 | [86] |
| Quintessence Editions | United Kingdom | 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die | 2003 | [73] |
| Rolling Stone | United States | 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (Ranked #68) | 2012 | [70] |
| Rolling Stone | United States | 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (Ranked #36) | 2020 | [71] |
"...the album that established him (Jackson) as an artist of astonishing talent and a bright star in his own right. This was a visionary album, a record that found a way to breakdisco wide open into a new world where the beat was undeniable."
Off the Wall is widely considered by critics and publications to be one of the greatest albums of all time. Although it was not as commercially successful asBad andDangerous, the album is often debated by critics between itself andThriller as Jackson's best.[87][88] According to some music journalists, it epitomized thepeak of the disco era, being part of a group of landmark disco albums includingDonna Summer'sBad Girls (1979) andBee Gees'Saturday Night Fever (1977).[89][90][91]
James Wilson-Taylor ofPopBuzz believed that the album influenced artists includingthe Weeknd,Justin Bieber andBeyoncé.[92] The Weeknd cited it as a major influence on his artistry, saying, "I found my falsetto, because ofOff the Wall [and] "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"...I always use Michael [Jackson] as, first and foremost, a vocal inspiration, andOff the Wall was definitely the one that made me feel like I could sing."[93] Britni Danielle ofEbony highlightedChris Brown's "Fine China" for being a "surprisingly lush and infectious tune reminiscent of Jackson'sOff the Wall ['vibe']". Regarding the comparison to Jackson'sOff the Wall 'vibe', Brown himself stated "I really wanted to kind of bring that essence of music back with that single."[94] Writing forPitchfork, Ryan Dombal said that the influence of "I Can't Help It" onPharrell Williams's "off-kilter funk cannot be overstated".[95]
DuringSean Combs' acceptance speech for theRecording Academy's Salute to Industry Icon award at theClive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala, where he expressed his disappointment towards the Grammy Awards due to the lack ofbig award wins for Black artists, Combs' spoke onThriller being Jackson's "revenge" for "not being nominated [enough] forOff the Wall". Combs' also dedicated his award toOff the Wall.[96] A writer ofPR Newswire credits the album for "smashing the ceiling on record sales for black artists [and] ushering in an exciting new era of R&B-to-pop crossover airplay, chart, marketing and sales trends not seen before in modern pop music."[97]
According to the same writer,
Off the Wall transcended music and entertainment altogether [toBlack America]. The success of the album marked a level of national and international achievement that conjured pride in a culture that as late as the end of the 1970s was still fighting for the kind of social acceptance that Jackson's album received. Because ofOff the Wall's indelible influence, 21st century artists as disparate as Beyonce,Pharrell,Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd all have a blueprint they turned to for creating their superstardom.
Retrospective reviews have continued to praiseOff the Wall for its appeal in the 21st century.Blender gave the record a full five star review stating that it was, "A blockbuster party LP that looked beyond funk to the future of dance music, and beyond soul ballads to the future of heart-tuggers—in fact, beyond R&B to color-blind pop. Hence, the forgivable Wings cover".[51] AllMusic gave the record a five star review, praising the record's disco-tinged funk and mainstreampop blend, along with Jackson's songwriting and Jones' crafty production.[24] The publication believed, "[Off the Wall] is an enormously fresh record, one that remains vibrant and giddily exciting years after its release".[24]
A writer forRolling Stone wrote "the unstoppable dance tracks onOff the Wall – sculpted by Jackson and producer Quincy Jones – remain more or less perfect examples of why disco didn't suck. 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', 'Rock With You' and 'Burn This Disco Out' still get the party started today."[98] David O'Donnell, writing for theBBC, describedOff the Wall as "one of the finest pop albums ever made" and showcasing Jackson as a "gifted and versatile vocalist, comfortable performing on ballads as well as upbeat disco tracks."[99] Tom Ewing ofThe Guardian regardedOff the Wall as superior toThriller: "... we can say with more certainty thatThriller will keep its position as the highest-selling LP ever – but it'sOff the Wall that critics routinely hail as Jackson's masterpiece." and also wrote "... with [Off the Wall] Jackson and his mentor Jones made pop's great coming-of-age album."[77] In August 2018, on the occasion of what would have been Jackson's 60th birthday,Entertainment Weekly reevaluated the album, giving it a score of A−, saying that the album was Jackson's first musical statement as an adult, that it was "a featherweight rapture of disco-flecked R&B" containing dance-floor favorites and some lesser songs.[100] Wilson-Taylor also claimed thatOff the Wall is "arguably, the greatest pop album of all time" and credited it for being the pathway of Jackson becoming a "genuine musical phenomenon".
Nelson George wrote of Jackson and his music, "the argument for his greatness in the recording studio begins with his arrangements of 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough'. The layers of percussion and the stacks of backing vocals, both artfully choreographed to create drama and ecstasy on the dance floor, still rock parties in the 21st century".[7] A writer forRolling Stone credited the album for "inventing modern pop as we know it".[97] Ryan Burleson ofConsequence of Sound wrote that the album "almost immediately affirmed" Jackson as the "preeminent pop talent of his day" and praisedOff the Wall as an "instant classic that married the prevailing sounds of the funk, soul, and disco-inflected 70s with an innovative zeal" that has rarely been replicated since.[78] Burleson also called it a "masterpiece" and a "groundbreaking pop record for the masses that continues to be transformative even today."[78]Blender wrote "[Off the Wall] was the first suggestion that disco need not be tacky" and that the album's "immaculately produced, pre-Thriller tracks are now too familiar to shock, but in 1979, they were revolutionary." With regards to the album, the magazine also wrote "perfection is timeless."[72]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" |
| 6:05 | |
| 2. | "Rock with You" | Rod Temperton | Jones | 3:40 |
| 3. | "Workin' Day and Night" | Jackson |
| 5:14 |
| 4. | "Get on the Floor" |
|
| 4:50 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Off the Wall" | Temperton | Jones | 4:06 |
| 2. | "Girlfriend" | Paul McCartney | Jones | 3:04 |
| 3. | "She's Out of My Life" | Tom Bahler | Jones | 3:38 |
| 4. | "I Can't Help It" | Jones | 4:30 | |
| 5. | "It's the Falling in Love" (featuringPatti Austin) | Jones | 3:48 | |
| 6. | "Burn This Disco Out" | Temperton | Jones | 3:42 |
| Total length: | 42:24 | |||
Notes
Personnel as listed in the album's booklet.[101]
|
|
|
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[130] | 5× Platinum | 350,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[132] | Platinum | 300,000[131] |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[133] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[135] | Platinum | 1,000,000[134] |
| Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[136] | Gold | 10,000* |
| Italy (FIMI)[137] sales since 2009 | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
| Japan | — | 500,000[138][139] |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[140] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[141] | 6× Platinum | 90,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[142] | 6× Platinum | 1,800,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[143] | Diamond | 10,000,000‡ |
| Summaries | ||
| Europe (IFPI)[144] re released edition | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
| Worldwide | — | 20,000,000[33] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Edition(s) | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | August 10, 1979 | Standard | Epic | [27]: 26 | |
| United Kingdom | September 8, 1979 | Epic | [145] | ||
| United States | October 16, 2001 | Special Edition (re-issue)[a] | CD | [27]: 251 [146] | |
| Various | February 26, 2016 | Re-issue[b] |
| [147][148] | |
| Various | January 17, 2025 | Audiophile Edition[c] |
| [149][150] |
Notes
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)Bibliography
