When the world is on your shoulder
Gotta straighten up your act and boogie down
If you can't hang with the feelin'
Then there ain't no room for you this part of town
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself, c'mon
Groove, let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)

You can shout out all you want to
'Cause there ain't no sin in folks all getting loud
If you take the chance and do it
There there ain't no one who's gonna put you down
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself, c'mon
Groove, let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)

Do what you want to do
There ain't no rules it's up to you (ain't no rules it's all up to you)
It's time to come alive
And party on right through the night (all right)

Gotta hide your inhibitions
Gotta let that fool loose deep inside your soul
Want to see an exhibition
Better do it now before you get too old
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself, c'mon
Groove, let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
C'mon and groove (yeah) and let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall

Tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf (living off the wall)
And just enjoy yourself
(Living off the wall)
C'mon and groove (yeah) and let the madness in the music get to you
(Living off the wall)
Life ain't so bad at all


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Off The Wall Lyrics as written by Rodney Lynn Temperton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Off The Wall song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    This song is awesome. I think its just about 'Living Off The Wall'; going out to party, enjoying yourself, letting the music get you caught up and not caring about what anyone says or thinks and seeing that everythings not as bad as it seems.

    Always-Sweeter67on January 04, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is a classic mj song.

    mmbson February 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it's Michael take on the aftermath of Humpty dumpty falling 'off the wall'

    Wanderpopson November 13, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's about cutting loose after hours, not letting the pressures of the "nine-to-five"(work)get to you. Hitting the dance floor & acting a fool, doing what you want to do instead of what society says that you, as an adult, have to do. I love this song, makes me dance every time!

    lanakaelon July 15, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think a lot of the fun in this song is the music: IMO, this one is led as much by the instruments as by MJ's voice... The feel of the song is very much dictated by the playing... At the start of every chorus, the music itself lets its hair down, 'just enjoys itself' and 'grooves'

    There's a nice contrast between the music in the chorus and the verse.

    Also, the chorus repeats itself over and over at the end, it's good :)

    tommylommykinson July 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is soooo awesome!!!!

    MJluva4evaon January 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Well worth the read. I found it very informative as I have been researching a lot lately on practical matters such as you talk about... -<a href="van-insurance-cheap.co.uk/commercial-van-insurance/">commercial van insurance</a>

    davesteve12on May 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    When I read thru these lyrics it seems obvious that the metaphoric "wall" represents a safe middle ground between conformity to societal expectations and fully embracing the adventurous "party person" inside.

    Think of being on the wall as in the old saying "on the fence."

    This song seems to be encouraging normal every day worker bees to, at least temporarily, abandon their inhibitions and dance recklessly, party down and enjoy yourself.

    It relies heavily upon cliché, dance rhythms, and pretty well worn out pop themes to deliver a clever, tidy and appropriately timed hit record.. A tribute to Mr. Jackson pop sensibilities..

    Luckycwickon September 17, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I am so sorry to tell you that all of you are very very wrong. The song is about quitting the good-work of God! Forgetting the love of our LORD and doing what ever makes you happy! Living off the wall means we don’t need the protection of God.The chorus is repeated so many times to brainwash you. The wall! Please read the book of Nehemiah. Music industry is very wicked and sneaky i.e. Satan

    marcel1116on June 24, 2021   Link

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