Got To Be There / Maria (You Were The Only One)
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Album Summary
Got To Be There / Maria (You Were The Only One) was released in 1971 on Motown Records, and baby, it was something special from the very first spin. Produced by Hal Davis and Jerry Marcellino with the full weight of the Motown machine behind them, this record introduced the world to Michael Jackson as a solo voice — a young man of just 13 years old who had no business singing with that much feeling. Recorded while Michael was still very much a member of The Jackson 5, this project was Berry Gordy's way of saying the world needed to hear this kid on his own terms. The title track, written by Elliot Willensky, led the charge as the debut single, and it announced young Michael's arrival in a way that nobody who heard it could forget.
Reception
- The album climbed to #14 on the Billboard 200, a remarkable achievement for a debut solo record from a teenager who was already splitting his time with one of Motown's biggest group acts.
- The title track 'Got To Be There' soared to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it undeniably clear that Michael Jackson had the goods to stand alone in the spotlight.
- Critics took notice of Jackson's vocal maturity and emotional depth, praising a young performer who delivered ballads with a sincerity and soul that belied his age.
Significance
- This album marked the true genesis of Michael Jackson's solo career, proving that his gifts extended far beyond the ensemble chemistry of The Jackson 5 and that he could carry a record entirely on the strength of his own voice.
- Got To Be There showcased Jackson navigating the Motown sound with grace — from tender soul ballads to brighter pop-flavored material — revealing an artistic range that would only deepen over the decades to come.
- At just 13 years old, Michael Jackson stepped out of the group spotlight and into his own, and this album laid the first stone on a path that would eventually lead to the greatest solo run in pop music history.
Tracklist
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A Got To Be There 83
3:23
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B Maria (You Were The Only One) 159
3:41
Artist Details
Michael Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana in 1958, burst onto the scene as the electrifying youngest star of the Jackson 5 before launching one of the most extraordinary solo careers the world has ever witnessed, blending pop, soul, R&B, funk, and rock into a sound so infectious it could make the whole planet move. His 1982 masterpiece *Thriller* didn't just top charts — it shattered them, becoming the best-selling album of all time and cementing his crown as the undisputed King of Pop, while his moonwalk, his voice, and his music videos single-handedly transformed what it meant to be a recording artist. From breaking racial barriers on MTV to uniting generations across every corner of the globe, Michael Jackson's influence on music, dance, and popular culture is so deep and so wide that the echoes of his genius are still being felt on every dance floor and in every recording studio today.
