Girlfriend

"Girlfriend"Single by Michael Jackson
General information
Released	July 16, 1980
Recorded	December 1978-June 1979
Studio	Allen Zentz Recording (rhythm tracks and vocals) Westlake Studios (horns) Cherokee Studios (strings)
Genre	Pop, R&B
Length	3:04
Album	Off the Wall
Label	Epic Records
Writer(s)	Paul McCartney
Producer(s)	Quincy Jones
Singles chronology
Previous	"She's Out of My Life"
Next	"One Day in Your Life"
Track list
Previous	"Off the Wall"
Next	"She's Out of My Life"
Music video

"Girlfriend" is a song by Michael Jackson, released as the sixth track from the Off the Wall album. It was released as a single on July 16, 1980, serving as the fifth and final single from the album. It marks as the first collaboration between Jackson and Paul McCartney.

Background

McCartney mentioned the track to Jackson at a party in Hollywood. Jackson stated in interviews with the music press in the 1970s that he was a fan of the Beatles and the chance to record a Paul McCartney original helped to inspire his next project. However, Paul ended up recording it himself with his band (Wings) and it was issued in 1978 on the album, London Town. Subsequently, it was suggested by Quincy Jones as a possible track for Michael to record for the upcoming album. Jones was unaware that the song was written for Michael in the first place.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Girlfriend
I'm gonna tell your boyfriend (Yeah)
Tell him (Woo-hoo)
Exactly what we're doin' (Yeah)
Tell him what you do to me
Late at night when the wind is free

[Verse 2]
Girlfriend
I'm gonna show your boyfriend (Yeah)
Show him (Woo-hoo)
The letters I've been savin' (Yeah)
Show him how you feel inside
And how love could not be denied (Oh, no)

[Chorus]
We're gonna have to tell him
You'll only be a girlfriend of mine
Huh, do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do
Huh, do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do (Hoo)
Do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do (Hoo)
We're going to have to tell him
You'll only be a girlfriend of mine

[Verse 3]
Girlfriend
You better tell your boyfriend (Yeah)
Tell him (Woo-hoo)
Exactly what we're doin' (Yeah)
Tell him what he needs to know
Or he may never let you go, yeah

[Chorus]
We're gonna have to tell him
You'll only be a girlfriend of mine
Huh, do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do (Hoo)
Do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do (Woohoo)
(Gonna be your boyfriend)
Do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do (Woohoo)
(Gonna be my girlfriend, girlfriend)
Do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do (Woohoo)
Do-do-do-do-doot-do-do-do-do

Gallery

Vinyl

Trivia

• A album version of the single was later released as a B-side to the "Liberian Girl" single.