"She's Out of My Life" is a song by Michael Jackson released as the seventh track from the Off the Wall album. It was released as a single on April 19, 1980, serving as the fourth single from the album.
An acoustic guitar + vocals demo of the song was released on the posthumous album, Michael Jackson's This Is It.
Background[]
The song was written by Tom Bahler in the late 1970s about his breakup and was recorded by Jackson from December 1978-June 1979.
| “ | The fact is, I had already written that song by the time Karen and I became romantic. That song was written more about Rhonda Rivera... Rhonda and I had been together for two years, and it was after we broke up that I started dating Karen. | ” |
–Tom Bahler[1] | ||
Live performances[]
"She's Out of My Life" was performed in the Triumph Tour, Victory Tour, Bad World Tour and Dangerous World Tour. It was again performed during the Royal Concert on July 16, 1996.
The song was rehearsed for the MJ & Friends concert, although it ultimately was cut. It was the last time the song was ever performed.
During the song, a lucky fan was plucked out of the audience to dance with Michael on stage.
Music video[]
The music video was directed by Bruce Gowers and released in February 1980. It features Michael sitting on a barstool singing the song.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Chorus]
She's out of my life
She's out of my life
And I don't know whether to laugh or cry
I don't know whether to live or die
And it cuts like a knife
She's out of my life
[Verse]
It's out of my hands
It's out of my hands
To think for two years, she was here
And I took her for granted, I was so cavalier
Now, the way that it stands
She's out of my hands
[Bridge]
So, I've learned that love's not possession
And I've learned that love won't wait
Now, I've learned that love needs expression
But, I've learned too late
[Chorus]
And she's out of my life
She's out of my life
Damned indecision and cursed pride
Kept my love for her locked deep inside!
And it cuts like a knife
She's out of my life
[Intro]
Do it one more time. I sung the wrong lyrics
[Chorus]
She's out of my life
She's out of my life
I don't know whether to laugh or cry
I don't know whether to live or die
And it cuts like a knife
She's out of my life
Verse]
It's out of my hands
It's out of my hands
To think for two years, she was here
And I took her for granted, I was so cavalier
Now, the way that it stands
She's out of my hands
[Bridge]
So, I've learned that love's not possession
And I've learned that love won't wait
Now, I've learned, love needs expression
But, I've learned too late
[Chorus]
And she's out of my life
She's out of my life
Damned indecision and cursed pride
Kept my love for her locked deep inside
And it cuts like a knife
She's out of my life
Gallery[]
![Vinyl back cover[2]](/wiki/File:Soomlvinylback.jpg "Soomlvinylback.jpg (98 KB)")
![Vinyl[2]](/wiki/File:Soomlvinyl.jpg "Soomlvinyl.jpg (63 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The track was also released as a B-side to the "Gone Too Soon" single alongside "Human Nature" and "Thriller".