"Speechless" is a song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the eighth track from the Invincible album. It was released as a promotional single in June 21, 2001, serving as the lead promo single from the album. Andraé Crouch and his gospel choir provided backing vocals.
Background[]
Jackson wrote "Speechless" in March 2000 after a water balloon fight with children in Germany.[1] It took him 45 minutes.[2] In an interview with Vibe magazine, he commented:
| “ | I was so happy after the fight that I ran upstairs in their house and wrote "Speechless". Fun inspires me. I hate to say that, because it's such a romantic song. But it was the fight that did it. I was happy, and I wrote it in its entirety right there. I felt it would be good enough for the album. Out of the bliss comes magic, wonderment, and creativity. | ” |
–Jackson in an interview with Vibe magazine | ||
Jeremy Lubbock worked with Jackson in arranging and conducting an orchestra. Instrumentalists on the track included Brad Buxer on keyboards, and Novi Novog and Thomas Tally on violas. The violinists consisted of Peter Kent, Gina Kronstadt, Robin Lorentz, Kirstin Fife, and John Wittenberg.
"Speechless" was digitally edited by Buxer and Stuart Brawley, and was mixed by Bruce Swedien,[3] who later said, "Everything with Michael is a stand-out moment but an absolutely gorgeous piece of music called 'Speechless' was really an event. Michael sings the first eight bars a cappella. At the end, he closes it off a cappella – it was Michael's idea to add the a cappella parts."[4]
Live performances[]
A snippet of "Speechless" was supposed to be performed as an interlude in the middle of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" during the This Is It concerts, which were canceled due to Jackson's passing.
Audios[]
Leaks[]
On August 28, 2025, Legend Zx1 leaked a snippet of an instrumental demo for "Speechless" on Discord.
- Instrumental demo (snippet) - (
listen)
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Your love is magical, that's how I feel
But I have not the words here to explain
Gone is the grace for expressions of passion
But there are worlds and worlds of ways to explain
To tell you how I feel, but I am
[Chorus]
Speechless, speechless
That's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you
I am far away and nothing is for real
[Post-Chorus]
When I'm with you, I am lost for words
I don't know what to say
My head's spinning like a carousel
So silently, I pray
[Verse 2]
Helpless and hopeless, that's how I feel inside
Nothing's real, but all is possible if God is on my side
When I'm with you, I'm in the light where I can not be found
It's as though I am standing in the place called 'Hallowed Ground'
[Chorus]
Speechless (Speechless), speechless (Speechless)
That's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you (Ooh)
I am far away and nothing is for real
[Post-Chorus]
I'd go anywhere and do anything
Just to touch your face
There's no mountain high I can not climb
I'm humbled in your grace
[Chorus]
Speechless, speechless
That's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you
I am lost for words and nothing is for real
Speechless, speechless
That's how you make me feel
Though I'm with you
I am far away, and nothing is for real
Speechless, speechless
That's how you make me feel (You're always in my heart)
Though I'm with you
I am lost for words and nothing is for real
Speechless
[Outro]
Your love is magical, that's how I feel
But in your presence, I am lost for words
Words like... like, "I love you"
Trivia[]
- The "you are always in my heart" lyric is reused from "You Are Not Alone".
- Jackson considers "Speechless" as one of his favorite songs on Invincible.
- "Speechless" was one of only two songs from Invincible to be written solely by Jackson (the second being "The Lost Children").[5]