"Sunset Driver" is a previously unreleased song written by Michael Jackson released as the 17th track on The Ultimate Collection box set. It was later re-released in 2022 on the Thriller 40 reissue.
Background[]
"Sunset Driver" was first produced by Michael and recorded between November 1978-April 1979 at Hayvenhurst for the Off the Wall album, although didn't make the final cut. It was reworked in August 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios with further overdubs for the Thriller album. It ultimately got cut again.
According to the official michaeljackson.com website, as well as notes shared by Bill Bottrell, "Sunset Driver" was revisited and recorded between May 30-31, 1986 with Bottrell for consideration for the Bad album. It ultimately failed to make the final cut once again.[1][2] An updated mix of the 1979/82 demo was done during these sessions, which was used for the released version.
In 2001, “Sunset Driver” was pulled off the shelf for the Off the Wall: Special Edition reissue, but was shortly put back on it.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Hoo!
Hee!
[Verse 1]
All alone, she's in the ego zone
The word is out that you're doin' wrong
On the move, got fire in your shoes
By word of mouth, you are on the loose
You're livin' on sunset time (You're livin' on sunset time)
(Hoo!)
Feelin' bad, you're livin' much too fast
The truth, the truth that you're on the pass
In the raw, they don't know what you saw
From word of mouth, you're breakin' every law
[Chorus]
Sunset driver
Midnight rider
Friday's brighter
Morning rider, you're a Saturday nighter (Ow)
[Verse 2]
On the go, got fever in your soul
You better not shout where you gonna go
Livin' hot, doin' what you should not
The break's on me then what do you get
We're livin' on sunset time (We're livin' on sunset time)
(Want that dime)
Shoot the breeze, you feel that she's the tease
Your night is free, what you want to be?
Who's to trust when livin' dangerous?
Tonight's your night, but this is what you lose
[Chorus]
Sunset driver
Midnight rider
Friday's brighter
Gettin' higher, you're a Saturday nighter (Ow)
(Hoo!)
(Pah-dah-da-da-dah-dah-dah)
(Hee!)
[Bridge]
You are there when the night's in town
Standin' there with the top of the round
They don't care about the things you used to say
You're like the cinema, you think there's nothin' wrong (Hoo!)
[Verse 3]
Goin' town, you do it every time
The word's got out that you're on the line
On the move, got fever in your shoes
The night's on you, what are you gonna do?
[Chorus]
Sunset driver
Midnight rider
Friday's brighter
Got to reach that driver, you're a Saturday nighter (Ow)
[Outro]
(Pah-dah-da-da-dah-dah-dah) (Hee-hee-hee)
(Ah) (Pah-dah-da-da-dah-dah-dah)
(Hoo!)
(Hee!)
(Hoo! Hee!)
(Hoo!)
(Hee!)
(Hoo!)
(Hee!)
(That's it, Janet)
(That's fine, Michael)
Gallery[]
![Info on "Sunset Driver" (The Ultimate Collection booklet)[3]](/wiki/File:Sunset_Driver_The_Ultimate_Collection_Booklet.png.png "Sunset Driver The Ultimate Collection Booklet.png.png (80 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The fan community believes that despite what The Ultimate Collection and Thriller 40 booklets state, the released recording of "Sunset Driver" doesn't originate from 1982, but the Off the Wall sessions due to its sound and vocals matching those of the album. Additionally, on The Ultimate Collection "Sunset Driver" is placed among Off the Wall era tracks.
- Near the end of the track, Michael can be heard saying "That's it Janet", most definitely referring to Janet Jackson who seems to have been present during the recording sessions.