Recorded 1983–84 Artist The Jackson 5 Label Epic/Sony Records | Length 40:47 Release date 2 July 1984 | |
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Released July 2, 1984 (1984-07-02) Victory
(1984) 2300 Jackson Street
(1989) Producers Michael Jackson, Jackie Jackson Genres Soul music, Rhythm and blues, Funk, Pop rock, Contemporary R&B, New wave, Electropop, Funk rock Similar The Jackson 5 albums, Soul music albums | ||
Victory is the seventeenth studio album by The Jacksons. It was released on July 2, 1984 by Epic Records. The album was the first and only album to include all six Jackson brothers together as an official group; also, it was the last album entirely recorded with lead singer Michael Jackson. The album sold over seven million copies worldwide, opening at number four on the US Billboard 200, selling 185,000 copies in first week sales. On July 17, 1984, the album was certified Gold by the BPI for the sales of at least 100.000 copies in the United Kingdom. On October 30, 1984, the album was certified 2× Platinum by RIAA for the sales of over 2 million copies in the United States.
Contents
Victory was supported by the Victory Tour, with lead singer Michael Jackson, who had recently released the world's all-time best-selling album, Thriller, prominently featured. Shortly after the tour ended, Michael and Marlon Jackson quit the group. Jermaine, Tito, Randy and Jackie Jackson continued on as the Jacksons, and releasing one more album, 1989's 2300 Jackson Street (whose title track did feature all six Jackson brothers, along with their sisters Janet and Rebbie) before splitting up.
Recording
After a successful reunion on the Motown 25 television special in 1983, Jermaine Jackson decided to return to the group, having left Motown after nine years as a full-fledged soloist. His brothers had left Motown for Epic in 1975, but despite the reunion, the brothers rarely worked together on the album; it was mainly composed of solo songs the brothers had each worked on during that time. Each brother had a solo song on the album: Michael on "Be Not Always", Randy on “One More Chance” and “The Hurt", Tito on “We Can Change the World", Jackie on “Wait" and Marlon on “Body.” Jermaine only sings co-lead vocals with Michael on "Torture". He also performs ad-libs on "Wait" and is additionally named as a background vocalist on "One More Chance" and "The Hurt". "Torture" was originally planned to be a duet between Michael and Jackie (the song's writer), but when Jermaine officially re-joined the group, he took over the parts intended for Jackie (who can still be heard during the song's chorus and ad-libs).
The album only had two videos—for the songs "Torture" and "Body"—and neither Jermaine nor Michael appeared in either one. A wax dummy of Michael acted as a stand in for the "Torture" video.
Michael recorded "State of Shock", a duet originally recorded with Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury. The duo were unable to finish the track, so Michael ended up recording a second version of the track with Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger for the album.
Artwork
Tensions reportedly grew between the brothers during the recording sessions and as a result, minimal publicity photography was done.
The album cover art was commissioned from famed illustrator Michael Whelan. On the first release of the record there was a white dove on Randy's shoulder (third from left). On later issues the bird was removed.
Production
Personnel
Additional personnel
Singles
The song "State of Shock" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, "Torture", reached #17, and "Body", the third single, became a moderate hit peaking at #47. The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 in the week of August 4, 1984.
Remastered version
A remastered version was released in July 2009 in Japan only, with cardboard sleeve (mini LP) packaging. It was part of a six-album The Jacksons cardboard sleeve (mini LP) reissue series, featuring the albums The Jacksons, Goin' Places, Destiny, Triumph, The Jacksons Live!, and Victory.
Songs
1Torture4:54
2Wait5:26
3One More Chance5:06