Victory cover art

  Studio Album · No. 14

Victory Songwriting Credits by The Jacksons

1984 Epic Records 8 tracks 41 min

Produced by The Jacksons, David Paich, Steve Porcaro

Epic Records R&BPopSynth-PopRockPost-Disco
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

The Jacksons wrote 8 of 8 documented tracks

Authorship Breakdown 8 / 8 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Jacksons carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
8 trackswritten by The Jacksons 0 tracksoutside writers
The Jacksons's roles on this album

Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

8
Tracks
10
Lyricists
8
Producers
7 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1984
Released
Data Insight

Victory had the most varied authorship of any Jacksons album, with writing and production split across the individual brothers and outside collaborators. Toto's David Paich and Steve Porcaro produced 'Be Not Always' alongside the Jacksons, while Michael Jackson wrote and led the hit 'State of Shock,' recorded as a duet with Mick Jagger. Jackie Jackson wrote 'Torture' with Motown veteran Kathy Wakefield. The album reunited all six brothers, including Jermaine, but only a few tracks feature the full group together.

Victory is The Jacksons' sixth and final album on Epic Records, released July 2, 1984, representing a full reunion of the six brothers, including Jermaine, who returned after nearly a decade away at Motown. Released in the wake of Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982), which was at the time the best-selling album in history, Victory was commercially overshadowed by Michael's stratospheric solo profile but still debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The reunion was complicated from the start: Michael's participation was limited and contractually negotiated, and 'State of Shock', originally planned as a duet with Freddie Mercury before Mick Jagger stepped in as performer, was the album's most commercially successful moment, reaching number three on the Hot 100. Jagger performed on the track but the song was written by Michael Jackson and Randy Hansen. The accompanying Victory Tour was one of the most lucrative tours of 1984. Victory was Michael Jackson's last recorded work with the group; after the tour, he devoted himself entirely to his solo career.

Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Torture #17
Jackie JacksonKathy Wakefield Jackie JacksonKathy Wakefield Jackie Jackson Michael Jackson (Lead Vocals)Jackie Jackson (Vocals)Tito Jackson (Vocals)Randy Jackson (Vocals)Marlon Jackson (Vocals)Jermaine Jackson (Vocals)
2
Wait
Jackie JacksonDavid Paich Jackie JacksonDavid Paich David PaichJackie Jackson Michael Jackson (Lead Vocals)Jackie Jackson (Vocals)Tito Jackson (Vocals)Randy Jackson (Vocals)Marlon Jackson (Vocals)Jermaine Jackson (Vocals)
3
One More Chance
Randy Jackson Randy Jackson Randy Jackson Michael Jackson (Lead Vocals)Jackie Jackson (Vocals)Tito Jackson (Vocals)Randy Jackson (Vocals)Marlon Jackson (Vocals)Jermaine Jackson (Vocals)
4
Be Not Always
Michael JacksonMarlon Jackson Michael JacksonMarlon Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Jackson (Lead Vocals)Jackie Jackson (Vocals)Tito Jackson (Vocals)Randy Jackson (Vocals)Marlon Jackson (Vocals)Jermaine Jackson (Vocals)
5
State of Shock #3
Michael JacksonRandy Hansen Michael JacksonRandy Hansen Michael Jackson Mick Jagger
6
We Can Change the World
Tito JacksonWayne Arnold Tito JacksonWayne Arnold Tito Jackson Michael Jackson (Lead Vocals)Jackie Jackson (Vocals)Tito Jackson (Vocals)Randy Jackson (Vocals)Marlon Jackson (Vocals)Jermaine Jackson (Vocals)
7
The Hurt
Michael JacksonRandy JacksonDavid PaichSteve Porcaro Michael JacksonRandy JacksonDavid PaichSteve Porcaro The JacksonsDavid PaichSteve Porcaro Michael Jackson (Lead Vocals)Jackie Jackson (Vocals)Tito Jackson (Vocals)Randy Jackson (Vocals)Marlon Jackson (Vocals)Jermaine Jackson (Vocals)
8
Body #47
Marlon Jackson Marlon Jackson Marlon Jackson Michael Jackson (Lead Vocals)Jackie Jackson (Vocals)Tito Jackson (Vocals)Randy Jackson (Vocals)Marlon Jackson (Vocals)Jermaine Jackson (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 13 contributors

More from The Jacksons

Frequently Asked Questions Victory

Did the Jacksons write Victory themselves?
Partly. Victory had the most varied authorship of any Jacksons album, with the individual brothers writing and producing different tracks alongside outside collaborators like Toto's David Paich and Steve Porcaro. Michael wrote 'State of Shock' and Jackie co-wrote 'Torture.'
Who sang on 'State of Shock' with the Jacksons?
'State of Shock' featured Michael Jackson dueting with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. The song was originally attempted with Queen's Freddie Mercury but that version was left unfinished. It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who wrote 'Torture' on Victory?
'Torture' was written by Jackie Jackson with Motown veteran Kathy Wakefield. After Jermaine rejoined the group, the recorded version paired Jermaine and Michael; it peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Is Michael Jackson on the Victory album?
Yes, though his involvement was limited compared to earlier albums. He sang lead on 'State of Shock' and 'Be Not Always,' but he was focused on his solo career at the time.
How well did Victory sell?
Victory peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200, sold around seven million copies worldwide, and was certified double Platinum in the United States in 1984.
Did all the Jackson brothers appear on Victory?
Victory marked a reunion of all six brothers, including Jermaine, who had rejoined the group. However, the brothers rarely recorded together, and only a handful of tracks feature the full group.

Sources