The Lady in My Life

"The Lady in My Life" is a song written by Rod Temperton, produced by Quincy Jones and performed by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson.^[1][2] It is included on the Thriller album by Jackson and along with "Baby Be Mine" is one of only two songs on the project to not be released as a single.^[3]

"The Lady in My Life"
Song by Michael Jackson
from the album Thriller
Released	November 30, 1982 (1982-11-30)
Genre	Quiet storm pop ballad soul R&B
Songwriter(s)	Rod Temperton
Producer(s)	Quincy Jones

Critical reception

In a 2016 retrospective for Billboard, writer Andrew Unterberger lauded the song [and other non-single "Baby Be Mine"] as "earn[ing] every bit of the real estate they command on the biggest nine-track album in history."^[3] Speaking on "The Lady In My Life" particularly, he considered the song "substantial enough a work to be selected as the LP’s closer — [it] is one of Michael’s finest quiet-storm slow burns, an ode of romantic commitment that also gives subconscious closure to "She's Out of My Life," the heart-rending breakup ballad from previous album Off the Wall.^[3] Vibe also praised the song, considering it "the ultimate love song".^[4] On a Billboard 2022 ranked list of the entire album, the song placed sixth, with writer Chuck Arnold considering the record "seductive soul", before comparing its' quiet storm structure and "grown... slow-jamm[y]" vibe to fellow Motown vocalist Marvin Gaye.^[5] Music publication American Songwriter praised the simplicity of the song, arguing that it "stacks up against any ballad the former Motowner put out during his career. It’s simple. It’s romantic. It has everything you’d want in a slow jam from Jackson."^[6]

Sampling

"The Lady in My Life" has frequently been sampled in pop and hip-hop music, though often in a higher key than the original recording. Songs that sample it include:

• "Hey Lover" by LL Cool J featuring Boyz II Men^[3]
• "1st of tha Month (Remix)" by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony^[7]
• "Swang" by Trae featuring Big Hawk
• "Porno Movie" by Three 6 Mafia
• "I Wanna Smoke" by Gangsta Pat
• "Coolie High (Paradise Remix)" by Camp Lo
• "Daytona 500" by Ghostface Killah featuring Raekwon and Cappadona
• "95 Like Dat" by Tyga
• "Transparency" by Chris Brown^[8][9]
• "Lover's Ghetto" by Angie Stone
• "Vows" by Knucks
• "Meal Ticket" by Daz Dillinger and Krayzie Bone
• "Need That Love" by Omarion and Bow Wow
• "Lady In My Life" by Gunslinguz featuring Half Note
• "Irrelevant" by K. Michelle
• "Keep It Street" by Concrete Click

Cover versions

American R&B singer Maxwell performed the song at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards to promote Thriller 40, a 40th anniversary reissue of the album with a second disc of unreleased songs and demos from the original sessions.^[10][4]

Personnel

• Songwriting by Rod Temperton.
• Music Production by Quincy Jones.
• Mastering by Bernie Grundman.
• Bass: Louie Johnson.
• Drums: Jeff Porcaro.
• Electric guitar: Paul Jackson.
• Keyboards: Greg Phillinganes.
• Synthesizer: Michael Boddicker.

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[11]	Gold	500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Grimes, William (October 6, 2016). "Rod Temperton, Who Wrote 'Thriller' for Michael Jackson and 'Boogie Nights,' Dies" – via NYTimes.com.
2. Brownfield, Troy (December 1, 2022). "Michael Jackson's Thriller by the Numbers". The Saturday Evening Post. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
3. Unterberger, Andrew (October 5, 2016). "Rod Temperton's Underrated Legacy: Writing the Two Most Famous Un-Famous Songs Ever". Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
4. Abraham, Mya (May 16, 2022). "Maxwell Performs Michael Jackson's "Lady In My Life" At 2022 Billboard Music Awards".
5. Arnold, Chuck (November 30, 2022). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' at 40: Every Song Ranked From Worst to Best".
6. Hopper, Alex (May 28, 2023). "5 Deep Cuts from Michael Jackson". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
7. "55 Hip-Hop Songs That Sample Michael Jackson". XXL Mag. August 29, 2013.
8. "Chris Brown Gifts Fans 'Leaked' Michael Jackson-Sampled Song As Early Christmas Present". HipHopDX. December 3, 2022.
9. Hynes, Hayley (December 4, 2022). "Chris Brown Leaks Michael Jackson-Sampled Song, "Transparency" On IG: Listen". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
10. Bloom, Madison (May 16, 2022). "Watch Maxwell Cover Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life" at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
11. "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – The Lady In My Life". Recording Industry Association of America.