The Wiz
Michael Jackson · 1978
79 min · 26 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of funk and soul, this album transforms classic narratives into an electrifying musical experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ease On Down the Road #1 — This track encapsulates the album's optimistic spirit, blending catchy melodies with an infectious groove that invites listeners to join the journey.
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You Can't Win — With powerful vocals and poignant lyrics, this song reflects themes of struggle and perseverance, showcasing Jackson's emotional depth as a performer.
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Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News — This energetic number highlights the show's humor and resilience, featuring lively instrumentation and vocal arrangements that exemplify Jackson's dynamic stage presence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's vibrant blend of styles and cohesive narrative structure highlight its strengths, though it doesn't fully transcend its era.
What we noticed
- Many songs transition smoothly into one another, creating a continuous flow that mirrors the narrative journey of the story.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic narrative journey unfolds
- infectious energy for group listening
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- sing-along moments throughout
- uplifting themes of self-belief
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward track formats
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1978, The Wiz served as Michael Jackson's first major film role following his success with the Jackson 5. At this point, he was transitioning from a teen pop sensation to a solo artist, showcasing his versatility and deepening his artistry through this collaborative soundtrack.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· James Brown· Janet Jackson
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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You Can't Win
The singer confronts adversity directly while weaving together storytelling with personal reflection.
This shift from narrative to self-address reveals vulnerability, emphasizing the internal struggle behind the outward bravado.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Main Title (Overture, Part One) 2:36
- 2 Overture (Part Two) 1:56
- 3 The Feeling That We Have 3:30
- 4 Can I Go On? 1:55
- 5 Glinda's Theme 1:09
- 6 He's the Wizard 4:08
- 7 Soon as I Get Home / Home 4:03
- 8 You Can't Win 3:13
- 9 Ease On Down the Road #1 3:54
- 10 What Would I Do If I Could Feel? 2:17
- 11 Slide Some Oil to Me 2:50
- 12 Ease On Down the Road #2 1:30
- 13 (I'm a) Mean Ole Lion 2:24
- 14 Ease On Down the Road #3 1:26
- 15 Poppy Girls 3:27
Disc 2
- 1 Be a Lion 4:03
- 2 End of the Yellow Brick Road 1:01
- 3 Emerald City Sequence 6:43
- 4 So You Wanted to See the Wizard 2:46
- 5 Is This What Feeling Gets? (Dorothy's Theme) 3:20
- 6 Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News 3:03
- 7 A Brand New Day 7:48
- 8 Believe in Yourself (Dorothy) 2:54
- 9 The Good Witch Glinda 1:09
- 10 Believe in Yourself (reprise) 2:15
- 11 Home 4:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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