The Jacksons’ recording of “Blame It On The Boogie” was the lead single from their 13th studio album, Destiny, which was released in 1978. The group left Motown in 1975 and after two years on the Philly International label, they signed with Epic Records. “Blame It On The Boogie” helped lead them back to the kind of success they had on Motown. British singer-songwriter Mick Jackson co-wrote “Blame It On The Boogie” with his brother David Jackson and Elmar Krohn. They intended to sell the song to Stevie Wonder, but Mick recorded his version, and it was released in August of 1978. The Jacksons’ manager heard the song at the Midem Music Conference in Europe and took a recording of it back to the group.
The Jacksons’ “Blame It On The Boogie” was released one day after Mick Jackson’s version. Michael Jackson’s energetic performance and the group’s magic made their version easily the more popular one. They were happy because the song pulled them back up on the R&B chart with a number three position. Destiny was a special album for them because it was the first time in their careers they were allowed complete creative control. “Blame It On The Boogie” was the only song on the album they did not write. Destiny got its biggest push from the next single, “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” but “Blame It On The Boogie” got them out of a slump after five previous singles that didn’t do well. Destiny was re-released in 2009 to commemorate its 30th anniversary and it included two disco versions of “Blame It On The Boogie” and “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground.)” The album was re-released again in 2021 digitally with The Jacksons and Goin Places, with six bonus tracks.
