Released: January 24, 1972

Songwriter: Allen Story George Gordy Linda Glover Lawrence Brown

Producer: The Corporation

[Verse 1]
Maria hey hey Maria
Maria, don't you hear me calling Maria?
Maria, girl you know you were the only one
Hey hey Maria
Maria, don't you miss me a little?
Maria, after all you were the only one
Come on back to me, Maria
Maria, come on back to me girl
Hey hey Maria
Maria it's been long, so long (oh)
Maria, since you've been gone
Hey hey Maria
Maria, don't you need me just a little?
Maria, 'cause honest girl you were the only one
(Maria) Come on back to me Maria
Oh, come on back to me girl! (Maria)

[Verse 2]
Maria, I need you (Maria)
Maria, why you keep running away?
Oh baby, you keep running away
Ooo baby yeah Maria
I need you honey
Oh Maria, you sweet little sunflower
Oh hear my plea for sympathy
I just want you here with me, Maria (oo yeah)
Empty arms and lonely nights
That's my life without you girl
I'm so lonely I'm so blue
Without you darling my life is through
Come on back
You keep running away...

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. Jackson began his career when he was seven years old as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, breaking into stardom in 1969 after signing into Motown. The Jackson 5’s first four singles all peaked at number one on the Billboard 100, and soon after Michael pursued a solo career.

His breakthrough fifth album, 1979’s Off The Wall produced four top ten hits (including “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”) and sold 20 million copies, establishing him as a household name. The album was followed with 1982’s Thriller, which became the best selling album of all time, and was the first album to feature seven top 10 singles, including “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”

In 1985, Michael contributed to the collaboration single “We Are The World”, which remains one of the best-selling singles of all time and raised nearly $65 million for famine relief.