Michael Jackson – Speechless

Written by Michael, and recorded for his album, Invincible, issued in October 2001.

"Everything with Michael is a stand-out moment," said engineer Bruce Swedien, prior to the release of Invincible, "but an absolutely gorgeous piece of music called Speechless was really an event. Michael sings the first eight bars a cappella. At the end, he closes it off a cappella – it was Michael’s idea to add the a cappella parts."

It is one of three tracks Michael chose as his personal favourites from the album, during his online chat with fans on 26th October 2001.

"I was with these kids in Germany, and we had a big water balloon fight," said Michael, "and I was so happy after the fight that I ran upstairs in their house and wrote Speechless. Fun inspires me. I hate to say that, because it’s such a romantic song, but it was the fight that did it. I was happy, and I wrote it in its entirety right there. I felt it would be good enough for the album. Out of the bliss comes magic, wonderment, and creativity."

A cover version by Ghost featured on the 2002 album, ‘Under The Moonlight’.

* Written and composed by Michael Jackson
* Produced by Michael Jackson
* Arranged by Michael Jackson
* Lead vocals by Michael Jackson
* Orchestra arranged and conducted by Michael Jackson and Jeremy Lubbock
* Keyboards performed by Brad Buxer
* Andrae Crouch and The Andrae Crouch Singers: Alfie Silas Durio, Valerie Doby, Maxi Anderson, Kristie Murden, Patrice Morris, Yvonne Williams, Yonciele Faggett, Tenika Johns, Angel Johnson, Linda McCrary, Sue Merriett, Deborah Sharp-Tayler, Marja Dozier, Zaneta M. Johnson, Gloria Augustus, Alice Jean McRath, Sandra Crouch, Zandra Williams, Judy Gossett, Geary Lanier Faggett, Johnnie Walker, Ron Taylor, Daniel Johnson, Harold Green, Laquentan Jordan, Tim Brown, Howard McCrary, Sam McCrary, Kevin Dorsey and Andrae Crouch
* Viola/contractor: Novi Novoq
* Viola: Thomas Tally
* Violins: Peter Kent, Gina Kronstadt, Robin Lorentz, Kristin Fife and John Wittenberg
* Digital editing by Brad Buxer and Stuart Brawley
* Recorded by Bruce Swedien, Brad Buxer and Stuart Brawley
* Mixed by Bruce Swedien

Speechless – Lyrics

Your love is magical, that’s how I feel
But I have not the words here to explain
Gone is the grace for expressions of passion
But there are worlds and worlds of ways to explain
To tell you how I feel
But I am speechless, speechless
That’s how you make me feel
Though I’m with you I am far away and nothing is for real
When I’m with you I am lost for words, I don’t know what to say
My head’s spinning like a carousel, so silently I pray

Helpless and hopeless, that’s how I feel inside
Nothing’s real, but all is possible if God is on my side
When I’m with you I am in the light where I cannot be found
It’s as though I am standing in the place called Hallowed Ground
Speechless, speechless, that’s how you make me feel
Though I’m with you I am far away and nothing is for real
I’ll go anywhere and do anything just to touch your face
There’s no mountain high I cannot climb
I’m humbled in your grace

Speechless, speechless, that’s how you make me feel
Though I’m with you I am lost for words and nothing is for real
Speechless, speechless, that’s how you make me feel
Though I’m with you I am far away, and nothing is for real
Speechless, speechless, that’s how you make me feel
Though I’m with you I am lost for words and nothing is for real
Speechless

Your love is magical, that’s how I feel
But in your presence I am lost for words
Words like, “I love you.”