This Place Hotel

The Jacksons released This Place Hotel in December 1980 as a standout track on their final album for Motown. Michael Jackson penned the song and delivered the lead vocals, while his brothers Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Jackie handled percussion duties rather than singing backup. Tito also stepped forward to play a distinctive guitar solo that adds texture to the track's funk rhythm. The song moves at a steady 98 beats per minute, slowing down the pace compared to the disco-heavy hits that often defined the group's earlier work.

Originally titled Heartbreak Hotel during its writing phase, the track kept this name in some early references before the band changed it to avoid confusion with Elvis Presley's 1956 classic. The lyrics tell the story of a couple staying at a hotel designed specifically to break up lovers, serving as a metaphor for betrayal and heartbreak. Lines like "Live and sin / Ten years ago on this day, my heart was yearning" reflect on past promises and the pain of separation.

Despite its critical acclaim among fans and musicians, the song never received an official commercial single release. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 or the UK Singles Chart but remains a favorite among those who follow the group's evolution beyond their child star image. The track showcases the band's shift toward a more mature, funk-oriented sound under Michael's growing creative control. [edit]