“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” is a heartfelt ballad by Michael Jackson, released in July 1987 with “Baby Be Mine” on the B-side as the lead single from his iconic album Bad. It’s a romantic duet featuring American singer and songwriter Siedah Garrett, whose soulful voice complements Jackson’s emotional delivery beautifully. Originally, artists like Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston were considered for the duet, but Garrett ultimately stepped in—and her performance became an essential part of the song’s magic.
It’s a lush, slow-burning pop ballad with a classic ’80s production style—smooth keyboards, soft percussion, and sweeping strings. Jackson’s vocal performance is intimate and expressive, showing off his ability to convey tenderness and vulnerability, while Garrett matches him note for note with warmth and grace.
The lyrics are simple and passionate, expressing an overwhelming love that can’t be denied. “I just can’t stop loving you / And if I stop… then tell me, just what will I do?”—they’re earnest words from someone fully swept up in the power of love.
The song was a major success, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., and topping charts in several other countries, including the UK. It was the first of five consecutive No. 1 singles from the Bad album, helping cement Jackson’s reign during that era.
The single was released without any accompanying official music video.
