Got to Be There was the solo debut album by then-adolescent Michael Jackson, released on Motown Records, released on January 24, 1972 (not to be confused with the single of the same name, which was released months earlier, on October 7, 1971). Although Jackson was only thirteen years old when he released the album, he demonstrated the vocal urgency of a grown-up veteran singer, as he had done on his records with his brothers in The Jackson 5.

Motown released Jackson's solo album around the same time that another famous brother from a famous family was doing the same: Donny Osmond, who was hitting with songs like "Sweet & Innocent" and "Puppy Love". Jackson's debut and Osmond's almost paralleled between each other as Jackson scored a hit with the title track and "Rockin' Robin", which like Osmond's "Puppy Love", was a remake of an old '50s rock ditty. The album peaked at #14 Pop and #5 R&B when it was released. The album also included covers of "Ain't No Sunshine" and "You've Got a Friend".