You Can't Win (song)

You Can't Win (song)

"You Can't Win" is an R&B, pop and soul song performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson in the 1978 musical film The Wiz. The song was written by composer Charlie Smalls specifically for Jackson's role as Scarecrow in the movie, a retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz that featured an all-black cast. In keeping with The Wiz's role as a blaxploitation film, "You Can't Win" and its corresponding scene in the movie allude to mistreatment of African Americans. The full version of the song was split into two songs "You Can't Win" and "Can't Get Outta the Rain" The full version was released on The Ultimate Collection in 2004

Following the release of "Ease On Down the Road" in 1978, "You Can't Win" was issued in January 1979 as the second single from The Wiz: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. It only charted in the United States, where it reached number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 42 on the R&B singles chart. Since its release, the song has been well received by music critics. "You Can't Win" has been performed by contemporary singers such as Jill Scott and Charles Grigsby.