The album Music & Me was released during a difficult transition period the young singer was experiencing due to vocal changes and a changing music landscape. Having been influenced by fellow Motown label mates such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, Jackson had expressed an opinion on having material he wrote to be featured on an album with Motown. However, the label chose not to allow him that option.

Despite the cover of Jackson strumming an acoustic guitar, the singer did not play any instrument on the album and soon expressed his frustrations to his father, Joe Jackson, who later helped negotiate Michael and his brothers off their Motown contract in protest.

Since Jackson was on a world tour with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5, promotion on this album was limited. The Stevie Wonder cover, "With a Child's Heart", was released as a single. Jackson took two years to work on a follow-up album that focused on his maturing voice which became, Forever, Michael.